Chapter 1642

Late at night, the study in the Driscoll residence was dimly lit. Maurice, who seemed to always hide in the shadows, asked in a low voice, “Joe hasn’t stepped out since he came back this afternoon?”

Walter, the head of the Driscoll family’s Shadow Division, whispered back, “That’s correct, sir. He has remained in his room since returning during the day!”

Maurice frowned. “Did you send anyone to check on what’s going on?”

Walter shook his head with a bitter smile. “I sent three different groups, sir. None of them got in. He even turned away his sisters.”

Maurice let out a cold snort. “Something’s off with him since he returned this afternoon, and I can feel it. Walter, tell him I want to see him.”

Walter hesitated. “Sir, it’s already pretty late. Maybe we should wait till morning?”

Maurice’s voice turned sharp. “I know what time it is. But I can’t sit back and watch Joe lose his focus just because of a girl. Go now. I need to hear from him what exactly is going on in his head!”

Walter bowed slightly. “Yes, sir.”

However, before he could even reach the door, it swung open.

Walter jumped.

After all, Maurice’s study was not a place just anyone could enter, especially not this late.

However, when he saw who it was, his eyes widened in shock, but he quickly relaxed. “Mr. Joe, what are you doing here?”

Joe walked in without a word, his expression blank. He did not even glance at Walter, just saying, “If I didn’t come, Dad probably wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. By the looks of it, you were just about to come bother me too, weren’t you?”

Walter lowered his head and chuckled awkwardly. Joe was as sharp as they came, as if no one could ever hide a thought from him.

Maurice smiled as he looked at Joe. “Joe, didn’t you go out to handle some personal matters today? How did it go?”

Joe’s tone was flat. “Three days from now, I’ll settle things with Andrew at the club. A duel–one-on-one. That’ll determine who truly deserves Lauren.”

Maurice’s expression shifted into a frown. “You’re going to fight over who gets to be 'han'? That’s absurd! Do you have any idea who you are? What status you carry?”

He continued, “Andrew has no right to challenge you! And besides, Lauren is barely above average! I’ve told you before that if you want a woman, I can find you any kind you like. Why are you so obsessed with this one?”

Maurice was truly furious. He felt like this whole situation was an insult to the Driscoll name. Some no-name nobody had actually pushed his son, the most dangerous prodigy in the entire family, into lowering himself for a fight.

And for what? A woman who did not even matter.

Joe remained ice-cold. “I know doing this will definitely displease you, Dad. But I like Lauren, so I don’t want to use my family’s power to pressure others. Andrew is worthy of making me take action!”

Maurice slammed the table, his anger intensifying, “How is he worthy? What qualifications does that ignorant brat have? If I weren’t considering your feelings, I could crush him with a single slap!”

Joe said in a deep voice, “Dad, I’ve already said I don’t want to use family power to pressure others. Doing so would make me appear to be nothing but a loser who can only rely on the family! I want to show the world that the Driscoll family’s strength belongs to the Driscoll family, and that’s your achievement, Dad.”

He continued, “As for me, I have my own pride, and I’ll protect that myself. I don’t need to borrow the family’s power!”

Maurice sneered. “Of course, I won’t interfere with your pride! But I’ll say it again–none of this is worth it for a woman who doesn’t even matter. Moreover, Andrew isn’t worthy to be your opponent!”