Lauren's heart sank, but her face remained cold and distant. She declared firmly, "No one has the right to decide about my marriage except me." Michael let out a scornful laugh. "I knew you'd resist, but it's pointless. This arranged marriage has been approved by the head of the family and the Rhodes Corporation board members. You have no choice in the matter, whether you object or not." With a mocking glance, Michael walked away. Lauren sat back in her chair, feeling helpless as she mumbled, "Even after everything, I still can't escape being another steppingstone for the family's expansion…" Her gaze flashed with determination as she continued, "The Driscoll family might be powerful, but I refuse to accept this arrangement!" However, it did not last long. The light in Lauren's eyes quickly dimmed as she let out a bitter laugh. She wondered aloud, mumbling, "What about his feelings for me? These past few days, he's completely focused on Christina, ignoring me. Perhaps Mic
After being hospitalized at the Jayrodale General Hospital for three days, Christina finally regained consciousness. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the luxurious private ward, where a tall figure in a white coat was busy working with his back turned to her. His handsome profile was serious and striking, just as gorgeous as she remembered. Suddenly, Andrew turned around and said, "You're finally awake." Christina quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing. "Yes, I am." Andrew replied. "That's good news. I'll notify your family that you can be discharged." Christina frowned, hurt evident in her voice. "Are you that eager to see me leave now that I'm awake?" Andrew stared at her directly. "What else would you have me do? Am I supposed to beg you to say?" Christina fell silent for a long moment before speaking through gritted teeth. "Andrew, why does every conversation between us have to turn into an argument fill
After a moment's hesitation, Christina said, "Harvey, I have some questions I'd like to ask you. If you're uncomfortable answering, I won't press the matter." Harvey's heart skipped a beat, but he forced a smile. "Christie, darling, there's nothing you can't ask me. I've always been completely honest with you." Andrew secretly scoffed, realizing Christina had finally noticed some of Harvey's suspicious behavior. However, it was no longer his concern. "Tony mentioned that you owed him millions when he kidnapped me," Christina said carefully. "Harvey, is that true?" Harvey immediately denied it. "Absolutely not. It's completely false. Tony is nothing but a common thug. As a member of the Weller family and one of Jayrodale's elite, I wouldn't even speak with someone like him, let alone owe him money." Irene chuckled. "Christie, you silly girl! The Wellers are old money, and Harvey was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. People owe him money, not the other way around." The
Andrew's sudden comment instantly darkened the mood for the Stevens family and Harvey. Harvey replied with a scowl, "As I said before—I was busy calling in favors and gathering support the moment Christie was taken. Andrew, what's the point of constantly criticizing me?" "Even if you were gathering support, that wouldn't prevent you from answering your phone," Andrew shot back with a cold smile. "Or was the support story just a cover because you were too scared of Tony to do anything?" Harvey's face darkened even further because Andrew had hit the nail on the head. When Tony had disrespected and mocked him earlier, Harvey had spent hours fuming helplessly. Owing Tony millions, he dared not confront him, let alone demand anything from Tony. "Andrew, you're just a small-time doctor. I'm letting this slide for Christie's sake," Harvey said smoothly. "You may not understand the extent of my family's power from your limited perspective, but those who know, know." Though seething w
"Mom, please stop it with the flattery—there are people here," Christina said uncomfortably. Then, she asked, "Harvey, has the paperwork on the East Side redevelopment investment you mentioned earlier been approved? What's the status?" Harvey immediately broke into a confident smile. "You're right, Christie. The documents have been officially approved. I was planning to surprise you when you woke up, but you beat it to me." "Does this mean my 15-million-dollar investment return is coming?" Irene asked excitedly. Leroy chimed in eagerly, "Harvey, don't forget about me! I'm not as greedy as Mom—just a few million will do. I'll immediately buy a Bugatti, and it'll make someone's cheap car look like trash." He shot a deliberate smirk at Andrew as he spoke. Andrew ignored the fool who was counting on the East Side investment money to buy a luxury car. In fact, these two idiots would be lucky if they had enough money left to buy even a meal when this was all over. Harvey said
