The next morning, after the family had breakfast, they set off with Lance escorting them to meet Gunner.
The Martinez family's old residence was located three hundred kilometers away on the backside of Mount Great. It spanned over a hundred acres and was an ancient four-courtyard house.
By the time Deanna and the others arrived, it was already evening.
Looking at the majestic and imposing mansion before them, everyone except Gunner felt as if they had traveled back in time.
Especially the two stone lions in front of the vermilion gate, which exuded an aura of age and authority.
"Grandmaster's house is so grand," the two little ones exclaimed.
Deanna and Old Ashley also nodded quietly, seemingly agreeing with the children.
Gunner heard this and corrected with a smile, "It's not my house; it's our house."
As soon as he said this, the vermilion gate opened from the inside, and a group of people, both men and women, young and old, walked out.
Seeing Gunner, they all put on fawning smiles.
"Gunner is back."
"Uncle Gunner, long time no see."
"Granduncle Gunner."
Hearing these titles, Deanna guessed that these people were her master's family.
She did not step forward to disturb them but stood aside with the children and her grandmother, planning to wait until her master finished catching up with his relatives.
However, Gunner did not appreciate her consideration.
For the relatives who surrounded him, Gunner's face was cold.
He had long seen through the Martinez family members.
"Enough with the pretense. You don't need to act in front of me. This time, I have made it clear over the phone that I am here to introduce my apprentice to the ancestral master and announce the successor. Some people should give up their unrealistic hopes."
After saying this, he ignored the unpleasant expressions of the Martinez family members and called out to Deanna, "Deanna, follow me."
"Yes, Master," Deanna responded quickly, taking the children and her grandmother through the gate with her master.
Unexpectedly, as they passed by the Martinez family members, she heard a voice cursing.
"You filthy woman from who knows where, dreaming of competing with me for the family inheritance. You better get out of the Martinez family, or I'll make you regret coming here!"
Although the voice was not loud, everyone passing by could hear it.
Old Ashley's face instantly darkened.
The two children were also very angry.
Gregory gave his sister a look.
The little girl immediately understood and pointed at the young man who had just threatened Deanna, shouting loudly, "Mommy, that person is cursing you!"
Almost as soon as she spoke, the faces of the Martinez family members changed, nervously looking at Gunner ahead.
At that moment, Gunner also turned back, his eyes sharp.
"Chloe, tell me how they cursed your mommy just now."
Deanna stood silently beside him, not intending to stop him.
Although she was new here and should keep a low profile, she did not come to be bullied by these people.
Moreover, her master clearly intended to groom her as his successor. The Martinez family would be her responsibility in the future. If she backed down now when her master stood up for her, it would only make others think she was weak and hurt her master's feelings.
While thinking this, she heard her daughter's crisp voice.
"Grandmaster, he called my mommy a filthy woman and threatened her to leave immediately or face consequences."
Chloe mimicked the young man's cursing expression in her own way.
Gunner watched and his anger dissipated. "It seems that after all these years, you still haven't learned your lesson."
Seeing things getting out of control, the main branch of the Martinez family panicked but decided to admit it boldly.
"Uncle, I am not convinced. Over the years, I have been following my father, learning the Martinez family's medical skills diligently and contributing tirelessly. Why can't I be the successor as a descendant of the Martinez family? Why should an unknown woman become the future head of our family?!"
The speaker was Craig Martinez, the eldest son of the main branch who had threatened Deanna earlier. He looked a few years older than Deanna.
Beside him were his father Brice Martinez and his son Wilson Martinez.
Gunner squinted at the agitated Craig with cold eyes. "Just because I want to!"
"Uncle Gunner!" Craig shouted unwillingly.
Brice also showed dissatisfaction. "Gunner, I know you are angry, but this concerns our family's legacy. You can't act on impulse!"
Unexpectedly, this made Gunner's face even darker. Losing patience, he didn't even spare them a glance and said to Deanna sternly, "Follow me. Ignore these people."
With that, he turned and strode away.
Seeing this, Deanna immediately took the children and her grandmother to follow him.
The main branch of the Martinez family watched their departing figures with grim expressions.
"Dad, what do we do? It looks like Uncle Gunner is determined to hand over the Martinez family to that unknown woman!"
"You ask me? Who should I ask? Useless thing! I told you before that if you pleased him, the Martinez family would be yours!"
Brice kicked Craig in frustration.