The Rhodes Corporation executives wore pleased expressions, their eyes filled with flattery and admiration as they looked at Ruby. Although Rhodes Corporation was a strong player, its influence was largely confined to Jayrodale. Even though the Rhodes family had ventured into Blumedale to expand their reach, they had only managed to secure a foothold, far from becoming a dominant force. Amberpeak Corporation, on the other hand, was a renowned giant in the pharmaceutical industry. If Rhodes Corporation could truly secure a partnership with such a powerhouse, it would undoubtedly be a golden opportunity. Ruby turned to Lauren with a smug smile. "Ms. Rhodes, do you believe me now?" Lauren frowned. "Amberpeak Corporation is already a leading authority in pharmaceuticals. If they were looking for partners, it would make more sense to find them in Blumedale. "Ruby, for you to claim you're representing Amberpeak Corporation and to come all the way to Jayrodale for collaboration—it
Troy slammed the table, his tone laced with frustration. "It seems my efforts were all in vain. Some people in the company don't appreciate my hard work and think I'm just being foolish. "Fine, if that's the case, the Pharmaceutical Division doesn't need this collaboration with Ms. Dickinson and Amberpeak Corporation. After all, any losses will be the corporation's, not mine." Ruby seized the moment, feigning regret as she spoke. "It's such a pity. If Mr. MacAfee doesn't want this opportunity, I'll have to look elsewhere. Perhaps the Weller family, who's been excelling in wellness products lately, might be interested." Michael panicked, immediately forcing a smile. "Ms. Dickinson, please don't be hasty. Of course, we at Rhodes Corporation are eager for this partnership with Amberpeak Corporation. Only a fool would reject it!" Ruby smirked, adding, "You can want it all you like, but I only trust Mr. MacAfee, so he'll be my sole point of contact for this collaboration." Michael
Michael, already irritated, snapped at Andrew. "We're talking about serious corporate business here—high-level collaborations. Do you even understand what that means? If you don't, stop interrupting just to make yourself seen!" Michael was already annoyed earlier by Andrew's "suggestions" and now, with Andrew raising another question, a wave of dread swept over him. He feared Andrew might come up with something that would send his blood pressure through the roof. Andrew replied calmly, "Who said I don't understand? When it comes to pharmaceuticals, none of you here are even qualified to speak in my presence." Ruby sneered. "Mr. Lloyd, let's not pretend you know what you're talking about. Are you seriously trying to convince us that you're some kind of expert in medicine? What, are you claiming to be a miracle-working doctor or something?" To Ruby, Andrew was just a lackey trying to pick a fight for Lauren's sake—nothing more than a clueless, incompetent man, unworthy of her att
Andrew smiled calmly. "Alright, one final question." Ruby, clearly irritated, snapped, "Mr. Lloyd, enough is enough. You just said the last question was your final one." Andrew chuckled, unfazed. "It just popped into my head, Ms. Dickinson. No need to get so tense—this one isn't about the collaboration. Just casual chit-chat." Ruby huffed. "Tense? Who's tense? You're quite the joker, Mr. Lloyd. Ask your question—I have other matters to attend to. Rhodes Corporation isn't the only company knocking on Amberpeak's door." Andrew's smile took on a sharper edge. "I heard from Mr. MacAfee earlier that the two of you discussed the collaboration thoroughly and worked very hard, even late into the evening. Is that correct?" Ruby froze for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, Mr. MacAfee is very dedicated. We had a detailed conversation yesterday and talked until around nine in the evening." Troy, clearly proud of himself, chimed in, "It was exhausting, but for Rhodes Corporation, it's my dut
Michael cut through the growing tension with a sharp tone. "That's enough. Today's meeting is over. What matters to me is your ability to do your job and make money for the company. Your personal lives and relationships are of no interest to me as CEO." He started to walk away but paused after a few steps, gesturing for Troy. "Mr. MacAfee, come to my office. I'd like to clarify a few details about the collaboration with you." Troy smirked, glancing at Andrew with a look of triumph. The unspoken message was clear. "So what if you caught me fooling around with Ruby? You can't touch me if the CEO has my back." Ruby stood to leave, but as she passed Lauren, she leaned in with a cold smile. "Ms. Rhodes, I haven't forgotten my grudge against you. Be careful not to make a mistake you'll regret for the rest of your life." Lauren shot back without missing a beat. "Don't worry, Ms. Dickinson. I'd be happy to send you back for another helping of prison meals—on the house." Ruby's smile
