Natasha's expression darkened as a chill ran down her spine. Though Andrew's words were harsh, they struck with undeniable truth—she had almost fallen into Atlas and Finley's trap. "I understand why you were so eager to fall for their scheme," Andrew continued calmly. "You wanted South City eliminated so you could grab a piece of the pie. Your ambition isn't small, Madam Vostokoff—West End wants to dominate too." "Unfortunately, greed often exposes one's weaknesses," Andrew added with mock concern. "As a woman in this business, you should be more careful playing games with cunning men like Atlas." His patronizing tone made Natasha grind her teeth. While it was her first time being lectured by such a young man, she could not deny the truth in his words. She did have ambitions and had been swayed by Atlas's promises. "Mr. Giordano, Mr. Moore, please leave. You're no longer welcome in West End," Natasha ordered through clenched teeth. "Madam Vostokoff, you can't actually belie
In the West End district, Andrew and Dylan received a grand welcome from Natasha. "Mr. Lloyd, I never expected you to make such bold moves. You even managed to shock someone like me," Dylan admitted, still in awe of Andrew's earlier actions and words. Dylan could not shake off the memory of how Andrew had brazenly called Natasha an airhead and lectured her to read more books as if she were just one of his men. He found it incredible that Andrew dared to act this way on someone else's turf, surrounded by their elite fighters. What bewildered Dylan even more was that Natasha did not get angry after being scolded. Instead, she switched sides, driving Atlas and Finley away while graciously hosting him and Andrew. As one of Jayrodale's crime lords, Dylan had never felt this triumphant. "I'm not as remarkable as you suggest," Andrew said calmly. "She simply came to her senses and realized she couldn't let Northern District become too powerful, and once I pointed that out, Atlas and
"Then dealing with the remaining side would be effortless since they'd be standing alone," Andrew concluded. Dylan nodded in agreement. "Mr. Lloyd's absolutely right. We could see Atlas's intentions from his all-out attack on South City—he wanted to eliminate obstacles quickly. Unfortunately for him, Griffin got taken out by Mr. Lloyd, which forced him to abort his plans." "You killed Griffin, Mr. Lloyd?" Natasha asked in shock, studying Andrew up and down with undisguised curiosity. This pretty boy had impressive guts and eloquence, and his intelligence was extraordinary, but Dylan was suggesting he had also taken down Griffin, Atlas' right-hand man. Could he be exceptional in combat as well? "Taking him down was pure luck, nothing worth making a fuss about," Andrew replied calmly. Natasha batted her eyes, smiling seductively. "Don't be so modest, Mr. Lloyd. Even if it was luck, you're still a true hero. I've been a widow for so long, and I've never met such a capable you
Faced with the eager gazes of the two crime lords, Andrew simply smiled and stopped talking, picking up his tea instead. Dylan caught on quickly and slapped his forehead. He said, "Mr. Lloyd has already helped us so much with both his wisdom and courage, while Madam Vostokoff and I have been doing nothing!" Turning to Natasha, he added, "Madam Vostokoff, Mr. Lloyd's assistance comes with certain conditions." "As it should," Natasha nodded. She no longer dared to underestimate Andrew, knowing that capable people always had their own terms. Deliberately pulling down her neckline to reveal more cleavage, Natasha smiled flirtatiously at Andrew. "Mr. Lloyd, you're a young man in your prime. Usually, men want either money or women. I wonder if my beauty catches your eye. If you're interested, I'd be willing to warm your bed tonight." Dylan watched with envy. Natasha was a stunning widow with both power and influence. When he saw Natasha offering herself to Andrew, he could not h
"Not to mention, Atlas has many other skilled fighters under his command," Natasha added. Andrew's eyes gleamed as he replied, "That's why a direct confrontation with Northern District won't work—you need to play it smart. History shows that even the most impenetrable walls aren't broken from the outside, but rather crumble from within." "Mr. Lloyd, are you suggesting we target Northern District's internal personnel?" Dylan asked with furrowed brows. Andrew smiled. "More specifically, you need to target the relationship between Atlas and Finley. They're the two pillars of the Northern District—together, you can't beat them. But if they turn against each other and start fighting among themselves, wouldn't that be your opportunity?" Natasha pouted. "Mr. Lloyd, sowing discord between them might sound simple, but it's impossible. Atlas relies heavily on Finley, and though Finley is arrogant, he respects Atlas. Getting them to turn against each other won't be easy!" "Of course, yo
Andrew shook his head. "Madam Vostokoff, despite what you say, I'd like to confirm this myself. I have my own principles, and if my plan ends up harming innocent people, I wouldn't be able to live with that." Natasha chuckled. "I understand you're kind-hearted, Mr. Lloyd. Actually, after your insights, I already have a plan to create conflict between Finley and Atlas. Tomorrow, as West End's leader, I'll host a gala here. Atlas's attention-seeking mistress will definitely show up uninvited, and as our honored guest, you can see for yourself if what I said is true." "That works. I'll come see for myself tomorrow," Andrew agreed. Dylan grinned. "It's a great plan. At the gala, you can set the stage for that pervert Finley to make his move on Atlas' mistress. Sparks will fly for sure." Natasha smirked. "Knowing Finley's nature, he won't be able to resist her. And that woman's no saint either—they'll hit it off immediately." Andrew checked his watch. "It's getting late, Dylan. We
