Michael said, "This person doesn't have the best reputation. He's a disgraced disciple of Advanced Medical Institute. But as for his medical skills, they are absolutely top-notch—even Dr. Aicker doesn't measure up in his eyes." Tiana looked surprised. "You're not talking about the Master of Poisons, Bane Eslinger, who defected from Advanced Medical Institute years ago, are you?" Michael's face lit up. "Exactly, Aunt Tiana. You know of the Master of Poisons? Yes, it's him." Tiana's eyes narrowed as she spoke slowly. "Bane is said to be erratic and eccentric, completely unlike ordinary people. Years ago, he used live subjects for experiments, causing countless deaths, which led to his expulsion and punishment by the Advanced Medical Institute. "But his medical skills are indeed as legendary as his reputation suggests, even surpassing Cedric. Fine, let's see what you can do. If you can bring the Master of Poisons into our fold, I'll count that as a great achievement for you." Mi
Jerry shook his head. "Based on the leads provided by Mr. Rhodes, we conducted surprise inspections of all the hotels, but we didn't find her." "I've already reported the situation to Mr. Warren at the Jayrodale Police Department. If even he can't find her, then it'll be a real problem." Michael frowned, visibly unsettled. "That's strange. Troy was just captured—there's no way Ruby could've sensed it and escaped so quickly." Tiana snapped, "Shut up. Do you think everyone's as incompetent as you? Keep searching for that wretch! After the loss she's caused the Rhodes family, I won't rest until she's torn to pieces!" … Meanwhile, Lauren lingered at the Moonlit Sanctuary until late at night before reluctantly returning home. The moment she stepped inside and turned on the lights, Tiana was already there, like a ghost waiting in the darkness. Lauren wasn't surprised. She said calmly, "Please leave. I need to rest." Without a word, Tiana strode forward, pulled up Lauren's sle
Ruby bit her lip, struggling to speak. "The truth is… I have some health issues. After I… was with Troy, he got tested and found out he caught a disease. He freaked out and turned on me completely, calling me to scream and curse, saying I was a disgusting tramp who had been with too many men. "In the end, Troy went to Andrew and begged him for treatment. Under Andrew's manipulative demands, Troy confessed everything to him." Aspen's face darkened with rage. "Andrew again? Why is it that every single one of my failures has his shadow looming over it? And you, you're just as useless! I spent so much effort and money getting you out of prison, not so you could mess everything up!" Ruby held back her anger and muttered, "I didn't want things to turn out like this. It's all because of Andrew—he's the real culprit." Aspen cut her off impatiently. "Enough! Let me ask you, this disease… is it from reckless behavior?" Ruby blushed deeply and, with great reluctance, admitted, "Yes, it'
Aspen sneered. "I knew it. Playing around with frogs wouldn't cause an illness. Turns out you wretches went back to men in the end." Ruby ignored the scorn in her words and replied, "I've always wanted to live well. Even in prison, I liked to feel superior to others. "So, I got involved with several male guards. They would do anything for me—buying me anything I wanted from the outside: fancy bags, pretty clothes—everything except my freedom—all with just a crook of my finger. But I didn't expect to end up catching a disease, and it spiraled out of control." Aspen snapped, "Enough! I've heard more than enough of your filthy, disgusting past. Now, hand over the formulas from Rhodes Pharmaceutical, and we'll call it even." Ruby smirked coldly. "Ms. Stevens, don't you think it's shameless to burn the bridge after you've crossed it? If you want the formulas, fine. But first, you'll need to arrange for me to get out of Jayrodale." Aspen scoffed. "Do you think I'm as cheap and sham
The fact that Gordon Woods, a martial arts master from Bridgefields, had secretly infiltrated Jayrodale went unnoticed by Andrew. Even if Andrew had known, he likely wouldn't have cared. Over the years, Andrew had collected nearly 30 rare medicinal herbs, all of which he had refined into a single golden pill, glimmering like a piece of yellow crystal. The Five Convergence Pill! In the martial arts world, it also went by more illustrious names such as the Ascension Pill or Immortal Pill. As the name suggests, consuming it was said to grant one immortality. Of course, this was merely a romanticized and exaggerated notion within martial circles. While the Ascension Pill was extraordinary, it wasn't a magical elixir that could defy death or wrest control of life from the heavens. If it truly granted immortality, the world would have been overrun with immortals by now. In truth, the pill's effects, while not literally divine, were indeed transformative, cap
But those who reached the level of an eighth-grade alchemist paid unimaginable prices in effort and hardship. They had faced countless life-and-death crises and needed immense fortune to encounter rare opportunities and profound enlightenment to become an eighth-grade alchemist. Andrew, however, had walked the path others spent their entire lives treading, finishing it over a decade ago. As per the old saying, "The tallest tree in the forest is always the first to be felled." Ten years ago, Andrew had been forced to carve a bloody path out of Chetvine, vanishing into obscurity. Now, seated calmly in his meditation chamber, Andrew took a deep breath and swallowed the Ascension Pill in one go. A surge of immense heat rushed to his head and spread through every part of his body. "Break!" he muttered. Andrew's eyes glowed with a faint golden hue as he clenched his teeth and let out a low growl. The roaring sound of thunder coursed through his twin core merid
