Quinton said firmly. "Don't worry. Dr. Lake is already on the way. Your mom and Leroy will be okay." Christina looked at her family, broken and bleeding on the floor, and fury surged through her chest. She said coldly, "I don't blame you for this, but the fact remains—these people attacked us out of nowhere. There has to be consequences." Quinton spun around and slapped Davon hard across the face twice. Davon hit the floor, blood pouring from his nose and lips as he screamed in pain. Even so, he did not dare fight back, not against Quinton. However, with venom in his voice, he growled, "Andrew, you bastard! This isn't over!" Seth's eye twitched. Quinton was the most respected heir in the capital among the Five Apex Families. Seth was not even close to his level, so all he could do was force a smile and mutter, "Quinton, I take full responsibility for this mess. I'll personally make it right with this young lady." Quinton snorted. "There's only one way you make it right.
While Andrew and Aspen did not witness Christina's family's tragic ordeal, it did not matter. They knew it could not have been pleasant. The two of them had arrived at the Supreme Capital Group's corporate office building. "Like I said, that family had it coming!" Aspen scoffed as she propped her long legs, clad in sheer black tights, right on the table. She had been running around all day and was seriously worn out. Andrew chuckled. "I didn't expect you to be this good at holding a grudge." Aspen's expression turned frosty. "I've always been petty. You should know that better than anyone." Andrew nodded like he was reminiscing. "Oh, I know. Back then, the great Stevens girl from Bridgefields looked down on the world like royalty. But look how things turned out. Now, you're my personal servant, obedient to every whim. If I tell you to strip, you wouldn't even dare cover up!" Aspen sneered. "Of course, I'll follow your orders. But you try telling me to strip? I'd rather die t
Aspen wondered how Andrew could be so cruel and heartless as to humiliate her like this in front of others. Tears welled in her eyes, but her resolve hardened. Even if she had to endure this monster's savagery, she would never surrender. The moment she was free again, she would end it all. Andrew, oblivious to the storm raging in her mind, brought the belt down hard across her backside. The leather split the air with a vicious snap, blooming fire across her skin. "This is for your defiance," he snarled, striking again. "For your arrogance. For still thinking you're above this!" Each lash seared like acid, pain radiating to her bones. A scream clawed at her throat, but pride choked it back. Instead, a stifled moan escaped, trembling and low. Andrew froze, belt raised. That sound—soft, almost pleasured—was not the cry of pain he had expected. On the other hand, Aspen was horrified when she realized it too. Her gasp had curled into something wanton. Something that betrayed not
Andrew had not expected things to get this awkward. Nonetheless, he swore that despite the torn stockings, Aspen's pencil skirt had covered everything. There were no scandalous views or nosebleed-inducing reveals. However, Aspen clearly disagreed. She changed into a fresh pair immediately, then fixed him with a glare sharp enough to flay skin. "Quit staring. We're leaving. I booked a property viewing. We need a place to live, after all," Andrew said, eager to escape. As the capital city, prime real estate was not hard to find in Blumedale. Yet, Andrew was not just looking for luxury—he needed somewhere even the Goldings' assassins and the Haywoods' schemers would not dare touch. That was how they ended up at The Sovereign Residences. Aspen, who had been fuming in silence, finally spoke. "We can't afford a broom closet here, let alone a house. This isn't about money—it's about power and connections. The kind we don't have." "Which is why I called in a favor," Andrew said.
Luna was a woman Aspen had once idolized, envied, and dreamed of becoming. As the group approached, Aspen's usual pride evaporated. She lowered her head instinctively and stepped aside. However, Andrew remained rooted in place, still casually appraising the villas within The Sovereign Residences. "I like those two on the west side," he mused, pointing. "Good sunlight, and the layout shows at least some thought. But those three eastern ones? Tacky. Just wealth without taste." Aspen nearly choked, wondering if Andrew was idiot blind. After all, Luna and her entourage were right there, their uniforms impossible to miss. Yet, he kept running his mouth like he owned the place. She reached to yank his sleeve, but the tall officer was already in front of them. "Move," the officer ordered flatly. Andrew glanced over. "And you are?" The tall officer said nothing, simply adjusting his epaulets. The insignia gleamed: Colonel. There was no doubt that just like Luna, he was one of th
On the path to the summit of The Sovereign Residences, the tall colonel, Xavier Haywood, eldest son and rising star of the Haywoods, casually remarked, "Ms. Phelan, that man back there… Andrew, was it?" Luna replied, "Yes. That's Andrew Lloyd." Xavier smirked. "Turns out he's got quite the reputation. Apparently, he's already butted heads with my little brother, Seth. But the real joke? He's somehow pissed off the Goldings enough to earn a blood hunt. It's quite impressive that he's gotten multiple major families going after him in Blumedale." Luna frowned. "Oh? He's managed to provoke your family too?" Xavier chuckled. "Surprised me as well. For a nobody from Jayrodale, he's… oddly efficient at making enemies. That's quite a talent!" Luna's delicate brows drew tighter, her voice laced with icy reproach. "Talent? All I see is a dead man walking." Xavier's smile darkened. "You sound almost… concerned, Ms. Phelan." Luna remained indifferent. "Pity is all I feel. Colonel Hay
The moment Zachary spotted Andrew, his face lit up, being all friendly. However, he bit back the title "General" at the last second, settling for "Mr. Lloyd". Beside him, Ruth bowed her head respectfully. "Mr. Lloyd, Ms. Stevens." Andrew smirked. "Zac, you'd better not be overselling this house of yours. I've got high standards." Zachary hurriedly said, "Mr. Lloyd, I swear on my life. If my villa isn't the crown jewel of The Sovereign Residences, you can toss me off the balcony. Many have been eyeing it, and even Xavier Haywood—that 'Unbeatable Warlord' of theirs—has been frothing to buy it for years." Aspen could not help but ask, "Mr. Fischer… We just saw a tall colonel enter with Ms. Phelan. Was that Xavier?" Zachary nodded. "Most likely. He must've found out I was coming today and decided to show up first." Seeing Zachary's frown, Andrew raised an eyebrow. "Is this a problem for you? If it's inconvenient, we can look elsewhere." Zachary snorted. "That Haywood brute is
When Zachary said Andrew was the buyer of his property, the group was dumbfounded. The wealthy heirs even stared at him in disbelief. One asked, "Mr. Fischer, you can't be serious! Of all people, you'd sell Serenity Villa to some nobody?" Another laughed. "I get it—this is one of Mr. Fischer's jokes! It has to be!" There was simply no way the crown jewel of The Sovereign Residences could be sold to some bottom-feeder. The heirs burst into forced laughter, scrambling to smooth over the absurdity. Even Xavier, after a stunned pause, joined in with a chuckle. "Zachary, you had me going there for a second! We're both military men—that's a bond thicker than blood. Come on, name your price. This villa… let's just say it's critical for me." Zachary shook his head. "I'm not joking. The ownership of Serenity Villa is ready to be transferred." Xavier's smile stayed polished, but his grip tightened on Zachary's shoulder. "Perfect. Then let it change hands to me. Unless… Our brotherhood