"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
Atlas' mistress was overjoyed, showering him with sweet words over the phone. "Thank you, baby! I'll dress up beautifully for when you come. Oh, I've bought several sets of sexy lingerie—come rip them off me soon!" Atlas laughed happily. "Don't worry, baby. Once I handle these important matters, I'll keep you busy for days." After hanging up, Atlas felt deeply satisfied. His empire was rising, with Northern District at its peak, and soon, he would devour both Natasha's West End and Dylan's South City. Then, he would rule Jayrodale's underworld as its sole king, crushing Marvin, the Wellers, and Rhodes beneath his feet. … Meanwhile, in Andrew's office at Jayrodale General Hospital, Francesca walked in to find Andrew in a sharp suit. "Do you have a meeting or event?" she asked with a smile behind her hand, admiring his tall, elegant figure. "Neither—just attending a gala," Andrew replied with a smile. Francesca's eyebrows furrowed with concern. "Are you going to a gala? Do
Meanwhile in Scarlet Lounge, West End. Natasha had rented out the entire luxury resort for the event. When Andrew and Dylan arrived, they saw that the entrance was lined with high-end cars. Stunning women in designer dresses and sharp-looking men in tailored suits moved in and out of the venue, all exuding power and wealth. Dylan leaned closer and whispered, "Mr. Lloyd, you might not know this, but Natasha's not as conventional as she seems. "She's been keeping West End in check for years, but behind the scenes, she's got ties with several high-ranking officials and wealthy benefactors in Jayrodale. A lot of the men here might just be her… admirers." Andrew adjusted his crisp suit and replied casually, "It was obvious last night—Natasha knows how to use her charm to her advantage." Dylan smirked. "No doubt about it. Those legs of hers? God knows how many men she's brought to their knees with them, willing to do anything for her." Andrew smiled faintly. "Smart women always
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
Aspen silently swore that she was going to escape his clutches one day. The instructor, Lily Williams, replied calmly, "Yoga is a practice that helps you relax. It's about becoming one with nature and your own body and mind. What it values is harmony between humanity and nature—letting things flow naturally. "Ms. Stevens, your mind is clearly unsettled today. I think it's best we end your session here." Aspen thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Thank you, Ms. Williams. I'll come back tomorrow." Lily smiled, then suddenly pointed outside the studio and said, "That gentleman is waiting for you again with flowers, Ms. Stevens. It's pretty obvious—he really likes you." Aspen turned her gaze toward the glass doors at the front of the studio. There stood Seth, holding a bouquet, dressed sharply and polished like a spoiled, wealthy heir straight out of a TV drama. His eyes glowed as he looked at her. His expression was calm and elegant, with a refined sort of charm. If sh
Andrew chuckled mockingly. "Looks like Harvey and the rest have finally learned their lesson." After hanging up the phone, Andrew did not spare another thought for Quinton. Right now, in Jayrodale, it did not matter whether it was Quinton or even his father—the head of one of the Five Apex Families—if Andrew did not feel like showing respect, he would not even blink. Meanwhile, Francesca was in the shower, her curvy silhouette faintly visible behind the frosted glass. Andrew saw it every day, so he was completely unfazed by now. Before the busty little troublemaker came out and started clinging to him again, Andrew made another call—this time to Aspen. "What do you want?" Aspen snapped the moment she picked up. "Calling at this hour—don't you think that's incredibly rude?" Andrew smirked. "It's barely past eight—how is that rude? Or wait… are you with some pretty boy over in Blumedale right now? You two in the middle of something?" Aspen was furious and shouted, "You're dis
Quinton muttered, "Christina's a tough one. She's still on guard and clearly doesn't trust me fully yet. So before I can truly get her under my thumb, I need to hit her with something big—something she won't see coming." Harvey chuckled coldly. "Fine, Quinton. I'll play along. I've been itching to make a move on the Stevens family anyway." Quinton nodded. "Good. Then wait for my signal, and act when the moment's right." … Meanwhile, over at Moonlit Apothecary, closing time had arrived. "Dr. Aicker, Dr. Lloyd, I'm heading home for the night!" Nyla said cheerfully. It was as if Camilla stealing her paycheck had never happened. Andrew smiled warmly. "Alright, Nyla. Get home safe." Nyla gave him a bright smile and walked out with her bag swinging gently by her side. Francesca watched her go and scoffed. "I can't believe how naive that girl is. She's being walked all over and doesn't even make a sound. Honestly, I don't get her." Andrew spoke softly, "Nyla's a kind girl. S
Harvey stood up and said, "Mr. Wright, since the Weller family can't be of help, we'll be taking our leave." However, Quinton raised his hand. "Hold on. I've got something to discuss with you, Mr. Weller. Shawn, Christina—go on ahead. I just need a private word with Mr. Weller." Christina did not think twice and left right away. However, Shawn frowned. He wondered why Quinton was pulling Harvey aside instead of discussing it with him, his most trusted man. He felt slighted, but he did not dare show it. With a tight expression, he quietly walked out. Once everyone else had gone, only Harvey and a few of the Weller family's elders remained with Quinton. Harvey crossed his arms. "Alright, Quinton. Now that it's just us, what is it you need? If you're still trying to drag the Weller family into a fight with Andrew, then forget it. That's not happening." He locked eyes with Quinton, clearly on guard. Quinton shook his head, his face cold and composed. "Relax, Harvey. I don't
Quinton glanced over, not thinking much of Dominic since the latter was just another small-time family head. He replied flatly, "Speak, Mr. Goth. If you really have a way to get me what I want, then I'll make you a promise right here. The Goth family will become the number one family in Jayrodale, and I'll personally make it happen." Dominic lit up with excitement. "Mr. Wright, you might not know this, but my daughter is currently working at Moonlit Apothecary. If you want the formulas for those two miracle pills, I just might be able to get them—through her." Quinton's eyes widened, and a look of shock turned into overwhelming joy. "What did you say? Your daughter works at Moonlit Apothecary?" "What's her name? How much does Andrew trust her? Is she part of the inner circle or just another employee?" He fired off questions without pausing, his mind spinning. It would not be useful if she was just a background worker or someone sweeping floors. He needed someone Andrew actual
Harvey shook his head and said, "Sorry, Mr. Wright, I appreciate the offer, but the Weller family truly can't help you. I can only express my regrets." Quinton clenched his jaw and snapped, "So you're admitting you're just as spineless as the others? No different from that bunch of cowards who just walked out?" Harvey's face darkened—he had not expected Quinton to speak so bluntly and with such blatant disrespect. Harvey said coldly, "Heh, coward or not, call me whatever you want. But the Weller family is staying out of this. Because I have no interest in throwing myself into a pit I can't climb out of." It was a direct declaration, and Harvey clearly was not holding back anymore. He had already learned his lesson the hard way from crossing Andrew—he had paid for it, suffered for it, and was not about to make the same mistake again. Unless he had the power and a surefire win, Harvey was not going to make a single move. Quinton turned to glance at Christina, but she looked a