Andrew smiled calmly. "Alright, one final question." Ruby, clearly irritated, snapped, "Mr. Lloyd, enough is enough. You just said the last question was your final one." Andrew chuckled, unfazed. "It just popped into my head, Ms. Dickinson. No need to get so tense—this one isn't about the collaboration. Just casual chit-chat." Ruby huffed. "Tense? Who's tense? You're quite the joker, Mr. Lloyd. Ask your question—I have other matters to attend to. Rhodes Corporation isn't the only company knocking on Amberpeak's door." Andrew's smile took on a sharper edge. "I heard from Mr. MacAfee earlier that the two of you discussed the collaboration thoroughly and worked very hard, even late into the evening. Is that correct?" Ruby froze for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, Mr. MacAfee is very dedicated. We had a detailed conversation yesterday and talked until around nine in the evening." Troy, clearly proud of himself, chimed in, "It was exhausting, but for Rhodes Corporation, it's my dut
Michael cut through the growing tension with a sharp tone. "That's enough. Today's meeting is over. What matters to me is your ability to do your job and make money for the company. Your personal lives and relationships are of no interest to me as CEO." He started to walk away but paused after a few steps, gesturing for Troy. "Mr. MacAfee, come to my office. I'd like to clarify a few details about the collaboration with you." Troy smirked, glancing at Andrew with a look of triumph. The unspoken message was clear. "So what if you caught me fooling around with Ruby? You can't touch me if the CEO has my back." Ruby stood to leave, but as she passed Lauren, she leaned in with a cold smile. "Ms. Rhodes, I haven't forgotten my grudge against you. Be careful not to make a mistake you'll regret for the rest of your life." Lauren shot back without missing a beat. "Don't worry, Ms. Dickinson. I'd be happy to send you back for another helping of prison meals—on the house." Ruby's smile
Lauren looked puzzled. "There's an issue with that document? I didn't notice anything off." Andrew smiled knowingly. "It's normal you didn't catch it. The problem lies in Ruby's formula for the pill she wants Rhodes Corporation to produce." He paused briefly before continuing in a colder tone. "Ruby requested the Pharmaceutical Division to manufacture a so-called 'miracle anti-cancer drug'. It's positioned as an exclusive, high-end product designed for the wealthy and elite families—rare, valuable, and groundbreaking." "But here's the catch," he said, his voice sharp. "While the formula lists over 30 premium ingredients that appear highly effective on their own, they turn into a lethal poison when combined. And not just any poison—it's a slow-acting, insidious toxin. Anyone who takes it will suffer without even realizing the cause." Andrew's gaze darkened. "Now, imagine if Rhodes Corporation went ahead and produced this pill, selling it to affluent clients and major figures. Wh
Michael called Troy in and personally locked the door behind him. Troy, shifting uneasily, spoke first. "Mr. Rhodes, about Ruby and me… We did go to the hotel yesterday. But aside from… well, you know… I was genuinely there to discuss business. Honestly, if I hadn't kept her happy, we wouldn't have secured the Amberpeak Corporation deal so easily." Michael waved dismissively. "I didn't call you here to scold you." Troy froze, caught off guard. "I thought you would scold me for mixing personal matters with work!" In truth, Troy had not gone to the hotel to talk business at all. Ruby's stunning beauty had completely captivated him. Their initial flirtation quickly escalated into something far more intimate, and the deal came up only afterward. By chance, Troy learned that Ruby was a representative for Amberpeak Corporation. The realization thrilled him—sealing such a significant partnership would be the perfect way to prove himself as the new head of the Pharmaceutical Divisio
"I want Lauren to experience true despair and unrelenting pain," Ruby hissed, her eyes alight with malice. "When the Rhodes family collapses completely, when their legacy is destroyed, I bet her anguished screams will sound like music to my ears." Aspen, standing calmly by the window, gave a faint smile. "Hatred is indeed a powerful motivator, but you can't rely solely on it. The brain, Ruby, is the deadliest weapon of all." Ruby hesitated, then bowed her head respectfully. "Please, Ms. Stevens, enlighten me." Aspen's cold smile deepened. "The Weller family is currently under the spotlight, drawing public scrutiny and outrage. It's the perfect distraction for us. Everyone thinks the crisis in Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division is over, but this lull in vigilance is precisely when I strike." She turned to Ruby, her tone laced with pride. "The key is to attack your prey when they least expect it, when their guard is down—that's when it's most fatal." With a light laug
"I'm sorry, Andrew, but I can't marry you!" Christina Stevens declared coldly in the CEO's office of Stevens Corporation. She sat behind her desk, looking elegant in a black lace dress, her demeanor icy and aloof. Across from her sat a handsome man in modest attire. Andrew Lloyd could not believe what he was hearing and asked, "Christie, what do you mean? What happened to the promise between us?" They had agreed to tie the knot on the day Stevens Corporation went public, marking the end of their three-year courtship. "Since we've been dating each other, I'll be frank," Christina replied, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her stunning features exuded grace and beauty with every movement. "Andrew, don't you think the gap between us has grown too wide? It's like we're from different worlds now. Forcing this relationship won't do you any good. For me, it would be… a burden." A burden? Andrew was stunned, never expecting Christina to say such a thing. If it had not
