Andrew calmly stated, "This isn't just some local wine, nor something any winery could produce." His statement only angered Irene, and she barked, "Andrew, would it kill you to stop bragging? If it's not local wine, what is it—some mythical elixir?" "Actually, yes, that's exactly what it is," Andrew replied, causing the entire Stevens family to freeze before erupting in laughter. They thought he was making a complete fool of himself with such an outrageous claim. Even Harvey could not help but smirk, feeling insulted that such a nobody would dare compare himself to someone of his status. Douglas gently patted Andrew on the shoulder and tried to comfort him. "Andy, even if our wine isn't the best, there's no need to compete. Remember: if you're truly exceptional, others will naturally recognize it." Andrew nodded. "Wise words, Mr. Stevens Senior. I'll keep them in mind." Christina shook her head, thinking how pathetic it was that Andrew could not even understand her grandfat
Andrew calmly brought out the remaining Divine Elixir, and Gerald's breathing quickened with excitement. He fought the urge to snatch the bottle from Andrew, exclaiming, "Oh my, there's still at least 250ml here! This would fetch nearly a million dollars on the market. You're quite generous!" "Uncle Gerald, is this cheap wine really as amazing as you're claiming?" Leroy asked skeptically. Gerald glared at him and scolded, "Foolish boy, don't speak about things you don't understand! The Divine Elixir is made from hundreds of rare medicinal herbs, fermented for seven days and nights in a private distillery. That's just the first step. It then needs to age in a cellar for at least 30 years before it can be opened. This particular bottle appears to be aged 80 years, so calling it liquid gold is an understatement!" Douglas laughed heartily and said, "I knew Andy wouldn't bring me anything but the best!" The Stevens family members stared greedily at Andrew's wine. "What an inc
Christina said, "Harvey, this medicinal pill is too precious—you should keep it." Harvey smiled warmly and replied, "Christie, my love for you is worth far more than this pill. I'd give you ten if needed. Besides, this is just a token of respect for Mr. Stevens Senior. His health has always been fragile, and this will help restore his vitality." The Stevens family beamed with approval at his words as Irene asked, "Dad, isn't your future grandson-in-law just perfect?" Leroy chimed in, "Only someone like Harvey is worthy of being Christie's husband." Suddenly, a calm voice cut through the praise and laughter. "This isn't a genuine medicinal pill, and Mr. Stevens Senior shouldn't take it." After a moment of stunned silence, Irene roared angrily, "Andrew, what nonsense are you spouting? If it's not a medicinal pill, then what is it?" "Andrew, you're just jealous because Harvey brought something so incredible," Leroy mocked. Even the experienced Gerald looked at Andrew and dec
Harvey was secretly overjoyed, mocking Andrew's pathetic attempt to compete with him. He graciously stated, "Christie, Andrew's limited experience makes it understandable that he can't tell genuine from fake. But his intentions were good—he was trying to look out for Mr. Stevens Senior, so let's not be too hard on him." The family admired Harvey's response, praising his gentlemanly behavior. Irene smiled and said, "Dad, the Grandmaster said this pill must be taken quickly once opened, or it will lose its potency." Douglas's interest was piqued, unable to deny the allure of such a rare item. "Mr. Stevens Senior, please don't take this supplement. With your condition, it will only harm you!" Andrew warned seriously. While the others were ignorant and could not see the danger, Andrew could tell from a glance that this so-called medicinal pill would only harm Douglas once taken. "Enough, Andrew!" Christina slammed the table in anger. "If you're so petty that you can't stand
Harvey shifted uncomfortably, his expression darkening. If Douglas died from his gift, he would be directly responsible. He had not even gotten his hands on Christina yet, and here he was, possibly killing her grandfather. Quickly pulling out his phone, Harvey made a call. "Dr. Aicker, this is Harvey Weller. We have an emergency. Please come immediately!" Christina turned desperately to Andrew and pleaded, "Andrew, you're a doctor. Please help Grandpa! He was fine just a moment ago!" "I warned everyone that the pill was fake and dangerous," Andrew replied coldly. "The entire Stevens family, including you, accused me of being petty. Now that there's trouble, you conveniently remember that I'm a doctor?" Christina's face flushed with shame, but her pride would not let her admit her mistake. "We can discuss that later! Please just help Grandpa first!" Andrew stepped forward, quickly pressing several pressure points to stop the bleeding. With some therapeutic massage, Douglas's b
Just then, an elderly man in a long robe, with a prominent nose and a long face, stepped into the Stevens family home. He barked impatiently, "Don't waste my time! Where's the patient? I have other matters to attend to!" Irene rushed to greet him with a fawning smile, saying, "You must be the renowned Dr. Cedric Aicker from Jayrodale! Please, Dr. Aicker, have a seat and enjoy some tea before we begin!" She intended to flatter him, but Cedric merely shot her dismissively as if looking at a complete fool. "Are you dumb? This is a matter of life and death. Instead of rushing to save someone, you're offering tea? Do you want the patient to die?" Irene's face flushed red with embarrassment as she shrank back meekly. Christina and the others quickly led Cedric to examine Douglas. After examining the patient from his seat by the bed, Cedric's brows furrowed in concentration. "Strange, very strange indeed…" he muttered to himself. "Dr. Aicker, what's strange?" Harvey asked. "Is
