Andrew quickly realized that in Dream Paradise, the so-called foreign masseuses that everyone raved about were not actually imported at all. They were just local girls wrapped up in fancy packaging, and they only knew a handful of common phrases. Yet, somehow, their broken Eastonian still managed to charm young men into emptying their wallets just for a chance to be here. Sighing, Andrew muttered, "Man, ignorance is a scary thing." The woman on his left immediately switched gears, dropping her fake accent and blurting out in a thick, local dialect, "Oh, come on, big guy! Are you looking down on us or what? Once you get a massage, you have to pay up—our boss will mess you up if you don't!" The one on his right chimed in, her accent just as heavy, "Exactly! You're acting all stingy and won't even go for the premium options—what's up with that?" "You're the first guy I've ever seen who came here just for a plain old massage. Are you sure it's not a performance issue?" Andrew d
Bryce let out a cold chuckle. "Sorry, but Mr. Sean doesn't have time for this. Feel free to file a complaint if you're unhappy with the price. But first, you need to pay the bill." As he spoke, he snapped his fingers, and within seconds, about five massive bodyguards stepped forward, surrounding Andrew. These guys were not just for show—broad shoulders, thick beards, and the kind of dead-serious expressions that screamed they had seen blood before. Marcus had just finished his business, buckling his belt as he walked into the lobby. The moment he saw Andrew surrounded by muscle-bound enforcers, his face darkened with rage. He growled, "What the hell is this? Dream Paradise, what do you think you're doing?" Bryce gave him a smirk that did not reach his eyes. "Mr. Chapman, your friend here doesn't seem to understand how things work. "He agreed to pay, but once he saw the total, he suddenly decided he couldn't afford it. Looks like he's trying to skip out on the bill. "Heh, m
Marcus immediately caught on—Sean was deliberately looking for trouble with Andrew. Nonetheless, since Andrew was his guest, he was responsible for stepping up and handling the situation. He said, "Sean, if you keep this up, I'll be taking this straight to Raymond!" Sean snorted. "Go ahead. I'm his only son—do you really think he'd scold me over some outsider?" Marcus' anger flared even more as he realized Sean was really a piece of work. Before he could respond, Andrew raised a hand, cutting him off. "Mr. Chapman, I'll handle this. It's just a scam joint—either they want your money, or they want your life. Since they're so eager for cash, I'll play along." Marcus gritted his teeth. "Mr. Lloyd, don't worry. Dream Paradise won't get away with this—I'll make sure they give us an explanation!" Andrew smirked. "An explanation? That's not even worth a dime. They just want money, right? Fine, I'll give it to them." Marcus was stunned. "Mr. Lloyd, you…" Andrew had already pul
The other rich kids burst into laughter, mocking Andrew without restraint. One mocked, "Kid, you're way too full of yourself. You'll be watching your own blood spill across the floor in no time!" Others joined in, saying, "Sean, stop wasting time with him—just beat the crap out of him and make him wash dishes in the back for a week!" "You really thought you could get away with paying a single dollar? And that crap about buying us water? If you don't die today, I'll change my last name to yours!" Andrew's expression darkened, the amusement in his eyes vanishing. "This is what I'm willing to pay. One dollar. Take it or leave it. If not, then I'm walking out." Sean's face twisted with rage, and he roared, "Lock the doors! If this piece of trash doesn't pay up the way I want, then he's not leaving here alive!" Dexter sneered. "Andrew, your luck just ran out. The last guy who tried skipping out on a bill at Dream Paradise is already buried six feet under." The bodyguards moved
Andrew set his phone down and glanced at Sean. "Rodney's on his way. He said he's coming to tear down your club." Sean and Dexter exchanged looks before bursting into laughter. Dexter clutched his stomach as if he couldn't breathe. "Andrew, you're really putting on a show here! If I didn't already know what a nobody you are, I might've actually believed you!" Rodney was one of Jayrodale's Four Most Eligible Bachelors, and he ranked higher than Dexter. Not only that, but because he trained at Madblade Martial Academy, he was notoriously arrogant. He did not even give guys like Harvey and Michael the time of day, let alone someone like Dexter. So, the idea that Rodney would rush over because Andrew called? That was laughable. If anything, Dexter figured that if Andrew did run into Rodney, he would probably drop to his knees in terror. However, Marcus shot Andrew a deep look, knowing that this underground king was done playing. Dream Paradise—and that idiot Sean—were about to
Rodney's fists rained down on Dexter like a brutal storm, smashing into his face, his head, his back—even between his legs. Within seconds, Dexter looked like his soul had nearly been beaten out of his body. The other rich brats, including Sean, were completely paralyzed with fear. They stood frozen, trembling violently, their minds unable to process what was happening. Andrew had actually called Rodney. Not only that, but Rodney had really shown up—with a full squad from Madblade Martial Academy. They wondered how the so-called "kept man," the "pretty boy," the "spineless loser" they had mocked pulled this off. It finally dawned on them that Andrew was not bluffing, and he was dead serious from the start. A foul stench filled the air as Sean dropped to his knees with a loud thud, his face pale as a ghost. He had lost all control, wetting himself in sheer terror. "Rodney! I was wrong! Please, you can beat Dexter all you want, but don't touch me! I hate pain—I really do!" Wa
In an instant, the hundred plus men Dylan and Natasha had brought with them unleashed absolute chaos upon Dream Paradise. Glass shattered, furniture splintered, and the deafening sound of destruction filled the air. They did not stop until the last intact piece of glass was reduced to nothing but shards on the floor. Dexter's throat bobbed as he struggled to breathe, his body locked in pure terror. He could not believe the sudden turn of events. Andrew was supposed to be a spineless nobody—a worthless, pretty boy who lived off wealthy women. Yet not only had he summoned Rodney, but he had also brought in Dylan and Natasha, two of the most feared underground figures in the city. Each of them alone was already untouchable. Together? Even the Combs family would not survive if they wanted it gone. Before long, a foul stench filled the air again. Dexter, following in Sean's pathetic footsteps, had completely pissed himself. "Andrew—no, Mr. Lloyd! Mr. Lloyd, please! Have mercy! Y
One passerby commented, "This kind of sleazy joint should've been shut down ages ago—talk about karma!" Someone replied, "Exactly! My husband used to come here twice a month, dropping thousands every time. No matter how much I tried to talk sense into him, he wouldn't stop. But now? Finally, I can relax!" Another chimed in, "Damn… I have to say, I'm going to miss Number 9 and Number 11. Those nights were legendary! The way they—ugh, never mind. Some memories are just too good to forget!" A few seasoned veterans stood outside the wreckage of Dream Paradise, sighing nostalgically at the club's downfall. Andrew patted Rodney's shoulder and grinned. "Rodney, I owe you one." Rodney quickly waved it off. "Mr. Lloyd, please—this was nothing. It's what I should do." Andrew nodded. "Alright, then take your guys and head back. It's over now." Without hesitation, Rodney gathered the Madblade Martial Academy crew and left. Dylan followed soon after, leaving only Natasha behind. She
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