Chapter 563

Cedric had silently observed the entire heated exchange between Francesca and Simon. He said nothing until Francesca stormed off in anger, leaving him to fix Simon with a stern glare before finally speaking.

“Simon, why do you insist on tormenting yourself over Fran?” Cedric asked, his voice calm but firm.

Simon’s face flushed with both embarrassment and rage. “Mr. Aicker, it’s not that I want to bother her! She lied to me—she made me think she was with Andrew when she wasn’t. How is that not a direct insult to me?”

Cedric let out a cold snort. “You’re my top apprentice, Simon. If you have nothing to hide, why would someone’s words be enough to humiliate you?”

Simon gritted his teeth. “It’s not just that! I’ll inherit everything from you one day, and the Aickers don’t have any male heirs to carry on the legacy. If you promise Fran to me, the Aickers will have a secure future—and so will she!”

Cedric was so furious he actually chuckled. “You ungrateful fool! Do you even hear yourself?”

Simon straightened up defiantly. “Mr. Aicker, I know what I just said was disrespectful, but you know how much I care about you and Fran. I’ve always been loyal to both of you. I’m only speaking the truth, even if it’s unpleasant. If Fran doesn’t marry me, who else is going to support this family and its legacy?”

Cedric’s eyes narrowed with cold fury. “Fine. Since you’ve decided to bare it all, let me make something very clear—you and Fran will never happen. Ever.”

“Your so-called loyalty to me? Don’t make me laugh. What you really crave is my knowledge of medicine, our family’s martial arts secrets, and Francesca’s beauty!” Cedric’s voice grew harsher as he continued, his piercing gaze making Simon flinch.

Simon stammered, “M–Mr. Aicker, you knew all of that?”

Cedric’s voice was cold as steel. “You think I’ve been blind? I’ve known about your deceit for years! I only held back because I raised you and didn’t want to destroy the future I had worked to build for you.

“But you’ve been sneaking into our training chambers, stealing forbidden techniques, and practicing dangerous, unapproved methods to boost your strength. Do you even understand the severity of your actions?

“By the rules of the Aickers, you should’ve been expelled long ago. Your entire knowledge of our martial arts and medicine would’ve been erased.”

Simon’s face turned pale before quickly twisting in defiance. “Fine, I admit it! I’ve been practicing those techniques. I’ve learned from the darker, forbidden paths of medicine. So what? I never used any of it to harm you or Fran!”

Cedric roared in anger. “And you still don’t think you’ve done anything wrong? You’re a disgrace, Simon!”

Simon’s eyes reddened as he shouted back, “I’m not wrong! You just don’t have the guts to admit it! You’re too afraid to push boundaries. You refuse to study the power at your fingertips, and because of that, the Aickers have fallen behind!”

He gestured wildly as he continued. “Look at the Weller family! Look at the Rhodes family! They’ve left us in the dust because you’re too timid. If it weren’t for me, the Aickers wouldn’t even be considered part of the elite anymore. You’ve achieved nothing in years!”