Lauren giggled and said, "Dr. Lloyd, you silly man, you can't even figure out something as obvious as a girl's feelings. I'm not explaining it to you—see you at the medical center later." With that, she hung up. Andrew thought for a moment. Why was Francesca upset? Could it have something to do with Simon? But that didn't seem right. Francesca had mentioned before that Simon had come to terms with her decision and had even offered his blessings. After mulling it over, Andrew decided to call Francesca. "Fran, I'd like to thank you and Lauren for taking care of everything for the medical center. After the opening ceremony, let me treat you to dinner." Francesca's tone was lackluster, almost lethargic. "There's no need, Andrew. I helped you willingly. You don't have to take me out." Andrew chuckled. "Fran, you don't sound well. Are you feeling sick?" Francesca responded softly, her voice subdued. "Yes, I'm sick—very sick." Andrew frowned. "You're a doct
From Natasha's tone, it seemed like she was even more excited about the medical center's opening than Andrew himself. Andrew chuckled. "It's just a small medical center, nothing as grand as you're imagining. Don't forget to bring your people from West End. Think of it as giving everyone a day off!" Natasha laughed, covering her mouth. "Are you sure you want all of them there? That's several hundred, close to a thousand people. Do you even have space for everyone?" Andrew grinned. "I'm your boss, after all. If I can't even arrange seats for my people, what kind of leader would I be?" Natasha teased, "No way, my darling isn't that incompetent. Alright, I'll let Dylan know, pick out a fitting opening gift for you, and then bring everyone over." Andrew quickly interjected. "No gifts, really. Don't make it too formal. Just come by and join the fun." Natasha huffed. "That won't do. You're our boss, and proper respect must be shown. I'm not just picking any gift—I'm go
Tiana said coldly, "And these last two are from Rhodes Corporation. Aspen, do you have any idea how much damage you've caused? Because of you, Rhodes Pharmaceutical has taken hit after hit. We're barely hanging on! "Now get lost. Go back to Bridgefields, and don't ever set foot in Jayrodale again. Otherwise, if I'm ever in a bad mood, I'll make sure to slap you every time I see you!" Exuding pure dominance, Tiana let out a disdainful scoff before turning on her heel and walking away with her entourage. Aspen collapsed to the ground like a pile of broken rubble. Her whole body trembled as tears streamed down her face. The pain was unbearable—not just physically, but mentally. "W-why… why did it come to this?" she choked out. "Why, of all people, is it me? First, Andrew torments me, and now Tiana! Why?" She lay there, shoulders shaking violently as sobs racked her body. Tiana had completely destroyed her face, but that was not the worst part—the worst part was that her spirit w
Christina gritted her teeth, refusing to say a word. She hated the idea that anyone could think she was beneath Andrew. Deep down, there was a dark, bitter part of her that would never accept that he was doing better than her. After all, admitting it would mean that leaving him had been a monumental mistake—one of the dumbest decisions she had ever made. Christina was too proud to ever acknowledge that. Even if she said it out loud, she would never truly believe it in her heart. Tiana scoffed. "Forget it. I only said all that because I found you incredibly irritating. But I'm actually here for Aspen." As she spoke, her icy gaze shifted to Aspen. Aspen, already trembling, started shaking even harder. She stammered, "M-Mrs. Rhodes, what can I do for you?" Tiana took two slow steps forward, her smile sharp and merciless. "I never expected the Stevens family to produce someone like you, nor did I think Zephyr would raise such a thieving daughter!" Aspen swallowed her anger an
Christina said flatly, "Let's grab a bite first. We can deal with everything else after. Andrew is even taking the people I set my sights on now. Fine. If he wants to force my hand, then I have no choice but to go against him." Aspen hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Christie, have you considered that maybe Andrew really isn't on the same level as us anymore?" Failing time and time again, getting crushed by Andrew repeatedly—it had shattered Aspen's once-proud and confident heart. Whenever she faced him, she found herself losing the drive to compete. Instead, she just wanted to keep her distance. Aspen did not want to admit it, but deep down, she knew she was scared of him now. Christina's voice was icy. "No. I don't think he's that impressive. I'll admit, he's changed. He's become more powerful and holds much more influence now. But I'll never bow to him. I'll prove to him that if he can thrive, I can do even better." Aspen parted her lips, about to say something when
