Rowan’s face lit with a smile as she prepared to explain, but George stepped forward first. “You must be
Madam Agatha Delaney of the Onyx Serpents. I am George Keller, head of the Keller family in Gabo Creek.”
Agatha’s expression flickered with shock. “The Keller family, the foremost of the Five Apex Families of Gabo Creek… I’ve heard of you. But we came to find Andrew. What do you have to do with him?”
George smiled. “Everything! The Keller family is under Andy’s command.”
Agatha’s eyes widened. “Under him? You expect me to believe the Keller family belongs to him? Don’t think you can fool me just because I’m old!”
George’s smile deepened. “Not just the Keller family. The Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce is his as well. Right now, Gabo Creek has three ruling powers, and one of them is none other than Mr. Lloyd. Does that make it clear enough?”
Agatha’s aging eyes went wide as if she had seen a ghost. “Impossible! When Marvin brought him around, he was young and ordinary. And now you’re telling me that one–third of Gabo Creek belongs to him? Unless he’s a god, that’s impossible!”
George smirked. “Then stay here and see for yourself. He’ll be back soon; he’s already on the way.”
Soon, George immediately arranged for a large mansion for the Onyx Serpents members. After Agatha moved in, she began to believe it, feeling both amazed and shocked.
“Rowan, could it be that Andrew really has risen this high?”
Rowan looked at the luxurious villa decor and bit her lip. “Grandma, I don’t know. Honestly, I haven’t spoken much with him these past years. I only know bits and pieces of what he’s become.”
Agatha fell silent for a while before sighing. “Perhaps I was truly blind back then. Maybe I misjudged him completely.”
Chapter 2121
When Andrew returned to Blumedale, it was already night. George had sent word that the Onyx Serpents‘ crew had been properly arranged, and he could visit them whenever he had time.
Since Rowan already had food and a place to stay, Andrew had no intention of interfering.
Besides, he was exhausted after traveling all day. As soon as he got back to Serenity Villa, he enjoyed a hearty dinner and then collapsed into bed.
Lauren, Francesca, Aspen, and Chantelle had been waiting eagerly for his return. Each of them was dressed to impress, their figures and perfume competing for his attention.
To their surprise, Andrew had no energy left that night.
The four women exchanged looks that were equal parts amused and disappointed.
Francesca rested her chin on her hand and grumbled irritably, “Do you think he has been seeing someone else while he was away?”
Aspen, always the sweetest, quickly defended him. “I don’t think so. He loves us the most, and there’s no
way he would sneak around behind our backs.”
Lauren smiled and nodded. “I agree. You all saw how exhausted he was, and he’s even injured.”
Chantelle pouted, saying, “Let’s just let him rest properly tonight. Anyway, we should go to sleep too, wait until tomorrow when he’s recovered… Then, we’ll drain him dry.”
The other three giggled and chimed in together, “Deal!”
and
Meanwhile, late that night on the northern hills of Blumedale, the Fischer family’s estate was still brightly lit. Cars were coming and going as their high–profile guests finally began heading home. The constant stream of visitors at all hours was proof of the family’s thriving influence.
In the highest tower, which belonged to the acting family head, Lucian had just finished his training session. His whole body was covered in sweat as he walked barefoot across the floor, preparing to take a
shower.
After his shower, he planned to call over a couple of female celebrities to help him relax. The pressure had been mysteriously intense lately.
Henry’s repeated failures in Goldridge weighed heavily on him, and now he was anxiously waiting to hear the results of the hunt for Shiloh. If Henry succeeded, the Fischer family’s power would soar, making Andrew irrelevant in Gabo Creek.
When that happened, even the Phelan family could be dismissed. Luna, that so–called prodigy, would be
crushed.
Just then, the notification sound buzzed.
Lucian, already stripped bare and about to step into the shower, frowned at the interruption. He was not going to answer until he saw it was Henry calling, so he rushed over and answered the video link without
hesitation.
“Henry, did you catch the Greene family’s saintess?” Lucian demanded before Henry could even speak.
Henry’s projection appeared in the center of the room. He frowned as he glanced at Lucian’s naked body and said flatly, “Lucian, your junk is still as unimpressive as ever.”
Lucian’s face twisted in anger. “Cut the crap. I’m asking you about a serious matter!”
Henry shook his head with a worn–out look. “No luck. I almost lost my life out there.”
Lucian’s expression darkened instantly. “What happened? Was it really that difficult?”
Henry’s face showed lingering fear. “Difficult? It was downright deadly. I called this late just to warn you about something… Andrew is not someone the Fischer family can afford to mess with.”
Lucian thought he had misheard and sneered. “What did you just say? Say it again!”
Henry repeated firmly, “I said Andrew is someone the Fischer family cannot afford to provoke. If he comes after you, do yourself a favor and back down.”
This time, Lucian heard it clearly. Henry was not reporting results; he was calling to crush his morale. Not only had he failed to capture Shiloh, but he was also telling hi
to act like a coward.
Lucian snapped, “Henry, I’ll let your failure slide for now. But are you out of your mind? Praising someone else while cutting down your own family’s pride? When did you become so useless, so spineless?”
Fury boiled in him as his voice echoed across the room.
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