Captain – Chapter 451 – Words of Persuasion Before Departure

All servants in the Anderson family were well-trained, rarely showing emotional fluctuations while working.

This was especially true for Theodore, the old butler who had served several generations of family heads and possessed terrifyingly high seniority. Every moment of his expression and movement achieved the pinnacle of professionalism.

To outsiders, he seemed born for this role.

Therefore, when his tone changed, even ever so slightly, his inner emotions must have been incredibly intense. And this certainly didn’t escape the notice of the ship’s doctor who had been under his care since childhood.

“You make it sound like I’m never coming back.”

After a moment of silence, Anderson broke into a relaxed smile and said: “Although I don’t like this lifeless place, don’t like my father’s demeanor, don’t like… well, don’t particularly like anything about the family, it’s still the place that bore and raised me, protecting me from troubles.”

“Setting aside my father, you, Emily—even if just for the family fortune, I have no reason not to return, right?”

Seeing that the old butler wanted to offer some advice, the ship’s doctor hurriedly raised his hand to stop him, rubbing his ear with one hand: “Alright, alright, let’s skip the lecture. I can’t even remember all the things Father said on the first day.”

“As for your concern that he might face too much pressure within the family because of me, that’s just a tale to fool children. I think even you don’t believe that, do you, Theodore?”

Hearing this, even the old butler, who seemed to always maintain the same expression, couldn’t help but smile bitterly and nod.

Meanwhile, the two behind Anderson were completely bewildered. The captain, recalling her conversation with the family head, couldn’t help but ask: “Isn’t… isn’t that the case? In Mr. Rowell’s words, all the trouble you caused when you first ran—no, left home, was handled by him.”

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The massive gold and silver expenditures by the ship’s doctor, the advantages he sought through the family, and the prying of influential figures within the clan—these didn’t seem like small matters. Even if his father was the family head, he should have been considerably troubled.

“Isn’t what?”

Initially hearing the captain’s question from behind, Anderson was momentarily stunned. After listening to her explanation, he couldn’t help but sneer, clearly feeling that his father’s words were too much of a fabrication.

But now it seemed they had worked quite well on the young woman.

Everything is relative.

While the ship’s doctor’s vision was obscured by the thin veil woven by Mr. Rowell, Roy was similarly unable to see clearly into the Anderson family due to the high walls built around it, thus falling into a simple “trap.”

“Do those things count as troubles for him? Oh, yes, dealing with them might be somewhat tedious, but I’ve never seen my father personally handle them, have I, Theodore?”

Following the ship’s doctor’s lead, the captain looked toward the old butler, who politely smiled: “The young master is correct, Captain. Those trivial matters are generally handled by servants like us.”

“Then what you just mentioned about pressure from family members… is that also imaginary?”

Hearing the captain’s somewhat embarrassed question, Anderson reacted as if he’d heard a tremendous joke: “Please, Captain, even if you don’t fully understand the meaning of the words ‘sole heir,’ you must have some understanding of my father, especially since you’re usually quite good at reading people.”

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“Do you think he seems like…”

Deliberately lowering his voice, the ship’s doctor pretended to be somber: “Someone who would accept dissent within the family?”

A male lion, without exception, would never willingly allow another male lion to enter his territory. For Rowell, the Anderson family was his inviolable domain.

So how could he tolerate covert glances?

Thinking of the Great Captain, who was similar to Anderson’s family head but more familiar to her, Roy was certain that although that “lion” might be lazy, when he spoke, it was always final.

Not just people outside the islands, even legendary figures had to behave properly before him.

By the same logic…

“These old…”

Having figured out the details, Roy’s bad temper immediately surfaced.

But after uttering just two words, she noticed that the ship’s doctor, the old butler, and even her first mate were all staring at her, so she had to clear her throat and swallow the harsh words.

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“These elders really like to fool youngsters. Look, I’ve accidentally fallen for it too.”

The captain didn’t consider herself easily deceived; in fact, she was quite familiar with the “art of deception,” yet she kept being played by these old people, which made her secretly sigh, “Old ginger is spicier.”

Anderson, who knew the captain well, certainly understood what she had left unsaid. His mouth twitched, but he ignored her and continued “persuading” the old butler: “I understand your and Father’s considerations, but I’ve grown up after all and can no longer endure the old lifestyle.”

“I have my own thoughts, my own things I want to do. Of course, saying this to my father would invite scolding.”

While complaining about the family head, the ship’s doctor laughed casually: “But don’t worry, no matter how much I detest the so-called arrangements, I know what’s important, know it’s for everyone’s good.”

“So I will return, will take over the position of family head, and devote the latter half of my life to the business.”

“But not now.”

Looking at the old man whose expression was gradually becoming benevolent, showing hints of gratification, Anderson smiled like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank, adding: “At least not until my father is too old to continue.”

“He’s in his prime now, his body even sturdier than mine. Let him shoulder some burdens for his son. Besides, if I wanted to be the family head now, he wouldn’t be happy about it either.”

“Moreover…”

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Turning slightly to the side, meeting eyes with the somewhat bewildered captain, the ship’s doctor spread his hands and smiled: “I still have many things unfinished, like those thrilling ones that might even create history.”

“That will definitely be interesting.”

Like magic, the ship’s doctor’s expression changed instantly. After saying this, he turned back to the old butler with a childlike plea: “Let me go, Theodore. You’ve watched me grow up and know my character well. If I haven’t played enough…”

“The young master would never be able to settle down.”

Picking up where Anderson left off, Theodore smiled faintly, shaking his head, and bowed to him again: “Knowing that the young master has thoughts of returning home puts my mind at ease. Besides, if you want to leave, how could I stop you?”

“Rest assured and mount your horse. I’ve cleared all the paths for you. The road to the eastern gate and the port is completely clear. However, I will relay everything you’ve said, word for word, to the family head.”

“As you should.”

The ship’s doctor understood this perfectly well. After all, what he had just said, apart from persuading the old butler, was also a declaration of his stance to the old master. Only in this way could things not turn too sour.

After a few more whispered exchanges with the old butler about arrangements after his departure, the ship’s doctor turned slightly, raising his chin toward Roy and Caine in a boastful manner, his face seemingly written with the words “mission accomplished.”

“Well then, let’s go, you two.”