In the elevator, Andrew opened the modest ring box. A dazzling pink diamond immediately caught the light, its brilliance filling the small space. This 7.5-million-dollar luxury ring was once known as the "King of Diamonds" of Jayrodale, truly one of a kind. Andrew did not know exactly how much money was on the bank card, but he was sure it was enough to buy Stevens Corporations ten times over. Moments ago, Christina and Irene had not even bothered to look at these treasures, with Irene dismissing them as junk. As the elevator doors opened, Andrew stepped out. "Well, well, if it isn't Andrew! You don't look so good," a mocking voice greeted him. Andrew calmly looked up to see a man in a tailored suit, his hair slicked back, holding a bouquet of blue roses. It was Shawn Fields, Jayrodale's infamous trust fund baby and one of Christina's most persistent admirers. Not wanting to talk to him, Andrew tried to sidestep him, but Shawn moved to block his path again. Andrew's eyes turn
Meanwhile, Andrew had already settled into a Rolls-Royce, heading toward Jayrodale General Hospital. His phone rang, and to his surprise, it was Christina calling. Since their relationship was over, Andrew saw no reason to answer. Yet, the phone kept ringing, seemingly urgent. Frowning, Andrew finally decided to pick up. "Andrew, listen to me. Turn yourself in immediately!" Christina's voice blared through the speaker, catching Andrew off guard. "That King of Diamonds is worth 7.5 million dollars, Andrew. Have you lost your mind? I know you did this to make me happy, but have you considered the legal consequences? Turn yourself in now, while there's still time. Don't worry, with Stevens Corporation's influence in Jayrodale, I'll do my best to keep you out of jail!" Christina's voice was filled with righteous indignation, feeling disappointed in Andrew. Andrew finally understood—she thought he had stolen the King of Diamonds. "You've got it wrong. I didn't steal it," he said sim
"I want Lauren to experience true despair and unrelenting pain," Ruby hissed, her eyes alight with malice. "When the Rhodes family collapses completely, when their legacy is destroyed, I bet her anguished screams will sound like music to my ears." Aspen, standing calmly by the window, gave a faint smile. "Hatred is indeed a powerful motivator, but you can't rely solely on it. The brain, Ruby, is the deadliest weapon of all." Ruby hesitated, then bowed her head respectfully. "Please, Ms. Stevens, enlighten me." Aspen's cold smile deepened. "The Weller family is currently under the spotlight, drawing public scrutiny and outrage. It's the perfect distraction for us. Everyone thinks the crisis in Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division is over, but this lull in vigilance is precisely when I strike." She turned to Ruby, her tone laced with pride. "The key is to attack your prey when they least expect it, when their guard is down—that's when it's most fatal." With a light laug
Michael called Troy in and personally locked the door behind him. Troy, shifting uneasily, spoke first. "Mr. Rhodes, about Ruby and me… We did go to the hotel yesterday. But aside from… well, you know… I was genuinely there to discuss business. Honestly, if I hadn't kept her happy, we wouldn't have secured the Amberpeak Corporation deal so easily." Michael waved dismissively. "I didn't call you here to scold you." Troy froze, caught off guard. "I thought you would scold me for mixing personal matters with work!" In truth, Troy had not gone to the hotel to talk business at all. Ruby's stunning beauty had completely captivated him. Their initial flirtation quickly escalated into something far more intimate, and the deal came up only afterward. By chance, Troy learned that Ruby was a representative for Amberpeak Corporation. The realization thrilled him—sealing such a significant partnership would be the perfect way to prove himself as the new head of the Pharmaceutical Divisio
Lauren looked puzzled. "There's an issue with that document? I didn't notice anything off." Andrew smiled knowingly. "It's normal you didn't catch it. The problem lies in Ruby's formula for the pill she wants Rhodes Corporation to produce." He paused briefly before continuing in a colder tone. "Ruby requested the Pharmaceutical Division to manufacture a so-called 'miracle anti-cancer drug'. It's positioned as an exclusive, high-end product designed for the wealthy and elite families—rare, valuable, and groundbreaking." "But here's the catch," he said, his voice sharp. "While the formula lists over 30 premium ingredients that appear highly effective on their own, they turn into a lethal poison when combined. And not just any poison—it's a slow-acting, insidious toxin. Anyone who takes it will suffer without even realizing the cause." Andrew's gaze darkened. "Now, imagine if Rhodes Corporation went ahead and produced this pill, selling it to affluent clients and major figures. Wh
