Seeing that everything was settled, and Natasha had no objections, Andrew asked, "Is there anything else? If not, I need to head back." Natasha replied seriously, "Oh, darling, there's one more thing. Although Atlas' Northern District has fallen apart, several of his top fighters have gathered over 100 followers and are starting to gain influence again." "When it comes to eliminating threats completely, you and Dylan are more skilled than I am," Andrew replied calmly. "From now on, you don't need my approval for these matters—just discuss it between yourselves." Natasha flashed a seductive smile. "Perfect, that's exactly what I wanted to hear." Andrew shook his head, thinking how Natasha truly lived up to her Black Widow nickname. With him, she was charming and submissive, even offering to warm his bed, but as a crime lord, she definitely had blood on her hands. It was necessary though. How else could a beautiful widow establish her position and protect her West End territory
A man in a suit and glasses stepped forward with a sneer. "Let me tell you just how impressive Mr. Rhodes is—he has complete control over Rhodes Corporation now, and he's as powerful as any other head of the prominent family in Jayrodale." Another executive rushed forward to brown-nose Michael, looking down at Andrew with contempt. "Young man, in this business, ignorance is a sin. The fact that you don't know how powerful Mr. Rhodes is just proves you're a small fry who can't see beyond your own limited view—you're less than an insect in his eyes." Marcus, who had been standing quietly in the back, stepped forward to mediate. "Sir, it's time for the noon meeting, and Ms. Rhodes is here today. Perhaps we should head up." Michael scoffed. "Ah, right, I forgot Lauren was coming to the company today. Fine, let's meet her, but remember what I said earlier—choose your sides carefully. I don't want my blade catching any foolish bystanders in the crossfire." After that, Michael swept h
Michael adjusted his designer suit with an air of superiority. He said, "Andrew, I'm done playing games with a nobody like you. Watch yourself—if you're foolish enough to side with Lauren, I might have to eliminate you along with her." With a contemptuous smirk, Michael led his group of executives through the corporate entrance. Marcus, who was the last to leave, looked at Andrew with a sympathetic smile. "Didn't I tell you to stop coming to see Ms. Rhodes? You not only showed up openly but also challenged our CEO—aren't you just digging your own grave?" He was particularly concerned about Andrew's bold declaration to take Michael's position. Marcus felt that Andrew was still naive about how the real world worked. With Michael's current position, all it would take was a nod of his head for his lackeys to destroy this young deputy chief's life. "Thanks for trying to help back there, Mr. Chapman," Andrew said with a smile. Marcus waved his hand dismissively. "I did what I co
"Very well," Eunice replied. Even so, she felt Lauren's decision lacked foresight. The entire Rhodes Corporation's upper management disapproved of her relationship with Andrew, and Michael especially despised him—bringing him to the company under this double pressure would only invite trouble. Andrew clearly sensed Eunice's aversion to him but chose not to comment on it. He asked, "Ms. Rhodes, now that you're back working at the company, is there anything I can help with?" Lauren playfully chewed on her pen cap and replied flirtatiously, "I couldn't bear to have you do anything strenuous, Dr. Lloyd. Just be my personal assistant here in the office." Andrew deliberately ignored her teasing, thinking this temptress really was not afraid he might lose control and take advantage of the situation. Lauren quickly switched back to her professional demeanor. Then, she said decisively, "Let's do this—I'll hire you as my driver for now. In a few days, I'll arrange a management position
Michael had already claimed the head position in the large conference room, surrounded by his suckups, who wore ingratiating smiles. "Lauren, it's been a while since you've been to the corporation. Do you even remember how to work?" Michael said with exaggerated cheerfulness when Lauren entered. He added, "If not, you can just stay in your office, get your nails done, take care of your skin, and leave when the day's over. I don't want to pressure you." The room fell silent instantly as the executives sensed the tension between Michael and Lauren. Lauren stared at Michael coldly and retorted, "Michael, you've just taken my position, and you're already acting like someone drunk on their newfound power." Lauren smirked as Michael's expression darkened. "Everyone in the family and company knows which of us is more qualified to be CEO. You've only been in charge for a couple of weeks, and you're already so full of yourself—clearly, you'll never amount to much." Michael snorted.
