Seeing Andrew's displeasure, Natasha quickly explained, "Darling, please don't be upset. I've done everything I could." She took a deep breath before continuing, "The person who has the rare medicinal herb is Ernest Ramsey from Blumedale." Then, she added, "The old bastard insists on knowing who needs the herb, or he won't sell it. I know what he's really after—he's trying to leverage this opportunity to network with someone important from Jayrodale!" Andrew's expression softened slightly as he asked, "Who exactly is he?" Dylan spoke up gravely, "Mr. Lloyd, I know about this old man. He's the third son of the Ramseys from Blumedale. He's made quite a name for himself around Gabo Creek, networking with both martial artists and businesspeople. Because of his connections, he often gets his hands on rare items." Natasha scoffed, "Without the Ramseys backing him up, Ernest would be nothing—nobody would give him the time of day. He's notorious for never doing anything unless there'
Natasha felt both ashamed and furious but kept her composure and forced a smile. "Ernest, it's my honor that you'd even consider someone like me, an old widow past her prime. But our personal matters shouldn't mix with Mr. Lloyd's business. Let's stick to discussing the rare medicinal herb you have." Ernes was completely unmoved. He shot a condescending glance at Andrew and sneered, "I've already said it—this kid is a nobody. I would never stoop so low as to do business with someone beneath me. It would ruin my reputation. But if you still want my rare medicinal herb, there's only one option: Natasha, agree to be with me, and I'll hand it over for free." Natasha's beautiful face flushed red, though it was anger, not embarrassment. With her personality, she would have told Ernest to get lost without hesitation. However, since Andrew needed that herb, she had no choice but to hold back. More importantly, Ernest was backed by the powerful Ramsey family of Blumedale, and Natasha did
Ernest was genuinely baffled. He wondered where on earth this brazen kid came from, daring to challenge him over and over. Andrew's eyes glinted coldly as he said calmly, "And what if I said I don't believe you?" Ernest's lips twitched with rage as he turned to Natasha with a scowl. "Natasha, are you going to rein in this punk or not? If you won't, I'll call my men right now and make sure he's left for dead in the street!" Natasha shot Andrew a quick glare. This troublemaker of hers was certainly bold, comparing Ernest to garbage and calling him old and washed up—it was a direct attack on his pride. If Andrew wanted that rare medicinal herb so badly, it would make more sense to hold back and endure a little. Forcing a smile, Natasha turned to Ernest and said, "Ernest, please don't be angry. Mr. Lloyd is young, and sometimes he can be a little impulsive. I'll apologize on his behalf." She gave him a placating smile, trying to diffuse the tension. Yet, Ernest's frustration
Andrew's voice turned cold as he said, "You old pervert, you don't even realize you're terminally ill. If you don't get the right treatment within three days, you'd better start picking out your coffin." Ernest scoffed. "Are you trying to intimidate me? You probably don't know that I've trained in martial arts since childhood—my muscles are harder than steel. Terminally ill? You must be out of your mind." Andrew replied calmly, "Believe it or not, in three days, you'll be suffering horrible pain, wishing you were actually dead." Natasha caught on quickly and chimed in, "Ernest, you might not know this, but Mr. Lloyd is a doctor. If he says something's wrong with your health, there must be a serious issue. You should probably hear him out—what's the harm in that?" Ernest seemed to have wavered. He had initially dismissed Andrew's words as nonsense, but besides his greed, womanizing, and vanity, Ernest had one other defining trait—he was terrified of death. At the slightest he
Ernest's face turned ashen before he forced a cold laugh. He sneered, "Kid, I almost fell for your tricks. You're putting on quite a show, but do you really think I'm that gullible?" Andrew shrugged casually and said, "Whether you believe me or not, Ernest, you'll find out in three days." Ernest's heart pounded as his confidence wavered. When misfortune struck, it usually hit hard and fast, and if what this young man said about a terminal illness was true, he would be in serious trouble. Following the principle of "better safe than sorry", Ernest hastily bid farewell to Natasha and rushed out of West End with his men. Natasha laughed behind her hand. "What a fool to believe such a story! He's probably heading straight to the hospital for a checkup. Darling, you really got him good!" Andrew replied calmly, "You're wrong. I wasn't trying to scare him. Everything I said was true. Ernest really does have a serious illness." Natasha scoffed. "He's gone now, and you don't have to
Ernest left Jayrodale General Hospital with his two personal bodyguards, looking relieved. "Phew, that brat really had me worried for nothing—I almost fell for his trick!" Ernest had just completed a comprehensive checkup at Jayrodale General Hospital. While there were some minor issues, nothing serious, let alone life-threatening conditions, was found. Being cautious about his health, Ernest requested seeing the hospital's best doctor. However, the staff informed him that their top physician, Andrew, was not currently available but could be scheduled for an appointment. Ernest immediately left. He believed that someone of his status should not lower himself to make appointments. The female bodyguard smiled and said, "Mr. Ramsey, you're as healthy a horse. That kid was clearly trying to deceive you." The other bodyguard chimed in, "In my opinion, this hospital isn't that great anyway. They found some minor issues like fatigue and other mild conditions. "Mr. Ramsey, isn't
