Andrew sneered. "I call you an idiot, and you're still trying to argue. Amazing. You've got sky-high production costs, and now you're planning to get into a price war with competitors who can undercut you without breaking a sweat. The moment they lower their prices, your so-called strategy will collapse like a house of cards." Michael opened his mouth to respond but came up empty. His face darkened as he struggled to find a comeback. The other executives exchanged uneasy glances. They wanted to defend Michael's point, but they simply did not have the knowledge to counter Andrew's logic. Even Tiana's eyes narrowed slightly as she mentally reviewed the Pharmaceutical Division's current situation. Andrew's analysis had exposed a glaring flaw she had not fully considered before. "All right, Mr. Lloyd," Tiana said, leaning slightly forward. "Since you see the problem so clearly, what would you suggest we do to gain an advantage?" Andrew stretched and gave a lazy yawn. "The solutio
Andrew remained unfazed as he continued, "And one more thing—true wisdom has nothing to do with age. If you've lived all these decades and still haven't figured that out, then congratulations—you've basically wasted your entire life. Next time you want to learn something, start by showing a little humility." The elderly executive was livid. He shot up from his chair, turning to Tiana with a furious glare, ready to demand justice. However, the sudden surge of anger proved too much. With a guttural groan, his face contorted, and he collapsed with a loud thud under the table. Michael and the others gasped in shock. "Did… did Andrew just argue him into unconsciousness?" Tiana's face remained stone-cold. "Take him to the medical wing. Don't let this disrupt the meeting." A team of security staff quickly entered the room, lifted the unconscious executive, and carried him away. Lauren discreetly gave Andrew a thumbs-up, her eyes glimmering with amusement. She thought, 'Dr. Lloyd, yo
Michael was furious. After being repeatedly belittled by Andrew today, he was already boiling with rage. He growled, "Alright, we'll see soon enough. I want to see how long you can keep up that arrogance!" He stood up, threw down those harsh words, and stormed out with Bane trailing behind him. "Meeting adjourned!" Tiana announced. The other senior executives followed suit, leaving one after the other. As they walked out, most instinctively kept their distance from Andrew. They had finally realized that Andrew was an unrelenting, shameless troublemaker. He showed no respect for Michael, even though Michael came from a powerful family, and he even dared to openly mock Tiana. That kind of audacity was not something ordinary people could stomach. Tiana was the last to leave. She turned to Andrew with a taunting smile. "Mr. Lloyd, I heard the Jayrodale Grand Hotel has arranged a 'Reckoning Toast' just for you. You act all high and mighty in front of me—I just hope you won't be
Lauren said, "Dr. Lloyd, I'm going with you to the Jayrodale Grand Hotel tomorrow!" Andrew waved his hand dismissively. "No need. We're at a critical stage with our pharmaceutical product launch right now. You and Mr. Chapman are already swamped, so just stay focused on the product!" Lauren frowned with concern. "But I don't feel comfortable letting you go alone!" Andrew replied calmly, "Relax. I'm going there to reason with Raymond. We've got the facts on our side, so there's nothing to fear, no matter how many people he brings." Lauren could not hold back her anxiety. "Raymond's got Winston backing him up, and they have no intention of playing fair. They're just trying to strong-arm us, Dr. Lloyd. You know that better than anyone!" Andrew's eyes darkened, but his tone remained steady. "In this world, everything should be resolved through reason. But if brute force is the solution, then I prefer it that way." That was his principle: if no one messed with Andrew, he would n
At times like this, the smartest move was not to respond—so Andrew put down his phone and went back to sleep. Yet, Francesca kept bombarding him with messages. [Andrew, I know you're not asleep. You jerk! You used my body and then tossed me aside like nothing!] Andrew's temper flared. When had he ever used her body? He had not even gotten that far, and it was a ridiculous accusation. So, he replied, [Fran, get some rest. It's late. We can talk tomorrow.] Francesca fired back immediately. [Ha! I knew it! You were awake, you scumbag. Andrew, I took a bunch of pictures today. Want me to share them with you?] Andrew did not want to kill her excitement, so he played along. [Sure, let me admire the gorgeous face of our little princess.] Within seconds, a photo popped up. Andrew took one look, and his heart skipped a beat. It was a bikini shot, and her generous curves strained against the tiny two-piece. Her fair, soft skin glowed in the dim lighting, and that adorable pout on
Today marked the final day of the Reckoning Toast. Raymond had never expected Andrew to show him such blatant disregard, showing up this late and making such an entrance. In the center of the hotel's grand hall, Winston sat slouched in his chair, looking thoroughly bored. Every now and then, locals from Jayrodale came over to toast him, but he either ignored them or responded with dismissive nods. It was clear he didn't take anyone here seriously. Standing stiffly behind Winston was an older man with a lean frame and a stone-cold expression. He was known as Jason Lowell, one of the Wright family's top enforcers sent as Winston's personal bodyguard. Raymond approached with a polite smile. "Mr. Lowell, you've been standing there all night. Please, sit down and rest for a bit." Jason responded flatly, "Mr. Chapman, just handle your business. I'll handle mine." Raymond bowed slightly, eager to please. "Of course, Mr. Lowell. You're absolutely right. I just worry that Andrew mi
Winston's intentions were obvious—he wanted Christina and Aspen to know just how significant his status was. Aspen gave a demure smile. "Ah, so you're the young heir of the Wright family. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wright." Christina, feeling a bit nervous, gave a small nod. "Hello, Mr. Wright." Winston laughed heartily. "Ladies, I assume you're here today to witness the grand finale of Mr. Chapman's Reckoning Toast?" Aspen tilted her head with a playful smile. "Mr. Wright, you're so sharp! Yes, we did come to join the fun. But honestly, we don't really understand these kinds of events. We're just here to watch." Winston's chest swelled with pride. "Well, you're in for a treat. Sit back and enjoy the show—I'm about to deal with that nobody, Andrew." Aspen's eyes widened in mock surprise as she parted her soft, red lips. "Wait… Mr. Wright, are you really going to step in on Mr. Chapman's behalf?" Winston let out a disdainful snort, his expression turning cold. "Of co
Finley was all for Aspen's devious schemes. As long as it was against Andrew, he did not care who it was—he was more than happy to watch. On the other hand, Christina secretly thought that perhaps this was an opportunity to test Andrew's true abilities. Winston, being the heir of Blumedale's Wright family, certainly wielded tremendous influence. If Andrew had provoked such a powerful young man, she wondered how he would handle the situation. If he crumbled instantly before Winston and begged for mercy, it would only prove he was not anything special after all. As time passed, more and more guests filled the hotel lobby. Many had not received invitations but had snuck in just to watch the drama unfold. A Reckoning Toast ceremony was not something you saw every day. Since it was being hosted by Raymond, the owner of Dream Paradise himself, whoever was on the receiving end would likely end up in a miserable state. "Damn it, he still hasn't shown up. This little bastard is really
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