Chapter 59-Part 2

With his keen eye, he could clearly see that the thief was indeed a level five. Yet he couldn’t fend off the opponent at all! He couldn’t even hold them off!

In fact, after being knocked down by the thief, he was so dizzy and confused that he had no idea where the thief had gone.

The steward considered a possibility, one that chilled him to the bone and filled him with despair.

He didn’t want to tell the truth, but he dared not lie to the master. Moreover, being seen as incompetent was better than being seen as a traitor. He knew the fate of traitors, having dealt with some personally.

“Yesterday, I fainted in the garden. It seems something is wrong with my body,” the steward said with difficulty.

Tang Jingnan frowned, “What do you mean?”

“I… during the fight, I felt completely weak. I was easily knocked to the ground and couldn’t stop him at all,” the steward admitted, gritting his teeth.

“Didn’t the family physician say you fainted from exhaustion yesterday?” Tang Jingnan scrutinized the steward’s expression, trying to determine if he was telling the truth.

How could it be such a coincidence? Fainting one day and failing the next?

“We’ll know for sure by testing you,” Tang Jingnan said.

He then stepped out and called over a level 4 warrior to spar with the steward.

Having the master witness his incompetence firsthand was something the steward dreaded, but he had no choice.

If he won, it would mean he had intentionally let the thief go. If he lost, it would confirm his strength had diminished.

Either way, he was doomed.

The steward had no choice but to face the challenge head-on.

The fight barely started when Tang Jingnan ordered them to stop, dismissing the level 4 warrior.

The steward was deeply ashamed. Even against a level four opponent, he was completely outmatched and in a sorry state.

Tang Jingnan’s expression softened, and his tone became gentle.

“You’ve served the Tang family diligently for over forty years. It’s time for you to rest. Arrange a time to settle your accounts with the finance office. After tomorrow, leave the Tang family and find a nice place to retire.”

“Master!” The steward was devastated, banging his head on the ground.

“I only want to stay in the Tang family and serve loyally. Please let me stay. I was born a member of the Tang family, and I will die a ghost of the Tang family!”

Though his innocence was proven, being dismissed due to his diminished strength was something he couldn’t accept.

He was just a steward, but he held some power. Outside the Tang family, he would be nothing.

“Enough.” Tang Jingnan showed slight irritation.

“Rest assured, you’ll receive a generous pension. The Tang family has been good to you. Learn to be content and grateful.”

How could someone who couldn’t even defeat a level four warrior continue to serve as steward? Keeping him around would be problematic for the new steward and others. Letting him go was the best solution.

The steward collapsed in despair.

Having worked together for many years, he knew the master’s resolute nature and didn’t dare argue further.

But he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving.

Suddenly, he thought of the tenth young master, Tang Ning, the next heir, the master’s beloved son, and the only one in the Tang family with A-level genes.

He had tried to curry favor with him many times!

Hope reignited in his heart.

Perhaps the tenth young master would take him in and let him offer his counsel.

**

The steward left the study and went straight to Tang Ning’s room. After explaining his situation, Tang Ning laughed, “Steward, you must be joking. Why would I take in a useless coward?”

Useless coward…

The steward’s veins bulged in anger, but he swallowed it and forced a smile. “Young master, if I had another option, I wouldn’t be here begging you. I don’t want to leave the Tang family. Please put in a good word for me with the master. After all, I have helped you before.”

Only the young master could help him now.

“Help? What help?” Tang Ning asked.

“Isn’t it your duty as a butler to serve your master? Trying to claim favors for doing your job is laughable.”

The steward was shocked, staring at Tang Ning as if he were a stranger.

Serving his master was indeed his duty, but his master was Tang Jingnan, not Tang Ning!

To curry favor with Tang Ning, he had done countless things in secret.

When the eighth young miss clashed with the tenth young master, he intervened to stop her.

Whenever the young master asked for information, he had revealed everything he knew without hesitation.

Even the beautiful guard the young master had recently hired was found by him through great effort!

Claiming it was all just part of his duty erased all his efforts.

He had backed the wrong horse!

Blame himself for his poor judgment.

A wry smile appeared on the steward’s face. “Young master, are you truly so heartless?”

Tang Ning frowned in displeasure, his face darkening.

“I said it’s your duty.”

“Let’s put aside other matters. Two years ago, I saved your life from the eighth young miss. Have you forgotten that? Doesn’t that count as helping you?”

The steward was desperate, clinging to the last shred of hope.