Antonio trembled in anger as he exclaimed in disbelief, "That pretty boy is stick thin! How could he possibly take down Griffin? It must be Dylan spreading smoke and mirrors." Natasha smirked with a shake of her head. "I doubt it. Andrew has already proven himself at the Weller residence. He faced off against their senior fighter and walked away unscathed. How many people do you think could manage that?" Antonio fell silent, his brow furrowing in thought. Someone spoke up, "But Madam, the Northern District is incredibly powerful. We were better off staying neutral—allying with Dylan's South City is practically declaring war on Atlas." "I thought the same way before," Natasha replied. "But Andrew was right—Atlas is ambitious and cunning. If we do nothing while he takes down Dylan, West End will be next on his list." Antonio voiced his concerns, "That's true, but Northern District isn't just Atlas—there's also Finley. How confident can we be even with South City's help?" Nata
Natasha yawned lazily and said, "Alright, get some rest—I'm tired too. We have important business tomorrow, and Andrew will be there. I'll see if I can get him to warm up to me then." Antonio and the others could only force awkward laughs before quickly departing. They knew Natasha treated her subordinates well and was fiercely loyal. Combined with her exceptional combat skills and leadership, she maintained firm control over West End, but she was still a woman—and a straightforward one at that, sometimes even more straightforward than the toughest men. This often left older members like Antonio at a loss for words. … Meanwhile, in the Northern District, a subordinate entered Atlas's office to report. "Mr. Giordano, our men watched until dawn, but Dylan and Andrew never left West End's headquarters." Atlas extinguished his cigar and scoffed. "Natasha must have let them out through the secret tunnels. Damn it, it looks like Andrew has convinced her to ally with Dylan." "S
Nyla lifted her tear-streaked face, eyes full of sorrow. She choked out, "Andy… my dad… he's forcing me… He wants your formulas. He's making me steal them and bring them back to him." She broke down into sobs. "Andy, Dr. Aicker, you should fire me. I don't deserve to stay at Moonlit Apothecary anymore. I don't even have the face to show up here!" The words poured out of her as the tears fell. She had finally revealed everything because her trust in Andrew and Francesca was unconditional. Her loyalty to them ran deeper than blood, and when it came to Dominic, the man who was supposed to be her father, she felt nothing but heartbreak and betrayal. She had come to see that the man who once called her his daughter had turned into someone cold, greedy, and unrecognizable. He wanted her to betray Andrew—to steal from someone who had only ever been kind to her. Nyla realized she simply could not do it. She would rather tell the truth than live with that kind of guilt. Francesca
"But the Three Titans—Driscolls, Phelans, and the most elusive of them all, the Drache family—you'd better be careful around them, Mr. Lloyd," Phantom Eye said seriously. He added, "From what I've heard, those families each have someone far beyond the martial king level hidden in their ranks." Andrew remained unfazed. "If they don't mess with me, I won't mess with them. So what if they're above martial king? The world is vast—no one stays undefeated forever. There's always a higher peak beyond the last, and just because they're the Three Titans doesn't make them invincible." Phantom Eye nodded, still concerned. "Maybe so, but the Three Titans have always held the reins there. So, Mr. Lloyd, it never hurts to stay cautious when you're not on home turf." Andrew understood where Phantom Eye was coming from. Anyone who survived in Blumedale's ruthless martial world had to have a sharp eye and a wide view. Even a semi–martial king could build a reputation and live comfortably, but
A new day had begun. First thing in the morning, Andrew noticed several missed calls from Aspen. However, he did not respond to any of them. He already knew exactly why she was calling—she wanted to ask about the new 40 billion dollar transfer. However, Andrew did not feel the need to explain. As far as he was concerned, as long as Aspen managed the funds properly, that was enough. Francesca stepped out of the bathroom with flushed cheeks, looking irritated and disappointed. "Andrew, my period just started." Andrew chuckled. "It is what it is. Does your stomach hurt? Want me to give you the classic 'get some rest' line?" Francesca clenched her jaw. "Don't. Only emotionally clueless guys with zero tact say stuff like that." Andrew nodded seriously. "I agree. That's why I was going to make you a proper warm tea instead." Francesca waved it off. "No need. I may be on my period, but I'm not cramping or low on energy. Don't forget—I grew up in a traditional medicine family. My
