"How could I not come when you've surrounded the West family villa?" Howard's voice was low, and he seemed displeased. Nathan instantly frowned.

"Sir, does someone in the West family have a relationship with you?" Nathan felt trapped. If he were correct, moving against the West family would disrespect his teacher. Yet, the Winter family's order was equally impossible to disobey.

"Sir, I can withdraw from the West family, but I need to capture the surviving Fox family descendant. Is that acceptable?" Nathan asked.

"If you touch him, you'll face me!" Howard looked grim. Nathan's face darkened. He never imagined his teacher would protect Dustin.

"Sir, must you protect Dustin?" Nathan's tone was firm.

"Protect him? Me?" Howard looked as if he might laugh despite his anger. "I'm here to protect you!"

Dustin had never seen Howard so agitated. He appeared disappointed in Nathan, ready to reprimand him.

"You're protecting me?" Nathan was dazed. He was a three-star general of Lovellia, leader of the Lupine Special Forces and Western Forces. He needed no protection.

"Sir, don't worry. They wouldn't dare touch me," Nathan beamed, believing Howard feared Myst.

"You idiot!" Howard shouted, his anger palpable. Nathan was stunned. His teacher had never behaved this way.

"Sir, what's going on?" Dustin asked.

Howard's demeanor instantly shifted. He bowed to Dustin. The scene shocked Nathan. Howard was exceptional; why this deference to Dustin?

"Master Fox, Nathan was my student. I implore you to forgive him this time. If he repeats this, I'll kill him myself!"

Nathan was speechless. Howard's politeness toward Dustin was unimaginable.

Howard, an elite fighter from a once-great family, was showing such respect to Dustin. "Sir, you called him 'Master Fox'?" Nathan's face paled. He understood. Dustin was Apollo's successor, master of Star Tower. He finally understood Howard's presence and purpose.

"The person I wanted to kill is…" Nathan was terrified, sweating profusely. His three-star general demeanor had vanished, replaced by stark fear.

"General Sweeney, what's happening? Is this a personal matter hindering your command?" Richard asked, eyebrow raised. Without Nathan's order, the police couldn't subdue the West family. Myst was powerful.

"General Sweeney, separate your professional and personal affairs," Richard stated.

Immediately, Nathan knelt before Dustin.