Max sat on the couch clutching his head.

How did this happen?

'Why? I haven't even met Lorenz Lord in person….just what is that old man thinking…'

"So, what's going on?" Elly suddenly asked, looking at Max.

Max sighed as he looked at her, "That's what I want to know…..you sure aren't sitting in the wrong room?"

"I don't think so…" Elly replied.

"I just heard about it…..I had no idea about it that day…" Max said as he looked at her.

"Why is your Grandfather doing this? I haven't even met him in person…" He further said with a sigh.

Elly didn't have any idea as well. Her grandfather said it was for her sake though.….

"Can you ask him to stop this?" Max requested.

"No….I won't…"

But as expected, she wasn't going to go against her grandfather.

"You really are willing to lead this terrible life just because he asked you to do so?" Max asked as he looked at her.

"I will follow his decision….besides it isn't as bad as I imagined it to be…." Elly replied.

"You trying to hit on me?" Max looked at her.

Elly shook her head as she smiled. "Who would hit on a pervert?''

Max's brows twitched when he heard the word 'pervert'

"Could you please forget about that and try to find a way out of this?" Max requested her with a glare.

"I don't intend to find a way out...but if you do, you can talk to my grandfather...that's the only way to change the situation…" Elly gave her honest opinion.

"I have my fair share of unreasonable grandfathers...it won't work…" Max shook his head, in his eyes Lorenz Lord was worse than Lisa's grandfather….

"You really are calm aren't you? You do realise what's going around…" Max once again looked at her.

Why did it feel like he was the only one not happy here? He was the only one being noisy....

"Yes, I do...I will fulfill all my duties…." Elly said with a calm look.

"You are not being recruited for some kind of job…" Max sighed. Talking to a wall would be better than talking to her....she wasn't going to do anything...

'Doesn't she have her own will?' Max looked at her.

At least, Max knew that she was very different around her friends. But when her grandfather came into the picture, she lost her will, becoming a person who would follow his every order…

Just what is making her do that….something must be weighing down on her….

"Could you please stop staring like that?" Elly replied as she looked at him. "You really aren't a pervert, are you?

"Could you stop that, please?" Max said as his face twitched.

"So, who is this person?" Elly suddenly asked with a bit of interest.

"Which person?" Max asked as he looked at her.

"Your first partner?" Elly was calm while saying that but Max wasn't.

The moment, he remembered that Lisa was one of the reasons for this situation. He wanted to strangle her for the first time…her ability to create trouble was just on another level….he might as well send her to the Heavenly Demon and the guy would die of stress...

Even their engagement was all her fault...now she dragged Elly into it, Max was now starting to feel more afraid of her than the demons…..

If she was left alone, Max didn't know what she would do….

"She didn't tell you about it?" Max asked as he looked at her.

"Do I know her?" Elly asked in surprise.

"Yeah, you sure do…" Max said as his body trembled in anger. He would give her a good lesson this time, he would make sure that she would think a hundred times before speaking again from now on...

"Come let's go, I will let you meet her once this is over…" Max said as he got up and Elly followed behind.

As they got towards the stairs, Max looked at her. She was wearing a blue gown with high heels. Being a gentleman, he extended his hand out…

"You trying to hit on me?" Elly asked as she looked at him, repeating Max's words.

"Is there even a need for me to hit on you at this point of time?" Max asked her with a calm look.

"Right…" Elly nodded and took his hand.

….

A minute later, the two returned to the hall.

"I thought you fell asleep in the washroom.." Lisa said as she looked at Elly.

"Are you feeling sick, Elly?" Aria asked in concern. Even in the morning she was dazing out in the bathtub..

"I am fine...just met someone along the way…" Elly replied.

Lisa suddenly shivered as she felt a killing intent lock onto her. She immediately turned her head only to see Max smiling at her….there wasn't anyone else...

'Am I imagining things?' Lisa muttered inwardly.

Max sat down on one of the empty seats, he wanted to relax for a second….

At this moment, someone came and took the seat in front of Max.

"Tiring isn't it…"

Max looked at the person who said those words only to find Alan sitting beside him.

"Thanks for stepping out to help last time…" Max said as he looked at him. The guy had come out to help him during the fight in the Academy.

"You don't need to mention it….but things certainly changed so fast.. ." Alan said as he shook his head.

"So what did you need me for?" Max asked calmly.

"You say as if I had a purpose in mind for approaching you....." Alan smiled.

"You helped me once, as long as it is in my capability...I will surely help you…" Max said with a smile.

Alan wasn't the only one with a purpose in mind. Max too was interested in this person….

From what he had heard, there wasn't anything good about him….but Max certainly thought that the person was different…

Besides, this was a chance to get someone from the Blackwood on his side.

"Well, I appreciate it….this might not be the best place to talk...how about I invite you to my house someday…" Alan said with a smile.

"I will certainly be waiting.." Max replied.

"It is very unusual to see Young Lord Alan smile…I wonder what good fortune I had today…."

Max and Alan looked at this person who took the seat at their table.

Arnold Barnes...Lear's second brother…

Alan looked at the guy. He didn't remember having any strong impression of this person. He only had a good impression of his elder brother…

"I have heard this young master here had been taking care of my little brother these days...I am certainly grateful for it.." Arnold turned towards Max with a smile.

'Hmmn...this guy's demonic aura is way stronger than Victor's…' Max thought as he looked at him.

"There is no need to thank me….Lear is my good friend, I won't let any harm come to him..." Max said as he looked at him with a smile.

Arnold looked at Max. A chill flashed past his eyes….but his face only had a smile all the along..

"Yes, I hope you succeed..."