The heated argument continued to escalate between the man and the shop owner, voices rising with each accusation and denial exchanged between them.
"The young master's coughing blood has nothing to do with our food!"
The man's expression shifted instantly. "What?"
"Sir, how about I pay for his treatments then? That should be satisfactory. And if you're tight with money, I can give you something too. Your master won't even know."
The man's gaze suddenly moved to the owner's daughter standing nervously in the corner. He gave her a long, deliberate stare that made Cale's stomach turn.
And they call themselves people from big families.
"We're not robbers. We just want compensation for him."
The owner's voice grew smaller. "Sir... that... no... what can I...?"
The shop door suddenly swung open, and several men entered. One of them wore the uniform of the academy—the senior Cale had seen talking to thugs in the alleyway earlier.
This guy... there's something going on here.
