Andrew paused for a moment before speaking honestly. “Madam Delaney, I’m not single.”

Agatha’s eyes widened. “What? Don’t tell me you’re already married? Which heiress did you marry?”

Andrew chuckled. “Married? Not yet. But I do have girlfriends.”

Agatha patted her chest in relief and let out a long breath. “As long as you’re not married, everything else doesn’t matter.”

Then, realizing she had revealed too much, she forced a laugh and quickly added, “Mr. Lloyd, what do you think of Rowan?”

Andrew was caught off guard. “You mean Ms. Maddock?”

Agatha nodded with a broad smile, throwing glances at Rowan over and over.

Meanwhile, Rowan pretended not to notice, her face growing redder by the second.

Andrew could not help but glance sideways at Rowan. When she noticed his gaze, she quickly looked away, avoiding eye contact.

He said carefully, “Uh… well, Ms. Maddock is excellent. She’s so young, yet already accomplished. I’m sure under her leadership, the Onyx Serpents will grow stronger.”

Agatha shook her head. “That’s not what I’m asking. I mean, Mr. Lloyd, do you like Rowan as a woman?”

Agatha was certainly direct. He and Rowan had not reached that stage at all.

Agatha smiled knowingly. “Mr. Lloyd, don’t think I’m being too forward. The truth is, Rowan isn’t that young anymore. She’s at the prime of her beauty, and you… Well, you’re the perfect match for her. I’ll shamelessly admit it: I want to bring you two together.”

Rowan was overwhelmed with shyness and could not help calling out, “Grandma!”

Agatha stood up, hunched over as she walked toward the door. She closed it behind her, not forgetting to add, “Mr. Lloyd, you and Rowan can have a private chat! Don’t worry. No one will disturb you two.”

Just like that, only Andrew and Rowan remained in the room.

Her face burned so hot it felt like it might catch fire. Agatha’s action was no different than trying to sell her off, yet Rowan could not bring herself to stop it. Deep down, she felt a strange mix of nervousness and anticipation.

However, Andrew just felt awkward. He had merely come as a gesture of goodwill, nothing more. In all these years, he had barely had contact with the Onyx Serpents, and now Agatha was pulling this stunt.

Her intentions were clear: she wanted to tie the Onyx Serpents to him through Rowan.

Andrew disliked such schemes, but for Rowan’s sake, he swallowed his irritation. If he rejected it harshly now, it would only make things harder for her later.

“Well… aren’t you going to say something?” Rowan finally broke the silence, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

Andrew forced himself to respond. “What do you want me to say?”

Rowan opened her lips, but no words came out. After a moment, she fumbled for something to fill the silence. “I didn’t expect that you were telling the truth. You really are incredible here in Gabo Creek.”

Andrew smiled faintly. “I wouldn’t say incredible, but giving the Onyx Serpents a safe place isn’t difficult.”

Rowan shook her head. “No, you truly are amazing now. I have to admit that.”