Henry hissed, "And for the record, you’re into men. If one day you fall for Andrew, then what does that make you? How do you think he’ll see you?"

Eric let out a cold laugh. "I don’t care how he sees me."

With that, he walked away.

Henry clenched his teeth, but in the end, he did not stop Eric. A heavy wave of frustration surged in his chest. He was determined to eliminate Andrew.

Again and again, that man had ruined his plans, and now even Eric had been taken from him.

Henry could only feel bitter defeat and burning rage.

At Andrew’s side, dawn finally broke. Eric had gone out to get food and gather news about Goldridge.

Time passed slowly, but Andrew looked calm, not worried in the least that Eric might run away.

After all, this was Goldridge, and Henry had already shown his face here. If Eric wanted to leave, now would have been the perfect chance.

The door creaked open, and Eric walked in, pale-faced, holding a paper bag of breakfast. He tossed down Goldridge’s famous tuna melts and said flatly, "Eat."

Andrew grabbed one from the bag, unwrapped it, and bit in with relish. He glanced at Eric and smirked. "What’s with that look? You seem awfully weighed down."

Eric huffed. "It’s nothing and has nothing to do with you."

Andrew finished the first sandwich and reached for the second. "Well, well. One short trip outside and you come back with a sour mood. Don’t tell me you bumped into an old flame and had a fight?"

Eric stiffened and glared at him. "You followed me?"

Andrew shrugged. "Followed is a strong word. I just wanted to see if you had thoughts of running away."

A cold sweat broke across Eric’s back. He had gone out to buy food, but he had also gone up Mount Zircon to see Henry.

Yet, it seemed that Andrew had tailed him the entire time without him noticing.

Andrew took another slow bite of the warm, juicy tuna melt. "Don’t get so jumpy. Eric, now I’m a hundred percent sure you’re on my side. I know you went to Mount Zircon. Honestly, I had another reason, too—if Henry tried to stop you, I would’ve stepped in and taught him a lesson."

Eric gave him a sidelong glance. "So you were following me to protect me?"

Andrew mumbled through a mouthful, "What else did you think? Man, these Goldridge tuna melts are something else."

Eric’s icy eyes softened into something more complicated. He watched Andrew devour his food and could not tell what he was feeling.

When Andrew finished, he wiped his hands clean with a napkin. He looked up and saw Eric still staring at him with a dazed expression. The hairs on his arms stood on end.

He quickly said, "Hey, hey, what’s with that look? Cut it out. Don’t do that again. Eric, you’re a man, remember? With the right equipment. If you want to look, then look at those gorgeous, curvy women. Let me be clear, I’m not your type."

No wonder Andrew’s mind had gone there. Eric’s gaze had been so intense it was impossible not to read into it.

Eric finally looked away with feigned disdain. "Relax. I like men, but only handsome ones. And you, Andrew, are nothing but a rough brute. You don’t qualify."

Andrew exhaled in relief. "Exactly, I don’t qualify. Henry does!"

He laughed and added, "I hope you always think I don’t measure up."

Eric only gave a cold laugh and said nothing more.