Not long after Andrew and Aspen arrived, a middle-aged man in a formal robe stepped onto the stage and addressed the room.

"Thank you all for coming to the capital's official charity event. As always, I'm Derek McCormick. No long speeches-everyone, just show your sincerity. I hope we can all give something back and help those struggling in the poorer regions of Gabo Creek Province."

He did not say much-just brief sentences-before setting down the mic and stepping off. And yet, no one had a single complaint. On the contrary, the room erupted into applause, with waves of praise echoing throughout the hall.

The reason was simple: the man was Derek McCormick, Governor of Gabo Creek -one of the highest-ranking officials in the province. He was a true regional powerhouse.

Andrew nodded with interest. "You can tell. The guy actually seems like a good leader."

Aspen rolled her eyes with a half-laugh. "Can you not act like that? Mr. McCormick is way above your league, and you talk like you're some kind of political analyst. Do you even realize how ridiculous you sound?"

Sometimes, she honestly could not believe this man. It was like Andrew did not take anything seriously-not the rules, not the hierarchy, not even the unspoken codes of elite society.

Where others would act cautious or deferential, Andrew walked through life like he owned the place.

and said seriously, "Technically

mind drifted back to what Zachary had addressed Andrew as General the night

in Holtrien's military, then yes—strictly by classification, he might actually be on

dismissed the idea, believing it was too absurd. A general was in a whole

up, especially not in Holtrien,

in some

she mulled it over, a wave of people began rising from their seats and heading toward the registration booth

glanced over.

event, remember? This is the part where all the rich folks, old families, big investors,

gave a light chuckle. "So, plain and simple-it's a donation drive, and Mr. McCormick personally came on stage

"Could you not talk soz loud? You can make comments like that in private, sure-but saying it in public? Are you trying to commit

surrender and laughed. "Fair point.

the governor like that in

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