Chapter 2

Truman's brow twitched just slightly, but he kept smiling as if nothing was wrong.

"In the three years you were gone, Ethan and Vincent both got girlfriends. Besides, this is your reward! They're your older brothers—they wouldn't try to steal what belongs to you."

Archer didn't bother arguing.

"I'll agree," he said calmly, "but I have one condition."

Truman's eyes lit up. "Name it. What is it?"

Archer took a deep breath. "I want to know who my real father is."

He was certain now—Truman wasn't his biological dad.

Truman's face froze for a moment. He glanced nervously toward the kitchen, where Caroline was busy, and let out a small sigh of relief.

From Truman's reaction, Archer knew he was right.

Truman's face darkened. "What nonsense is that? I'm your real father."

"Oh, really?" Archer let out a cold laugh. "What kind of father makes his son go to prison for someone else, and then wants him to marry a girl in a coma right after getting out?"

Truman was speechless.

He hadn't expected Archer to know that much. He planned to trick Archer into marrying into the Jensons. Even if the truth came out later, it'd be too late.

"Tell me the truth of my origins," Archer said quietly, "and I'll marry the Jenson girl."

Truman's expression turned harsh. "You ungrateful brat! Are you threatening me?"

Archer's eyes were cold. "Don't act like a father. You don't deserve that title."

Truman's face flushed with anger. "Do you really think I can't deal with you just because you've been locked up for three years?!"

"Are you threatening me?" Archer's tone turned icy.

Suddenly, a powerful aura surrounded him.

"Do you think I'm still the clueless illegitimate child you could control from three years ago? Spare me! To me, you're nothing. In fact, I could destroy the Youngs with a flick of my hand!"

Truman trembled, and his breathing grew shallow. He felt like an ancient beast was staring him down.

If Archer wanted to, he could crush him on the spot.

Archer pulled back the force, his voice cool again. "Give me the truth, and I'll go through with the wedding. Consider it my way of repaying the Youngs for raising me."

Truman stared at Archer, a little dazed. In just an instant, Archer had returned to normal—like nothing had happened at all.

What the hell was that just now? How could a brat like him have that kind of presence?

Truman figured he had imagined it. Still a little shaken, he forced himself to stay calm for the sake of the marriage plan.

"Fine. I'll tell you."

Archer leaned in to listen.

"You're right. You're not my real son. Your mother was my first love. Back then, she had fallen ill. With no parents left, she asked me to look after you. I agreed, out of respect for what we once had. As for who your real father is… I honestly don't know."

Archer watched Truman closely and could tell he wasn't lying.

So, the trail was cold again.

But now, he could be sure that his real father carried dragon blood. If he could find the man, he would probably uncover the truth about the missing True Dragon Bone.

Still, in a world this big, where would he even begin looking?

"I've told you everything," Truman said stiffly. "I hope you remember what you promised. And don't let this get out! No one else can know. It'd ruin the Youngs' reputation."

"Don't worry," Archer replied coolly, "I keep my word. When is the wedding?"

"Tomorrow," Truman said. "Stay home today. I'll send someone to let you try on outfits."

Soon after, Caroline brought out a whole table of delicious food. When she heard that Archer agreed to the marriage, she was thrilled.

After dinner, the couple sent piles of clothes and had a maid help Archer try them on.

-

The next day, Archer sat in the living room of the estate, fully dressed and waiting for the wedding procession to arrive.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that accentuated his sharp features, Archer exuded quiet confidence. His short, neatly groomed hair added to the impression.

"I won't forget what you're doing for us today," Ethan said, giving Archer a friendly pat on the shoulder. "If you ever need help in the future, just come to me."

After hearing about the wedding, Ethan rushed back overnight from out of town.

Secretly, he looked down on Archer for being an illegitimate child. As the eldest son, however, he still had to keep up appearances.

Archer shook his head. "No need. From this day forward, I have nothing to do with the Youngs."

He had finally seen them for what they truly were—shameless.

Ethan's smile faded. Inwardly, he cursed Archer for being so ungrateful.

Not long after, the Jensons' wedding entourage arrived. Archer stepped out without hesitation, never once looking back at the others.

