At that moment, the other big shots who had also handed over their money to Andrew finally realized just how deep they had been played. Their faces turned green with fury, and they exploded in rage. Someone shouted, "Kill him! Hunt him down across the entire city—chase him to his relative's house if you have to, but don't you dare let him get away! Arrogant, reckless, completely out of control… damn it, I'm going to burst a vein!" Another chimed in, "We've seen all kinds of deception in this business, but this? This is by far the most outrageous betrayal we've ever faced!" Quinton let out a cold laugh and walked away. He silently mocked them for being a bunch of idiots of idiots for only figuring it out now. After all, regret and rage were useless at this point. Christina looked completely stunned. "So you're saying Andrew even tricked Mr. Golding Senior? And those billionaires too?" Quinton sneered, "He didn't just take their money—he played with their emotions. Mr. Golding
"Seth, what the hell are you doing?!" Aspen had not expected the Haywoods to show up at their company, let alone that Seth would bring the family's private security team to block the entrance. Furious and stunned, she shouted, "Get your people out of here right now—we're done! From this moment on, there's nothing between us!" Seth let out a cold laugh. "Aspen, I gave you my heart, and this is how you repay me? Don't you see? Everything I've done, I did it for you. Just trust me—I'll save you from that devil and set you free!" Aspen's voice turned ice cold. "Seth, you've got this all wrong. Maybe I didn't exactly choose to become Andrew's slave… but I'm sorry, I don't need rescuing either." Seth's face twisted, and he ground his teeth as he snapped, "I saw it last time, Aspen. You've got some twisted feelings for Andrew, don't you? You act like you're trapped, but deep down, you like it, don't you?" Aspen's cheeks flared red—part rage, part something she could not quite name
Aspen was speechless. Andrew had shamelessly milked Derek for all he was worth, then turned around and declared himself the man's loyal sidekick like it was nothing. She honestly had to admit—even she could not compete with that level of shamelessness. "Even if you did call Mr. McCormick for backup," she said uncertainly, "do you really think someone that high up would bother helping us?" Andrew stayed calm. "If he does, great. That saves me the trouble of handling this myself. If he doesn't, then it's no big deal. I'll just kill every single one of these Haywood thugs myself." Aspen opened her mouth, but no words came out. This was the Andrew she knew—the devil himself. Ruthless, cold, and always ready to shed blood. Nonetheless, these were not just any thugs. This was the elite private force of the Haywoods, one of the Five Apex Families. Could Andrew really take them on alone? Just then, Seth sneered and stepped forward. "Andrew, last time you smashed a bottle over m
At the last second, a government-issued sedan screeched to a halt beside them. "Stop right there!" A woman in a perfectly tailored business suit stepped out, her presence immediately commanding attention. Though her clothing was modest and loose-fitting, there was no hiding her striking figure—an impossibly full chest and legs that seemed to go on forever. Still, what stunned people most was not her body, but her face—icy cold, flawlessly beautiful, and chilling to the core. She had the kind of beauty that made jaws drop at first glance, but the longer you looked, the colder your spine felt. It was a strange contradiction—stunning and unapproachable—but on her, it somehow blended perfectly. The moment she appeared, Seth's expression shifted. He stepped forward immediately, respectful and even a little nervous. "Ms. Garcia…" Yet, Chantelle Garcia did not even look at him. She walked straight toward Andrew, her face emotionless as she said, "You must be Mr. Andrew Lloyd from
Seth glared at Andrew, his face twisted with hatred. He growled, "This isn't over, Andrew. I swear, one day, you'll be the one crawling at my feet!" He had stormed in like a king, ready to crush his enemy, only to leave humiliated and powerless. The sting of defeat burned deep in his chest. Chantelle glanced at Andrew and said coldly, "Mr. Lloyd, favors from Mr. McCormick aren't something you can just use at will. Let me give you a piece of advice: a man needs to be strong on his own. "If you keep hiding behind connections, always clinging to others to survive, this little streak of good fortune you're enjoying will run out fast. Mr. McCormick is upright and fair. He takes care of his people. "But if you turn out to be a spineless liability, someone who can't stand on his own… he'll lose patience with you sooner or later." Aspen's expression shifted. She thought, 'What was that supposed to mean? Was Ms. Garcia calling Supreme Capital Group a burden?' Andrew, however, smiled
Andrew's eyes turned icy as a cruel grin curled at the corner of his lips. "Ms. Garcia, you saw it yourself. It was the Haywoods who started this mess. When I kill every last one of them, I expect you to testify to Mr. McCormick that I acted in self-defense, and I'm completely innocent." Chantelle's face darkened. "Hold it. No one moves a muscle. Mr. Lloyd, what the hell are you talking about? Why would I testify for you when you're clearly the one provoking this fight?" Andrew snorted. "Provoking? How am I the one looking for trouble? You saw it too. That Haywood moron brought an armed squad to corner me—he started all this." Chantelle clenched her jaw. "Yeah, I know they came here first. But they didn't touch you—you hit him first. How does that make sense?" Andrew flashed a mocking smile and replied calmly, "Sure, I struck first. But I acted out of instinct. To put it bluntly, their presence posed a serious threat, and I couldn't control my response. I reacted on impulse, fo
