It immediately dawned on Andrew that Cedric must have made the detox pill. Such medication was not particularly rare, as anyone with decent knowledge of traditional medicine could create it. "So why did you pretend to still be drunk when you were actually sober?" Andrew asked, giving Francesca a curious look. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red as she kept her head down, staying silent. After a long moment, she finally admitted with embarrassment, "I wanted you to… take me home." Worried that Andrew might misunderstand, she quickly explained, "It's not what you might think. I just felt that it wouldn't be safe for a woman to go home alone after drinking. Since you were already taking Lauren home, I thought I could just tag along!" Andrew chuckled and said, "I wasn't thinking anything else. Since you both had been drinking, I would've made sure to get you both home safely anyway." "Well, you know what happened after that," Francesca continued. "As soon as you left afte
At the Weller residence, Harvey sat in the main seat with a smug expression. This was his first time presiding over a family meeting since becoming the head of the family. All the top executives of the Weller family had shown up, as no one dared to disrespect his new position. Next to Harvey sat Serena, with her seductive smile and alluring presence. Their eyes met occasionally, sparking an undeniable chemistry in the air. Some observant executives noticed these exchanges but dismissed their suspicions. After all, one was the new family head, and the other was Kane's widow. Moreover, such an age gap and relationship dynamic surely meant nothing inappropriate could happen between them. "Everyone, please begin your reports," Harvey said with a smile. He wanted to get a clear picture of the Weller family's current strength to plan his next strategic moves. The first one voiced, "Mr. Weller, Jayrodale Bank is aggressively demanding loan repayments. If we don't pay soon, they'll sei
Serena barked, "I'm foolish? What about you? Your father managed to keep the Weller family stable even while sick. Meanwhile, you're young, yet your arrogance has no limit. You're worthless compared to Kane." In a fit of rage, Harvey slapped her hard across the face, causing her to stumble backward. Clutching her reddened cheek, Serena stared at him in disbelief. She shouted, "You actually hit me? It's only been a few days since you've risen to this position, and you're already getting violent with me?" Harvey's face twisted with malice as he shouted, "So you acknowledge I'm the family head now? Who gave you the nerve to speak to me like that? Remember this—this is the first and last warning. If there's a next time, you'll no longer sit here next to me." "Harvey, you ungrateful snake," Serena spat, her chest heaving with anger. "When I helped you, you called me 'sweetheart' every day and promised me the world. Now that you've gotten what you wanted—both my body and the famil
"But last time at the Weller residence, Andrew managed to walk away unharmed from the family elders," Irene persisted hopefully. Christina shook her head and said, "Mom, Andrew might have some skills now, but the situation isn't as simple as what you saw. After returning from the Weller residence, I spoke with both Bruce and Jackie. They confirmed that Andrew only succeeded because of them. If they hadn't already worn down the Weller family elders' strength beforehand, Andrew would have been walking to his death." "Oh, so that's how it was!" Irene exclaimed with sudden understanding. "I was wondering why those two would be so kind as to help us—they were just letting Andrew take the credit!" "That's why I never considered asking Andrew for help," Christina explained. "Now that Harvey has his way, Andrew can barely protect himself, let alone help others." Irene spat in disgust, "And here I thought that loser was some hidden strength—turns out he's just as useless as ever. I must
Christina gritted her teeth and said, "We can't match the Weller family in a fight. Our only option is to stall Harvey until the family representative arrives." With a loud bang, her office door was kicked open. Harvey strode in with a smirk on his face, followed by over a dozen Weller family enforcers. "Christie, my dear fiancee, I can't wait for us to get married!" Harvey's voice was menacing despite his gentle expression. Christina took a deep breath and met Harvey's gaze directly. "Harvey, whatever was between us is long over. If you're a real man, stop with these desperate tactics—just tell me what you want." Harvey sneered. "Over? How convenient for you to say that. After everything I've invested in you, do you think you can just end it? Where does that leave my reputation?" "I never asked for anything from you or your family," Christina replied, struggling to contain her anger. "What exactly did you invest in me?" Harvey declared shamelessly, "I don't care about any
