Chapter 266: The Marriage Report

"Brother, I submitted my marriage report!" Adrian Stone announced the moment he stepped through the door. His elder brother, Marcus Stone, was the first person he wanted to tell.

Marcus Stone nearly dropped his teacup. "What? Don’t tell me it’s that girl, Valerie Mercer! She’s nothing but a pretty face—useless. And you know exactly what kind of ties she has to that woman!"

Adrian calmly poured himself a glass of whiskey and downed it in one gulp. "Good stuff. You’re overthinking it, brother. Her name’s Elena Ward—a girl I saved while stationed in the countryside. She’ll be nineteen after the New Year. We’ll marry when she turns twenty."

"A country girl?" Marcus Stone’s frown deepened. "Don’t get me wrong, I don’t look down on rural folks, but those tangled family ties will be a nightmare for you!"

"Elena’s different." Adrian refilled his brother’s glass. "She’s a doctor now. Both her parents passed away, and she only has a few siblings left. Her eldest brother was my comrade—just as capable as I am."

Marcus Stone raised an eyebrow. "A doctor at nineteen? No strings pulled?"

"Family tradition—acupuncture." Adrian’s eyes gleamed. "Remember Nathaniel Stone, that troublemaker from the Turner family? She saved him. Now they call her 'Elena the Healer' at the hospital."

Marcus Stone studied his brother for a long moment before suddenly laughing. "You really do like her." His younger brother had always been picky—this was the first time he’d ever praised someone so highly.

"Brother..." Adrian’s ears turned faintly pink.

"Fine, as long as you’re happy." Marcus Stone lowered his voice. "But you know Father won’t let this slide easily. And that woman—she won’t give up her claim on you."

Adrian’s expression darkened. "We’ll deal with it when Elena’s old enough. Telling Father now would just spike his blood pressure."

"When are you bringing her to meet us?" Marcus Stone suddenly perked up. "Bring her for New Year’s! Father won’t make a scene in front of guests."

"Next time. She went back to her hometown for the holidays." Adrian deftly changed the subject and topped off their glasses again.

Marcus Stone slammed the table. "Leave the wedding arrangements to me! House, car, furniture—I’ll handle everything. Don’t argue. That girl’s already settling for you—she deserves a proper home."

"It’s too early..."

"Too early, my foot!" Marcus Stone cut him off. "After New Year’s, I’m opening a branch office in your area. Perfect chance to meet my future sister-in-law. And I’ll get your wedding home ready—I’ll need a place to stay anyway."

Adrian sighed. "Brother..."

"Honestly, I should just have Father transfer you both back to the capital." Marcus Stone warmed to the idea. "Once you have kids, you can’t raise them in that frozen wasteland—"

"Enough!" Adrian laughed helplessly. "We’re not even married yet, and you’re talking about kids? Besides, if other families can manage there, why can’t we?"

"Fine, you’re impossible to reason with right now." Marcus Stone raised his glass. "You’ll understand when you’re a father. Cheers!"

By the end of the night, Marcus Stone had to be carried home. Adrian handed his drunken brother over to his sister-in-law, whose face was stormy with irritation. He offered an apologetic smile—this happened every year. He was used to it.