It housed their precious third-level alchemist, Elton. Elton was forty-three this year, but he Looked considerable older than his age. At first glance, one was given to assume that he was over fifty years old.

He now sat in an old-fashioned wooden armchair, dressed in a black suit, sipping the top-grade tea that was served only to him and the matriarch.

It was a quarter before ten. There were still fifteen minutes left until the ceremony officially started, but guests had been streaming in since earlier.

The main hall was already crowded.

Elton was in high spirits, mainly because people had showered him their congratulations and all kinds of expensive gifts that were packaged exquisitely according to his tastes.

He glanced at Vivian and her parents, and his face brightened even more.

This young lady had fifth-level talent! Even Elton himself had only been a fourth-level when he had first used the Oracle Stone to gauge his abilities.

Having such a promising apprentice would surely boost his reputation, and he was bound for even greater benefits in the future.

In fact, shortly after agreeing to mentor Vivian, the matriarch guaranteed him a hefty boon that was more than enough to afford him a comfort for the rest of his life.

“Mr. Gonzales, are all the guests here?" Elton asked in a commanding tone, as though he was the owner of the manor and the host of the event.

Of course, Mr. Gonzales did not dare to offend him. He swept his gaze over the hall to check if everyone who had to be there was present.

It didn't take Long for him to pause and knit his brows.

One person had not come.

Why wasn't Maria here?

Elton pulled a long face after noticing the other man's frown.

“What's wrong? Is anyone absent? Old Mrs. Jenkins decreed that all the younger members of the clan must attend the ceremony. It looks like someone is stupid enough to defy her orders and mock me."

“Ah, well..." Mr. Gonzales looked flustered and embarrassed on the surface, but he was pretty calm deep inside.

He didn't know Maria all that well, anyway. If Elton Lost his temper and threw the tantrum, he could just shift the blame on Maria.

Thinking of this, Mr. Gonzales plastered an apologetic smile on his face. "Please don't be angry, Mr. Acosta. I did remind Miss Maria yesterday. Perhaps she is running Late."

“Humph!"" Elton huffed loudly, short of stamping his foot in a rage.

“None of that matters anymore! From now on, no one is allowed to give that Maria girl any of the pills that I produce!”

A shocked silence fell over the crowd.

Elton had been in the family for two decades. At least a couple of generations were raised taking his pills.

It seemed that Maria would be stripped of that privilege.