Michael cut through the growing tension with a sharp tone. "That's enough. Today's meeting is over. What matters to me is your ability to do your job and make money for the company. Your personal lives and relationships are of no interest to me as CEO." He started to walk away but paused after a few steps, gesturing for Troy. "Mr. MacAfee, come to my office. I'd like to clarify a few details about the collaboration with you." Troy smirked, glancing at Andrew with a look of triumph. The unspoken message was clear. "So what if you caught me fooling around with Ruby? You can't touch me if the CEO has my back." Ruby stood to leave, but as she passed Lauren, she leaned in with a cold smile. "Ms. Rhodes, I haven't forgotten my grudge against you. Be careful not to make a mistake you'll regret for the rest of your life." Lauren shot back without missing a beat. "Don't worry, Ms. Dickinson. I'd be happy to send you back for another helping of prison meals—on the house." Ruby's smile
Andrew smiled calmly. "Alright, one final question." Ruby, clearly irritated, snapped, "Mr. Lloyd, enough is enough. You just said the last question was your final one." Andrew chuckled, unfazed. "It just popped into my head, Ms. Dickinson. No need to get so tense—this one isn't about the collaboration. Just casual chit-chat." Ruby huffed. "Tense? Who's tense? You're quite the joker, Mr. Lloyd. Ask your question—I have other matters to attend to. Rhodes Corporation isn't the only company knocking on Amberpeak's door." Andrew's smile took on a sharper edge. "I heard from Mr. MacAfee earlier that the two of you discussed the collaboration thoroughly and worked very hard, even late into the evening. Is that correct?" Ruby froze for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, Mr. MacAfee is very dedicated. We had a detailed conversation yesterday and talked until around nine in the evening." Troy, clearly proud of himself, chimed in, "It was exhausting, but for Rhodes Corporation, it's my dut
Michael, already irritated, snapped at Andrew. "We're talking about serious corporate business here—high-level collaborations. Do you even understand what that means? If you don't, stop interrupting just to make yourself seen!" Michael was already annoyed earlier by Andrew's "suggestions" and now, with Andrew raising another question, a wave of dread swept over him. He feared Andrew might come up with something that would send his blood pressure through the roof. Andrew replied calmly, "Who said I don't understand? When it comes to pharmaceuticals, none of you here are even qualified to speak in my presence." Ruby sneered. "Mr. Lloyd, let's not pretend you know what you're talking about. Are you seriously trying to convince us that you're some kind of expert in medicine? What, are you claiming to be a miracle-working doctor or something?" To Ruby, Andrew was just a lackey trying to pick a fight for Lauren's sake—nothing more than a clueless, incompetent man, unworthy of her att
Troy slammed the table, his tone laced with frustration. "It seems my efforts were all in vain. Some people in the company don't appreciate my hard work and think I'm just being foolish. "Fine, if that's the case, the Pharmaceutical Division doesn't need this collaboration with Ms. Dickinson and Amberpeak Corporation. After all, any losses will be the corporation's, not mine." Ruby seized the moment, feigning regret as she spoke. "It's such a pity. If Mr. MacAfee doesn't want this opportunity, I'll have to look elsewhere. Perhaps the Weller family, who's been excelling in wellness products lately, might be interested." Michael panicked, immediately forcing a smile. "Ms. Dickinson, please don't be hasty. Of course, we at Rhodes Corporation are eager for this partnership with Amberpeak Corporation. Only a fool would reject it!" Ruby smirked, adding, "You can want it all you like, but I only trust Mr. MacAfee, so he'll be my sole point of contact for this collaboration." Michael
The Rhodes Corporation executives wore pleased expressions, their eyes filled with flattery and admiration as they looked at Ruby. Although Rhodes Corporation was a strong player, its influence was largely confined to Jayrodale. Even though the Rhodes family had ventured into Blumedale to expand their reach, they had only managed to secure a foothold, far from becoming a dominant force. Amberpeak Corporation, on the other hand, was a renowned giant in the pharmaceutical industry. If Rhodes Corporation could truly secure a partnership with such a powerhouse, it would undoubtedly be a golden opportunity. Ruby turned to Lauren with a smug smile. "Ms. Rhodes, do you believe me now?" Lauren frowned. "Amberpeak Corporation is already a leading authority in pharmaceuticals. If they were looking for partners, it would make more sense to find them in Blumedale. "Ruby, for you to claim you're representing Amberpeak Corporation and to come all the way to Jayrodale for collaboration—it
They all thought it was an absurd and comical proposal, wondering how Andrew could even say those words with a straight face. Everyone in the room had braced themselves for Andrew's lack of professionalism, but they had not expected anything this outrageous. Suggesting the company's CEO should guard the main entrance? Recommending the head of the Pharmaceutical Division be reassigned to manage the warehouse? It was the kind of logic that could only come from a "genius" with a truly unique imagination. Troy was the first to snap, standing up and shouting, "I object!" "Object!" "I object too!" "Unconditionally object! This is outrageous!" Not a single executive supported Andrew. They all glared at him, their voices raised in protest, their faces red with indignation. Andrew shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, since everyone objects, let's just pretend I never said it." Michael, still seething, sneered. "Mr. Lloyd, the company's meeting room is a place for discussing serious mat