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
Harvey smirked. "Andrew, I understand how you feel. You're upset because I plan to propose to Christie with that King of Diamonds. But you should know that in Jayrodale, I always get what I want. He added condescendingly, "Even if you're unhappy, there's nothing you can do about it. Why not hand it over nicely? I might even let you make a few hundred thousand on the deal and give you a chance to earn some real money!" Andrew found himself laughing at this. "I originally thought the King of Diamonds wasn't doing much good just sitting in my possession. I wouldn't have minded letting either of you have it. But now I've changed my mind. I can assure you that this diamond is completely off-limits to you." While he did not want to waste energy on such ignorant fools, he was no pushover. Since they were acting all high and mighty, Andrew figured it was time to put them in their place. Harvey's smile turned cold. "You're surprisingly confident! You clearly don't unde
Francesca fumed in embarrassment. "Andrew, you're such a jerk!" Andrew gave her a knowing smirk. "Am I wrong? Are you saying you don't want a man?" Francesca's face turned crimson as she snapped, "All men are disgusting! I hate them! How could you even suggest that?" Andrew just chuckled and gave her a sly look, making her face burn hotter. Francesca sneered. "Even if I want to find a man, I'd never go for a gold digger like you!" Andrew replied casually, "Good to know you're not interested because I wouldn't want you either." Francesca hissed, "Don't be so cocky! I'll make sure Lauren sees your true colors and kicks you to the curb!" Suddenly, an unmarked van came roaring toward them. Francesca barely avoided being hit, shouting, "Watch where you're driving, you idiots!" The van screeched to a halt, and several masked thugs jumped out, wielding baseball bats and knives. Francesca's voice trembled as she stammered, "W-What do you think you're doing? This is the Moonli
Andrew was surprised and asked, "You know me?" The thug gulped anxiously. "Yes, of course! Mr. Lloyd, I'm so sorry! This is all a misunderstanding!" Then, he yanked off his mask, revealing a face covered in scars. Andrew thought momentarily before asking, "Weren't you with Bobby that day at the Oakridge Club?" "Yes, sir! When you beat Bobby half to death that day, I-I wet myself!" The man was terrified, realizing Michael had unknowingly sent them after someone so formidable. Andrew smiled. "So, you're here for revenge?" The man shook his head frantically. "No, no, absolutely not! If we had known it was you, Mr. Lloyd, we wouldn't have dared to come near you!" The other thugs finally caught on, scrambling to apologize. "This is a huge misunderstanding!" "Please, have a smoke, Mr. Lloyd. We were blind not to recognize you!" "Mr. Lloyd, if you ever have time, come visit us in South City sometime. Mr. Garner would love to host you!" The thugs cursed at their luck. A
There was a moment of silence on the phone. Then, Dylan's furious voice exploded in Michael's ear. "Refund? Go to hell! Michael, you son of a bitch, you almost got me killed!" Dylan roared. "I'm lucky I didn't make the biggest mistake of my life! If I had gone down, I'd make sure I drag you with me, damn it!" The line went dead after his outburst. Michael's face turned dark as he muttered angrily, "Dylan, you may rule South City, but the Rhodes family isn't afraid of you. How dare you insult me and keep my money? You'll have to answer for this!" Not understanding Dylan's sudden rage but furious about both the failed job and the lost money, Michael immediately tried calling back to demand an explanation. However, he discovered he had been blocked. Michael stared at his phone in disbelief before hurling it against the wall with a roar. Between the 15 million dollars that Andrew had cost him and the three million dollars he had just lost to Dylan, he could have spent years livin
Andrew replied flatly, "What's so strange about me being here? If Ms. Stevens can be here, why can't I?" Christina frowned. "Andrew, I'm just warning you that this place is expensive, and you need a member's recommendation to get in." Lauren walked over and linked her arm to Andrew's. "Let's go inside. By the way, I've already arranged a lifetime membership for you. Enjoy yourself however you like!" Christina turned away without saying another word, thinking Andrew was still as pathetic as always—a hopeless case who would never amount to anything. Harvey smirked. "Before returning from abroad, I heard rumors that Lauren had lowered herself to keep a worthless boy toy. I thought it was just gossip, but now…" He shook his head in mock disappointment, implying that having Andrew around diminished Lauren's status. The young man next to Harvey sneered. "Lauren, our circle has so many worthy young men. Why keep such a useless parasite? I really don't understand your thinking."
