On the other side of the hall, Lauren waved Eunice over. "Go and donate 3 million dollars in Dr. Lloyd's name," she instructed. Eunice was stunned. While the Rhodes family was indeed wealthy, she thought Lauren should not be so reckless with her expenses. "Miss, isn't that a bit excessive?" Lauren smiled haughtily. "What's wrong with donating 3 million for the man I've got my eye on? Christina may not appreciate him, but I'm not foolish enough to let such a treasure slip through my fingers." She held a file containing information about Stevens Corporation. In just a few short years, the company had transformed from a failing factory into Jayrodale's publicly traded powerhouse. With that, Christina's net worth had skyrocketed to an astounding 150 million dollars. Interestingly, many aspects of Stevens Corporation's rise seemed suspicious, as if someone had been pulling strings behind the scenes. The company's sudden success coincided perfectly with Andrew and Christina's three
"Mr. Andrew Lloyd, donating 15 million!" Shawn jumped up as if his seat was on fire. "I request a verification. Is there someone else here with the same name?" Irene paced anxiously, unable to contain her agitation. "It must be a mistake. Andrew's a nobody. He might scrape together a few hundred dollars for charity, but 15 million? He couldn't earn that in several lifetimes!"Amidst the chaos, Andrew remained calm, seated in his spot with an unreadable expression. The host promptly investigated Shawn's request and announced the results."I apologize, ladies and gentlemen, but we only have one Mr. Andrew Lloyd present. There's no name confusion. Now, I'm pleased to declare that Mr. Lloyd has secured the rights to purchase the land for South City Orphanage. Congratulations, Mr. Lloyd!"Christina's face drained of color as the reality sank in. This outcome was beyond her wildest imagination. Meanwhile, Lauren's eyes sparkled as she stared at Andrew in the corner. This unassuming man w
The hostile blond guy was none other than Christina's good-for-nothing brother, Leroy Stevens. "Couldn't win fair and square, so you're resorting to threats?" Andrew's expression remained blank, completely unfazed by the knife in Leroy's hand. Irene snarled, "Andrew, don't forget, you're nothing without Christie. She gave you everything for three years. How dare you do this to her!" Andrew laughed at their audacity, his tone full of mockery. "You should be asking what I gave her during those three years, not the other way around." "Bullshit!" Irene exploded. "You've been mooching off Christie. What could you possibly have given her? You've got nothing to your name, you shameless parasite!" Andrew scoffed, "Is that so? If I recall correctly, I negotiated several key contracts for Stevens Corporation. And wasn't I the one who bailed your deadbeat son out of jail? Your family seems to have lost all sense of decency." Irene, flushed with anger and embarrassment, "You ungrateful
Andrew replied calmly, "Oh well, it's not like they were much of use to him anyway." Nyla looked puzzled, not quite understanding his meaning. However, Andrew did not elaborate further. With his medical expertise, he had long ago diagnosed Philip's issues with impotence and premature ejaculation. Hence, his penis was practically useless. Suddenly, the office door burst open. Bernard stormed in with a group of hospital staff, his face turning ashen at the sight of Philip writhing on the floor and clutching his crotch. "Dr. Lloyd, as a medical professional, you've violated ethics by assaulting a colleague. Do you understand the consequences?" Bernard growled. A doctor examining Philip exclaimed, "This is bad, really bad!" Bernard's face paled. "What is it? Did this bastard kill my son?" The doctor shook his head. "No, Dr. Philip's just unconscious. But I'm afraid… his ability to have children may be permanently compromised." The room fell silent, shocked gazes filled with p
Francesca glanced at Andrew from behind her desk, irritation rising at his seemingly indifferent attitude. "Dr. Lloyd, don't you have anything to say for yourself? Or do you admit to Dr. Hackett's accusations and violation of hospital policy? If so, you can pack your things and leave this hospital. I don't condone unruly behaviors here." Andrew frowned. "Dr. Aicker, since you called us here, I assume you're already informed of the matter. Why ask questions you already know the answers to?" "You…" Francesca glared at Andrew, her temper flaring. Bernard seized the moment and chimed in, "Dr. Aicker, look at him! He has no humility or respect. He's nothing but a thug. I suggest we fire him immediately and blacklist him from the medical profession entirely!" Andrew replied coldly, "Bernard, you and Philip are the real disgrace to this profession. How could you lie through your teeth?" Bernard turned to Francesca, pleading, "Dr. Aicker, he's still unrepentant, insulting us even
News of Philip's dismissal spread like wildfire through the hospital, leaving staff in shock at the unexpected turn of events. "Serves him right! That creep's been harassing nurses for ages." "What an amazing news! It's about time someone stood up to the Hacketts. Dr. Lloyd's got guts!" Many were relieved Andrew had come out unscathed, while those who had hoped to see him go were baffled. They wondered how Bernard lost this battle, as it simply did not add up. After all, Andrew no longer had Christina's support, and he was nothing in their eyes. Some of the more imaginative male doctors exchanged knowing glances, wondering if Andrew had somehow charmed Francesca too. If so, they would never forgive him for snagging such a prize. On the other hand, Nyla's colleagues could not resist teasing her. "Dr. Lloyd played the hero for you, Nyla. Shouldn't you show your appreciation?" "That's right, Nyla! You're the belle of our hospital, and I think the only one who could sweep y