Caroline fumed. "What kind of person gets out of prison and forgets basic manners?"

"He's just an illegitimate son, Mom," Ethan comforted her. "Not worth your anger."

"No point getting upset over a convict. Once we pull this off, we'll go ask Dad for some rewards," Truman added.

Outside, Archer sat in the wedding car. He could hear every single word they uttered.

He chuckled coldly to himself.

The Youngs had better watch out. They would lose everything soon enough.

Meanwhile, the convoy headed straight for the Jensons' estate.

The Jensons were an old family in Duskhallow, with deep roots and much greater influence than the Youngs.

Soon, they arrived at the estate. Archer followed the butler inside.

In the living room, Howard Jenson and his wife Marianne were hosting a stern-looking older man with a square jaw.

"Dr. Hampton, we really appreciate you coming," Howard said gratefully.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help," Zach Hampton said, his tone laced with regret. "If I hear anything about the Supreme Apothecary, I'll let you know right away."

Zach Hampton was a well-known physician, hired by the Jensons at great expense. Yet, even he couldn't wake Juliette Jenson from her coma.

And so, he recommended a legendary healer instead, one known as the Supreme Apothecary.

"Thank you, Dr. Hampton," the Jenson couple said in unison.

Zach nodded, then stood up to leave. Howard got up to walk him out.

As Zach left, he passed by Archer at the door.

Archer's curiosity was piqued. This man knew the Supreme Apothecary?

The Supreme Apothecary was called the King of Medicine, a master who could identify and craft any medicine known to man. He was the unrivaled master of alchemy and martial arts, with skills so profound they seemed almost supernatural.

He was said to be able to cure any disease known to man.

However, very few outside of the martial or alchemical circles even knew of his existence.

The reason Archer knew so much?

The Supreme Apothecary was his mentor.

Soon, a cold voice interrupted his thoughts. "Are you Archer?"

Looking up, Archer saw Howard staring at him with clear disapproval.

Archer gave a slight nod.

"I heard you just got out of prison," Howard said, his tone sharp.

Archer nodded again.

Howard's face turned even darker. "So, the Youngs actually had the nerve to send an ex-convict into my family. Do they think we're weak enough to be insulted in this manner?"

"Enough!" Marianne snapped, glaring at him. "Today is a happy day, so stop it. Besides, I agreed to this."

She looked Archer up and down, eyes softening with approval.

"Not bad. He's handsome. He's a good match for Juliette."

Howard gave a cold snort and stormed upstairs, clearly unhappy with the choice.

"Bring Juliette out," Marianne said to the butler. Then, she turned to Archer with a smile. "Let's go upstairs."

Archer followed without a word.

In the upstairs sitting room, a few maids wheeled in a stunning young woman. She looked about twenty-something, with flowing red curls, flawless features, and a curvaceous figure that a top model would envy.

If not for her pale, sickly skin, she would've looked breathtaking.

Archer was surprised. Didn't they say she was disfigured? She was gorgeous!

Soon, with Howard and Marianne as witnesses, Archer and Juliette went through a simple wedding ceremony.

After that, the butler left to register their marriage.

"Archer, I'm entrusting my daughter to you now," Marianne said seriously.

Archer nodded. "You have my word. I'll make sure Juliette lives a happy life, and I'll treat you like my own parents."

Hearing that, Howard snorted loudly and left the room.

"Don't take it to heart," Marianne said, a little embarrassed. She handed him a bank card. "There's 200 thousand in here. Consider it a gift from me."

Archer was stunned.

Two hundred thousand dollars as a wedding gift? And on the first meeting, at that?

It sounded too good to be true.

"Mom, I can't accept this," he said quickly, unsure of her intentions. He started to wonder if Marianne was being too kind.

What he didn't know was that the Jensons weren't so desperate that they would let just anyone marry into their family.

When the Youngs offered Archer, Marianne immediately ordered a background check.

A young man who went to prison for his brother at fifteen, and was willing to sacrifice for the family again right after getting out?

Marianne found it hard not to like someone with that much loyalty and character.

Sure, she would've preferred someone successful. But with Juliette's condition, she knew no top-tier man would say yes.

Besides, the Jensons weren't short on money. What mattered more was character.