Francesca smiled and joked, "Smart people tend to like sugar, and you're exceptionally brilliant, so you have an even bigger sweet tooth than I do." "You seem distracted. Has something happened?" Andrew asked while studying her expression. Francesca hesitated before sighing. "It's nothing major, but Grandpa and Simon had a huge fight. Grandpa threatened to expel him from the family practice." Andrew nodded silently, feeling it was not his place to comment on the Aickers' family matters. Francesca continued, "When our whole family rushed to rescue you at the police station earlier, Simon strongly opposed it and kept arguing with Grandpa and me. After you were saved, Grandpa went home and scolded Simon, but Simon's reaction was extreme, which led to their big argument." Andrew responded, "Mr. Aicker has quite a temper—I could tell. Fran, you might not like hearing this, but Simon seems to have questionable intentions." Francesca nodded in agreement. "You're right. I've notice
Andrew replied calmly, "Simon has always had issues with me, so I'm not surprised he brought me up. I'm guessing he complained about me to Cedric and you?" "He didn't complain because I wouldn't let him speak ill of you," Francesca answered awkwardly. "He just asked if you were the reason I wouldn't be with him, and what our relationship was like." Andrew found himself momentarily at a loss for words. Looking at Francesca's innocent face, he smiled and asked, "So what do you think about all this?" Francesca stammered, caught off guard by his directness. "W-What do you mean?" "I'm asking what you think about the situation. We could use this to help solve your problem with Simon," Andrew clarified with a gentle laugh. Francesca turned away, pretending to look at the riverside scenery to hide her flustered expression. Her heart was racing as she tried to calm her breathing. Andrew explained carefully, "You misunderstand. I'm not asking if you have feelings for me. In fact, I h
The moment Quinton said that, several people in the room erupted in outrage. Dominic, the head of the Goth family, slammed his hand on the table and declared, "Mr. Wright, you're an honored guest from Blumedale, bringing billions to help revitalize Jayrodale! "We're beyond grateful you'd even consider investing here, and yet someone actually had the nerve to offend you? Mr. Wright, if you just say the word, the Goth family will be the first to deal with whoever that bastard is!" Harvey was not about to fall behind and quickly chimed in, "Mr. Wright, you're our meal ticket—our livelihood depends on you. Who the hell was blind enough to cross you? The Weller family would walk through fire for you, no hesitation!" Everyone else immediately jumped in, each one eager to win Quinton's favor. "Mr. Wright, just tell us—who was it? Which family or which group pissed you off? Whoever it was, we'll drag them out and make them get on their knees in front of you and beg for forgiveness!"
Rodney let out a cold snort and said nothing more. Plenty of people around could not help but be shocked—Quinton was really something else. After all, Rodney was usually wild and arrogant, never caring about anyone, but Quinton shut him right down with just a few words. Now, that was what you called true dominance. Christina leaned toward Quinton and whispered gratefully, "Thank you, Mr. Wright, for stepping in." Quinton flashed a charming smile and replied, "It's nothing. Since you've already decided to join me for the development project in Blumedale, you'll be under my care from now on. Naturally, I have to keep you well protected." His words were laced with an obvious flirtation, like a possessive man doting on his favorite girl. Christina did not say anything, but Quinton was secretly feeling very pleased with himself. He believed a true master never showed all his cards and had no doubt he would win Christina over eventually. There was no rush—when the time came,
The massive conference room was buzzing with activity. Quinton sat back with one leg crossed over the other, his polished branded loafers casually propped up on the large round table. He looked completely at ease, though it was clear he was putting on a show. People continued arriving for his so-called roundtable meeting, including some of the most influential figures in Jayrodale. Among them were Natasha, Dylan, and Harvey—the head of the Weller family—as well as representatives from Madblade Martial Academy and the Goth family. Shawn, ever the suckup, leaned forward with a flattering grin. "Mr. Wright, your influence is truly unmatched. Look around—everyone who holds real power in Jayrodale, from the high society elites to the underground forces, has shown up just for you!" Quinton did not respond, but the smirk on his lips grew even more noticeable. Sitting beside him, apart from Shawn, was another notable figure—Christina. She had not spoken a word, but internally, she wa