Jamie gasped and immediately shouted for his men to stop. He stepped forward, and what he saw made his scalp tingle—curled up inside the trunk was a man so battered and bloodied that his face was completely unrecognizable. The man was barely clinging to consciousness, struggling to breathe. Jamie asked, "Sir, who are you? And why are you in Mr. Lloyd's car?" He kept his weapon pointed at the man, his tone sharp. "Where's the wild boar? Mr. Lloyd said he brought one back—did you let it escape?" Michael was already half-dead, barely holding on to his sanity. During the ride, he had vomited every last drop of fluid in his stomach, nearly passing out from exhaustion. When the trunk finally opened, he had been ecstatic, thinking he was finally free. Yet, before he could even take a breath, he was met with a brutal, merciless beating—one so bad that he nearly pissed himself. His hatred for Andrew burned so deep it could have swallowed him whole. He clutched his head and let out
Lauren assured him, "Don't worry, I'll get it done!" Andrew turned to Shiloh and asked, "As for where you'll stay… I have no idea where to put you. How about I just buy you a place?" Shiloh immediately shook her head. "No way! City housing prices are insane. I checked online, and in Jayrodale, it's over 15 grand per square foot. I'm not buying!" Andrew laughed. "Relax, I'll pay for it. You can just live there for free!" Shiloh shook her head even harder. "That's even worse! I don't like owing people!" Andrew felt a headache coming on. "Didn't you just make 20 million? Use your own money to buy a place." Shiloh's eyes burned with outrage. "Absolutely not! I just earned a fortune, and the first thing you want me to do is dump it into real estate? Mr. Lloyd, you've got capitalism running through your veins. Evil, evil, big bad energy—do you get that?" Andrew just stared at her, speechless. He had no counter for that. Meanwhile, Lauren could not hold it in anymore. She doub
Shiloh nodded. "Fine, I'll give you some leeway. But I act based on my mood. If I'm in a bad mood, even you won't be spared." Andrew raised his hands in surrender and chuckled nervously, saying, "Whatever you say. So please, make sure to stay in a great mood!" Lauren was drowning in work, her stress levels through the roof. However, the moment she saw Andrew walk in, she immediately brightened up and was about to greet him with a kiss. Then, her gaze shifted, and she spotted Shiloh standing behind him. She asked, "Dr. Lloyd, is this the wellness guru, Ms. Shiloh Greene?" Lauren, all warmth and enthusiasm, stepped forward with a bright smile and extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Lauren Rhodes, Dr. Lloyd's girlfriend." Shiloh reached out and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Rhodes." Andrew noticed something odd—Shiloh did not seem nearly as distant with Lauren as she had with everyone else. That made him curious. "Shiloh, you seem to like Lauren, don't you?" Shiloh answe
The elevator bell rang, and the doors slid open. Andrew stepped out with Shiloh, walking toward Lauren's office under the employees' curious gazes and polite greetings. On the way, they ran into Tiana. She eyed Shiloh up and down, her gaze carrying a hint of doubt as she asked, "Mr. Lloyd, is this the Master Shiloh you went to recruit?" Andrew nodded. "That's right, this is Ms. Shiloh Greene." He secretly let out a breath of relief—he had almost called her Master again. The last thing he wanted was to end up like Michael, who got slapped across the face for it. Tiana, exuding her usual cold and commanding presence, stepped closer to Shiloh and said, "Take off your veil. Let me see what you look like. If you're going to represent Rhodes Corporation, you can't be someone who doesn't look the part." Shiloh met her gaze calmly and replied, "Wearing a veil won't stop me from endorsing your products." Tiana's brows furrowed, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "Even so, I'd st
They chatted idly on the way back. Before long, they arrived in downtown Jayrodale, and Andrew drove straight to the Rhodes Corporation building, pulling up in front. A security guard jogged over with a big smile. "Mr. Lloyd, you're back!" As Andrew and Shiloh stepped out of the car, he handed over the keys to the guard and said, "Park it for me." The company's security guards practically worshiped Andrew now. Their respect for him was just as strong compared to Tiana's. "Of course, Mr. Lloyd, don't worry! I'll take good care of your car!" Just then, a weak knocking sound came from the trunk, along with what sounded like muffled cursing. However, with the noise of traffic all around, it was hard to make out. The security guard frowned and asked, "Uh… Mr. Lloyd, I think something's moving in the trunk." Andrew waved it off. "We picked up a wild boar on the way back. The kind that roams the mountains—mean as hell." The security guard's eyes widened. "A wild boar? Oh man,
From the moment Shiloh first mentioned she was over 80, Andrew had suspected she suffered from a rare condition—one commonly known as the "ageless syndrome". As the name suggested, those affected by it never aged beyond a certain point. Looking at Shiloh, even with her veil on, Andrew could tell she had likely stopped aging in her early 20s—still in the prime of youth. To the outside world, ageless syndrome sounded like a blessing—eternal youth. Yet, in reality, for many who suffered from it, it was a nightmare. Some stopped growing as infants, toddlers, or even newborns, forever trapped in a child's body. On the other hand, Shiloh was one of the lucky few—she had at least matured into adulthood before her aging had frozen. Nonetheless, the ageless syndrome was not as wonderful as it seemed. Certain conditions—cold, extreme heat, or even specific lunar phases—could trigger unbearable pain, or worse, episodes of mental instability. In Shiloh's case, she was not just dealing wi