Francesca laughed. “Come on, Shiloh, let’s have a snowball fight.”

Shiloh’s eyes lit up. “Yes, yes! I’ll take on all three of you alone!”

The four girls ran off playing, leaving only Joe and Andrew standing across from each other.

Eric let out a dramatic cough, glancing around with exaggerated annoyance. “Damn it, once again, I’m just the useless third wheel here. Well, gentlemen, it’s about that time. For the sake of the beautiful lady, you’d better fight this out and see who wins.”

Andrew said flatly, “Shut your mouth!”

Eric snorted coldly and walked away.

Joe said calmly, “Andrew, what do you want?”

Andrew smiled. “That’s a question I should be asking you, don’t you think?”

Joe’s face turned ice cold. “I haven’t interfered in your conflict with the Driscoll family. Andrew, I just want to find a peaceful place to live with Master Shiloh where no one will bother us.”

Andrew narrowed his eyes. “And what if I don’t allow it?”

Joe replied, “Then I might have no choice but to offend you.”

Andrew sneered. “You trying to take me on is like a moth throwing itself at a flame.”

Joe shook his head. “For Master Shiloh, I fear nothing, not even death.”

Andrew gave a mocking click of his tongue. “How touching! For the woman you love, you’re willing to risk everything, even be shattered to pieces, right?”

Joe’s voice hardened, “I’ve never hidden how I feel about Master Shiloh. Andrew, I haven’t interfered with you, nor have I hurt your interests, so I don’t see why you think you have the right to question me.”

Andrew’s smile turned sharp, “Shiloh carries two incurable diseases. Have you even considered that?”

Joe answered firmly, “Of course I have. That’s exactly why I plan to take her away from Blumedale, to Goldridge, and later to the Advanced Medical Institute to find treatment.”

Andrew scoffed. “The Advanced Medical Institute doesn’t have the ability to cure Shiloh.”

Joe’s tone did not waver. “Then I’ll take her across the country, travel the world with her. And if no one can cure her, then I’ll take her away to live quietly in the countryside, and I’ll care for her for the rest of her life.”

Andrew chuckled. “Mr. Driscoll, you certainly make your obsession sound noble. Very well, if Shiloh chooses you willingly, I won’t interfere. But I must warn you… Her true identity is still covered in mystery, and many want her for her secret of agelessness. Joe, do you really think you can protect her?”

Joe’s answer was firm. “I’m not weak. I’ll only grow stronger in the future, and I still have the Driscoll family behind me. Protecting her won’t be an issue.”

Andrew snorted. “What a fool. Anyway, I don’t have time to waste arguing with you. But there’s one thing I need to tell you.”

Joe’s eyes hardened. “If you plan to use me to threaten the Driscoll family and force them to bow to you, then forget it. I won’t cooperate. I’d rather die.”

Andrew shook his head with indifference. “Yes, using you to threaten Maurice would be an effective strategy, but I’m not that low. What I need to tell you is about your origin. You may not be a Driscoll at all. Your real father is someone else.”

Joe froze, his guard rising.

Andrew added, “If you want the truth, ask your mother, Mia. That’s all I’ll say.”

With that, Andrew turned into the snowstorm and left alone. And with his departure, the full-scale assault on the