Her Graceful War Song novel Chapter 954

Jacob rubbed his stomach, his hands massaging his face as he let out a long sigh.

What a tough situation!

Then, he muttered, "What's the update from Hartstone Estate?"

"Three carriages have been moved, and they're parked at the back door. They're loading up things—looks like gold, silver, and other valuables from a distance," came the response.

Jacob nodded. "He's trying to run."

"Should we send someone to intercept them on the way out?"

Ever the diplomat, Jacob turned to Everett for advice. "What do you think, Sage Everett?"

With a calm expression, Everett replied, "Where can he go? He's definitely heading for Valken. Send someone to follow him, and along the way, take all his valuables. Let him head to Valken empty-handed. Once he's there..."

He gave Winona a pointed look.

"Have your people keep a close watch. Everything he does and every move he makes needs to be reported back."

Winona gritted her teeth and responded with a firm, "Yes, sir!"

Jacob was aware that he would need to send someone to keep an eye on things, but the idea of stealing all of Hartstone Estate's valuables struck him as particularly ruthless—and he couldn't help but admire the cunning.

Everett glanced at Kyle and Winona, and finally relented. "Fine, you can go now. Put the jars down and get on with your business."

The two of them felt like they had just been granted mercy. With shaky hands, they carefully carried the massive water jars out of the room. The jars were so large that they barely fit through the door. Had the door been any smaller, they wouldn't be able to get in or out.

Once the jars were placed down, they returned, bracing themselves for more reprimands. Having been punished so many times before, they knew the process was never complete without at least a few words of scolding.

"Thank you for your forgiveness, Sage Everett."

Everett took a sip of his coffee before saying slowly, "I'm not punishing you because I'm heartless. If you want to blame someone, blame your hopeless mentor. He's up on the mountain experimenting with gunpowder and blew up my courtyard. And then he had the nerve to ask me to come to the capital to help his apprentices. If I don't punish you, how can I let off some steam?"

The two of them exchanged a look. Was Adrian still messing around with gunpowder from the kingdom of Nerathia?

They had only found out Everett was in the estate after arriving. The couple's reactions were entirely different—one pleased, the other inwardly groaning. Still, both knew they had to go to the study and greet him.

Everett's reputation in Meadow Ridge was notorious. Violet and Travis would never approach him willingly. After all, there was no point in seeking trouble when it could be avoided.

As the study door opened, Everett's gaze softened slightly when he saw his only apprentice enter, affection filling his eyes. His gaze shifted to the troublemaker in the corner—the one who had been a constant headache ever since joining the Pathfinders Guild. His expression soured once again.

"Sage Everett, what brings you here?" Rafael asked with a bright smile, quickly stepping forward.

"Sir, what brings you here?" Carissa asked with a furrowed brow, dragging her feet as she walked in, clearly less than thrilled.

Everett naturally chose to answer his apprentice, saying, "That troublesome martial uncle of yours blew up my courtyard, so now I have to renovate it. Looks like I'll be staying here for a while."

He finished his statement with a cold, piercing glare at Carissa.

Naturally, Carissa silently walked over to stand beside Kyle and kept her mouth shut.