Captain – Chapter 447 – The Ship Doctor’s Consideration

“That’s impossible. You’re overthinking.”

Detecting that the ship’s doctor was genuinely suspicious rather than playacting, Roy quickly adjusted her posture and “righteously” refuted: “If that were the case, why would I bother to come see you? Wouldn’t that just be asking for trouble?”

Coming to be scolded—with Captain Roy’s intelligence, this was something she would absolutely never do.

Finding no flaws in her expression, words, or logic, Anderson finally relaxed his unpleasant expression and remarked with amazement: “Tsk, that doesn’t make sense. Given your nature, how could you possibly escape from the old man’s grasp?”

“I originally thought I wouldn’t see you tonight at all.”

Hearing this, the captain raised an eyebrow and asked discontentedly: “My nature? What nature? You should know that although your captain… loves money, since setting sail, I’ve never abandoned a crew member.”

“Anyone who sincerely follows me and survives the voyage, isn’t every one of them living without worry afterward, hmm?”

“Yes, yes, I just didn’t expect…”

Seeing her genuinely becoming angry, it was now the ship doctor’s turn to “beg for mercy.” He concurred a few times, then rhythmically tapped his fingers on the table, smiling: “You truly are willing to consider me a member of the Mermaid. I had thought our relationship was more of a fair exchange.”

“So, after thinking for two consecutive days, I really couldn’t find a reason why you would continue to choose me over my father, especially since I, as his child, know his methods best.”

“I had already prepared myself to hear news of the Mermaid’s departure.”

At this point, the ship’s doctor’s face showed a rare absence of acerbity, seemingly genuinely pleased: “Even if time was too tight and you couldn’t completely settle the crew’s affairs, I thought you’d at least avoid me.”

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“But… well, I admit I’m not good at expressing emotions, but I’m truly happy to see you again, Captain. Really.”

“And that includes seeing you too.”

Feeling the ship doctor’s gaze and those somewhat cloying words, Caine’s expression became a bit unnatural. He deliberately looked around, changing the subject: “Anderson, is it really alright for us to discuss these taboo topics in such a public place?”

Although they were in the emotional segment of the conversation, following this trend, they would inevitably discuss the issue of leaving, or rather, slipping away—which was naturally taboo for the family head.

And what Mr. Rowell disliked was, of course, the taboo of the Anderson family.

If this matter were detected prematurely and subsequently reached the family head’s ears, then slipping away would certainly be thwarted, and even the promises he had made to the girl might be retracted.

That would truly be losing more than was gained.

“What’s the problem? Aren’t we all our own people sitting here?”

After exchanging a glance with the young lady beside him, imperceptibly conveying sentiment, the ship’s doctor looked back at the two and said very casually: “I understand your concerns, but rest assured, this is a ‘private’ venue. Those seated here are all current or future dignitaries. Who would dare to spy?”

“Not to mention whether those people are qualified to enter, even the family’s spies are not permitted to step half a foot in here today.”

The ship’s doctor casually opened a bottle of wine, poured for himself and his companion, then cast a glance at the captain and her mate. After receiving the First Mate’s indication that “she can’t drink,” he smiled bitterly, set it back beside him, and explained: “These are the rules. You should know that there are certain things that cannot be done, even by my father.”

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“In fact, it’s not just my family. In the Federation’s upper society, not arranging ears and eyes during gatherings has become an unspoken rule. No one can tamper with this.”

Roy was evidently very interested in this so-called unwritten rule, because although pirates also had some so-called “can’t do” things, if no one witnessed it, or when it became necessary, few could resist the temptation to break rules for profit or power.

So she was curious whether the rules among the Federation’s upper nobility were also merely for show.

After hearing the captain’s query, Anderson couldn’t help but roll his eyes. The acerbity that seemed etched in his bones, which had just been suppressed not long ago, once again occupied his lips as he smiled coldly: “Captain, you said it yourself—those are rules among pirates, and as everyone knows…”

“Pirates are always a bunch of bastards who don’t follow rules. Of course, I’m now one of them too.”

Taking a light sip of wine, the ship’s doctor narrowed his eyes like a fox and lowered his voice: “But the Federation is different, especially people from great families. They care a lot about face and won’t do things they say they won’t.”

“Alright, alright, I know what you want to ask. Those nouveau riche who barely squeezed into the circle, those fools who only see immediate small profits—there have been such cases over the years, but without exception, they were all exposed. After all, those old men are truly not easy to fool.”

“And after they’re exposed?”

As if listening to a never-before-heard story, Roy’s face was full of curiosity as she couldn’t help but ask.

“After being exposed…”

Slightly tilting the crystal glass, watching the amber-colored wine swirling within, Anderson smiled self-importantly: “It’s not just being despised and no longer invited. They have to disappear.”

“Completely disappear.”

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Without the young man elaborating further, the captain knew what terrifying consequences would follow if a family of the Anderson caliber became angry, not to mention it was just one of the rule-makers.

So the “disappearance” the ship’s doctor spoke of was likely more terrifying and thorough than mere silencing.

Evidently satisfied with this secret, Roy sighed lightly and said: “That’s good then, to avoid premature exposure and unnecessary trouble. But speaking of which, young master, these two days you’ve…”

“Don’t think so darkly, alright? Although the old man and I don’t see eye to eye, we are still father and son.”

Even though the captain deliberately didn’t finish her sentence, her thoughts were transparent to anyone. The ship’s doctor put down his wine glass and said helplessly: “He didn’t do anything to me, just lectured me, made it clear he wouldn’t let me leave, then pressured me with… the marriage matter, telling me to consider it myself.”

“Consider…”

Repeating this word again, Anderson shook his head, feeling the absurdity: “I fear even he himself doesn’t believe this rhetoric. Though he might not be a tyrant, he can’t escape being arbitrary and domineering.”

“But what’s funny is, I really did consider it for a full two days.”

Hearing this, the captain frowned slightly and asked: “Consider what?”

Truly confused by this father-son pair with their strange relationship dynamics, Roy couldn’t understand why, if Rowell had made his stance clear, he would still give the ship’s doctor a seemingly empty chance to consider.

And the ship’s doctor had actually gone to consider it, not contacting the Mermaid once during these two days.

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This hardly seemed like someone eager to run away from home.

“Consider whether to run as soon as the gathering ends, or stay a few more days.”

Hearing the ship doctor’s flippant answer, Roy looked at him as if he were an idiot, indicating this wasn’t funny.

“Fine, in fact, I was considering whether to go with you all or not.”

Sighing lightly, Anderson changed his tone, putting on an appearance of “selflessness”: “I know the old man would definitely negotiate terms with you. If I leave with you, those terms would naturally be void.”

“Furthermore, the family would certainly make things difficult for us.”

After a pause, the ship’s doctor didn’t specifically explain what “making things difficult” meant, but it surely involved more than just freezing assets.

If the Anderson family wanted to make trouble for the Mermaid, even if they couldn’t take harsh measures due to certain people’s face, they could still find “reasonable and legal” harmful tactics to make their lives miserable.

“So, these two days I’ve been thinking…”

Meeting their peculiar gazes, the ship’s doctor smiled and gave an answer they absolutely couldn’t have anticipated.

“Whether I should run away by myself.”