Chapter 171: Chapter 171 - Trap Reversed
I subconsciously glanced in that direction, only to see the words coming from the mouth of a young man dressed very meticulously.
"Of course, you’re the Younger Lord of Schroeder Family."
"No matter how skilled Mason Raymond is, he wouldn’t dare challenge the Schroeder Family."
"Young Lord Schroeder, allow me to toast to you!"
I shook my head but didn’t dwell on it much. After all, many young people enjoy boasting, especially this "Younger Lord of Schroeder Family" whom I’d never encountered before.
"Elder Drake, let’s find somewhere to sit down," I said with a smile toward Elder Drake.
Elder Drake appeared somewhat uncomfortable, having never attended such a gathering before and naturally feeling out of place.
We found a relatively secluded area to sit, savoring the delicious food and wine, feeling quite content.
Just then, Blair Blake suddenly approached from nearby. Upon seeing me, his expression turned extremely awkward.
"Mr... Mr. Raymond, what brings you here?" Blair stammered.
I smiled and replied, "Jasper Thompson brought me along, probably to broaden my horizons. Is something wrong?"
"No... Nothing at all." Blair quickly shook his head.
He then simply took a seat beside me.
"Mr. Raymond, if you’re not busy, perhaps I could take you to locate some herbs now? This event is rather dull," Blair suggested with a forced smile.
I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. "Indeed, it is somewhat tedious here, but... leaving abruptly would seem impolite."
Blair wanted to continue, but I waved dismissively. "It’s fine, we’re not pressed for time. We can go tomorrow."
Seeing this, Blair fell silent and just sat there uncomfortably.
I grew increasingly puzzled by Blair’s strange behavior.
"You seem to be in quite a rush," I commented jokingly.
"No... Not at all, it’s just rather warm in here," Blair said, wiping sweat from his forehead.
I felt even more suspicious but decided against further questioning.
Soon after, Jasper Thompson approached us from nearby.
Upon seeing Jasper, Blair stood up and greeted him, "Chief Thompson."
Jasper acknowledged Blair with a nod. "Blair, I haven’t seen your father around?"
Blair explained, "My dad had some business to attend to, so he left early."
Jasper nodded in understanding then turned to me. "Mason, come along. I’ll introduce you to some people."
"Certainly," I replied, rising to follow Jasper.
At that moment, Blair suddenly called out, "Chief Thompson! I need to discuss something with you."
Jasper’s brow furrowed slightly as he responded, "Just speak your mind."
Blair shifted awkwardly. "Uncle Jasper, might I have a word with you in private?"
Though Jasper seemed perplexed, he followed Blair to a more secluded spot.
After moving some distance away, Blair whispered, "Uncle Jasper, you should take Mason Raymond away quickly."
"What?" Jasper asked, surprised. "Take Mason away? Why?"
Blair forced a smile. "If we don’t leave now, there might be conflict between Mason Raymond and Anton Schroeder."
"Anton Schroeder?" Even Jasper frowned upon hearing this name.
"What’s going on?" Jasper pressed urgently.
Blair immediately related the situation to Jasper.
"You know Mason Raymond’s character—will he simply let this slide?" Blair concluded with a wry smile.
A serious expression crossed Jasper’s face.
He couldn’t help recalling his first visit to me for treatment.
"You’re right," Jasper took a deep breath. "This young Schroeder heir grows more arrogant by the day!" he added coldly.
Despite his concerns, Jasper had no immediate solution.
He turned around and walked back to where I was sitting.
"Mason, I just received an urgent call. We need to leave immediately," Jasper announced.
I frowned, increasingly certain something was amiss. "Jasper, why this sudden departure?"
"It’s an emergency—no time to explain." Jasper tugged at my arm, preparing to leave.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Not far away, Anton Schroeder spotted me and began approaching.
"Well, if it isn’t Mason Raymond?" Anton took several steps forward until he stood directly before me.
Seeing this young man, I frowned.
Wasn’t this the same person who had just been gossiping about me? Why would he deliberately approach me now? Shouldn’t he be avoiding me instead?
"Younger Lord of Schroeder Family," Blair greeted with an uncomfortable smile.
Anton glanced at Blair and sneered, "Blair, weren’t you Xavier Hill’s friend? How did you suddenly end up in Mason Raymond’s company?"
Blair laughed awkwardly, clearly at a loss.
"Anton, if you have something to say, save it for later. Mason and I have urgent matters to address," Jasper stated firmly.
Anton chuckled. "Chief Thompson, are you trying to protect Mason? Doesn’t everyone claim Mason fears nothing? Why such modesty now?"
"Modest?" I shook my head before replying, "It’s been quite some time since I’ve practiced modesty."
"Hahaha!" Anton burst into laughter.
He pointed at Elder Drake beside me and declared, "This old man consumed your herbs. Why do you still keep him by your side?"
"Consumed my herbs?" I looked at Elder Drake, confused.
Elder Drake’s face flushed red, leaving him speechless.
Anton smirked. "Seems you weren’t aware. I traded a Hundred-year Ginseng for your Curing Pill, but this old man swallowed the Ginseng himself and sold it!"
"Shouldn’t you punish such treachery?" Anton raised his eyebrows suggestively.
Elder Drake’s face reddened further as he exclaimed angrily, "You’re speaking nonsense! It was obviously..."
"Elder Drake!" Blair suddenly interrupted.
Quickly stepping between them, Blair forced a laugh. "Younger Lord of Schroeder Family, stop with these jokes."
However, I had already sensed something was wrong. I frowned at Blair and demanded, "What’s going on here?"
Blair reluctantly replied, "Mason, I’ll explain everything when we return."
"What happened with that Hundred-year Ginseng?" I couldn’t contain my anger any longer.
This feeling of being kept in the dark was deeply uncomfortable, reminiscent of those three years Lyla Lucas had deceived me.
Blair appeared extremely uneasy, unsure how to explain.
"The Young Lord speaks truth. I took your ginseng and sold it," Elder Drake suddenly declared, his face rigid.
"Mr. Raymond, punish me as you see fit," Elder Drake sighed.
"Hahaha!" Witnessing this scene, Anton laughed even more heartily.
"Mason, why keep such a person around? If it were me, I’d have ended him already!" Anton snorted.
I looked at Elder Drake, anger visibly crossing my face.
A terrifying murderous aura surrounded me.
"Hurry up and deal with him. Why hesitate? Do you need my assistance?" Anton goaded from the side.
"Shut up, you nuisance! Do you take me for a fool?"
In that instant, I spun around and delivered a resounding slap across Anton’s face!
