As soon as Lu Xia got back in the car, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Graces’s gaze softened when he saw her. He knew perfectly well that even though Lu Xia had just appeared to be making a scene—acting willful and capricious—in reality, it was all for him.

It was so he could smoothly reject the agreement to voluntarily participate in the gene experiment.

And without facing any of the blame.

’How could his heart not be stirred by a Female Master who always put him first?’

Meanwhile, Gallon, who had remained quiet, was full of confusion. He didn’t understand how Duke Lu Xia, who had seemed so angry just a moment ago, was so happy now that she was back in the car.

But he didn’t ask, quietly keeping his confusion to himself.

’A person as impressive as Duke Lu Xia must have her reasons for everything she does.’

Lu Xia held Graces’s test report. "Let’s go to the Government Hall and get your information updated. That way you can go back to work, and your future promotions and honors won’t be affected anymore, right?"

She knew full well that with Graces’s capabilities, he would be far more than a Colonel if it weren’t for his failed gene fusion.

’I can’t believe Lu Xia even noticed something like that.’ Graces’s heart softened. He couldn’t resist wrapping his arm around Lu Xia’s waist and pulling her into an embrace. "May I hug you?"

Lu Xia didn’t understand why he was being so clingy all of a sudden, but she didn’t push him away. In fact, she even raised a hand to pat his shoulder comfortingly.

This brought another wave of surprise to Gallon’s eyes as he stood to the side.

It was the first time he had ever seen a Female Master treat her partner so well. Even though his own father was a main husband, his mother had never treated him with such care.

’Duke Lu Xia must be the best female he had ever seen.’

They didn’t linger in the car for long. The three of them headed directly for the Government Hall, but when they arrived, Lu Xia had Gallon stay behind in the vehicle.

When they got to the service window for updating personal information, there were two people in line ahead of them. Worried that Lu Xia would get tired from standing, Graces said, "Why don’t you go back to the car and rest? I can handle this myself."

"I’m not tired, and this won’t take long." ’Since I’ve already come out with him today, I might as well see it through to the end.’ "But," she added, "I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be back in a bit."

Hearing this, Graces started to turn. "I’ll go with you."

Lu Xia glanced at him and chuckled. "Can you come inside with me, or can you help me with my business there? Just wait here."

With that, Lu Xia left without another moment’s hesitation.

Shortly after Lu Xia left, a surprised voice called out, "Graces? What are you doing here?"

Graces looked toward the voice and saw a tall, hulking male with a body like a small mountain lumbering toward him. It was his older brother, Hugheska.

"I’m here on business." Graces’s expression remained neutral upon seeing him, as if he wasn’t surprised at all to run into him.

The man, however, suddenly sneered. "Mother said you’ve been doing well for yourself at Duke Lu Xia’s. Why are you here to update your information? Did the Duke finally kick you out?"

The malice in his words was blatant, a taunt delivered without any attempt at concealment.

Graces had no desire to engage with him. "I’m just here to update some information," he said coolly. "It’s not what you think."

"Ha! What information could a defective male like you possibly need to change? I’m telling you, if you really got kicked out, don’t try to save face. It’s one thing for you to be a disgrace, but don’t you dare bring shame upon the Leslie family." Hugheska wore a nauseating expression as if he were only looking out for Graces’s best interests.

Graces’s expression remained unchanged. Although Hugheska was only a year his senior, he had always looked down on Graces simply because he was a Gene Fusion Expert.

Of course, Hugheska had never actually managed to win a fight against him.

Even as a Gene Fusion Expert, his gene fusion rate was only in the thirties, making him no real threat. But the man simply loved to stir up trouble.

"Did you come all this way just to say that? Well, I’ve heard you. You can leave now." ’Lu Xia will be back any moment, and I don’t want her to see this wretched guy.’

"I’m not going anywhere. What are you going to do about it? I’m curious to see what ’information’ you’re changing. If you’ve done something to disgrace the Leslie family, Mother will never let you hear the end of it!" The flesh on Hugheska’s fat face jiggled as he spoke, making him look utterly ridiculous.

Lu Xia returned to this very scene, and her brow furrowed involuntarily. "Who’s this?"

Seeing Lu Xia, Graces’s expression softened. "Nobody important. Pay him no mind."

For once, Hugheska didn’t retort. He was staring, utterly shocked, at the sight of Duke Lu Xia. He had never imagined that the Duke would actually accompany Graces here to run an errand.

’Isn’t Graces just a husband? What did he do to deserve this kind of treatment?’

’He himself was a main husband, yet his own Female Master couldn’t stand the sight of him—she even found a single glance at him disgusting. The comparison made his eyes burn with even more jealousy as he looked at Graces.’

"I didn’t expect to see you here, Duke Lu Xia. Please forgive my intrusion. I’m Graces’s brother, Hugheska. It’s a tremendous honor to meet you." Hugheska’s earlier sneer vanished, replaced by a smile as he extended a fat hand toward Lu Xia.

Lu Xia glanced at the offered hand but made no move to take it. "Oh, a male of the Leslie Family," she said coolly. "Is there something you need? Our Graces doesn’t seem to want to chat with you, so please feel free to leave."

Although she hadn’t heard what the man had said to Graces, it was clear from Graces’s attitude that his relationship with this brother, Hugheska, was not a good one.

’If their relationship wasn’t good, there was no need to interact with him.’

Hugheska’s hand was left hanging in mid-air, making the moment incredibly awkward.

But faced with Duke Lu Xia, Hugheska couldn’t be as disrespectful as he was with Graces. He could only give an embarrassed laugh and say, "Alright, I won’t disturb you two then."

With that, he stepped to the side, but he showed no intention of leaving. It seemed he was determined to stay and see for himself just what information Graces was here to update.

Seeing this, Graces’s brow furrowed. "If his presence displeases you, I’ll make him leave."

"No need. Isn’t it better for him to stay and witness you becoming a Gene Fusion Expert? After today, what grounds will he have to compare himself to you?" Lu Xia could clearly see that Hugheska’s arrogance was entirely propped up by his status as a Gene Fusion Expert.

’She really didn’t understand it. They were brothers, both males who should have understood each other’s struggles better than anyone. Yet, just because one was a little luckier, he became a tormentor, preying on the weak to bolster his own pathetic ego.’

Soon, it was Graces’s turn. He went to the window and handed in his documents. After looking them over, the staff member exclaimed in surprise, "You’re a Gene Fusion Expert now?"

The question was loud, his voice even cracking with surprise. It was loud enough for Hugheska, standing a short distance away, to hear clearly. His face changed instantly.

Before Graces could even respond, Hugheska rushed forward. "What? He’s a Gene Fusion Expert? How is that possible?"