The whole place fell silent. Who would have thought such a frail-looking old man possessed such startling power? The Martial League's elite fighters were flabbergasted; even Timothy and Elisa were stunned. "Who... who are you?" Timothy asked fearfully.

A ninth-grade fighter himself, Timothy was a prodigy. A member of the Bones family, he was more discerning than most, yet the old man's display had shocked him to his core. He concluded the man must be a sovereign-grade fighter, and one of the strongest among them, given his potent energy. This made Timothy wary.

He could be arrogant with Victor, a former Martial League sovereign-grade fighter, using his position as Overseer to his advantage. But this mysterious old man, from a family Timothy had never heard of—the Sorensens—was different. He felt he shouldn't offend him.

"I am Howard Stone, the Sorensen family's butler," Howard said calmly.

Timothy was even more astonished. A butler, possessing such power? And who were the Sorensens? His companions, lifelong Lannopolis residents, whispered amongst themselves, equally unfamiliar with this powerful family.

"I am Timothy Bones, of the Bones family, Martial League Overseer, here to investigate the Aquila family massacre. This man is the perpetrator!" Timothy declared solemnly. "Sir, please allow us to do our job."

He waited proudly for a courteous response, confident that his family name and position would command respect, even from a sovereign-grade fighter.

"Remove these cars in ten minutes, or face the consequences," Howard stated.

"You!" Timothy's face darkened. He had been humiliated, disregarded before so many witnesses. He never imagined anyone would dare ignore the Bones family and the Martial League.

"You can park yours here," Howard told Dustin.

"Why him, but not us?" Timothy demanded, displeased.

"Because he's more polite," Howard replied evenly.

Annoyed but hesitant to provoke the powerful Howard before learning more, Timothy reluctantly ordered his men to move the cars.

"Dustin Fox, surrender now!" Timothy yelled, about to order Dustin's arrest.

"Didn't you hear? Settle your business elsewhere!" Howard said coldly, his assertive tone silencing the onlookers.

Timothy hesitated, eventually forgoing the order. "You're dead the moment you leave Sorensen property," he threatened icily.

Dustin chuckled. His death, he knew, wouldn't be so simple.

"You're here for herbal ingredients?" Howard asked Dustin.

Dustin nodded. "I'll pay any price."

"What ingredient? I'll pay twenty percent more!" Timothy interjected, seizing an opportunity.

Unable to arrest Dustin, he would make things difficult. "The Bones family has endless money!" he boasted.

"That ingredient is not for sale," Howard said firmly.