The soldiers glanced at each other, thinking Emmett was merely being humble. Emmett saw their expressions and knew they were unconvinced. He was about to elaborate when Jeremiah and Yvette approached. "Mr. Chavez," they greeted.

Jeremiah nodded, his stern features softening slightly. Emmett, Bruce, Chris, and Frankie, all personally trained by Jeremiah, were unsurprising presences. "Good job," Jeremiah said.

The three exchanged glances, thinking, Jeremiah is indeed a hypocrite. He treats Yvette differently now. Where's his usual caring attitude?

Frankie adopted a pitiful expression. "Mr. Chavez, where are we going? Ms. Zeller said she'd hunt hares for us today."

Jeremiah's eyes narrowed, his brows furrowed, his gaze intense. He wondered, Why does Frankie suddenly call Yvette Ms. Zeller?

Tilting his head, Jeremiah walked toward the cave entrance, asking Frankie in a low voice, "Who is Ms. Zeller, and why?"

Frankie casually blurted, "Yvette, she's my mentor."

Jeremiah paused, staring at Frankie, who animatedly described their journey. "Very well," Jeremiah said. Emmett and the others sensed that this "very well" boded ill for Frankie.

Yvette, hands in her pockets, strolled leisurely. Noticing Jeremiah's gaze, she raised an eyebrow. "It's my first time being someone's mentor. But I accept it."

Jeremiah chuckled, thinking, She's young, but she's earned their respect.

Inside the cave, beside the fire, Yvette closed her eyes, leaning lazily against the wall. Her hand rested casually on her leg, revealing delicate wrists. Jeremiah cut a piece of wild boar meat and offered it to her.

Yvette raised her chin, her arrogance evident, though the coldness in her eyes softened slightly when facing Jeremiah. "I don't want to eat."

Jeremiah didn't anger. He smiled, his voice gentle and patient. "Be a good girl, eat a little. It's cold tonight; the wild boar meat will keep you warm."

Yvette's eyebrows rose slightly as she met Jeremiah's clear gaze, making his heart skip a beat. The mischievousness in her eyes was unconcealed.

Jeremiah tilted his head, his tone somewhat helpless, yet incredibly gentle. "Really don't want to eat?"

Yvette shook her head decisively. "Don't want to eat."

Emmett, Chris, Bruce, and Frankie led the soldiers to the other side of the cave. The cave's size was limited. Every word of their conversation reached Emmett and the soldiers, who roasted wild boar meat nearby.

Bruce and Chris witnessed Jeremiah and Yvette's interaction for the first time, shocked from the outset. Bruce, holding wild boar meat, lacked appetite. Chris took a bite, thinking, The love in the air... coaxing Yvette so softly... couldn't be Jeremiah, definitely not our wise and ruthless Jeremiah.

Emmett looked at Bruce and Chris; their expressions mirrored his own initial reaction to Jeremiah's attentiveness toward Yvette. He thought, Fair enough, now I feel balanced.

The other soldiers, being subordinates, remained silent despite their shock. Jeremiah wasn't averse to women; he was averse to women other than Yvette.

Seeing Yvette's refusal, Jeremiah was about to put down the meat when he glanced at Frankie, who stared at them with disgust. Jeremiah seemed to have an idea and beckoned Frankie.

Frankie gnawed on the meat; the affection between Jeremiah and Yvette was overwhelming. He hesitated before obediently approaching, unsure of the reason.

Emmett, Bruce, Chris, and the others noticed Jeremiah's gesture, confused. Why is Jeremiah calling Frankie over now? they wondered.

Frankie approached, politely saying, "Ms. Zeller, Mr. Chavez."

Jeremiah's eyes deepened, his expression meaningful. Quite a few interesting things have happened while I was away, he thought. He knew their pride—each a prominent figure. Why are they so obedient around Yvette?

He'd noticed even Bruce, who disliked women, showed genuine respect for Yvette—a respect that couldn't be feigned.

Frankie scratched his head. "Ms. Zeller, Mr. Chavez, how can I help you?"

Yvette sat straighter, her eyebrows slightly raised, her voice cool and clear. "Not me."

Frankie looked at Jeremiah cautiously. "Mr. Chavez, what do you want?"

Jeremiah smiled, a tenderness Frankie had never seen. He placed the wild boar meat in a lotus leaf and gave it to Frankie.

Frankie stiffly took the leaf, his eyes vacant. After a while, he looked at Emmett, Bruce, and Chris, seeming to want to speak before crying out, "Help! Mr. Chavez wants to poison me!"

His outburst startled everyone; they stopped eating. Yvette lowered her eyes, slowly reaching out to tug on Jeremiah, her voice serious. "I have poison; it won't hurt much. Do you need it?"

Jeremiah saw the mischief in her eyes, knowing she teased Frankie. He played along, solemnly nodding. "Yeah, alright."

Frankie felt a chill. Why are they discussing poisoning me so openly? Is there no law? he thought. I am the law, Yvette thought.

Emmett, Bruce, and Chris approached, smiling helplessly at Frankie. Bruce sat near Jeremiah, maintaining a respectful distance, unlike Yvette, who was close to Jeremiah. "Mr. Chavez and Ms. Zeller," Bruce began, "you two should stop scaring Frankie."

Emmett and Chris joined them, Frankie following. Frankie looked at Jeremiah, whose smile was strained, then at the meat. Jeremiah's sudden concern frightens me. Did falling in love humanize him? he thought. He asked, "Mr. Chavez, you called me over just for the meat?"

Jeremiah nodded lightly, ignoring Frankie's curiosity and Emmett, Bruce, and Chris's gossip. He stared at Yvette, his eyes gentle, whispering, "If I want to be your mentor's husband, I have to be nice to you."

Frankie was stunned. Emmett, Bruce, and Chris exchanged glances, laughing at Frankie's dazed expression. Jeremiah is brilliant; killing two birds with one stone, they thought.

Yvette raised her head, her delicate face charming, and lazily yawned. She was sleepy.