The crowd gasped in shock as they realized these thugs did not seem to care about the Fields family at all. Baldy snarled, "I hate showoffs like you the most. Let's see how tough you really are. Boys, teach him a lesson!" With that command, the gang approached Shawn, kicking and stomping him mercilessly. "Stop it, you bastards!" Shawn screamed, his bravado evaporating instantly. "I order you to stop right now, or I'll make you all disappear!" His threats quickly turned to pitiful pleas. "Please, stop! I'm begging you! You're going to kill me!" Shawn's face was a mess of bruises, his nose broken. The worst pain came from a vicious kick to his groin, leaving him wondering if he could ever father children. Christina stepped forward, her face ashen. "You thugs! What gives you the right to beat someone like this?" Just as she rushed to shield Shawn with her body, Baldy called for his men to stop. He sneered at Shawn's battered form. "Your pathetic Fields family is nothing b
Andrew was nowhere to be seen as Christina looked around. "Since you're not involved in this, get lost, you coward," Baldy snarled, kicking Shawn aside before turning his attention to Christina. "Ms. Stevens, Mr. Garner has his eye on that property. You're coming with us to sign it over." Shawn crawled away, groveling, "Thank you for your mercy. Thank you, Mr. Garner, for sparing me." Internally, he cursed his terrible luck. Jayrodale's four districts were each controlled by a ruthless crime lord. Dylan was the crime lord of the southern area, with hundreds of loyal thugs at his command. The Fields family was insignificant in comparison. "Shawn, they're taking Christie! Do something!" Irene pleaded desperately. Leroy joined in, begging, "Shawn, I know you can figure this out. You're the Fields family heir. Don't you have connections?" Shawn's face darkened as he replied, "I can't do anything. When Mr. Garner wants something, you'd better hand it over." Irene turned on hi
Right at the last second, a cold voice suddenly commanded, "Get away from her!" Baldy's hand had just begun to swing when a powerful force struck his back. Before he could even grunt, he was sent flying by a kick, landing motionless on the ground. Christina stared in disbelief at Andrew, who had suddenly appeared behind Baldy. Andrew's eyes were frighteningly cold, as if ready to kill. "W-Why did you come back?" Christina stammered, surprised. She had thought Andrew had left, disappointed that he seemed even more cowardly than Shawn. "Should I have let them take you and have their way with you?" Andrew snapped, giving the thoughtless woman a stern look. Christina froze, feeling Andrew was being too aggressive. "Andrew, I know I misunderstood you, but you're—" Before she could finish her sentence, Baldy roared, "Get him! Kill that bastard!" A dozen thugs in black clothes immediately surrounded Andrew, some even pulling out weapons. Shawn was secretly delighted and though
"Andrew, you need to run! Get out of Jayrodale, now!" Christina urged, her eyes filled with worry after carefully considering the situation. Andrew calmly replied, "I don't think that's necessary." Christina flew into a rage, shouting, "Don't you understand? You're in trouble! How can you say it's not necessary?" Andrew smirked. "So what? Do you think I've caused trouble for your family? That I'm giving you problems?" "Isn't that exactly what's happening?" The retort left Andrew speechless. Irene grabbed Christina's arm, pulling her away. "Christie, let's go. All this trouble is because of this jerk. It has nothing to do with us. Come on, let's leave." Leroy chimed in, "Christie, let's go. Harvey is coming back from overseas tomorrow, and he can help us handle this. Stevens Corporation won't be affected." Christina nodded quickly. "You're right. Harvey's coming back tomorrow. He'll sort this out. Everything will be fine." She turned to Andrew, her expression complica
That night, two events caused ripples in Jayrodale's high society circles. First, Dylan, the crime lord of South City, had stumbled for the first time since solidifying his power. Second, Harvey had returned from abroad, ready to take control of the Weller family. The Weller family was among the top three elite families in Jayrodale, far above second-tier families like the Fields. Harvey was even more renowned, once considered the leader of Jayrodale's Four Scions and the most prominent young heir in the city. The next morning, Lauren called Andrew. "Dr. Lloyd, I heard you ran into some trouble at the Jayrodale Grand Hotel yesterday. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask," she said, her voice filled with worry. Andrew replied, "Thanks for your concern, Ms. Rhodes, but it's not a big deal." Lauren laughed. "I should've known something like this wouldn't faze you, Dr. Lloyd. I was hoping I could help and have you owe me a favor." Andrew smiled. "I doubt a favor f