Not to mention that Michael at the head of the table was the Rhodes family's heir apparent. For Andrew, a mere deputy chief, to dare call him incompetent was unthinkable. Marcus kept his mouth firmly shut this time. Though he admired Andrew, he was not about to get dragged down by someone bent on self-destruction. A heavy thud echoed through the room as one of the veteran executives, a burly man, slammed his palm on the table. Edward Hills roared, "Where's security? Get this lawless thug out of here right now! And get the legal team here we're pressing charges for his outrageous slander against Mr. Rhodes. I'll make sure this arrogant punk rots in jail!" Edward was Michael's devoted follower, and no one dared speak up when he exploded. Everyone stared at Andrew with mockery in their eyes. "Anyone who touches my man will regret it," Lauren said icily. The security and legal staff who had rushed to the door hesitated, unsure whose orders to follow. Edward asked grimly, "M
"Security, arrest him immediately!" came the shouts from around the room. "Take him away and hand him over to the police—use the company's connections to make sure he rots in jail!" Michael's loyal followers on either side of him jumped to their feet, looking at Andrew as if he were already dead. This was their chance to prove their loyalty to Michael, and in their eyes, this foolish young man was nothing but dust to Rhodes Corporation. "Well, well, Rhodes Corporation's executives are supposed to be sophisticated, high-income individuals," Andrew said calmly, not moving an inch. "But right now, all I see is a pack of dogs barking." Marcus nearly fell out of his chair in shock. He figured Andrew had given up and decided to antagonize the entire executive board since he was headed for jail anyway—a reckless and foolish move, in his opinion. "Take him to the police," Michael ordered, his eyes cold as ice. "As CEO, I have only one demand—make him disappear from this world." Ed
Lauren addressed the executives with conviction. "You all remember how the corporation successfully acquired that large plot of land in West End's development zone." Edward frowned. "Ms. Rhodes, bringing up irrelevant matters won't help. We're discussing how to deal with this man right now." "It's not irrelevant," Lauren snapped. "That land deal was secured through Mr. Lloyd's connections, and in return, the corporation granted him a director position." The executives exchanged uncertain glances. If Lauren was telling the truth, they had no right to touch a corporate director. "Have you found anything?" Michael asked darkly. His secretary shifted uncomfortably. "Mr. Rhodes… it's true." Michael grabbed the laptop to check the corporate website himself, and his expression grew increasingly grim. "He owns 1% of the company shares," Michael gritted out. "Now you have nothing to say, do you?" Lauren said coolly. "Mr. Lloyd isn't just my driver—he's a corporate shareholder,
Logan was stunned. He rushed forward in shock. "Father, you're awake?" George forced a small smile. "Not only am I awake, but I've never felt this clear-headed before. It even feels like my martial cultivation just had a breakthrough!" The crowd of expert doctors, including Chantelle and Mosby, was frozen in place, completely dumbfounded. No one could utter a single word, as they were too stunned to react. Andrew gestured for Logan to help George onto the couch, smiling as he said, "Mr. Keller Senior, the energy corruption has already been cleared from your system. Now you'll just need some medication to aid your recovery, and your body should return to normal. "However, your vitality and spiritual energy were badly depleted—it'll take a few months to fully recover." George looked at Andrew with genuine admiration. He asked Logan to help him sit up, then turned solemnly and said, "I'm already grateful just to be alive. But to come out of this without losing an ounce of my life
Mosby explained, "But undoubtedly, his mind must be utterly exhausted and his spirit completely drained! Whether or not he wakes up will be the real challenge. If he doesn't regain consciousness, he'll become nothing more than a hollow shell." As he spoke, he cast a deliberately sinister glance at Andrew. If George remained in a vegetative state, then Andrew would not just be blamed—he would probably be executed on the spot by the Keller family. Yet right then, Logan turned to Andrew with genuine sincerity and said, "Andrew, all of us in the Keller family saw what you did for my father. Don't worry—even if he doesn't wake up, you'll still be honored as a benefactor of our family." Mosby could not believe what he was hearing. "Mr. Keller, how can you say that? If Mr. Keller Senior doesn't wake up, Andrew should be held accountable for a grievous crime!" Logan, however, had already seen through Mosby's jealousy and hostility toward Andrew. He responded calmly, "Mr. Lake, this is
Andrew ignored all the shouting around him without batting an eye. Once everything he requested had been brought in, he began the treatment without delay. "Mr. Keller Senior, brace yourself for some pain," he warned calmly. With that, he slowly inserted golden needles into the top of George's head. Chantelle's voice turned serious. "Andrew, the head is the most delicate part of the human body. It's where the nerves are most complex—what you're doing could have serious consequences." Andrew replied evenly, "Mr. Keller Senior's condition stems from a mental collapse, and the mind resides in the thoughts—the thoughts in the brain. So, treatment has to start there." As he explained, his hands moved with precision. Soon, the crown of George's head, right in GV20, was covered in golden needles. Then, he pressed two acupoints on George's chest with careful control. A flicker of relief finally appeared on George's agonized face. Logan asked cautiously, "Andrew, why did you target
