He said, “Young Master, things in the vault are confidential. Except for the elders, nobody should be allowed to enter or explore. There are not only books and documents but also a lot of treasures that need to be taken out. You need manpower at that time.
“Although I don’t understand those books and sorts, I have strength. I can help carry items.
“Hence, I should also enter the vault. I must go. What do you think, Young Master?”
Finley glinted at Ernest, and his tone was quite sincere.
In fact, he was secretly reminding Ernest and showing his loyalty to him.
Finley didn’t continue asking Theodore for permission. Instead, he talked to Ernest directly. He actually recognized Ernest’s status in the name of the second elder.
He was in charge of the Turners’ armed forces. If Ernest needed him, his power would be a big help for Ernest.
Seeing that Finley directly talked to Ernest, Theodore was so annoyed. Anger surged in his heart. He was still alive, but it seemed Finley had already accepted Ernest as his master.
Theodore said, “We’ll just go in to read through the books instead of moving anything. Your strength is useless. You don’t need to go.”
He refused Finley again.
Finley was so furious. He wasn’t happy with Theodore’s hegemonic management initially, and now he was angry. While he wondered what he should do, Ernest said elegantly, “There’s a statue of the Goddess of Mercy in the vault that I quite like. It’ll be part of the betrothal presents. Elder Finley, please help me carry it out.”
Upon hearing it, Finley was so excited, looking at Ernest joyfully.
It seemed Ernest was genuinely sensible.
Immediately, he said with a smile, “No problem, Young Master. All the treasures in thevault are pretty rare in this world. I can help you pick a few valuable ones out for the betrothal presents.”
Ernest smiled in silence.
Theodore’s face tightened. He almost cursed.
He hadn’t sorted out how many treasures were in there yet, but Finley already planned to give some of them out as gifts.
Finley behaved as if he were the master.
Looking at Theodore, Finley asked in confusion, “Master, don’t you agree?”
Theodore couldn’t find his tongue for a moment. His future granddaughter-in-law was in the hall. How could he disagree?
“Of course. That’s a good idea. Do carry out the valuable ones,” said Theodore with a wry smile.
Since it had been decided, he had to let Finley go into the vault, although he was so reluctant.
Theodore also knew that after this matter, Finley, who didn’t obey him fully, would be more unruly in the future.
Thinking of it, Theodore was so irritated.
In the crowd, Keenan asked the Eighth Elder, “Kevin, won’t you go with them?”
Elder Kevin was the youngest among them. He was in his thirties, looking mature and handsome. However, he seemed quite depressed. He shook his head. “No, I won’t. I can’t be of any help.”
If he insisted on going with them, he would humiliate himself.
He was the youngest with the least power and not close to Theodore. All through the years, other elders kept suppressing him. He was almost kicked out of the group.
Keenan looked at Kevin with a smile in silence.
Hence, the decision was made.
The elders who would enter the vault went to get prepared. They would gather at an appointed time.
They were dismissed.
Ernest looked at Florence and said, “I’ll go into the vault for a while and could be busy. Are you all right to stay outside alone?”
Florence had been to the vault. She was with Ernest for the past three days.
Now, the elders of the Turner family would go inside to sort out the confidential materials, so she must keep a distance.
Florence smiled considerately. “Sure. Please go ahead. I’ll wait for you outside.”
“I’ll finish it as soon as possible.”
Ernest’s mellow voice was so charming, making Florence obsessed.
She didn’t know how long it would take. Before he left, she had started missing him already.
Biting her lower lip, she nodded.
She didn’t put her reluctance on her face as she didn’t want to worry him.
Ernest stroked her hair. He didn’t leave at once. Instead, he looked over at Collin.
As soon as the elders came in, Gideon had left the room as an outsider.
Collin was left here alone.
Ernest looked at him sharply with his darkened eyes, “How is Gideon?”
His question was simple, but Collin understood what he meant.
Collin thought for a moment and answered solemnly, “So far, he should be fine. It seemed he truly fears our power, so he has shared The Book of Herbs with me. I can tell he also likes the herbs. He’s a person who is indeed interested in the medical field.
“I also studied The Book of Herbs carefully. Nothing has been deleted or modified. All the descriptions are true. Gideon told me everything he knew.”
As he spoke, Collin hesitated for a while and added, “Probably we are overthinking and have misunderstood him.”
Ernest pressed his thin lips, pondering.
After a while, he said, “The Book of Herbs is an important book. You can take the chance to talk to him more and get more information from it.”
He wished Collin could learn as much as possible.
They couldn’t just kill Gideon and took the book.
Collin curled his lips unhappily. “That’s because you owe them a favor. If not, I can do whatever I want. Remember, you’ve owed me a favor again. You must pay me back.”
Ernest was expressionless. He ignored Collin and turned away.
The selected elders followed Ernest to the treasury house.
Florence stayed in her room in the castle. When Ernest came out, they would go to the Fraser Mansion.
Thinking that they would go home in seven days, meet her parents, and decide the wedding date, Florence was so delighted.
“Knock. Knock. Knock.”
She heard some knocks on her door.
Florence returned to her senses immediately, adjusted her posture, and sat down on the chair. Then she said, “Come in, please.”
The door was opened, but Florence was surprised to see the person walking in.
It wasn’t a maid to deliver her the high-tea but the youngest Eighth Elder.
He put on a smile and said kindly, “Ms. Fraser, I’m sorry for interrupting you. I’m in charge of the wedding preparation, so may I ask what your requirements are for the wedding?”
Florence was surprised, gaping at him.
She hadn’t expected that the Eighth Elder would come to her for those matters. It turned out the wedding would be planned by him. She needed to tell him about her requirements.
However, she had expected that Ernest would discuss such matters with her. If it was all done by the Eighth Elder, it meant Ernest wouldn’t get involved in the wedding except being the bridegroom in the end.
Florence felt quite upset.