Andrew's straightforwardness made Francesca scoff. She mocked, "You didn't even bother to greet me first? You're so unsophisticated." Despite her annoyance, she slid an elegant box across the table to Andrew. He opened it, confirming the presence of a twisted root nestled on silk, then stood to leave. "Wait," Francesca called out. "You've got what you wanted. When are you going to treat me?" Andrew replied frankly, "Just set a time. But I should warn you about the treatment. I'll need to lift your dress." Francesca froze. "Lift my dress? What do you mean?" Andrew explained calmly, "Your condition isn't ordinary. It's more severe, which I'm sure you're aware of." Francesca's face flushed as she realized the implications, her gaze a mix of embarrassment and anger. Ignoring her reaction, Andrew continued, "To ensure a complete cure, I'll need to perform a minimally invasive procedure on the… affected area. Understand?" Francesca gritted her teeth. "That's hardly appropriat
"Enjoy yourselves tonight, everyone. Drinks are on me," Harvey announced with a charming smile. The crowd erupted in cheers and praise. After all, Oakridge Club was known for being one of the most expensive places in Jayrodale. Only someone like Harvey could boldly claim that the whole night's bill was on him. "Mr. Weller sure is generous!" "He's still the same Mr. Weller we know and love!" "Only the beautiful CEO of Stevens Corporation is worthy of our handsome and wealthy Mr. Weller!" Francesca watched in admiration as Harvey and Christina disappeared into the VIP room on the second floor. "Before he went abroad, Harvey was known as Jayrodale's most eligible bachelor. Now, he's returned even more refined and mature. The Weller family has a bright future, and Ms. Stevens is a lucky woman." Andrew sipped his drink and nodded. "This is a great wine." Francesca looked at him, confused. "At a time like this, you're still in the mood to enjoy your drink?" She found Andre
Andrew spoke casually, "I'm not in a great mood today, so I'd advise you not to push your luck." Bobby's eyes gleamed dangerously. "What did you just say? Repeat that." Andrew chuckled. "I said, get lost. I'm not in the mood, and I'd hate to hurt you if things get out of hand." Francesca thought Andrew had lost his mind. "Andrew, shut up! Don't you know Bobby is Mr. Garner's best fighter from South City? I can't protect you if you keep running your mouth." She turned to Bobby, her voice tense. "Bobby, this guy's a friend of mine and Lauren's. Can we talk this out later? Maybe you could let him off the hook today?" Bobby laughed. "I'm afraid that's not possible. This punk messed with Mr. Garner's business yesterday. The boss wants him taken care of personally." He continued, "Ms. Aicker, please tell Ms. Rhodes it's nothing personal. This guy not only screwed up Mr. Garner's plans, but he’s also acting all high and mighty even with my knife on the table. That's disrespecting
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."
Lauren said, "Funny thing, Andrew—you probably don't know this, but my mom's been all about dressing up lately. For the longest time, I only ever saw her in simple outfits. She never really cared about appearances. "But now, she's all glammed up and polished! If you didn't know better, you'd think she was dating someone!" Andrew did not know how to respond, so he stayed quiet. He had a pretty good idea why Tiana suddenly started caring about her looks. It was probably because his presence reminded her of her first love—his father. Even though he was not the man himself, they were still father and son. Much like Aspen, Tiana clearly had something not quite right going on in her head. Only someone like her could project her feelings for a man onto his son. Nonetheless, no matter how he looked at it, Andrew just could not shake the weirdness of it all. After all, this woman was supposed to be his future mother-in-law, and yet, she was just a little off. Not that Tiana acted c
"Andrew, my mom didn't give you a hard time, did she?" Lauren asked as they stepped into the Rhodes residence's front parlor. She had noticed right away that Andrew did not look so great. "It's fine. Your mother was… gracious enough," Andrew said with a small smile. There was no need to bring up Tiana's moment of madness—it was better buried. Jameson chuckled. "Andy, sorry to trouble you again! But today wasn't just about getting your help with her condition." Lauren beamed. "That's right, Andrew. Now that you're part of the family, you're not an outsider anymore. So, Dad planned a little family dinner. We thought we'd introduce you to some people too, help you make some connections around Blumedale." Jameson added, "Exactly! And I heard from Lauren that you've been looking for some rare medicinal herbs. Well, turns out, I know some folks who might be holding on to a few." Andrew nodded thoughtfully. "I am looking for rare herbs, that's true. But as for opening doors, Mr.
