Chapter 122

“Tony, you’re dead if you touch Mr. Lloyd,” Cedric growled, slamming his fist on the table at the Aicker residence. He rose to his feet, his expression terrifying.

“Grandpa, what’s wrong? Why are you so angry?” Francesca asked, surprised.

“I just learned the East Side gang kidnapped Mr. Lloyd,” Cedric said, gritting his teeth.

Francesca panicked. “How could this happen? Grandpa, we need to save him!”

Cedric waved a dismissive hand. “You stay home and rest. Let me handle this.”

Francesca insisted, “No, I need to see he’s okay.”

Cedric conceded. “Fine. Simon, Fran, and I are heading to the East Side. You watch the house.”

Cedric’s senior apprentice, Simon, grumbled, “Mr. Aicker, why should we care if Andrew lives or dies? Tony’s not someone to cross! He runs the East Side underground. We shouldn’t make an enemy of him.”

“You fool!” Cedric snapped. “Lauren and Dylan are already on their way. This is our chance to show Mr. Lloyd our support. We can’t miss this opportunity.”

“Mr. Aicker, Andrew’s a skilled doctor,” Simon said sourly, “but he’s young, lacks experience, and depends on Ms. Rhodes. Is he really worth the Aicker family’s help?”

Cedric’s voice turned cold. “Simon, as my eldest disciple, you possess the skills to inherit my legacy, but your vision is tragically narrow. Learn from Fran. She understands better.”

Cedric and Francesca hurried out. Simon watched her worried expression, his fists clenched, his eyes filled with jealousy and hatred. He muttered, “Fran, I hope you realize who you truly belong with. You’re mine, and anyone who touches you…”

Meanwhile, in a massive warehouse on the East Side outskirts, Andrew stood with bound hands, facing Rocco and a smirking Juan.

Juan pulled up a chair, sneering. “This is our turf, kid. I’m going to make you wish you were never born.”

“I thought you’d take me to see…” Andrew said disappointedly, ignoring Juan’s hostility. “If I’d known we were coming to this dump, I wouldn’t have bothered.”

Juan laughed maniacally. “You think you’re worthy of seeing my father? And ‘bothered coming’? You think you had a choice?”

Rocco smirked. “Mr. Madden, have your fun. The kid’s clearly lost his mind from being captured.”

Juan circled Andrew. “I’ll give you this—you’re still fearless. But soon, you’ll be begging for mercy. If I were you, I’d start now for a quick death.”

“That’s funny. I was about to say the same thing,” Andrew replied seriously. “If I were you, I’d untie me now and apologize.”

Juan’s expression twisted with rage; a vein bulged on his forehead. He raised his whip, then hesitated, turning to Rocco with a laugh. “Did you hear this pretty boy? Telling me to beg for mercy? He’s lost his mind!”