Just as Chantelle started her car and was about to hit the gas, she suddenly stalled. She did not even get the car moving before she killed the engine—so pissed off by Andrew's parting shot that she nearly choked on her own fury. Andrew chuckled. "Ms. Garcia, looks like your driving test didn't go so well, huh? If you've got time, I can teach you how to balance the clutch and hit the gas properly for a clean start." Chantelle fired up the engine again, and the car shot off like a rocket. Through the rush of wind came her flat, icy voice. "Get lost!" Aspen could only shake her head with a helpless sigh. She said, "I really don't know why you keep provoking that woman. Ms. Garcia is known to be fierce in the capital—Mr. McCormick's personal chief secretary, personal bodyguard, and official enforcer." She added, "She's also a beast in martial arts. Some say she's on par with Luna from the Phelan family." Andrew scoffed. "And? Does that mean I should bow down to her? I don't ca
Andrew said, "Perfect timing. I'm here to take Lauren with me, and while I'm at it, I'd like to ask her hand in marriage." Tiana's face twisted in shock and fury the moment he said those words. The rest of the Rhodes family instantly turned toward Andrew with blazing eyes, their expressions filled with outrage. "Kid, who the hell do you think you are? You think you're worthy of asking Lauren for her hand in marriage?" "Get lost already. Lauren would never end up with someone like you. Joe is the only one truly fit to marry our Lauren!" Another chimed in, "I've heard about you for a while now—Andrew Lloyd from Jayrodale, right? Let me give you a piece of advice: if you value your life, turn around and leave. But if you're set on dying, then by all means, keep acting like a fool!" Voices filled with scorn and rage came crashing down on Andrew from all directions, relentless and merciless. Jameson walked over with a helpless look and stood in front of Andrew, trying to calm
With a sickening snap, several bones shattered under Logan's brutal kick, and Archie let out a bloodcurdling scream that made everyone's scalp tingle. "Mr. Keller, please, stop! I'm begging you! I was wrong! I was talking shit! I apologize—I apologize!" Archie flailed on the ground like a dying animal, completely stripped of his earlier arrogance. His body trembled violently, his face twisted in agony, but he did not dare show the slightest bit of temper as he groveled before Logan, crying and pleading. Logan casually strolled over and slapped him twice more across the face, with ruthless, bone-jarring force. Archie's head snapped to the side so hard it almost seemed like his neck would break, and his screams grew even more pitiful. Yet, not a single Hopkins fighter moved to help him. All of them stood frozen, faces pale with fear, too terrified to even breathe loudly. Logan's voice was calm but icy. "Tonight, if Andrew doesn't accept your apology, not a single one of you
"Andy, I'm here!" In the midst of the tense, frozen atmosphere, only Logan and Andrew seemed relaxed, chatting like old friends without a care in the world. Andrew chuckled. "Logan, you're acting way too friendly!" For once, Logan's face flushed slightly red with embarrassment. Truth be told, he and Andrew were not actually that close. However, orders were orders—George had made it clear that they had to secure Andrew's favor no matter what it took. If Andrew did not show much enthusiasm toward the Keller family, then Logan had no choice but to make up for it by being overly enthusiastic himself. "If you don't like it, how about you be the older brother and I'll be the younger one?" Logan's attitude was ridiculously accommodating as if he had no pride left to defend. No matter how awkward it felt, Andrew was someone the Keller family absolutely had to win over. Watching all this unfold, Tiana, Jameson, and the Hopkins crowd were even more stunned. It almost seemed like Loga
By some twisted stroke of luck, Archie's manhood—though bruised and swollen—had not been completely destroyed. While he silently thanked the heavens, his hatred for Tiana grew even deeper. That seductive married woman? He was determined to have her tonight, no matter what it took. Just then, Jerry and a dozen of the Rhodes family's top fighters finally arrived on the scene. Jameson, seeing that his people were in place, narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Mr. Hopkins, you really want to keep pushing this?" Archie let out a twisted laugh. "Mr. Rhodes, your wife hit me. That punk by your side hit me too! Do you really think someone like me, who cares this much about his reputation, is just going to let that go?" Tiana scoffed. "So what if we don't let it go? Mr. Hopkins, you're nothing more than a disgusting maggot. What are you going to do about it?" Archie screamed, his face flushed with rage. "Tiana, you filthy bitch! Do you think you're better than me? Tonight, I'll make
