Andrew let out a cold snort, showing no sign of panic. "If Kenny pushes me too far, I won't hesitate to take him out. The only thing I'm concerned about is the Golding family. I don't know much about them, so it's better to tread carefully." Dylan chimed in, his voice tense. "But right now, the enemy is in the shadows, and we're out in the open. It's hard to be cautious when we don't even know what they're planning. Even if the Golding family and Kenny are up to something, we won't find out anytime soon." Andrew smirked, his tone icy. "There's always a way. If they won't show themselves, we'll force them out. Natasha, call Kenny right now." Natasha grabbed Michael's phone and dialed Kenny's number. When the call connected, Kenny's voice came through, dripping with mockery. "Andrew, don't get too impatient. I'm still in the city, but soon, the Golding family's experts and I will be in Jayrodale. So, you'd better start thinking about running or surrendering." Andrew's voice wa
Andrew's expression turned icy as he stared at the now-silent phone in his hand. Natasha clenched her teeth and hissed, "Just as I thought. Kenny is cunning, and the Golding family is ruthless. They've already made their move." Dylan looked at Andrew, urgency in his eyes. "Mr. Lloyd, we need to figure out what Kenny meant by 'leverage'. If we don't, we'll be walking into a trap at the Jayrodale Grand Hotel." Andrew's face remained stoic as he replied, "No need to confirm. It's Fran. They've taken her." Natasha blinked in surprise. "Ms. Aicker? Darling, how can you be so sure without any evidence?" Dylan was equally baffled. How could Andrew know what Kenny and the Golding family had done so quickly? It seemed almost supernatural. While the two were visibly anxious, Andrew stayed calm and methodical. "If the Golding family and Kenny want to threaten me, they'd go after someone close to me. I don't have any major assets in Jayrodale besides Moonlit Apothecary, and they haven
Phantom Eye let out a cold snort and asked, "So, Kenny and the Golding family are in Jayrodale now, aren't they? I bet Kenny brought along his son-in-law, Elon Golding, the eldest son of the Golding family. That fat guy is infamous for playing dirty. Trust me, he won't negotiate politely with you." Andrew nodded calmly. "You're right. He's already made his move by kidnapping someone close to me." Phantom Eye paused, then burst into laughter. "Then you're done for! A small-time player like you doesn't stand a chance against someone like Elon, who comes from one of the Five Apex Families. These guys aren't just spoiled rich kids—they're ruthless and resourceful. Crushing you would be child's play for him." Andrew raised an eyebrow, his tone indifferent. "Is that so? Well, we'll see about that. Personally, I think this Elon guy is no different from a dumb pig." With that, Andrew turned and walked away. Phantom Eye called after him, laughing. "However this plays out, Elon will dest
Kenny's face darkened as soon as he heard Elon's words. "Elon, that little punk almost killed Michael. How can you even think about making him your lackey? You should be avenging Michael!" Elon shrugged, completely unfazed. "Let's be honest, Dad. You know what kind of person Michael is. He's a spoiled brat who only gets away with things because of you and Sherilyn's favoritism. "If it weren't for that, would he dare cause so much trouble outside? Honestly, I'm annoyed that I had to come all the way to this backwater town because of him. Once this is over, I'm going to give him a good talking-to." Kenny was speechless. His son-in-law was openly insulting his own family right in front of him. Normally, Kenny would have lost his temper, but Elon was the eldest son of the Golding family. So, Kenny had to tread carefully around him, never daring to act superior. "Elon, are you sure about keeping Francesca in that location you mentioned? I'm a bit worried someone might try to rescue
"So, Mr. Warren, why don't you turn around and head back where you came from?" Elon said dismissively. Donald chuckled inwardly, mocking, 'If it weren't for your family name, you'd be nothing. You're playing with fire going up against Mr. Lloyd. You'll end up just like Winston.' Nonetheless, he kept his tone polite. "You're absolutely right, Mr. Golding. A small-town police commissioner like me is hardly worth your attention. I'm just a nobody, right?" He paused, then added, "But if you could just tell me where Ms. Aicker is being held, I can bring Mr. Thatcher into this to handle the matter properly." Elon's expression darkened. "Are you threatening me with Mark? Get out of here. I don't know anything about this Francesca person. You're wasting your time." Donald kept his smile plastered on his face. "If you insist, Mr. Golding, then my team and I will have to conduct a search. If we find any evidence, I'm afraid we'll have to hold you accountable." Kenny waved his hand im
Kenny, frantic, rushed forward to tear open the black duffel bag. However, Elon stopped him with a sharp command. "Wait! Be careful—it could be a trap!" Kenny froze, confused. "A trap? What do you mean?" Elon glared at Andrew, his voice dripping with disdain. "This little punk is clever, I'll give him that. He might fool others but is not smart enough to trick me." He snapped his fingers, and two burly bodyguards in black suits stepped forward. They began stomping on the duffel bag with brutal force. At the same time, Elon pulled Kenny back, keeping a safe distance. "Better safe than sorry, Dad. Andrew's backed into a corner now. He's desperate and might do something crazy. "He probably told you Michael's in there, but it's more likely filled with chemicals, poison, or even a snake. Open it, and you could end up dead before you know what hit you." Elon's confident explanation left Kenny stunned. "Elon, you're always one step ahead. Damn, I almost fell for that little bast
Andrew simply stared at him, his expression unchanging. "Is there another fatty around here that I'm missing?" Elon's face twisted into a vicious grin, his laughter growing louder and more menacing. "You've got some nerve, kid, talking to me like that. Fine, I'll give you one chance. Listen carefully." He puffed out his chest, clearly enjoying the sound of his own voice. "I am Elon Golding, the eldest son of the Golding family from Blumedale. Remember that." After his grand speech, Elon paused, looking down at Andrew with disdain, expecting him to be awestruck and drop to his knees in submission. Instead, Andrew responded with one word, "Idiot." Kenny exploded in rage. "Elon, do you see now? This little punk won't learn until he's crushed. Just take him out already!" Elon was seething. He had just announced his prestigious background, and this nobody, Andrew, had the audacity to call him an idiot. It was clear—Andrew was asking for death. "Kill him!" Elon barked, steppin
Elon had expected his status as the eldest son of the Golding family to make Andrew bow down in submission. Yet, Andrew did not give him the time of day. Instead, he showed up alone with Michael, ready to negotiate. Despite facing over a hundred elite bodyguards from the Golding family, Andrew showed no fear. In fact, he took Michael hostage right under their noses. Elon, representing the Golding family, had seen his fair share of challenges over the years. But this level of disrespect was a first. It ignited a deep, cruel rage within him. How dare this nobody, this insignificant ant, challenge someone from one of the Five Apex Families? Andrew had to be crushed. Kenny glared at the knife in Andrew's hand, sneering. "You didn't expect this, did you? You thought you were the only one with leverage? Well, guess what? We've got your woman. Bet you didn't see that coming!" Andrew smirked, his tone calm. "I knew you had Fran the moment she was taken. That's why I sent Mr. Warren
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