Chapter 1093

Milena disappeared back into the kitchen, where the sound of a knife hitting the cutting board echoed loudly. Luke's face cycled through shades of blue, black, and purple as the muscles in his wrinkled face twitched. His lips moved, but no words came out for a long time. Matthew figured after Milena's unexpected help, it was time to speak up. "Mr. Rutledge, I'm here on my mentor's orders to obtain the farming texts. Why don't you just give me the book?" "You want the texts without becoming a farmer? Keep dreaming!" Luke's voice was dark and decisive. Matthew tried to smile through his discomfort. "I'll help you solve the seed company problem. That seems like a fair trade." "The texts are my family's heritage," Luke said coldly. "Rules are rules." Matthew realized he was witnessing the old man's true stubbornness—tradition seemed to matter more to him than anything else. At that moment, he knew arguing was pointless. Just when he thought he was out of options, Matthew remembered