The so-called "elite sports" these wealthy heirs and heiresses enjoyed were not anything too exotic—just some expensive hobbies like golf, fencing, and indoor climbing. After half an hour, Andrew was already bored and ready to leave. Meanwhile, Dexter, wearing gloves, sparred in a flashy taekwondo match with Harvey. Christina and Dexter's date sat below, snacking and clapping excitedly. Francesca was equally captivated. While she was not exactly smitten with Harvey, she could not deny his allure as a wealthy young man from a prominent family. In contrast, Andrew sat off to the side, looking more like a bystander than a participant. Francesca assumed he probably did not even know what taekwondo was and would just swing wildly if he tried. Worried that he would try to slip away, she reminded him, "Lauren just stepped out to handle something, but she'll be back soon. Even if you're bored, you need to wait for her. Don't you dare leave!" Up on the mat, Harvey and Dexter finishe
Andrew smirked. "Eighth-degree black belt? Is that supposed to impress me?" Francesca gritted her teeth at his ignorance. Harvey had been one of the top young fighters in Jayrodale even before going abroad, training in martial arts since he was a kid. Sure, Andrew had taken down South City's Bobby, but Harvey was in a different league altogether. Dexter taunted from the mat, "Are you that scared, kid? Don't worry, I won't humiliate you too badly—just enough to send you crawling home like a dog!" Francesca pleaded desperately, "Please, Andrew, even if you get beaten, take it like a man. Don't embarrass Lauren and me. Do you want Lauren to seem inferior to Christina?" Andrew sighed, already feeling annoyed. Nonetheless, he gave in and stepped up to the stage with a relaxed stride. He looked at Dexter and said, "Since accidents can happen, let's take things easy and have a friendly match." Dexter was caught off guard by his remark, but he quickly burst out laughing. "You'r
As evening fell, Aspen and Dylan returned to Serenity Villa. The front gate stood wide open, and Andrew sat squarely in a chair in the middle of the first-floor lobby. Aspen frowned as she stepped inside. "Why are you sitting here?" Andrew replied, "Waiting for guests." "Who?" "Assassins from the Haywoods and the Goldings." Her face darkened when she heard his words. She could not help but think Andrew had lost his damn mind for leaving the front door wide open for killers. He glanced at her and asked, "Weren't you meeting a client? How'd it go?" Aspen's voice turned icy. "Turns out, Christina was the one looking for investors." Andrew raised a brow. "So? You turned her down?" She sneered as she said, "More than that. I made sure all three of them left humiliated. That old hag Irene even got a slap from me." Andrew simply shrugged. Aspen had never been the merciful type, and none of this surprised him. He simply ordered, "Go make something to eat. I'm hungry." Asp
Dylan explained, "But you're a proud woman. You never used to bow to anyone, especially not to Mr. Lloyd. Now, you're just clinging to that same pride and defiance. "But the truth is, that pride of yours? It's already been worn down by Mr. Lloyd, completely. As for what's left… well, you know it better than anyone. You just don't want to admit it."Aspen grew frustrated. "I don't need you psychoanalyzing me. I just need someone to tell me—what do I have to do to break out of this mess? This constant confusion and misery?"Dylan shrugged. "Isn't it obvious? You're just as stunning as Ms. Aicker or Ms. Rhodes. Those two didn't mind letting Mr. Lloyd take what he wanted. So, why not follow their lead? Let's be real, Aspen—you've already fallen for Mr. Lloyd, and there's no shame in that. "Mr. Lloyd has that effect on women. I've been around him long enough to stop being surprised. You, Natasha, Francesca, Lauren… even that girl Nyla Goth from the Moonlit Apothecary in Jayrodale—if Mr
After leaving the cafe, Aspen stepped into the restroom. She splashed a few handfuls of icy water on her face, trying to calm the storm inside her. She said, "Mr. Garner, could you do me a favor and not tell Andrew about what just happened?" Dylan leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, and chuckled. "Ms. Aspen, you really gave her a piece of your mind. If it felt good, why not let Mr. Lloyd know?" Aspen's expression darkened with self-mockery. "Because I didn't stand up for myself—I used Andrew's name to intimidate her. Christina was right about one thing—I am pathetic. "Andrew nearly destroyed my family, and yet here I am, throwing his name around like it means something. Even worse, I shamelessly implied I'd offer myself to him!" Dylan smirked. "So you're ashamed of yourself? You think less of yourself now?" Aspen stared at her reflection. Her face was as cold as ever, but her eyes no longer held their usual arrogance. Instead, they were clouded with something unrea
