Chapter 778 - 356: Nobles’ Considerations

Her gaze immediately fell on Lin Yu'an, it was a frank, inquisitive look, full of scrutiny and curiosity.

"As for the gift he brought," Elizabeth continued, her eyes glanced over the expensive Screaming Eagle in Riven's hand, a meaningful smile appeared on her face.

Riven stuck out her tongue and obediently headed toward the antique liquor cabinet that looked very valuable.

Elizabeth had already approached Lin Yu'an and stretched out her right hand to him.

"Good evening, young man. I am Elizabeth Montgomery." Her voice carried the elegance of old-world nobility.

"I heard about what happened at sea. Thank you for protecting my most precious granddaughter when my son acted like a fool."

Her opening words were extremely tactful. They expressed gratitude, took a jab at her own son, and subtly declared Riven's importance to her with the phrase "my most precious granddaughter."

"You're too kind, ma'am." Lin Yu'an bent slightly, lightly touched her fingertips, a brief touch, perfectly courteous.

"In such situations, it is the duty of any sailor to protect their fellow shipmates."

His response was neither arrogant nor overly humble, attributing his actions simply to the professional standards of a sailor.

In Elizabeth's sharp, eagle-like eyes, there was a fleeting trace of appreciation.

She gestured for Lin Yu'an to sit on the main sofa, while she gracefully sat opposite him.

"A sailor..." she savored the word, her face showing a meaningful smile, "I heard from Riven that in just two days of learning, you're a better sailor than many old men."

Before Lin Yu'an could answer, Riven came over carrying two glasses of amber whiskey. She handed one to Lin Yu'an and naturally sat on the single sofa next to him instead of elsewhere in the house.

"Grandmother," Riven spoke up to defend Lin Yu'an, but her tone was full of pride, "Lin is just... quick to learn, that's all."

"Oh? Just quick, is he?" Elizabeth glanced at her granddaughter, then at Lin Yu'an.

"Quick enough for my son, Mike Montgomery, who has an ego as high as the sky, to admit that you're a born captain? This is the first time I've heard of it." 𝙛𝓇ⅇ

She once again posed the question to Lin Yu'an.

Lin Yu'an raised his glass, offered a distant toast to Elizabeth and Mike, and took a light sip. The rich peat and smoky taste spread across his tongue, it was a top-notch Islay single malt whiskey.

"Ma'am," he set down his glass, calmly meeting Elizabeth's gaze, "I believe that talent may determine one's upper limit, but focus determines how quickly they reach it."

"I am just particularly focused when it comes to learning."

This statement once again attributed his remarkable performance to a commendable "quality" rather than the elusive "talent," appearing extremely humble yet full of strength.

Elizabeth looked at him deeply, finally nodding in satisfaction, no longer pressing the question.

She had obtained the answer she wanted. This young man before her not only possessed extraordinary abilities but also had a clear-headedness and emotional intelligence to match.

Calm, powerful, wealthy, and even knew how to use a well-timed Screaming Eagle to showcase his connections to the Montgomery family.

Upon first learning about Lin Yu'an, Elizabeth even briefly considered that he might be the perfect knight sent by God for her wild-spirited granddaughter.

But unfortunately...

Elizabeth lifted her glass, masking a brief look of regret in her eyes with an elegant gesture.

The moment she decided to invite Lin Yu'an to the dinner, she had already used the family's resources to obtain a background briefing on him within a few hours.

The contents of the briefing dispelled all her unrealistic fantasies.

He was not only married but also to the daughter of a Mormon family from Montana.

Having Riven get involved in such a relationship? That would be tantamount to steering the Montgomery family's century-old ship of inheritance into uncharted waters. The risks far outweighed any potential rewards.

In big families, marriage is never just about two people but rather a merging and restructuring of two families' assets, bloodlines, and futures. Any element of unpredictability could cause everything to unravel.

With this thought, the balance scale in Elizabeth's heart had already tilted completely.

Her gaze at Lin Yu'an, though still appreciative, no longer carried the judgmental look of a "mother-in-law viewing a son-in-law."

Instead, it was replaced with a purer, elder's affection for an outstanding young person.

Elizabeth made her final judgment in her heart, "Having Riven sail and adventure with him, play a bit, might not be bad."

"It would make Riven happy and let her see what truly excellent men are like."

"But marriage... unless he can, in a clean and incredible way, sever all ties with his previous world completely."

"Before then, he can at most be considered a... highly charming dangerous item requiring long-term observation."