Lauren looked puzzled. "There's an issue with that document? I didn't notice anything off." Andrew smiled knowingly. "It's normal you didn't catch it. The problem lies in Ruby's formula for the pill she wants Rhodes Corporation to produce." He paused briefly before continuing in a colder tone. "Ruby requested the Pharmaceutical Division to manufacture a so-called 'miracle anti-cancer drug'. It's positioned as an exclusive, high-end product designed for the wealthy and elite families—rare, valuable, and groundbreaking." "But here's the catch," he said, his voice sharp. "While the formula lists over 30 premium ingredients that appear highly effective on their own, they turn into a lethal poison when combined. And not just any poison—it's a slow-acting, insidious toxin. Anyone who takes it will suffer without even realizing the cause." Andrew's gaze darkened. "Now, imagine if Rhodes Corporation went ahead and produced this pill, selling it to affluent clients and major figures. Wh
Michael called Troy in and personally locked the door behind him. Troy, shifting uneasily, spoke first. "Mr. Rhodes, about Ruby and me… We did go to the hotel yesterday. But aside from… well, you know… I was genuinely there to discuss business. Honestly, if I hadn't kept her happy, we wouldn't have secured the Amberpeak Corporation deal so easily." Michael waved dismissively. "I didn't call you here to scold you." Troy froze, caught off guard. "I thought you would scold me for mixing personal matters with work!" In truth, Troy had not gone to the hotel to talk business at all. Ruby's stunning beauty had completely captivated him. Their initial flirtation quickly escalated into something far more intimate, and the deal came up only afterward. By chance, Troy learned that Ruby was a representative for Amberpeak Corporation. The realization thrilled him—sealing such a significant partnership would be the perfect way to prove himself as the new head of the Pharmaceutical Divisio
"I want Lauren to experience true despair and unrelenting pain," Ruby hissed, her eyes alight with malice. "When the Rhodes family collapses completely, when their legacy is destroyed, I bet her anguished screams will sound like music to my ears." Aspen, standing calmly by the window, gave a faint smile. "Hatred is indeed a powerful motivator, but you can't rely solely on it. The brain, Ruby, is the deadliest weapon of all." Ruby hesitated, then bowed her head respectfully. "Please, Ms. Stevens, enlighten me." Aspen's cold smile deepened. "The Weller family is currently under the spotlight, drawing public scrutiny and outrage. It's the perfect distraction for us. Everyone thinks the crisis in Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division is over, but this lull in vigilance is precisely when I strike." She turned to Ruby, her tone laced with pride. "The key is to attack your prey when they least expect it, when their guard is down—that's when it's most fatal." With a light laug
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
Andrew finally paid a visit to the Rhodes family. "Andy, you're here! Come in, have a seat," Jameson greeted warmly, his tone unusually enthusiastic. The way he looked at Andrew was not just the admiration of a family elder—it was the hopeful gaze of someone eyeing a perfect son-in-law. Lauren giggled behind her hand. "Andrew, you've become quite the welcome guest around here. Everyone in the Rhodes family is thrilled you came." Andrew glanced around casually and noticed several of the Rhodes family's core members smiling and nodding in greeting. A few girls around Lauren's age were sneaking glances his way, their cheeks tinged pink. Cecelia, the youngest among them, blurted out, "Andrew, when are you marrying Lauren?" Andrew laughed and replied, "Anytime works for me." Cecelia clapped her hands excitedly. "Great! Let's do the wedding today and the honeymoon tonight!" Jameson's eyes widened. "Cece! Stop saying nonsense!" His youngest daughter was a wild one—always blu