"This way, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Rhodes, Mrs. Rhodes, and Ms. Rhodes—please!" Justin had completely changed his attitude, now grinning with over-the-top enthusiasm. He was practically bowing, a world apart from the snobby arrogance he had shown earlier. Tiana smiled faintly and said, "We'll be dining in the Celestial Suite now. That won't be a problem, right?" The manager nodded so fast it looked painful. "No problem at all, Mrs. Rhodes. Please, right this way!" Jameson patted Andrew's shoulder reassuringly and whispered, "Andy, don't worry. I already called our people. Jerry and the others are on their way." Andrew chuckled lightly. "Mr. Rhodes, there's no need to mobilize the whole family.The Hopkins? I can handle them myself." Jameson shook his head, thinking Andrew was just putting on a brave face. He believed Andrew, being new to Blumedale, could not possibly fend off the Hopkins on his own. Meanwhile, Andrew casually excused himself during dinner to make a quick call to
Everyone could tell Andrew was no ordinary martial artist. After all, he had taken down the Hopkins men like it was nothing. Nonetheless, the fact that he kept going and even dared to lay hands on Archie was pure suicide. "That little bastard is dead meat! Archie's gonna skin him alive!" someone hissed. "Yeah! It's one thing to slap us around, but hitting Mr. Hopkins? Does he think he's untouchable?" "Just wait. This fool's been used like a pawn by Mrs. Rhodes. Once the real Hopkins heavy hitters show up, he's gonna get slaughtered right here at The Palace!" Meanwhile, Archie caught another few brutal slaps from Andrew. Chunks of his thick beard went flying through the air. Archie howled, "You little punk! You've pushed it too far! If I don't kill you tonight, I'll change my damn last name to yours!" Grimacing with rage, Archie pulled out his phone and snarled into it. "I just got attacked at The Palace. Bring the whole crew over—now! "Yeah, you heard me. Tonight, I'm w
The others around them sneered and snickered. "Kid, you're all skin and bones. Do yourself a favor and get lost." Another chimed in, "Mr. Hopkins doesn't even take the entire Rhodes family seriously. What makes you think you stand a chance, you low-level nobody?" "Heh, did you all hear it earlier? Tiana said they are his in-laws. Damn, this kid hit the jackpot. Tiana and her daughter? Both absolute knockouts." One remarked, "No kidding. That lucky punk, I envy him like hell. If it were me, I'd be laughing in my sleep. Bagging a mother-daughter pair? That's the dream, man… pure heaven." A few filthy-mouthed degenerates let loose with their vulgar fantasies, and the air instantly grew more volatile. The tension between both sides was now on the brink of exploding. Tiana let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Looks like Mr. Hopkins isn't the only one talking shit tonight. Some of you have even more sewage coming out of your mouths." She turned to Andrew, her smile sharp as ice. "Come
Justin instantly sensed something was about to spiral. He rushed forward and tried to defuse the tension. "Mr. Hopkins, please calm down. We're all just here to have a nice dinner—no need for this." Archie clutched his swollen cheek, his face twisted with rage. "Calm down? Get out of my face! If you say another word, I'll end you too!" Justin flinched and quickly backed off, no longer daring to speak. However, as he glanced toward the Rhodes family, his eyes burned with resentment. He cursed them for being foolish. Despite knowing they could not go up against the Hopkins, they still had to throw punches. He could not help but think they were just asking for it. Lauren's voice rang out cold and firm. "Mr. Hopkins, what are you trying to do? Start a war?" Archie bellowed with laughter. "Big mouth on you, you little bitch! With your trashy Rhodes family, you're not even qualified to go to war with the Hopkins!" He sneered, eyes gleaming. "But don't worry—I'm not just gonna tak
Justin's face twisted in discomfort, but before he could say anything, a loud voice boomed across the entrance. "Mr. McGrath, you can step back! If Mrs. Rhodes wants to dine in our Celestial Suite, then she's more than welcome!" As the voice faded, a burly man with a thick beard strode over. The giant crystal ring on his hand and the heavy gold chain across his chest made it clear—this man was rich, but absolutely tasteless. Jameson snorted coldly. "The Hopkins family sure has some nerve, snatching up someone else's reservation like it's nothing." Archie Hopkins cracked a wide grin, revealing a mouth full of blackened teeth, and laughed without a care. "Mr. Rhodes, you sound way too naive!" Archie shrugged and said, "In this world, it's all about money and muscle. The Hopkins family's got both. So stealing a little dining room from the Rhodes family? It's nothing." Tiana's voice turned icy. "Since you're admitting it's theft, then do us a favor and get the hell out." Arch
The place Jameson picked for dinner was one of the most well-known upscale restaurants in Blumedale—The Palace. "Andy, you might not know this, but around here, this spot is top-tier," Jameson said as he adjusted his tailored suit and smiled. He added, "It's not like I'm trying to flaunt my wealth or anything. But sometimes, even if you don't care for appearances, you've still got to show up with style!" Andrew chuckled and replied, "Mr. Rhodes, I get what you're saying." Tiana spoke up coolly, "Jameson, no need to put on this kind of show in front of Andrew. Otherwise, you'll just end up looking ridiculous. This guy probably poops in places you haven't even dreamed of stepping into." Jameson froze for a second, clearly shocked. "Well now, Tiana, you're really singing Andy's praises today. Could it be… the classic case of a mother-in-law who's starting to really like her son-in-law?" Tiana gave a snort. "This has nothing to do with liking him. I'm just telling the truth."