Chapter 57

The Stevens family stared wide-eyed at Andrew. He had just declared Cedric unqualified to be his teacher. Their disbelief was palpable.

“Andrew, do you understand what you’re saying? Aren’t you overestimating yourself?” one exclaimed.

“You idiot! You’re throwing away a golden opportunity!” another scoffed. “You really are hopeless!”

Irene and the others initially hurled insults, then erupted into gleeful smiles. They believed this fool deserved his obscurity, unable to recognize such an opportunity.

Christina scolded, “Andrew, you’d better rephrase that. Dr. Aicker is a distinguished figure, and you should be honored he’d consider taking you as his apprentice!”

Harvey chuckled, “Andrew must be so overwhelmed he can’t think straight. After all, this kind of opportunity probably comes once in a lifetime for someone like him!”

Stroking his beard, Cedric smiled and nodded. “I understand you’re excited. I’ll give you another chance—kneel and accept me as your master!”

Under everyone’s scrutiny, Andrew remained calm. He spoke slowly, “As I said, you’re not qualified to be my teacher. As for becoming your apprentice, that’s ridiculous. I won’t bow to you, and I wouldn’t accept you as my student even if you begged.”

“You ignorant boy!” Cedric’s beard quivered with rage. He glared at Andrew before storming out.

In Jayrodale, people spent fortunes for a chance to become Cedric’s apprentice. This youngster’s audacity to deem him unqualified was infuriating. Cedric felt he’d met his match in arrogance; he’d never encountered anyone so bold.

The Stevens family, initially dumbfounded, exploded in anger.

“Andrew, your arrogance knows no bounds!”

“Dr. Aicker was doing you a favor! Who do you think you are?”

“Well, that’s it—you’ve angered Dr. Aicker. You’ll never amount to anything now!”

Christina stared at Andrew with angry disappointment. “Andrew, why are you sabotaging yourself like this?”

“How is refusing to learn from someone less skilled than me sabotaging myself?” Andrew countered.

Christina froze, then let out a cold laugh. “You’re being ridiculous. Forget it. You were given a chance, and you blew it—that’s on you.” She couldn’t understand his boldness. She concluded he was beyond help, his excessive pride leading nowhere.

Harvey abruptly changed the subject. “Andrew, I hear you have Jayrodale’s King of Diamonds.”

Without waiting for a reply, he continued with a confident smile, “Please tell your boss I’m interested in that diamond. Name your price.”

Andrew frowned. “Yes, I have the King of Diamonds, but I don’t know what boss you’re talking about.”

Harvey smirked knowingly. “That diamond is worth 7.5 million! Surely you’re not suggesting it belongs to you personally rather than your employer?”

Andrew replied straightforwardly, “I don’t know anything about an employer, but the King of Diamonds is indeed mine.”

Christina watched with disapproval. “Andrew, your boss is Mr. Marvin Yates, Jayrodale’s wealthiest man, isn’t he? Everyone knows who really owns that diamond. Why do you always try to make yourself look better by claiming other people’s wealth and power?”