"I've always handed over my paycheck. I'm used to it," Nyla murmured. Andrew gave Francesca a small smile. "Fran, let's drop it for now. This is between Nyla and her stepmother—we shouldn't interfere too much." Camilla smirked. "At least Dr. Lloyd knows how to behave. Well then, I'll be heading out." She stood up and, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, ordered, "Nyla, help me to the car." Then, in a warning tone, she added, "I'll be back this time next month, so don't even think about hiding your paycheck. If you don't have the full amount ready, don't bother trying to step foot in the Goth family's house." Nyla quickly nodded. "I understand, Madam. Don't worry—I'll give you everything." Camilla nodded in satisfaction, putting on a fake, affectionate smile. "That's a good girl. At least my efforts in raising you haven't been in vain. You know how busy your father is, and I'm the only one managing the household. Even in my rare moments of rest, I still have t
A flicker of resistance flashed across Nyla's face, but it quickly faded. She obediently handed over her freshly earned paycheck to Camilla, who grinned as she began counting. Once she finished, her eyes lit up with delight. "100 grand? Nyla, does Moonlit Apothecary really pay you this much?" Nyla lowered her voice. "Dr. Lloyd gave it to me. He's a really kind person… he takes good care of me." Camilla turned to Andrew, eyeing him with uncertainty. Before stepping inside, she had spoken poorly of Moonlit Apothecary, though it had only been out of jealousy. In reality, Moonlit Apothecary was one of the most well-known establishments in Jayrodale, with a miracle doctor treating patients. Wealthy and powerful families flocked here in droves. Camilla's expression quickly shifted as she put on a flattering smile. "You must be the owner of Moonlit Apothecary. Nyla works under you, so feel free to use her however you see fit—hard labor, long hours, whatever." She chuckled, her voi
Irene spat, "With Mr. Wright backing our Christie, she's going to be way more powerful than you! She'll crush you under her feet—just wait and see!" With that, the three members of the Stevens family scurried away, tails between their legs. Francesca, still fuming, crossed her arms. "What is wrong with these people? Christina is getting more twisted by the day! That Quinton guy is ambitious as hell. The moment he set foot in Jayrodale, he tried to snatch the Titan Essence Pill and the Vitality Pill by force! "And yet, Christina actually trusts him? Quinton is going to be even worse than Harvey—he'll devour her whole!" Andrew shrugged. "That's her problem, not mine. You can't wake someone up if they're determined to keep pretending they're in a dream." Francesca's eyes flickered with thought. "Andrew, Quinton isn't just some random guy. Maybe you should at least try to warn Christina, considering… you two had that kind of history?" Andrew shook his head. "It's pointless tryi
Andrew let out a cold chuckle. "Come back? You don't mean the Stevens family, do you?" Christina lifted her chin. "That's right. As long as you come back and help me build my career to the top, I'll be with you!" Andrew waved a hand like he was shooing away a fly. "Christina, have you had too much to drink? Go home and sleep it off. Help you reach the top, and in return, you'll be with me? Let me ask you one thing—do I even care?" He scoffed outright. Even now, Christina was still living in a world where everything revolved around her. This woman was beyond hopeless. "Andrew, you might not care, but plenty of people do! Quinton Wright from Blumedale has already extended an invitation to me. He wants Stevens Corporation to expand there, and his Wright family is willing to fully support us!" Christina's tone carried an unmistakable air of superiority. "But I haven't agreed yet. And the reason is—I wanted to give you one last chance. As long as you say yes, not only will I be
Leroy's jealousy burned even hotter as he glared at Andrew. "Andrew, look at you now! Not only are you getting girls left and right, but your business is booming too! Moonlit Apothecary is making you a fortune every month. If you count the profits, you could buy a brand-new G-Wagon monthly, huh?" Andrew smirked. "So what? What does that have to do with you?" Leroy fumed. "Of course, it has something to do with me! Andrew, you and Christie were meant to be together! Our family came here today to ask—when are you marrying her?" Andrew frowned. "Leroy, have you lost your damn mind?" Marriage? He had to give it to the Stevens family—they were shameless beyond belief. Irene forced a smile and said, "Andrew, we came here with sincerity. We truly want to make peace with you! You and Christie can still get back together—most of what happened was just a misunderstanding!" Before Andrew could even respond, Francesca had already stepped in. She stomped up front and glared at the Steve
Leroy's eyes burned with jealousy, and he shamelessly said, "Andrew, I'm not a doctor, but I could work here as a male nurse. You could pay me 100 grand a month too, right?" Irene quickly chimed in, laughing awkwardly. "Andrew, you know I'm getting older, and I've been scammed out of a lot of money over the years. I don't even have enough saved for retirement! How about you hire me to cook for the clinic? I won't ask for much—50 grand a month will do." The sight of the mother and son practically groveling made Francesca sick to her stomach. "Sorry, we're full," Andrew rejected them without hesitation. Leroy refused to give up. "Andrew, your business is booming, and this place is huge. There's no way you're at full capacity! Hire me, and I promise I'll work hard!" Andrew's tone remained indifferent. "We might hire more people in the future, but there's one requirement—no hiring lazy slackers with bad character." Leroy's face instantly turned red with anger. "Andrew, just say