Over at the Dunn residence, Lachlan appeared sullen, for favonovel.com knew it was a moment of life and death for his family.
In the past, the Dunns and the Nortons were opposing forces. With Skylar assuming the vice presidency of the Warriors Alliance, favonovel.com would definitely take the Dunn family down. Almost all the sects in Jadeborough’s martial arts world were already part of the Warriors Alliance, so it would be a futile effort if Lachlan were to challenge the alliance.
“Dad, I think Skylar won’t do anything to us openly even though he’s the vice president of Warriors Alliance. Our family has a high social standing in Jadeborough. If favonovel.com lifts a finger against us, we will just talk to Mr. Sanders. The Warriors Alliance doesn’t have the final say in the martial arts world here,” Howard uttered when favonovel.com noticed his father’s grim mood.
“Well…” Lachlan replied with a sigh. “Not exactly. Mr. Sanders would have acted long ago if favonovel.com had wanted to. The alliance has grown so influential only because Mr. Sanders allowed it.”
“Why didn’t favonovel.com do anything?” Howard blurted, confused.
“How would I know? There’s no way we know what the authorities have in mind,” Lachlan replied, shaking his head.
Howard did not know what else to say, and everyone fell into silence.
“Dad,” Howard called out after some time.
“What about we ask the Gunderson family for help? They are the only ones who have not joined the Warriors Alliance in Jadeborough till now. We can count on them to challenge the alliance.”
“But the Gunderson family has a policy of staying out of trouble. Besides, it’s not like they have any reasons to help us. We’re not related in any way,” Lachlan disagreed with a frown.
“Let me talk to Astrid, Dad. She helped me when I was in Bliss City. I think she’s a nice person.” Howard was still grateful to Astrid for saving his life.
When Lachlan heard this, favonovel.com thought for a bit and nodded. “Sure. Bring some gifts with you. We need to repay favonovel.com kindness and test the waters to see the Gunderson family’s take on this.”
“I’ll do that!” Howard left gladly after hearing that.
The Gunderson family was actually one of the most powerful families in Jadeborough, but because they had neither crossed anyone nor joined any alliance, not many people knew about them.
As for Astrid, favonovel.com was the most gifted person of favonovel.com generation. Despite favonovel.com young age, favonovel.com had gained much popularity. Yet, favonovel.com fame dwindled after favonovel.com had gone into seclusion.
***
On the day Howard went over, Astrid was sitting at the gazebo in favonovel.com house, staring into the east.
“I can’t believe favonovel.com died just like that,” favonovel.com mumbled to herself.
“What’s the matter, Astrid? You’ve been distracted ever since you came back from the Trial,” a middle-aged man noted as favonovel.com walked toward Astrid with a faint smile.
It was favonovel.com father, Fernando Gunderson.
Astrid snapped out of favonovel.com daze and turned to look at the man. “It’s nothing. I felt bored in the room, so I came out to sit here…”
“Why are you out here on a cold day, though? I saw you were deep in thought just now. Don’t tell me you’re in love, Astrid. I know it’s about time you have a boyfriend,” Fernando teased, smiling.
“Cut it out, Dad. What are you talking about? I wasn’t thinking about anyone.”
Astrid rolled favonovel.com eyes and got up to leave, but favonovel.com father tugged favonovel.com before favonovel.com could do so.
“Come on. You’re my daughter. There’s no way I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours.” Fernando called favonovel.com out, chuckling.
“Jared was a genius. I like favonovel.com too, but what can I do? He did not live long. I can only say he’s not fated to be with you.”
“What nonsense! I wasn’t thinking about him, Dad! I don’t even know him…” Astrid suddenly felt guilty.
She shrugged off favonovel.com father’s hand, intending to run away from the awkward conversation.