Harvey shot Andrew a cold smirk, determined to put him in his place. "Andrew, I kindly offered to let you in on this investment opportunity to help you make some money. Too bad you didn't take advantage of it. Are you having regrets now?" The Stevens family members joined in with mocking laughter, eager to curry favor with Harvey. One mocked, "Don't waste your time on lost causes, Mr. Weller. Some people are destined to stay poor forever." "Next time there's easy money to be made, count me in, Mr. Weller! Unlike certain idiots, I won't turn down free money," another chimed in. "Exactly, Mr. Weller! You should just tell us and not waste time on those losers!" "Remember how you called us all fools, Andrew?" Irene gloated. "How does it feel now? Jealous?" Andrew let out a mocking laugh. "Jealous of you all losing everything by falling for this scam?" Leroy taunted, "Classic sour grapes. Just wait until the money comes in—I'll make sure to drive my new Bugatti past you so yo
Harvey stated confidently, "You just mentioned the new development zone. If it's not East Side, where else could it be? Let's turn on the TV and watch the news. I'm sure the media will be calling me, the biggest winner, for interviews any minute now!" Then, he lounged back, feeling smug. Leroy rushed to turn on the TV like an eager puppy, and the Stevens family watched intently, brimming with excitement. Someone muttered, "Wait… that doesn't look like the East Side!" "It's not East Side. It looks more like West End." "Yeah, it's definitely West End—that run-down area with all the cheap land around it. The city tried to sell it before, but no one was stupid enough to take it," another commented. The Stevens family members quickly realized something was wrong. The payments being discussed on TV were not for the East Side at all, but for the West End—the complete opposite side of town. Cold sweat broke out on Harvey's forehead, though he tried to maintain his composure. "Ah, W
Harvey stood frozen, muttering, "How could this happen? This isn't right… This can't be right…" He was completely floored by the news as he had invested everything he had, even borrowing money and convincing the Stevens family to contribute their savings. He had planned to pay them back a token amount from the payout money and keep the lion's share for himself. Yet, he was in an even worse financial position than before. For a fleeting moment, Harvey genuinely thought about just ending it all. "Harvey, what's going on?" Christina asked, her voice heavy with disappointment. "Did your family's inside information turn out to be wrong, or were you just gambling blindly?" Harvey's attempt at a smile looked more like a grimace. "Christie, please believe me, we really did have inside information. I wouldn't have—" "I don't believe anything you say anymore," Christina cut him off. "Mr. Thatcher made it clear—we've lost everything." Irene shouted, "Harvey, I don't care what it t
"Has West End lost all its pride?" Conan demanded. Natasha waved her hand dismissively and gritted her teeth. "Everyone out—I can't blame anyone when I'm simply outmatched. I underestimated him, and even if you all attacked together, you'd just be throwing your lives away." Conan and the other two men reluctantly withdrew, but this time, he remained stationed right outside the door. He wanted to be ready to rush in if Natasha needed help, though he knew they stood no chance against someone who could defeat her. "I admit now that you surpass me in both combat skills and intelligence," Natasha said blankly. "You even have mysterious connections with Marvin and Mark. I can't beat you, Andrew, so do what you will with me." For the first time, Natasha felt utterly defeated. She had never underestimated Andrew, but she had clearly misjudged him completely. She had admired him and wanted him to work for West End, believing her status, charm, and fighting prowess would be enough to t
Natasha's bedroom was in complete disarray. She lay on the floor, drenched in sweat with disheveled hair and blood at the corner of her mouth, her face ghostly pale. Her half-open eyes glared at Andrew with intense hatred, while he sat casually on the couch, sipping his tea as if nothing had happened. Unlike Natasha's battered state, not a single thread on Andrew's clothing was out of place. "Wait, so you two weren't… you were actually fighting?" the bearded enforcer asked in disbelief. Another West End thug added in shock, "How is it possible that Madam is injured?" To them, Natasha had always been an invincible fighter, yet now she lay helpless on the floor, thoroughly defeated by Andrew. Conan shot an angry glare at the bearded enforcer and his companion. "Weren't you just saying how much fun she was having? Stop standing there like idiots and help her up!" The two men rushed forward to assist Natasha, but she impatiently pushed them away. "Get out! All of you get out!
