Finley sneered, his voice laced with sarcasm. "You think using some reverse psychology is going to make me play the sucker and hand over more money?" Andrew shook his head with a serious expression. "You misunderstand, Mr. Moore. I'm not trying to provoke you. This isn't about greed for money." He gestured around them and added, "This is Moonlit Apothecary—Jayrodale's most upscale medical center. We're hosting some of the top figures in the city today. When guests give gifts here, we're talking hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions in cash or more." Andrew glanced pointedly at the cash Finley had handed over earlier. "And yet, you come here and offer a measly 1500 bucks. I mean, really, Mr. Moore, how can someone of your standing think that's enough?" Finley clenched his jaw. "That's on them if they wanna throw money around like idiots! I wasn't even invited here, Andrew. You can't expect me to be held to the same standard!" Andrew chuckled softly. "Oh, if that's the issu
Finley crossed his arms, sneering. "Sorry, Andrew, but if you want more, tough luck! We're out of cash. If you're that desperate, go rob a bank." He was not broke, but he had limits. He would not be bullied into emptying his wallet just for this. Andrew raised an eyebrow and replied calmly, "Mr. Moore, don't push me." Finley snapped, "Push you? You're the one pushing me!" He was in disbelief at how shameless Andrew was. Andrew simply smiled. "No worries. You can pay by card, or maybe Venmo or PayPal?" Finley's temper exploded. "Andrew, don't test me! You've got some nerve." Ignoring his outburst, Andrew continued casually, "And if you're low on funds, no problem! You can always take out a quick loan. I'll wait." Finley's hands trembled in fury, his eyes blazing red with barely restrained rage. He had never been so publicly humiliated. Meanwhile, his Hidden Dragons crew watched in stunned disbelief. "Damn… Mr. Moore wasn't exaggerating," one muttered. "This Andrew guy
Finley's eyelid twitched violently. "What do you mean by that? I'm warning you—don't go spreading rumors!" Andrew chuckled. "Oh, it seems Mr. Moore values his reputation quite a bit. But here's the thing—this is my Moonlit Apothecary. You've eaten and drunk here without paying, and that's just unacceptable." He leaned in a little and added with a smirk, "All it takes is one loud announcement from me, and soon, everyone in Jayrodale will know you're nothing more than a broke freeloader. Think about your uncle's reputation!" Finley's expression darkened further as Andrew casually said, "So, Mr. Moore, why not save face and swipe that card? Or perhaps consider applying for a loan?" At the mention of Hidden Dragons' reputation, the faces of the other gang members grew serious. They could tolerate embarrassment, but their leader's reputation? That was sacred. "Mr. Moore, just pay something. It's not worth the fallout." "Yeah, if word gets out that Hidden Dragons can't even cover
Andrew sighed dramatically. "I can't believe it. You have a Hidden Dragons boss as your uncle, yet you can't even manage 50 million. Fine, I'll lower it to 30 million." "30 million? Forget it! If you're going to keep pushing, then do it. I'd rather risk my life!" Finley snapped. Andrew chuckled. "Alright, alright, you look like you're about to pass out. Let's settle on five million. Honestly, you're the poorest and stingiest of all the guests today, Mr. Moore." In the end, after some intense back-and-forth, Finley begrudgingly transferred five million to Andrew. He stared at his phone screen, watching his balance drop, and felt his heart bleed. Five million gone over a single simple banquet—it was a humiliation he could not swallow. The moment the transfer came through, Francesca promptly confiscated it. "This isn't some secret fund, Andrew. It's part of the collection, so I'll keep it for proper accounting," Francesca said with a playful grin. "You're not getting it back!
Aspen strode confidently to the center of the banquet, her expression cold and unforgiving. She swept a glance over the gathered crowd and sneered. "Looks like today's a good day. Jayrodale's most prominent figures are all here. Perfect timing—I'll make sure everyone knows that the Stevens family from Bridgefields always collects their debts." However, Christina and her family looked increasingly nervous. Christina whispered urgently, "Aspen, you might want to reconsider. Even Jayrodale's wealthiest man is here today. You're playing with fire!" Irene glanced around nervously. "How on earth did that loser Andrew manage to gather such a crowd? These people aren't ones to mess with!" Leroy clutched Irene's arm, his legs shaking. "Mom, I feel like fainting. Oh my God, look! Even Natasha and Dylan are here—those two are killers, legends in the underground world of Jayrodale!" Their initial confidence quickly evaporated. They had arrived intending to support Aspen and demand rev
"Mr. Moore, that hunchbacked old man looks like he's reached the level of a senior grandmaster," one of the Hidden Dragons experts whispered. "No, not just senior grandmaster—he's probably at the peak, capable of taking lives with a mere flick of his finger!" "Hah, Moonlit Apothecary is in big trouble now. I've been saying that Andrew can't go around making enemies without someone eventually coming to settle the score." The Hidden Dragons experts exchanged smug glances, their eyes gleaming with schadenfreude. Finley sneered, his jaw tightening. "Just wait. Today, not only will Moonlit Apothecary be wrecked, but that loser Andrew will probably be lucky to survive this." Finley sensed the overwhelming danger emanating from Gordon. Although he could not pinpoint who the man was, his instincts screamed that Gordon was not someone to provoke. If Finley had been in Andrew's shoes, he would have run without a second thought. Natasha's voice sliced through the tension. "Aspen, tak
Finley scoffed, shocked that Andrew was actually trying to fleece five million out of Aspen. He could not help but think Andrew's greed was going to be the death of him. Irene stood with her hands on her hips, smirking. "Andrew, you've got quite a show going today, but let me tell you something—our family may not have brought a large crowd, but we're not someone you can push around!" Leroy puffed up his chest and added, "Yeah! Aspen's got top family fighters with her. You're in for a world of pain soon!" "Shut up, both of you!" Christina snapped, her brow furrowed in frustration. "Why should we?" Irene huffed. "With Aspen backing us, I've got every right to show off a little!" She crossed her arms and scowled. "Besides, look at this fancy medical center Andrew's opened. It's practically a luxury resort. I can't stand the thought of him living it up like this!" Leroy nodded eagerly. "Exactly! Andrew dumped you, and now he's thriving—first buying that fancy Mercedes, and now
"Dr. Lloyd, Aspen and Christina seem prepared for something serious. We need to be cautious," Lauren warned, her voice tinged with concern. Francesca nodded in agreement, her brows furrowed. "Aspen's always been proud and arrogant. She wouldn't dare show up here and threaten to ruin Moonlit Apothecary unless she had absolute confidence in her backing." Andrew smiled faintly. "Her confidence comes from that hunchbacked old man standing behind her. His skills are decent. In Jayrodale, there might not be many who could stand against him." Lauren's eyes widened in surprise. "That old man? He looks so frail he can barely walk. I didn't think he'd be a master fighter!" Francesca's worry deepened. "That just makes it worse, Andrew. Aspen's failures here have already filled her with resentment. I'm worried that after dealing with Madblade Martial Academy, she'll turn her attention to you." Andrew snorted, a hint of disdain tugging at his lips. "Sure, he might be formidable to others
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