Nyla could not believe how Dominic could say something so vile, so cruel, and actually mean it. Dominic let out a furious snort, his tone sharp as a blade. "Listen closely. The Goth family is currently on the verge of locking in a billion-dollar investment deal. Do you have any idea what that kind of money means? "It would launch our family into the elite overnight—we'd finally be one of the top powers in all of Jayrodale. For that kind of future, a small sacrifice like this is nothing. Nyla, you're not a child anymore. It's time you started contributing to this family." Camilla, her belly swollen from pregnancy, was practically trembling with excitement. "Wait—what did you just say? A billion-dollar investment? Oh my god, do you know how massive that is?" She turned to Nyla, her tone sharp and commanding. "Did you hear that? Dominic is doing this because he has no choice—it's all for the family. If you had even a sliver of conscience, you'd agree without hesitation. "So wha
Camilla could not help but sneer. "Dominic, I told you long ago that Nyla isn't loyal to our family. She's always been the type to side with outsiders. "You treat her well, and in the end, she'll never remember what you did for her. If you ask me, raising a stray dog would've been better than raising her." Dominic's voice turned cold. "You're right. I must've been blind to raise such a disgrace. If I'd known she'd turn out like this, I should've let her die with her mother!" The alcohol was clearly taking over. Dominic had downed a couple of drinks, and now his true colors were coming out. His face turned red, his eyes fierce, and a violent temper simmered just under the surface. Nyla was terrified. Before long, her vision blurred as tears welled up. She was used to Camilla being mean to her and trying to push her out of the family, but she never expected her own father to be so cruel. She never imagined Dominic to say something so venomous—something like wishing she had die
It was not that Nyla was some reckless flirt—far from it. She was just under unbearable pressure from her family, and Andrew's sudden appearance had felt like a lifeline. In her heart, she fantasized that if she could marry someone like Andrew, her life would finally feel complete. Nonetheless, it did not take long for reality to set in. Andrew was incredible—kind, brilliant, and respected—and she knew she was not in his league. Gorgeous and confident women like Lauren and Francesca were all vying for his attention, so someone like her did not stand a chance. That thought broke her heart a little, but at the same time, she felt strangely lucky. After all, even though Nyla did not have his love, Andrew and Francesca, not to mention Lauren, were all incredibly kind to her. Especially Andrew. As the head of Moonlit Apothecary, he cared for her and supported her like a mentor. At Moonlit Apothecary, she could already see a promising future ahead of her. "Dad, if there's somethin
Meanwhile, at the Goth family back in Jayrodale. Dominic had been restless since he returned from Quinton's roundtable event. He thought it was the perfect time for the Goth family to rise. If he could impress Quinton, billions of investments would come pouring into the family. With that kind of funding, the Goths could skyrocket and finally stand shoulder to shoulder with the Weller family, the Rhodes family, and other regional powerhouses. Eventually, Dominic could not wait any longer and eagerly waited for Nyla to get home from work. He greeted her with uncharacteristic warmth. "Nyla, come here, sweetheart. You're back a little early tonight, huh? It's been a while since we all sat down for dinner together. Tonight, I want to have a real heart-to-heart with you." Nyla gave him a suspicious look but walked over and sat down beside him. Normally, Dominic was completely consumed by family business. Even when he came home, he only spoke to Camilla and barely acknowledged Nyl
Tyler said plainly, "Seth? To be honest, I don't know you, and I definitely don't remember ever having a drink with you. So please, don't make up stories like that." He was still polite about it, but the message was loud and clear. Seth's face flushed with heat. Tyler had not yelled at him, but his tone made it obvious—he wanted Seth gone. He was not even acknowledged, let alone remembered, and the drink? A total lie. His attempt to show off had backfired hard, and the shame burned worse than any public embarrassment. Nonetheless, Seth did not have the guts to argue back. All he could do was step aside awkwardly, watching as Tyler turned his full attention to Aspen. Tyler said respectfully, "Ms. Stevens, your new company in Blumedale recently opened a corporate account with our bank, correct? A transaction just hit that account earlier today, and I felt this matter was serious enough that I needed to confirm it with you personally." Aspen frowned, thinking it over. The new
Aspen could not help but laugh to herself. Men in Blumedale really were something else—being a player here took skill, and this one clearly had it down to an art. Seth spouted romantic lines like a pro, sounding so sincere it was almost believable. Compared to him, Andrew might have been a brute with zero charm who only knew how to exploit her, draining every ounce of energy she had left. Nonetheless, at least Andrew was not fake—what you saw was what you got. Meanwhile, this charming heir from the Haywood family was starting to feel downright repulsive. "Mr. Haywood, I've told you more than once—there's no chance between us," Aspen said, her voice firm. "You should know I'm not even free right now. Honestly, my body doesn't even belong to me. While I appreciate your feelings, you're just wasting your time." She let out a sigh as if she was tired of repeating herself. Seth's face turned cold as he said with conviction, "Aspen, tell me—who's the bastard? The one controlling yo