Andrew's fingers struck with precision, targeting pressure points that sent waves of intense pain through Natasha's body. "Darling, no! Please, stop! I was wrong—I'm sorry! I can't take it anymore. It hurts so much!" "Ahhh! Stop it, please stop! Don't do this anymore!" Natasha cried out, her voice switching between desperate wails and hysterical laughter as the unbearable pain pushed her to the brink. The excruciating pain caused Natasha to writhe on the floor. She crashed into the couch and coffee table, making loud thudding noises that echoed through the room. … In the hallway outside, several heads peeked around the corner, intently watching Natasha's door. Conan led the group, his weathered face twisted with concern as he whispered, "Something doesn't sound right about this." One of the West End enforcers chuckled. "Come on, can't you tell? Madam is just having a good time!" Another man with a scruffy beard joined in with a knowing chuckle. "Exactly! Madam Vostoko
Andrew remained seated on the couch, his expression unchanged, as he raised his leg to intercept Natasha's attack. "You won't even stand up? Fine! If you're going to disrespect me like this, I'll have to teach you a lesson!" Natasha's chest heaved with anger. Her combat abilities surpassed Dylan's, and she was just a hair's breadth away from matching Atlas. Yet, this arrogant young man would not even bother to get up from his seat to face her attack, which felt like a direct insult to her pride. She transformed her claw-like strikes into palm strikes, alternating blows aimed at Andrew's chest. Without even looking, the latter countered with two palm strikes of his own, and their hands collided with two dull thuds. Natasha felt an overwhelming force transmitted through Andrew's hands, causing her to stumble backward. Meanwhile, Andrew remained as steady as a mountain on the couch, even taking a moment to pick up his teacup for a casual sip. He commented, "I'm surprised that a
With frustration written across her face, Natasha gritted her teeth. She had decided it was better not to show off her strategies in front of Andrew anymore, wanting to avoid further embarrassment. Andrew ignored her visible discomfort and said calmly, "I want you to understand that anything gained through deception and betrayal will eventually become too hot to handle and turn to dust. That's the lesson history has taught us time and time again." Natasha scoffed. "Fine, I can't argue with you. But you have to admit that two-thirds or more of Jayrodale's underworld is now under my control. Either you and Dylan submit to my authority, or you'll face death!" Andrew shook his head and replied, "You're seeing things through rose-colored glasses. While Dylan might not be able to handle you, I can take you down with a single move. That's another lesson I want to teach you today—that in the face of absolute power, no amount of schemes or clever tricks will work." Natasha paused, then
After her initial shock, Natasha's face flushed with embarrassment and anger, refusing to back down as she questioned him. "Alright, you call yourself a master physician. Then let me ask you this—why did I still get injured in my fight with Atlas after taking the Blood Surge Pill? And now you're accusing me of faking it?" Andrew's lips curled into a mocking smile as he replied, "Is that so hard to figure out? The moment you got back, you took a high-quality healing pill. Judging by your complexion, it must've been a top-tier Vitality Pill. These pills can quickly replenish energy and restore blood, bringing you back from weakness in no time." "Well, am I wrong?" Andrew's tone was dripping with sarcasm as he stared at Natasha. Natasha fell silent for a long moment before clapping her hands, a rosy blush spreading across her face—there was not a hint of weakness left in her demeanor. "No wonder Dylan swears unwavering loyalty to you. Even I have to admit defeat before you, darlin
"At this point, West End can't even send out a proper representative," Andrew stated emotionlessly. "Since you're treating me like I don't exist, I'll kill you first, then have a chat with Natasha." "Mr. Lloyd, please don't go too far!" a voice suddenly thundered from behind. "Conan, done watching the show from your hiding spot?" Andrew smirked as he released his grip and kicked the tattooed giant toward Conan. Conan's face twitched. He knew the tattooed giant was one of Natasha's most fearless fighters, young and skilled in hand-to-hand combat, yet Andrew had broken him so effortlessly. "Please follow me, Mr. Lloyd. Madam Vostokoff will see you now," Conan said coldly. Andrew sneered. "Oh, now she's willing to meet after this show of force?" "Mr. Lloyd, West End has already absorbed Atlas's territory," Conan stated angrily. "If you were smart, you wouldn't have come here." "So, if I hadn't shown up, Natasha would just take everything herself?" Andrew's face remained expr
Andrew's patience had run out as he spoke in a cold tone. "One last time—tell Natasha to come out and talk now." The tattooed giant mocked, "Or what? What can you do? Andrew, you might have some history with West End, but if you think that gives you the right to make demands, you're in the wrong place." As he moved to push Andrew away again, the other guards snickered. With Atlas' fall, Natasha had become Jayrodale's most powerful underground leader, and they could not believe this man's audacity in challenging West End. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed through the air—the sound of a wrist being broken. The tattooed giant let out an agonizing scream. "My hand! You broke my hand! Get him! Attack!" The fifty-over guards stood shocked for a moment before charging forward with angry shouts. Andrew's face turned cold as his leg swept out. Screams filled the air as the first wave of guards went flying, their faces meeting Andrew's foot. The tattooed giant, his wrist still in Andrew
Aspen had invested ten million dollars in Atlas's operation, and if it were all gone, there would be serious consequences. They immediately got into the car with Irene and Leroy, heading toward Jayrodale's Northern District. … Meanwhile, Andrew's G-Wagon drifted to a smooth stop in front of the West End headquarters. Unlike usual, the building was surrounded by guards in black suits, dark ties, and sunglasses, creating an intimidating atmosphere. One of Natasha's top enforcers blocked Andrew's path. "Sorry, Mr. Lloyd, but you can't enter right now!" "I'm here to see Madam Vostokoff. Is there a problem?" Andrew asked with a smile as he sized up the man. The enforcer was a muscular giant with a crew cut and tattoos covering his neck, chest, and arms. His bulging muscles and fists the size of melons marked him as someone not to be messed with. "Mr. Lloyd, please understand that Madam Vostokoff isn't available right now," the man chuckled, pushing Andrew back. "You're an honore