"Um, my Lord... how about letting Jake tag along?" Michelle still wanted to strive for an opportunity to involve Jake.

Alas, Robert gave the cold shoulder.

Instead, he passed the ball to Ray.

"Ray will be the one in charge of this assignment. Only he can decide who to include." He declared.

’You bastard!’ Ray resisted the urge to beat Robert, not that he could win either.

What did Robert mean by that he was in charge of the matter?

If he was really the one in charge, then how come when he objected to Chloe’s involvement, it was rejected?

Such a double standard!

’I’m so jealous!!!’ Yes, Ray was very envious of Robert.

Robert could act in a double-standard manner, and none dared to even voice a complaint about it.

If that wasn’t what you called a true man, then Ray doesn’t know what is called a true man.

The kind that obeys their woman without any spine?

Sorry, but that was just being a simp and a loser.

Women indeed need coaxing, but one should know the limit. Otherwise, all you would receive would be a big green hat for your tiny head.

[Why are you acting like some love expert, Mister Single For Life?]

’Shut up! I’ve read so many novels and watched so many dramas. That alone makes me an expert!’

[Ah, so watching those exaggerated scenes makes you an expert? Then why hadn’t you become a martial artist expert or mage expert or some other expert when you watch and read such a wide variety?]

Upon reading the prompt, Ray wanted to just close his eyes and be graced by the sunset, the equivalent of that cooked dog meme, where he accepted his fate.

He was cooked, roasted, and absolutely disintegrated by the system comment.

Did he want to stay single?

No, the single life chose him, not the other way around!

’Damn, I hate you so much. You are the real villain.’ Ray resisted the tears in his eyes when coming out.

"Why are you crying tears of joy?" Chloe chuckled. "You’re that happy I’m tagging along?"

"I know a place for narcissistic people like you. It’s called the circus." Ray snorted.

"Hah, you are probably the only one who dared to talk to me in such a manner."

"Oh, really? I’m so honored."

"You should be. The last person who dared to use such a remark is now mere fertilizer on the soil." She giggled sweetly.

Had it not been for such a chilling statement, many would have probably been swooned over by her villainous charm.

Or maybe some had already fallen deep for her character.

After all, there were many men with weird kinks who enjoyed such things.

How did he know so well?

Well, Ray hated to admit it, but he was indeed one of them who actually somewhat enjoyed villainous female characters.

"What a pity that I’m too good to become a fertilizer." Ray shook his head. "I suggest using Jake instead. His generosity from last night still melted my heart. He would certainly make the lands cultivate well."

"You!!!" Sure enough, Jake nearly flared up until his mother halted him with a fierce glare.

"Ray, right. Since my son is a good fertilizer material, you wouldn’t mind him tagging along with you, right?" Michelle suddenly said and smiled at Ray.

Since Robert had made it clear that the decision wasn’t his, she knew she had to cozy up with this adopted son.

What else could she do?

The other two betrayed her the moment their children got a chance to earn the Lord’s grace. She couldn’t possibly be stubborn and let them outdo her, right?

Either way, the adopted son clearly seemed to have zero chance of inheriting the Marquis’ status, so she might as well be friendly with him.

To be late for three hours because he overslept was totally not the kind of impression one wants to make if they want to impress the Lord.

"Him tagging along?" Ray was about to wave his hand to reject the suggestion. He didn’t care about offending her either because this Jake was definitely problematic.

Who knows if he might wander off and stumble across that ridiculous ruin?

Once that happened, then he would have to clash with the protagonist directly.

"Oh come on, we’re all family here. Families should stick together and help each other out." Michelle stood up and approached him.

Ray nearly wanted to vomit and cursed her away until she shoved something into his hand.

It was a pouch... one that was extremely heavy.

’A bribe?’ He instantly knew what the pouch contained, given there was a slight blinding light seeping out. Not to mention, the weight itself showed that this was money many times more than what he got from Jake.

Was he the type to accept bribery?

"Madam, you’re being too much here," Ray said sympathetically, his hand quickly holding the pouch and gesturing for Belva to take it.

"We’re family here, so of course we need to watch out for each other. I may be a bit inexperienced, but we have Chloe here to be the lookout, and your son can be of major assistance."

"Right, right." Michelle nodded and agreed with whatever he had to say. All she cared about was that her son got to participate in the mission.

"My son will definitely be a good assistant and adhere to your arrangement." She continued and turned to her son. When she saw him having a nearly disgusted expression, her eyes flared up and communicated through her facial expression.

<Go and be friendly with him, or you can say goodbye to those toys of yours.>

Jake could discern that this was what his mother had threatened.

’Not my toys!!!’ He was instantly scared as he quickly rushed to Ray.

"I’ll be in your care... Ray." He clenched his fist secretly and said politely.

"What do you mean to be in my care?" Ray extended his hand and patted his shoulder.

"You’re older than me, so it should be me being in your care. And if anything goes wrong, it’s the eldest not guiding me well enough."