Aspen said, "As long as I have the power, I'll do everything I can to block Stevens Corporation from expanding in Blumedale. Andrew may have spared the Stevens family, but I'm not Andrew—I'm Aspen Stevens. "And you, Christina, are nothing but a vicious, two-faced bitch. I'd rather be a straight-up villainess than show you an ounce of mercy." With those cold parting words, Aspen turned and walked away. Dylan followed behind her, casting a mocking glance at the Stevens family trio. He thought they really were pitiful. With Aspen backed by Andrew and holding massive influence, the amount of resources and wealth she could mobilize was practically limitless. Crushing a small-time family like the Stevens? That was nothing to her, and she could do that with a flick of her finger. Christina snapped, "Mr. Garner, how does someone like you end up as Aspen's bodyguard? Doesn't that feel beneath you?" Dylan shrugged. "What's there to feel beneath about it? Ms. Aspen is with Mr. Lloyd
Christina opened her mouth but felt utterly drained. "Go beg him? Please… even if I swallowed my pride and got down on my knees, I doubt he'd show me the slightest bit of mercy." She forced a bitter smile, full of self-mockery. Aspen looked even more pleased, unable to hide the glee in her eyes. "My dear Christie, watching you regret everything like this… God, it's so satisfying! And honestly? I owe you some thanks. If you hadn't tripped me up so badly in front of Andrew, I wouldn't be where I am today, turning my humiliation into opportunity." Christina snapped, her composure unraveling. "Have you rubbed it in enough? Feeling powerful enough? Do you really think that someone like you—a servant—can hold any real place in Andrew's life? "You think you're on the same level as Francesca or Lauren? Let me tell you—Andrew never saw you as one of his own!" Aspen scoffed. "Of course not. I was his servant. Why would he? But here's what you don't get about that man, Christie. Back wh
"I'm here to meet with Supreme Capital Group, not you," Christina said sharply. "You declaring anything—don't you think that's completely pointless?" Aspen gave a sly smile. "Then you're the one who's confused. You might not have heard, but Supreme Capital Group is a new company founded by Andrew and me right here in Blumedale. "You tried borrowing money from your old rival? Christie, looks like you're not doing so well in this city after all." Christina's face flushed bright red with embarrassment. "What did you just say? Supreme Capital Group was founded by you and Andrew? "That's impossible. The company's registered capital is 50 billion! You and Andrew could afford that? Do you even hear how ridiculous that sounds?" Her composed expression crumbled, replaced by panic and disbelief. Aspen felt incredibly satisfied seeing the humiliation on Christina's face. Without saying another word, she pulled out her phone and showed her the company's registration license. Christi
"But luckily," Derek continued, "I did find out that his name was Reginald Lloyd." Chantelle sneered. "Reginald Lloyd… Andrew Lloyd—what a coincidence. They're both Lloyds. Too bad one of them earned your admiration as a once-in-a-generation strategist…" "And the other?" She gave a dry chuckle. "Let's just say… he doesn't quite measure up." Derek smiled. "Elle, seems like you've got a bit of a grudge against our Mr. Lloyd. Care to share why?" Chantelle hesitated, visibly grinding her teeth. She obviously could not tell Derek that Andrew had already seen every inch of her thanks to an earlier incident. Instead, she cleared her throat. "Mr. McCormick, stop pulling my legs. We're public servants, and since Mr. Lloyd is working with you, I have no right to dislike him." She deflected smoothly with a rehearsed tone. Derek nodded. "It's obvious Andrew has potential. The old money clans have been monopolizing power and locking up economic control for far too long. Seeing someone
Chantelle let out a cold laugh. "That's right. That's exactly what he did. Mr. McCormick, don't you think the man's out of his mind?" Derek narrowed his eyes but stayed silent. After a long pause, he finally exhaled and said, "No. On the contrary, I think you're completely wrong about him. I don't see Andrew as a lunatic—I think he's playing a long, dangerous game." Chantelle had not expected Derek to say something like that, and her expression turned tense. "Mr. McCormick, without the protection of The Sovereign Residences, do you even realize what kind of storm that madman has invited upon himself? "Two of the most powerful families in Holtrien have issued bounty kill orders at the same time. The combined reward is nearly a billion—enough to send every killer and martial artist across Gabo Creek Province, maybe even the entire country, into a blood-fueled frenzy!" Derek gave a faint sneer, his tone laced with disdain. "It's true—money can make even the dead dance. The old sayi
Richard had always tried to be considerate about his son's humiliating past. Still, every now and then, he could not help but accidentally bring it up. After all, eating literal crap was not something easily forgotten. … Meanwhile, over at the Haywoods. Roy set down his teacup and asked, "Xavier, what's the latest on eliminating that bastard?" Xavier's sharp-jawed face was full of murderous intent. "The killers we sent were either stopped outside The Sovereign Residences or killed inside, their bodies dumped in the sewage canals." Roy scowled. "500 million was too tempting. Every lowlife out there thought they could take advantage of the Haywoods. Seth's body is still lying in the ice casket, waiting for a proper burial. You need to speed this up." Xavier's tone turned ice cold as he nodded. "Don't worry, Father. The moment Andrew laid a finger on our family, his death was sealed. Those who've died so far were just trash. "This time, I've prepared something special for And