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
Harvey jumped onto the mat with a dark expression and growled, "Dexter was clearly going easy on you, and you took advantage of his courtesy to hurt him! Andrew, your behavior disgusts me. You've violated the spirit of taekwondo, so I need to teach you a lesson!" Dexter's poor performance surprised Harvey, but that did not matter. He had been waiting for a chance to put this loser in his place. Francesca pleaded anxiously, "You're an eight-degree black belt. Andrew doesn't stand a chance against you! Please don't do this!" Christina added her concern, "Harvey, go check on Dexter instead. Don't hurt anyone!" Harvey smirked at Andrew. "I didn't want to fight you since it would seem like bullying, but you seriously injured Dexter after agreeing to keep it light. Even if Christie and Lauren get angry, I have to teach you about martial arts honor!" Andrew frowned. "I gave him a chance and asked if we were having a friendly match. Yet, he fought dirty and insulted me, so why should
"Harvey, don't you dare bully Dr. Lloyd! If he gets hurt, you'll have to answer to me!" Lauren rushed over, worried that Andrew might be at a disadvantage. Harvey smirked, seizing the chance to back down gracefully. "Alright, I'll let him off this time for your sake," he said with a fake grin. "But don't expect such luck next time! I'm not the type to go easy on just anyone." With a cold snort, Harvey left. Christina and Francesca both thought Harvey had shown Andrew mercy, unaware that Harvey's arm, hidden beneath his jacket, was already swollen and trembling uncontrollably. "If Lauren hadn't arrived in time, you wouldn't have gotten off so easily," Francesca sneered. Andrew replied calmly, "You should say that to him instead. If I'm not mistaken, he's probably rushing to the clinic to get his arm treated right now." Francesca did not believe him, thinking Andrew was just bluffing. After all, there was no way he could easily defeat an eighth-degree black belt like Harvey.
The club's racetrack was packed with thousands of spectators watching the races. Horse racing has always been a favorite pastime of the wealthy, both locally and internationally, with betting being the most talked-about aspect of the sport. Lauren walked arm-in-arm with Andrew to the premium viewing deck, with Francesca close behind. This exclusive area was reserved for lifetime club members, and everyone seated there was either wealthy or influential. In the center of the deck, Jayrodale's mayor, Mark Thatcher, sat surrounded by his staff, intently watching the races below. It was common knowledge that while the mayor had many interests, horse racing was his true passion. "Mr. Thatcher, what a pleasure to see you here!" Lauren stepped forward to greet him. Mark adjusted his glasses and smiled. "Ah, Lauren! How's Mr. Rhodes Senior doing these days?" "Thank you for asking, Mr. Thatcher. Grandpa's doing quite well!" Mark nodded, but his expression changed to surprise whe
After they sat down in a corner, Francesca quickly whispered, "Lauren, that sneaky Bernard is clearly trying to drive a wedge between Mr. Thatcher and your family." Lauren shrugged. "Let him try. He's a nobody. If not for Mr. Thatcher, I would've slapped him for talking about Andrew like that." Francesca turned to Andrew with disgust. "This is all because of you! Thanks to you, Mr. Thatcher probably doesn't think highly of Lauren anymore!" "Is Mr. Thatcher's approval really that important?" Andrew frowned. Francesca sneered. "Are you actually this clueless, or are you just pretending? He's the mayor of Jayrodale! Haven't you noticed all those people waiting with expensive gifts just to curry his favors? One word from him can make or break someone's fortune in this town." Lauren intervened, "Fran, stop it. The Rhodes family isn't going to lose a connection over someone like Bernard." "If maintaining good relations with Mr. Thatcher is so important, I might have an idea,
Lauren clapped her hands excitedly. "Dr. Lloyd, you're amazing! Number Seven actually won!" Her joyful laughter caused Harvey, Bernard, and their group's faces to darken. However, Mark maintained his composure and smiled. "Don't be discouraged, everyone. Such is the thrill of horse racing—you never know who the dark horse will be until the very end!" The mayor's words prompted immediate agreement from the crowd. "Well said, Mr. Thatcher!" "Absolutely, Mr. Thatcher! Anyone could be the dark horse!" "Your insights are truly remarkable!" "Let's get ready for the next round. The game isn't over yet! Stick with Mr. Thatcher, and we'll be in the winner's circle!" For the next race, Mark confidently selected Number Five. Lauren turned to Andrew and asked, "Dr. Lloyd, which horse should we choose?" "Let's go with Number One," Andrew replied casually. Bernard could not resist a sarcastic comment. "Andrew, are you deliberately going against Mr. Thatcher's picks? Can't you
Lauren covered her mouth to suppress a laugh, suddenly realizing that these so-called Jayrodale elites were not much different from the social climbers they claimed to mock. "Andrew, I challenge you on behalf of Mr. Thatcher!" Harvey declared. "Don't get cocky. Your first two wins were just beginner's luck. Fortune won't keep favoring a fool forever!" Bernard chimed in, "Well said! Those two wins were nothing but dumb luck. No one in Jayrodale can match Mr. Thatcher at horse racing, especially not some junior doctor!" Mark waved them off with a chuckle. "Come now, we're not sore losers. Dr. Lloyd, if you can win this one too, you'll definitely earn my respect!" "If we're playing by the same rules, Mr. Thatcher, then I won't lose," Andrew replied with a calm smile. The crowd erupted immediately. "Such arrogance!" "This young man doesn't know his place!" "How dare he speak to Mr. Thatcher like that!" Francesca's heart was racing. She could not believe Andrew dared to sp
Horse Number Two was indeed leading, maintaining its pace well past the halfway point and showing no signs of tiredness. Meanwhile, Andrew's Number Four stayed close behind but remained trailing by a good meter's length. "There's no point watching any longer—the winner is clear!" Harvey turned to Mark with a smile. "Mr. Thatcher has led us to victory, truly showing the spirit of a leader!" Bernard exclaimed admiringly. Mark felt deeply satisfied as his fortunes turned around. He smiled smugly at Andrew and asked, "Well, what do you say now?" Andrew shifted his gaze from the track and replied calmly, "You're right. The winner is clear." Mark laughed heartily. "It's great that you know when to admit defeat. There's hope for you yet!" However, Andrew shook his head and said, "I think there's a misunderstanding, Mr. Thatcher. I meant our victory and Number Two's defeat." Before Mark could respond, Bernard shouted in disbelief, "How is Number Four moving so fast?" Mark's hea