Harvey smirked playfully and said, "It sure is a rare sight to see the Ice Queen of Stevens Corporation so enraged. You want me to leave you alone? Simple—just transfer 150 million dollars from Stevens Corporation to support the Weller family." "150 million? That's outrageous! We don't have that kind of money!" Christina immediately refused. Such an amount would effectively kill Stevens Corporation—the Weller family was indeed ruthless. Harvey scoffed. "Don't be so quick to refuse, because I'm not done with my conditions. Not only must Stevens Corporation transfer the 150 million to us, but you must also marry into the Weller family and become my woman." "Harvey, you're delusional!" Christina shouted, burning with anger and humiliation. "That's right, you can keep dreaming!" Irene chimed in. "Christie is innocent and beautiful as an angel. Have you looked in the mirror? You're not worthy of her!" Harvey slapped Irene hard across the face, sending her rolling across the floo
Behind Andrew, Christina's grandfather, Douglas, wheeled himself into the room. Douglas stated calmly, "I asked Andrew to come here to save the Stevens family." "Grandpa, the Weller family is oppressing us, and Andrew can't possibly help," Christina said anxiously. "And you shouldn't be here in your condition. Please go home. I'll handle everything." Douglas suddenly thundered, "Handle it? How exactly? The Stevens family may not be among the elite, but we still have our dignity! Now we're being bullied right to our faces, and you, my ungrateful granddaughter, didn't even tell me! Do you no longer respect me as your grandfather?" Douglas's rebuke finally made Christina cry. "Grandpa, I'm sorry my incompetence has brought shame upon you." Douglas scoffed. "I'm already one foot in the grave, so my dignity doesn't matter. But why didn't you ask for help when Stevens Corporation was being pushed around like this?" Christina wiped her tears and replied desperately, "Who do I ask
"Andy, I leave everything to you then," Douglas said. Andrew nodded and stepped forward, facing Harvey. "Take your men and get out of here now." Harvey thought he had misheard and sneered. "What did you say?" "I said get your people out of here. Wasn't that clear enough?" Andrew stared him down. Harvey exploded with rage and shouted, "Andrew, who do you think you are? If you dare interfere between me and the Stevens family today, I'll destroy you!" As the head of the Weller family and a top figure in Jayrodale, Harvey could not believe this nobody dared to order him around like some common thug. The insult was unbearable. Andrew's eyes glinted dangerously as he strode toward Harvey, ignoring his guards. He taunted, "Seems you didn't learn your lesson from the Weller family elders." Harvey backed away nervously and yelled, "Get him! Take him down! Kill him!" About eight of the Weller family's elite guards charged at Andrew with battle cries. Christina watched anxiously
Natasha continued softly, "But what if it wasn't you today, but someone else? Someone who defeated me so easily and pinned me down—what do you think would have happened to me then?" Without waiting for Andrew's response, she gave a bitter laugh. "I've walked the edge of destruction countless times to reach this position. Though I've always refused to trade my body for power, believing that true strength comes from within, a widow like me often doesn't have many choices." "If you believe in that, then why are you so determined to give yourself to me?" Andrew asked. Natasha wiped away her tears and gave him a tender look. "You really are clueless! When others desire my body, I want them gone, but with you, I'm willing because there's only one reason—I genuinely care for you!" Her eyes grew softer and more melancholic as she continued. "And now, seeing your true strength, I want to give myself to someone I truly submit to. It would make me happy to finally let down my guard with a
Natasha trembled but stood her ground. "Andrew, I know I'm no match for you, but I'm not someone to be trifled with either. You at least owe me some compensation." "What do you want?" Andrew asked with an amused smile. "I'm not greedy—just give me some of that medicine," Natasha said, her eyes lighting up as she held out her hand. Andrew chuckled and tossed her a small vial. "You say you're not greedy, yet you ask for something money can't buy." Natasha's face lit up with delight as she examined the vial's contents. "Well, at least you have some conscience," she said, carefully tucking it away. Her eyes roamed over Andrew's form as her cheeks flushed. "I have one last request. If you agree, then I'll be yours forever." "Let's hear it," Andrew said with a laugh, "but I'm warning you—nothing excessive!" Natasha stepped closer until she was nearly pressed against him and whispered, "Andrew, I want to be your woman. I've never submitted to many men, but you're different. Take
"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