He was certainly not whipped.

Will rubbed his chin, thinking he might have overthought it. Gordon was over six feet tall, built like a tank, and incredibly skilled. How could he possibly be afraid of a woman?

"So, is your girlfriend afraid of you?" Will asked.

"Of course!" Gordon sounded a bit smug now. "My girlfriend respects me immensely. She listens to everything I say, even reports to me before taking the dog for a walk! And whenever we eat together, she insists on peeling shrimp and serving me food. I can't even stop her!"

"Impressive, impressive!" Will laughed. "I never knew you were so good at training girlfriends, Master Ninth!"

"Goes without saying," Gordon said, an eyebrow raised.

He then placed a cup of freshly brewed green tea in front of Will. "So, tell me what brings you to Eldermere this time."

Will picked up the cup and took a sip. "I'm here for love, of course."

That was right. Will hadn't given up on Caitlin. He was willing to chase her all the way to Eldermere to win her over. Men possessed a conqueror's spirit, and Will was no exception. He had never met a girl like Caitlin. So, even if he didn't like her that much, he had to have her. Only after he won her over and made her cry for him would he be satisfied.

For love?

Gordon raised an eyebrow. "Who is it this time?"

Will was handsome, powerful in Valerium, and went through girlfriends at a rapid pace. So, Gordon naturally assumed he had a new target.

"Same one. The one I was chasing in Valerium. This time, I'm determined to win her over." Will set his cup down. "Besides, do I really seem like the type to play the field?"

"Drop the 'seem like," Gordon said with a nod. "You are."

Will stared at him, wide-eyed. "Seriously, Master Ninth? Can't you play along? Is this how you treat your own brother?"

Gordon sat back in his chair, his tone low. "Just telling it like it is."

Will was speechless. Fine. He shouldn't have said anything.

After a moment, he continued, "Master Ninth, give me some advice! What kind of grand gestures do girls in Eldermere like? I have to win her over this time."

"How many times have you tried to confess?"

"This will be the third."

"So, you've failed twice?" Gordon asked.

Though Will didn't want to admit it, he nodded. "Yeah."

Gordon smiled. "There are plenty of fish in the sea. Why get hung up on one? Since she's already rejected you twice, you should just let it go."

"No, no, I absolutely can't let go. I have to win her over," Will insisted. "You have no idea how beautiful she is! Master Ninth, I guarantee, if you saw her, you'd fall for her too."

Gordon lifted his cup and took a light sip, his voice calm. "I don't share your taste."

"What do you mean, you don't share my taste?" Will pressed. "Are you saying I have bad taste?"

"I think my meaning was quite clear," Gordon replied.

Will's aesthetic was... peculiar. Gordon had met several of his ex-girlfriends. Each was distinctive, to say the least.

"But this one is different!" Will

insisted. Master Ninth, she's absolutely stunning. I'd even say she's the most special girl I've ever mer I swear, if you met her you'd fall for her. Trust my judgment."

"You'd be wrong. I only love my girlfriend," Gordon stated, enunciating each word.

Will pulled out his phone. "I have a picture of her. Want to see?"

"Not interested."

Gordon shook his head. He was a taken man. How could he look at pictures of other girls behind Caitlin's back? Emotional cheating was still cheating.

Seeing that Gordon was genuinely uninterested, Will gave up on showing him the photo. He'd win Caitlin over eventually, and Gordon would see her then.

"Come on, Master Ninth, give me some advice," Will pleaded. "How can I win her over quickly?"

"You like her that much?" Gordon raised an eyebrow. He knew Will too well to believe he was a man of deep, lasting affection.

"Yeah, I like her. A lot."

"I suggest you take matters of the heart more seriously," Gordon said. "Don't treat it

like a game, or you'll end up paying the price one day."

Will burst out laughing. "When have I ever paid a price?"

He then added, "Master Ninth, I don't ask you for much. Just help me out this one time."

People from Eldermere knew their own kind best.

Gordon stood up. "Wait here."

Will nodded. "Where are you going, Master Ninth?"

Gordon didn't answer. Will didn't dare move, waiting obediently in his chair.

A few minutes later, Gordon returned with a book in his hand, which he tossed to Will.

"What's this?" Will asked.

"Find your own answers in there," Gordon said.

"Oh." Will flipped through a few pages, feeling as if a whole new world had opened up to him.

"Eldermere really is a want!"

place, to have a book this briliant!"

Beep beep-

Gordon's phone chimed. He took it out, a slight smile touching his lips. He then grabbed his suit jacket from the nearby rack and put it on "Enjoy yourself have to go out

"Where are you going, Master Ninth?"

Gordon glanced back. "My girlfriend asked me out for afternoon tea."