Lauren bounced in the back seat, nearly getting sick from the rough ride. She exclaimed, "Tracia, what are you doing? We need to go back and help!" "Going back would be suicide," Tracia replied grimly, keeping her foot on the gas. "As for those useless people back there, their deaths mean nothing—they're worthless anyway!" "Tracia, do you even hear yourself?" Lauren shouted angrily. "As your employer, I order you to take me back right now. For this noncompliance, I'll put in a request to the family to terminate your contract as soon as we return!" Tracia let out a cold laugh, her scarred face looking more sinister than ever. "You're just a little girl. Who do you think you are, trying to order me around?" "What are you planning?" Lauren's expression finally changed as realization dawned. "What am I planning? Why, delivering you to my new employer, of course!" Tracia cackled. "I'm sorry, Ms. Rhodes, but while your family pays well, those who want you dead pay better. Don't tak
"What are you thinking about?" Tracia suddenly asked. "About someone… a man," Lauren replied softly. "Ms. Rhodes, you're such a stunning beauty. I'm curious who could be on your mind," Tracia said with interest. "His name is Andrew Lloyd," Lauren answered honestly. "He's an incredibly skilled doctor and quite handsome too. Before I met him, I never knew loving someone could be so painful—sometimes the loneliness makes me want to cry." "Shut up! I don't want to hear this nonsense," Tracia snapped. Lauren studied Tracia's scarred face with sudden understanding. "You've never been in love, have you, Tracia? Or rather, no man has ever loved you?" Tracia's expression turned ugly, as if Lauren had struck a nerve. "Men are all worthless idiots. Their so-called love makes me sick. Since you're about to die anyway, I don't mind sharing this with you. When I was young, I met several men. But they all betrayed me, sweet-talking liars who got what they deserved when I cut their throats
Andrew said earnestly, "Of course I'd come when you're in danger. I'd walk through fire for you." Lauren suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion and burst into tears. "Andrew, you're such a jerk! Turn around—I won't let you see me cry. And just so you know, I'm not crying because of you!" Andrew was uncharacteristically flustered, having never seen this softer, more emotional side of Lauren before. "I hate seeing people being all lovey-dovey in front of me. Since you dared to come, I'll kill you first and let this girl die of heartbreak!" Tracia spat before laughing maniacally. "Perfect! I was planning to kill you anyway," Andrew replied, his eyes turning ice-cold. Then, Tracia lunged forward, curling her hands as she clawed at Andrew with lightning speed. The air whistled with the ferocity of her attacks, her movements almost too fast to follow. "Be careful, Andrew! She's a hidden force master," Lauren warned anxiously, wiping away her tears. Andrew remained calm. To ordi
Andrew shook his head. "There's no need for such formalities between us, Ms. Rhodes." Lauren felt warmth in her heart at his words but still huffed, "Well, at least you have some conscience. I thought you'd forgotten all about me now that you're rekindling things with Ms. Stevens!" Andrew gave a wry smile, wisely choosing not to explain. After all, some things would only get worse with explanation. Later, they made their way out of the forest and found the Rhodes family security team. "Miss, thank goodness you're safe!" they exclaimed upon seeing Lauren. "What happened to those thugs who ambushed us?" Lauren asked. "Mr. Keoghan arrived and drove them all away," Eunice replied angrily. "He even killed a few of them." "Jerry came? Where is he?" Lauren asked excitedly. Just then, a muscular middle-aged man strode toward them with purposeful steps. "Miss, where's Tracia? I don't see her," he asked. "Tracia is dead," Lauren replied coldly. Jerry Keoghan, the Rhodes family'
Only three of the Rhodes Corporation's ten trucks were recovered, while the other seven, fully loaded with medical supplies, had vanished without a trace. Jerry pointed at the injured security guards and shouted, "You're a bunch of good-for-nothings! The Rhodes family would've been better off keeping a pack of dogs than paying you!" "Come on, we all did our best," one guard protested, clutching his bleeding arm. "They caught us by surprise, and they had too many skilled fighters. We were overwhelmed." Jerry's eyes narrowed as he strode over and slapped the guard hard across the face. "Who do you think you are to talk back to me? Those supplies better be found, or I'll make sure you pay for your incompetence!" The guard swallowed his anger, and the others shot Jerry resentful looks. Within the Rhodes family, Jerry was the most despised figure. As the Rhodes family's elite fighter, he never treated them like human beings, regularly beating and berating them at will. "Jerry,
Lauren was angry at how arrogantly Jerry had been acting. She could not help but think these martial arts experts were all challenging to deal with, whether it was Tracia or Jerry. Andrew suddenly spoke up. "I know what he's so smug about, but unfortunately, it won't help him at all!" "Please tell me where to find the clues about the stolen herbs!" Lauren exclaimed excitedly. Andrew explained, "He must be thinking about following the trucks' tire tracks." Lauren nodded thoughtfully, "That's actually not a bad idea. There are plenty of dirt roads in the countryside, and our trucks would definitely leave tracks." Andrew shook his head and replied, "Unless the thieves are complete idiots, they wouldn't leave such obvious tracks for us to follow. Besides, Ms. Rhodes, have you considered what happens when the trucks hit concrete or asphalt roads?" "I guess that would make the tracks useless…" Lauren deflated. "Let's go," Andrew said with a smile. "Where to?" Lauren asked, co
Lauren watched this scene unfold with a dreamy look in her eyes. She admired his kindness and compassion, secretly wishing she could marry him right then and there. Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside as Jerry rushed in with his men. When he spotted Andrew and Lauren, he briefly showed panic before quickly composing himself. He cleared his throat and said, "Ms. Rhodes, I'm impressed you found the trucks before I did. Your brilliant mind truly proves why you're the most exceptional member of the younger Rhodes generation!" Jerry laughed nervously, showering her with compliments while conveniently forgetting his earlier boastful promises about finding the trucks himself. Lauren smiled graciously. "Thank you for your efforts too, Jerry. The important thing is that we recovered the herbs." "Indeed… But did you manage to catch the criminals who stole it?" Jerry asked, trying to sound casual. Lauren shook her head. "The place was empty when we arrived, so we couldn't identify w
Andrew shrugged casually. "Those are your words, not mine." This finally pushed Jerry over the edge as he angrily shouted, "You fool! Stop trying to sow discord! I've served the Rhodes family faithfully for over 20 years. Do you think your petty words can discredit my loyalty?" In his fury, Jerry turned to Lauren and said respectfully, "Ms Rhodes, this pretty boy is insulting me. I demand justice." "Jerry, he just tends to be very direct with his words," Lauren stated diplomatically. "I know your loyalty to the Rhodes family, so on his behalf, I apologize." Jerry let out a cold snort and stormed off with his men, but not before shooting Andrew a murderous glare. Andrew, however, maintained his smile, completely unfazed. Once Jerry was gone, Lauren's expression turned ice-cold. "Do you think Jerry was telling the truth?" "I'd rather believe pigs could fly than trust him," Andrew replied without hesitation. Lauren burst into laughter. "You can be quite funny sometimes." A