At that moment, Andrew received a call from Marvin. "Mr. Lloyd, Christina wants that orphanage property. Should we give it to her?" Marvin asked. Andrew thought for a moment before replying, "Handle it as you see fit. But given our history, if Stevens Corporation makes a decent offer, let them have it." Marvin sighed, "I knew you still had a soft spot for that woman. Alright, I guess Stevens Corporation is getting a good deal." Soon after, Christina received news that Wealthroller Investments had agreed to let Stevens Corporation develop the property. She was overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events and could hardly believe it. "Mr. Yates finally changed his mind?" The staff who delivered the message explained, "Ms. Stevens, your reputation as Jayrodale's rising business star precedes you. To be frank, Mr. Yates received a phone call and immediately agreed to give it to you." Christina was stunned when he heard that one phone call had changed Marvin's mind. She turned to
"Alright, Ms. Rhodes, let's get down to business," Andrew said, slightly overwhelmed by Lauren's antics. Her every move was irresistible, and he could not handle it anymore. Lauren's flirtatious smile faded as she nodded, "Yes, let's talk business." "Fran, I believe Dr. Lloyd can treat your condition," Lauren stated confidently. Francesca glared at Andrew, scoffing, "Him? I've consulted top specialists nationwide and even visited renowned experts in Braundville. They all said it was complicated. What makes this small-time doctor think he's capable?" Andrew frowned, "If I'm not mistaken, the condition you're seeking treatment for is vaginal atresia, correct?" Francesca felt embarrassed at the mention of her condition. She turned to Lauren and asked, "Lauren, this was our secret. Why did you tell this jerk?" Lauren quickly defended herself, "Fran, I swear I never told him anything about your condition." Francesca was skeptical. "Then how does he know about my... condition?"
"Mr. McCormick would like to see you both. Please come with me," the man said politely. Andrew's smile froze for a second, and he silently cursed, 'Damn it.' Aspen quickly covered her mouth, nearly bursting into laughter. This guy thought he could just pocket the cash and sneak out? Not a chance. Just when one wave had passed, another one hit. Derek himself had extended the invitation, and there was no way Andrew could slip away now. "Well then, if Mr. McCormick is asking, of course we'll go. Please, lead the way," Andrew said with a suave smile, his composure quickly returning. Aspen shot him a sideways glare, part irritated, part amused. She thought, 'Keep pretending, Mr. Calm-and-Collected.' … Inside a spacious and stately conference room, Derek sat at the head of the long table, observing everyone entering. Andrew and Aspen were the last to walk in. Once seated, Derek smiled and said, "There's nothing urgent. I just wanted to speak to you all briefly. The government
Andrew chuckled as he waved at the group. "Mr. Golding Senior, gentlemen—if you'll excuse me, I need to step away for a moment." Richard and the others chuckled and quickly gestured for him to go ahead, assuring him he did not need to be formal. However, the moment Andrew walked away, all their smiles vanished. "Now that kid's taken our money, he better move heaven and earth to get us those miracle pills. I don't care what it takes." "Exactly. Our money doesn't come easy. He better not get cocky." "Relax. From my perspective, Mr. Lloyd actually knows his stuff. Most people wouldn't have such detailed insight into those two pills." That last comment came from Richard himself. He looked calm and confident, completely in control. Since someone as influential as Richard was this certain, the other moguls finally smiled as well. Truth be told, none of them had been willing to hand Andrew money so casually at first. However, because Richard made the first move, they followed. A
It was not that Richard and the others were gullible or easy to fool. It was just that the offer Andrew had laid on the table was simply too tempting to resist. These two miracle supplements were not just on the radar of the Five Apex Families—even the Three Titans of the capital were probably drooling over them. Meanwhile, Andrew was not just a middleman—he was the one holding the cards. If his words did not stir the room, then nobody else's would even matter. "Mr. Golding Senior, transferring funds this early? Isn't that a little too soon?" Andrew said, looking hesitant. Richard waved it off with a generous tone. "What's the problem? Mr. Lloyd, don't worry. This 100 million isn't about the deal—it's simply my way of building friendships. Even if you end up not working with the Golding family, just consider this a goodwill gift between friends." As head of one of the Five Apex Families, Richard's words and actions naturally carried extra weight. Andrew gave a warm smile. "We
