"Just buy me a Bugatti, or give me your Porsche Panamera, and I'll help you get back together with Christina. What do you say?" Leroy pressed on eagerly. Before Andrew could respond, Harvey exploded in rage. "Leroy, have you no shame? How dare you try to sell out Christie for your own gain? Did you even consider my feelings?" Leroy retorted, "Harvey, you're drowning in debt, and you're nothing but a broke loser. Why should I care about your feelings when you're worth nothing? Since you're too pathetic to come up with the money, Christina obviously can't be with you." Harvey had never in his life had he faced such humiliation, and he was fuming. "Leroy, one more word out of you, and you can get the hell out of here," Christina snapped coldly. "I don't need any of you men deciding my life for me. Do you think I can't survive without you?" Leroy's words had struck deep at Christina's pride. They made it sound like she could not survive without either Harvey or Andrew, but
"Kane, the head of the Weller family, has been thinking about stepping down due to his poor health," Francesca said with disdain. "But judging by Harvey's stupidity and self-destructive behavior, if the Weller family ends up in his hands, it will be a complete disaster!" Andrew shook his head. "That's the Weller family's business, not mine. I just hope Harvey doesn't do anything too foolish." "If he actually gets control of the Weller family, someone as petty as him will definitely come after you," Francesca remarked with a frown. Andrew replied calmly, "Then I'll make sure both he and the Weller family meet their end sooner rather than later." "Harvey has no idea what he's getting into by targeting someone like you—a silent powerhouse!" Francesca giggled. "I'm getting chills just thinking about it." "I'm no powerhouse," Andrew responded. "I just believe in live and let live. Don't mess with me, and I won't mess with you." Suddenly, Francesca remembered something and exclai
"Make sure our security stays close to the convoy at all times," Lauren instructed Eunice. "We can't afford any problems." Eunice protested, "But Miss, are we really going to leave behind a third of our herbs? If we go back with this amount, we'll have to shut down several pharmaceutical plants. The losses will be substantial." "I'll cover the losses personally," Lauren replied with a cold smile. "If Michael wants to play games, I'll play along until the end." Eunice was worried but stayed silent, turning to relay the orders to the convoy. After that, Lauren stepped out of the car and approached Tracia Martin, a scar-faced woman standing nearby. "Tracia, the convoy is heading out. Please have your team keep watch over them during the journey." Despite her unremarkable appearance and small frame, Tracia's eyes held a sharp gleam that revealed her expertise as a martial arts master. "I apologize, Miss, but my team and I have only one mission—to protect you. Anything else is b
Lauren bounced in the back seat, nearly getting sick from the rough ride. She exclaimed, "Tracia, what are you doing? We need to go back and help!" "Going back would be suicide," Tracia replied grimly, keeping her foot on the gas. "As for those useless people back there, their deaths mean nothing—they're worthless anyway!" "Tracia, do you even hear yourself?" Lauren shouted angrily. "As your employer, I order you to take me back right now. For this noncompliance, I'll put in a request to the family to terminate your contract as soon as we return!" Tracia let out a cold laugh, her scarred face looking more sinister than ever. "You're just a little girl. Who do you think you are, trying to order me around?" "What are you planning?" Lauren's expression finally changed as realization dawned. "What am I planning? Why, delivering you to my new employer, of course!" Tracia cackled. "I'm sorry, Ms. Rhodes, but while your family pays well, those who want you dead pay better. Don't tak
"What are you thinking about?" Tracia suddenly asked. "About someone… a man," Lauren replied softly. "Ms. Rhodes, you're such a stunning beauty. I'm curious who could be on your mind," Tracia said with interest. "His name is Andrew Lloyd," Lauren answered honestly. "He's an incredibly skilled doctor and quite handsome too. Before I met him, I never knew loving someone could be so painful—sometimes the loneliness makes me want to cry." "Shut up! I don't want to hear this nonsense," Tracia snapped. Lauren studied Tracia's scarred face with sudden understanding. "You've never been in love, have you, Tracia? Or rather, no man has ever loved you?" Tracia's expression turned ugly, as if Lauren had struck a nerve. "Men are all worthless idiots. Their so-called love makes me sick. Since you're about to die anyway, I don't mind sharing this with you. When I was young, I met several men. But they all betrayed me, sweet-talking liars who got what they deserved when I cut their throats
Andrew said earnestly, "Of course I'd come when you're in danger. I'd walk through fire for you." Lauren suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion and burst into tears. "Andrew, you're such a jerk! Turn around—I won't let you see me cry. And just so you know, I'm not crying because of you!" Andrew was uncharacteristically flustered, having never seen this softer, more emotional side of Lauren before. "I hate seeing people being all lovey-dovey in front of me. Since you dared to come, I'll kill you first and let this girl die of heartbreak!" Tracia spat before laughing maniacally. "Perfect! I was planning to kill you anyway," Andrew replied, his eyes turning ice-cold. Then, Tracia lunged forward, curling her hands as she clawed at Andrew with lightning speed. The air whistled with the ferocity of her attacks, her movements almost too fast to follow. "Be careful, Andrew! She's a hidden force master," Lauren warned anxiously, wiping away her tears. Andrew remained calm. To ordi
Andrew shook his head. "There's no need for such formalities between us, Ms. Rhodes." Lauren felt warmth in her heart at his words but still huffed, "Well, at least you have some conscience. I thought you'd forgotten all about me now that you're rekindling things with Ms. Stevens!" Andrew gave a wry smile, wisely choosing not to explain. After all, some things would only get worse with explanation. Later, they made their way out of the forest and found the Rhodes family security team. "Miss, thank goodness you're safe!" they exclaimed upon seeing Lauren. "What happened to those thugs who ambushed us?" Lauren asked. "Mr. Keoghan arrived and drove them all away," Eunice replied angrily. "He even killed a few of them." "Jerry came? Where is he?" Lauren asked excitedly. Just then, a muscular middle-aged man strode toward them with purposeful steps. "Miss, where's Tracia? I don't see her," he asked. "Tracia is dead," Lauren replied coldly. Jerry Keoghan, the Rhodes family'
Only three of the Rhodes Corporation's ten trucks were recovered, while the other seven, fully loaded with medical supplies, had vanished without a trace. Jerry pointed at the injured security guards and shouted, "You're a bunch of good-for-nothings! The Rhodes family would've been better off keeping a pack of dogs than paying you!" "Come on, we all did our best," one guard protested, clutching his bleeding arm. "They caught us by surprise, and they had too many skilled fighters. We were overwhelmed." Jerry's eyes narrowed as he strode over and slapped the guard hard across the face. "Who do you think you are to talk back to me? Those supplies better be found, or I'll make sure you pay for your incompetence!" The guard swallowed his anger, and the others shot Jerry resentful looks. Within the Rhodes family, Jerry was the most despised figure. As the Rhodes family's elite fighter, he never treated them like human beings, regularly beating and berating them at will. "Jerry,
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."