Irene thought Cedric might have some insight and eagerly asked, "Dr. Aicker, you can tell that the pill Dad took was a genuine medicinal pill, right?" She continued, "I knew it couldn't be fake since Harvey got them directly from Mistveil Peak. It's perfectly normal for Dad to faint. His body was just too weak for such powerful medicine!" Irene's analysis was met with a cold laugh from Cedric. He mocked, "You foolish woman, your ignorance knows no bounds. What he had was nothing more than a common supplement pill, yet you dare call it a medicinal pill? You're all too ignorant—I won't even waste my energy explaining!" Irene trembled from the repeated humiliation. If there had been a hole in the ground, she would have gladly crawled into it. Leroy stammered, "H-Harvey, looks like you were scammed. Even Dr. Aicker says the pill was fake!" Harvey silently cursed Irene for bringing this up. Even so, he maintained a composed front and said, "Well, Leroy's right. It seems someone wa
The Stevens family stared wide-eyed at Andrew when he said Cedric was not qualified to be his teacher. They could not believe what they had just heard. "Andrew, do you even understand what you're saying? Aren't you overestimating yourself?" "You idiot, you're throwing away a golden opportunity! You really are hopeless!" Irene and the others first hurled insults, then broke into gleeful smiles. They thought this fool deserved to remain a nobody if he could not recognize such an opportunity. Christina scolded, "Andrew, you'd better rephrase that. Dr. Aicker is a distinguished figure, and you should be honored he'd consider taking you as his apprentice!" Harvey chuckled. "Andrew must be so overwhelmed he can't think straight. After all, this kind of opportunity probably comes once in a lifetime for someone like him!" Stroking his beard, Cedric nodded with a smile. "I understand you're excited. I'll give you another chance—kneel and accept me as your master!" Andrew remained
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
Andrew's patience had run out as he spoke in a cold tone. "One last time—tell Natasha to come out and talk now." The tattooed giant mocked, "Or what? What can you do? Andrew, you might have some history with West End, but if you think that gives you the right to make demands, you're in the wrong place." As he moved to push Andrew away again, the other guards snickered. With Atlas' fall, Natasha had become Jayrodale's most powerful underground leader, and they could not believe this man's audacity in challenging West End. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed through the air—the sound of a wrist being broken. The tattooed giant let out an agonizing scream. "My hand! You broke my hand! Get him! Attack!" The fifty-over guards stood shocked for a moment before charging forward with angry shouts. Andrew's face turned cold as his leg swept out. Screams filled the air as the first wave of guards went flying, their faces meeting Andrew's foot. The tattooed giant, his wrist still in Andrew
Aspen had invested ten million dollars in Atlas's operation, and if it were all gone, there would be serious consequences. They immediately got into the car with Irene and Leroy, heading toward Jayrodale's Northern District. … Meanwhile, Andrew's G-Wagon drifted to a smooth stop in front of the West End headquarters. Unlike usual, the building was surrounded by guards in black suits, dark ties, and sunglasses, creating an intimidating atmosphere. One of Natasha's top enforcers blocked Andrew's path. "Sorry, Mr. Lloyd, but you can't enter right now!" "I'm here to see Madam Vostokoff. Is there a problem?" Andrew asked with a smile as he sized up the man. The enforcer was a muscular giant with a crew cut and tattoos covering his neck, chest, and arms. His bulging muscles and fists the size of melons marked him as someone not to be messed with. "Mr. Lloyd, please understand that Madam Vostokoff isn't available right now," the man chuckled, pushing Andrew back. "You're an honore
Leroy's soup dripped onto the table as he anxiously asked, "Aspen, now that Atlas is dead, what about our money?" "Shut up!" Christina kicked him under the table. "How can you think about money at a time like this?" With a grave expression, Christina turned to Aspen. "We need to act fast. Contact someone in the Northern District and get your investment back immediately." Aspen snapped out of her daze and quickly dialed Atlas' office number. A raspy voice answered, "Who are you looking for?" "This is Aspen from the Bridgefields' Stevens family. I need to speak with Mr. Atlas Giordano," she said urgently. "Are you stupid? Mr. Giordano is as dead as he can be. If you want to find him, try looking in hell," the voice sneered. Aspen snapped, "Watch your tone! Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?" "I'll speak however I want, lady. Like I said, Mr. Giordano's dead, and he's finished," the voice replied coldly. Aspen gritted her teeth. "Atlas may be dead, but the
After her confession, Francesca's face turned bright red as she huffed and walked into the hospital ahead of Andrew. "Fran, are you saying you have someone special?" Andrew asked as he caught up with her. Francesca replied seriously, "Dr. Lloyd, we're at work now. Please refrain from asking personal questions in the hospital." "As you wish, Dr. Aicker," Andrew smiled with a playful bow. The morning passed quickly as Andrew saw a few scheduled patients. During a lull, Bernard, who had been absent for a while, approached him with a fake smile. "Dr. Lloyd, I hear you're doing quite well lately. Congratulations!" "It's nothing special—just slightly better than your situation," Andrew replied with a smirk. Bernard's face darkened instantly. "Andrew, pride comes before a fall. You're so young to be promoted to deputy chief—I worry you'll lose control, and everything will come crashing down." "No need for your concern, Dr. Hackett," Andrew said with a slight smile. "By the way