I glanced at him, unsure how to begin.

It was Arnold who broke the silence. "Go ahead and speak."

"Do you really want to take over completely?" I scrutinized him.

He chuckled. "Seems like I'm still seen as a good-for-nothing in your eyes, and I’m just a freeloader. Am I that bad?"

"Not at all. It's just a bit sudden." I tried to hide my skepticism.

"It's time for me to take over. Grandma is getting old, and I've been quite unfilial. I've been reckless and irresponsible, but I have to step up. After all, the family can't find another successor. It's a responsibility I can't ignore."

He spoke with solemnity as if burdened with a mission.

I didn't expect Arnold to be quite manly when he was serious, which made me look at him in a new light. It seemed like he always had the Beringer family's responsibilities on his mind.

Seeing me staring at him, he tapped my head. "What are you looking at? You’re that surprised?"

I nodded with a smile. "Yeah. It's indeed surprising. I didn't expe