Andrew spoke with ease and confidence. "To be honest with you all, the Vitality Pill and Titan Essence Pill are hot commodities around Jayrodale. "From what I know, both miracle supplements came from a medical institute called Moonlit Apothecary. Ever since they hit the market, they've exploded in popularity, and it's no surprise a lot of people have been trying to get their hands on them. "Hidden Dragons was the first to make a move, and as for the capital, those shameless Wrights were the quickest to act—but from the looks of it, they walked away empty-handed." While speaking, Andrew intentionally glanced at Richard, who was smiling politely. Richard immediately nodded. "Mr. Lloyd is right. These two miracle drugs indeed came out of a place called Moonlit Apothecary." The other tycoons chimed in quickly after. "Mr. Lloyd sure knows a lot of behind-the-scenes details. He even knew the Wrights tried to swoop in early on those pills." "Right now, there's no bigger business
Aspen's legs had already gone numb, and she could not even find the strength to move. She thought Andrew was too bold, too outrageous. Talking to those powerhouses in that tone was practically asking to get smacked down. However, the very next second, her ears caught something completely unexpected—eager voices calling out to stop him. "Hey, young man, hold on! We may have been a bit rude just now!" A man said, "Supreme Capital Group, was it? No hard feelings, alright? The name's impressive—I'll have my secretary reach out first thing tomorrow." "Mr. Lloyd, since you're already here, come chat with us. You mentioned partnering up to make money, right? That's exactly the kind of thing we love to hear!" Another chimed in, "You actually secured Jayrodale's Vitality Pill and the legendary Titan Essence Pill? Mr. Lloyd, clearly you're full of surprises. We're impressed!" Two of the bigwigs even rushed forward and grabbed Andrew's arm, afraid he might slip away. Aspen stood the
Nowadays, among the wealthy and the ultra-rich, there were barely any whose fortune came from a spotless, clean slate. Aspen stood frozen, utterly shocked. The same legacy heads and well-known moguls she had always looked up to were now casually spitting out crude, foul-mouthed complaints like street punks. Their behavior was downright disappointing—definitely not what she had imagined of the elite. Just then, Andrew cleared his throat with a light cough. The powerful men instantly went quiet and turned toward him, their faces filled with annoyance. "Sorry, this is a private circle. We don't welcome outsiders," one stern-looking middle-aged man said coldly. Andrew smiled and replied, "My apologies for interrupting. I'm Andrew Lloyd from Supreme Capital Group. It's my first time bringing business to the capital, and I was hoping to have a chat with you gentlemen." The group immediately burst out laughing. "Supreme Capital Group? What kind of backwater scam company is that? N
After all the moguls, elites, and legacy families finished flexing their generosity at the charity event, the venue transitioned into a lavish buffet-style dinner. With her stunning looks and classy aura, Aspen turned heads everywhere she went. She held a glass of red wine and chatted gracefully with several older men, most balding and sporting sizable beer bellies. Meanwhile, Andrew looked utterly bored. He had filled a plate with food and was sitting alone, eating away like he had not had a proper meal in days. Aspen caught a glimpse of him across the room and nearly lost it. She was working her tail off trying to network and promote Supreme Capital Group, while this so-called CEO was sitting on the sidelines, stuffing his face and acting like none of it mattered. She could not help but wonder what he was even thinking. Ignoring Andrew's protests, she marched over, grabbed his arm, and dragged him across the room to introduce him to a balding man named Harry Dunham. "Mr. Du
Aspen said, "But you're the CEO. So, what do you think? Should we just make a casual gesture and write a check for a million? Or should we step it up a notch, maybe throw in roughly eight million to try and make a name for our company?" Andrew shook his head and said, "Eight million? That's not enough. It lacks impact." Aspen was stunned. "That's still not enough? Come on, this is just a regular charity event. Even those filthy rich legacy families only drop five million tops, just to show some goodwill. And you think even eight million isn't enough? "If we go too high, we'll end up at the top of the donor list and stand out way too much. That kind of attention might actually backfire." She clearly disagreed with Andrew's idea. However, Andrew waved it off. "Don't overthink it. Just spend the money. I'll deal with the consequences. Screw it, let's just go with 50 million." Aspen froze, completely in disbelief. "50 million? Are you out of your mind? If we go that high, ther
Not long after Andrew and Aspen arrived, a middle-aged man in a formal robe stepped onto the stage and addressed the room. "Thank you all for coming to the capital's official charity event. As always, I'm Derek McCormick. No long speeches—everyone, just show your sincerity. I hope we can all give something back and help those struggling in the poorer regions of Gabo Creek Province." He did not say much—just brief sentences—before setting down the mic and stepping off. And yet, no one had a single complaint. On the contrary, the room erupted into applause, with waves of praise echoing throughout the hall. The reason was simple: the man was Derek McCormick, Governor of Gabo Creek—one of the highest-ranking officials in the province. He was a true regional powerhouse. Andrew nodded with interest. "You can tell. The guy actually seems like a good leader." Aspen rolled her eyes with a half-laugh. "Can you not act like that? Mr. McCormick is way above your league, and you talk like