Logan nodded and smiled. "Andrew's medical skills really are rare. Medicine is a deep and complex field, and among the younger generation in Blumedale, hardly anyone has any decent understanding of it. "Even top talents like Joe Driscoll or Luna Phelan from the three major families are focused on martial arts. When it comes to healing, there's nothing to talk about." George beamed. "What makes Andrew truly special is that he's not only exceptional in medicine, but his martial prowess is also extraordinary. Just the fact that he's survived the joint manhunt from two powerful families already tells me he's not to be underestimated." Logan frowned. "There's a rumor going around that Andrew survived only because someone powerful is secretly protecting him." George scoffed. "That's just idle gossip from nobodies parroting what they hear. If Andrew were weak, no amount of backing could keep him alive. Logan, remember this—life throws us many challenges, but there's one hurdle you mus
Elon's face turned red from the scolding, and he muttered bitterly, "I mean, I might not be great, but I'm still better than Andrew, right? Are you really saying that in your eyes, your own son is worth less than that guy?" Richard let out a cold snort. "You really care about comparing yourself to him? Fine then—do you want the truth or a lie?" Elon shrank back at his father's sarcastic smile and mumbled, "The lie… I guess." Richard scoffed, "Alright. If it's lies you want, then sure—you're way more promising than Andrew. That guy doesn't even deserve to be compared to you." Elon's face twitched. He wanted to laugh, but the words tasted bitter in his mouth. The lie was that he was better than Andrew. But the truth? The truth was that compared to Andrew, he was absolutely nothing. The more he thought about it, the more he realized—either way, he came up short. So what was the point in choosing? He silently cursed, 'Damn it!' Richard folded his hands behind his back, his
"He's my sworn brother, then standing up for him—no matter the cost—is only right," Logan said firmly. Elon's face instantly darkened, and deep inside, a gnawing jealousy bubbled up. Despite being the most low-key of the Five Apex Families' younger generation, Logan was arguably the most terrifying. He was about to take over the Keller family, a rising powerhouse. The Haywoods had Xavier—young, sharp, and fierce in combat. The Wrights had Quinton—manipulative, cunning, and notorious for his ruthlessness. But Elon? He was… just Elon. He was overweight, lacked presence, and had just been publicly humiliated when word spread that his wife had cheated on him. His reputation was already slipping, and now he had become the joke of Blumedale's elite circle. Still, no matter how pathetic things seemed, Elon believed he was far better than the man Andrew was. In his eyes, they were not even in the same league. So, it burned him even more to see Logan—someone he had always tried to i
"Logan, don't you know Andrew killed my younger brother?" Xavier shouted furiously. It was understandable for Luna to speak up. After all, the Phelans owed Andrew a small favor—but now even the Keller family was interfering. If this continued, Andrew would not just remain unharmed; he would likely rise to prominence in Blumedale. Andrew's rise would be a direct slap in the face to the Haywoods, humiliating them beyond redemption. Roy spoke grimly, "Logan, you're set to lead the Keller family. You should know better than to blur right and wrong. Andrew repeatedly humiliated the Haywoods and even murdered Seth. Do you expect us to swallow such a huge insult?" Logan replied calmly, "Mr. Haywood Senior, you know exactly why things turned out this way. I hate to say it, but Seth brought his death upon himself. Andrew may be impulsive, but he's done nothing wrong in my eyes." "I'll say this only once: if the Haywoods continue their vendetta against him, the Keller family won't stan
Xavier said, "Uncle Jude, you're in charge of internal discipline. My request is simple—either throw those losers out of the Haywoods and make them manage some backwater branch, or I'll kill them myself. And I doubt anyone in the family would object." Jude's eyelids twitched violently as he cursed the brats under his breath. Out loud, though, he nodded quickly and replied, "Don't worry, Xavier. I'll make sure they're kicked out of the family for good. They won't even get close to the front gate again." Xavier snorted and walked off, leaving Jude staring at his back, shaking his head. Jude muttered to himself, "Xavier… you really are the pride of the Haywoods. But you're spoiled by your status. With your father as the family head and all the elders favoring you, you've always kept the other branches under your heel. "That's understandable since you're the future heir and our strongest fighter among the younger generations. But the fact remains—you made a public promise and faile