Truthfully, Tiana was by far the most challenging woman Andrew had ever dealt with. He could not hit her or offend her. To make things worse, she was Lauren's mother and Jameson's wife. No matter what insanity she pulled, Andrew could not actually do anything to her. Seeing Andrew so obviously trapped, Tiana felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. She chuckled smugly. "Andrew, you're the Dragon Prince of the Lloyds. There's no way I could ever win against you—not in a million years. "But you lost the moment you started dating my daughter. I'm your mother-in-law. That means I can mess with you, tease you, and you won't be able to lift a finger." Andrew replied evenly, "You're right—I can't fight you. But if I can't win, I can still walk away." Tiana waved her hand. "Alright, alright. Let's stop arguing. Just promise me one thing—what happened here today stays between us. Lauren can never find out." Andrew let out a dry laugh. "You're only worried about Lauren? What ab
It felt to Tiana like she had fallen into a vast, unfamiliar net—one she had never experienced before. She was sinking, drifting, wanting to break free. Yet, she was addicted to the thrill of it all. All these conflicting emotions passed through her in the blink of an eye, though they were layered and complex. Meanwhile, Andrew was completely unaware of the chaotic thoughts swirling inside her. To him, this was just another straightforward medical procedure. He was careful and respectful. He only touched what he had to, avoiding sensitive areas entirely. As a doctor, Andrew had no sense of guilt about what he was doing. Illness knew no gender; treatment was treatment. That was how he saw it. Whether others saw it the same way was not his concern. He calmly explained, "Stimulating your pressure points with needles and smoothing the meridians with massage helped your condition today. "But in the end, to restore proper balance, you'll still need a medicinal remedy to regulate
Tiana flinched, both shocked and furious, but she had no chance of dodging him. Under Andrew's hand, she did not stand a chance. However, the loud smack that followed was not across her face—it landed squarely on a pressure point along her waist. A wave of sharp pain shot through her body like a crashing tide. She gasped, "Ah… Andrew, you… stop, that hurts…" A strange moan escaped her lips, echoing awkwardly in the quiet room. Andrew muttered under his breath, cursing her madness. Without wasting time, he lifted her up and laid her down across the bed. Tiana stared up at him in disbelief, her eyes wide—until he pulled out a slim, metallic object. A gleaming golden acupuncture needle. "Mrs. Rhodes, your speech is erratic, your energy's spiking. I'll give you a few needles to stabilize your condition," Andrew said calmly. With that, he plunged the first needle into a targeted spot on her body. Tiana's breath hitched as her lips parted, and her reaction was a mix of pai
"If you called me here just to ask something this ridiculous, Mrs. Rhodes, then I'll be going now," Andrew said flatly as he turned toward the door. He did not dare stay a second longer, worried Tiana might start acting crazy like she did last time. If things spiraled out of control and someone like Jameson walked in on them, not even a hundred confessions could clear his name. "Stop right there!" Tiana snapped, her brows raised in defiance. "What's the matter? Are you that scared of being alone with me?" Andrew paused and looked back, his brows still tightly furrowed. "Mrs. Rhodes, you and I both know this isn't appropriate." Tiana stepped forward with a graceful sway, a trace of perfume trailing in her wake as she stopped right beside him. Her lips curled in a playful smile. "What's not appropriate? Can't a mother-in-law spend a little one-on-one time with her future son-in-law?" Andrew fell silent, exasperated. "You said you weren't feeling well. If you need help, I'll tak