Mosby said, "I already drained most of the old man's strength with Ms. Garcia! And now you're just waiting on the sidelines to swoop in when it's safe. Don't you think that's rather shameless?" Andrew said flatly, "Judging others by your own petty standards—that's exactly the kind of person you are, Dr. Lake. If you're so upset about it, how about I release Mr. Keller Senior and let you try your luck? Let's see how easy that 'swooping in' really is." Mosby's expression instantly changed. He fell silent, visibly shaken by the idea. He still remembered almost getting killed by George just moments ago, and there was no way he wanted to flirt with death again. Andrew sneered, "Coward." Mosby snapped, "You insolent brat! How dare you insult me?!" Andrew could not be bothered to respond. He had no personal vendetta against the man, but after being provoked repeatedly, he was not going to sit there and take it either. "Logan, get Mr. Keller Senior into the room. I'm ready to begin
Logan shouted, his voice cracking, "Dr. Lake, get out of the way!" Mosby forced himself to stay conscious, pried his eyes open, and immediately saw death rushing at him. He screamed, "Mr. Keller Senior, please—spare me!" However, George had already charged in, eyes blood-red, and a brutal hand chop was aimed straight for Mosby's skull. If that blow landed, the so-called legend of Blumedale would die right here, with his head cracked open. Chantelle gritted her teeth and moved in without hesitation. Her long leg, clad in sleek, tailored slacks, swept out in a horizontal arc. George stumbled back two steps, let out a low, guttural growl, and immediately lunged at her instead. Logan shouted from the side, trying to talk his father down, yet it was useless. George had fully descended into a killing trance. "Dr. Lake, get clear!" Chantelle barked as she spun forward. Her pale, graceful hand landed squarely on George's shoulder, and with a sharp twist, she executed a perfect shoul
Logan instinctively stepped forward, panicked, ready to intervene. However, Andrew stopped him. "No rush. Mr. Keller Senior needs to burn off some of that energy first. That way, it'll be easier for me to treat him afterward." Logan's voice trembled. "Dr. Lloyd, my father is not going to get hurt, right?" Andrew smirked. "Relax. Mr. Keller Senior will be fine. If anyone's in danger, it's probably Dr. Lake." Mosby and George had already gone head-to-head in combat. However, George looked completely possessed, growling like a wild beast, clearly stripped of rationality. His physical strength was nothing short of monstrous. Every vase, table, and piece of furniture in the room that stood in his way was shattered to dust under his fists. He held nothing back. Chantelle's eyes widened. "That strength… Has Mr. Keller Senior reached martial king level?" Logan sighed, conflicted. "That was originally a tightly guarded secret of the Keller family. No outsiders were supposed to know.
Andrew waved a hand dismissively. "I don't have time to explain everything to you, and even if I did, you wouldn't understand it anyway. You just need to know this—if you want to save your father, then do exactly what I tell you to." Logan looked uncertain and shot a quick glance at Chantelle as if to ask, "Who is this guy you brought along, and what's with the ego?" Chantelle's face darkened. "Mr. Keller, this man is Andrew Lloyd—he came at Mr. McCormick's recommendation. But honestly, you don't have to take him seriously. Just carry on with your own plans—ignore him." However, Logan shook his head and turned toward Andrew. "Dr. Lloyd, go ahead. Tell me what you need. As long as it'll help my father, I'll make it happen." His respectful tone stunned Chantelle. She wondered if Logan was out of his mind for believing Andrew just like that. Andrew smiled. "My request is actually pretty simple. If I'm going to treat your father, I expect to be compensated. So, I want access to al
Chantelle could not lash out, so she gritted her teeth and quickly followed behind. Inwardly, she made a mental note to report this arrogant clown to Derek later. To her, Andrew was reckless, so full of hot air, and completely unworthy of trust—nothing but a showboating jester. … Inside the main hall of the Keller residence, the place was packed with people coming and going. A group of specialists and renowned doctors stood gathered, their brows furrowed as they exchanged anxious whispers. One commented, "Mr. Keller Senior's condition is strange—truly bizarre!" "Exactly. His entire face is paralyzed. Even his tongue won't move. He can't swallow even a spoonful of medicine!" Another chimed in, "And the worst part? No one can get within three feet of him. The second anyone tries, they get attacked—some left with cracked skulls, others… well, some didn't make it." "Jeez! That serious? Who would dare try to treat him now? No matter how much the Keller family is offering, it's no
Chantelle was behind the wheel while Andrew rode along in the passenger seat as they headed out to treat Derek's old friend, George Keller. The atmosphere inside the car was tense, with Chantelle's resting expression as frosty and detached as ever, her face practically carved from ice. Andrew was not the kind of guy to throw warmth at a wall of cold, so he simply stayed quiet, staring out the window at the passing streets. After holding back for a while, Chantelle finally could not resist and let out a mocking laugh. "Mr. Lloyd, what a clever move—create your own mess, then try to get Mr. McCormick to step in and clean it up for you. Don't you think you're playing with fire?" Andrew smiled. "Playing with fire? Nah, I don't see it that way. At this point, I'm pretty much one of Mr. McCormick's trusted men. So if the little guy's getting targeted, doesn't it make perfect sense for the boss to step in and fix it?" Chantelle was momentarily stunned before letting out a scoff. "An