In a narrow alley, Andrew hooked the golden restraints around an iron railing and gave a violent pull. The railing warped under the force, nearly tearing off completely, but the golden threads on his wrists only bent slightly.
They were made from steel cables that were as fine as hair, flexible yet so strong that not even ten bulls could snap them. Andrew remained patient and moved to another section of the bars, repeating the same method.
After half an hour of grinding effort, the golden threads finally gave way and snapped. He pulled out his phone and immediately dialed Lauren and the other two women.
Goldridge was already brewing with danger, and he needed to get them out of the city and back to Gabo Creek province as soon as possible.
Just then, two martial artists with cigarettes in their mouths and red ribbons tied to their sleeves passed by the alley. They paused after a few steps, then doubled back, eyeing Andrew suspiciously.
One of them pulled out his phone to report.
Andrew sneered, and in a blur, closed the gap of several dozen feet.
Two dull thumps later, the guards from the Fischer family hit the ground, completely unconscious.
Andrew kicked the dropped phone into a nearby gutter as his call went through.
“Lauren, where are you? Get back to the hotel now. We’re leaving Goldridge!”
However, the voice on the other end chuckled leisurely. “Relax, Mr. Lloyd. Ms. Rhodes and her friends are currently my guests. No need to worry. They’re perfectly fine.”
Andrew’s eyes narrowed instantly. “Who are you? Why do you have Lauren’s phone?”
The voice replied playfully, “Riker Lamar, leader of the Hidden Dragons, at your service. You’ve got guts, Mr. Lloyd. Escaping from Mr. Fischer isn’t something most people could pull off.”
He continued, “But it won’t help. When you got away, Mr. Fischer asked me to extend a friendly invitation to Ms. Rhodes and her companions. And as you can see, I move fast.”
Andrew’s tone dropped cold. “Mr. Lamar, as far as I recall, we don’t have any bad blood. And since when did you become Henry’s lapdog?”
Riker snorted. “A wise man adapts to the times. Right now, Mr. Fischer dominates Goldridge. Half of the Southern Martial Union is already in his hands. If Hidden Dragons didn’t go with the flow, we’d be going against the current.”
He hissed, “And don’t forget, Andrew, who said we have no past? You still owe me for what happened in Jayrodale. I never settled that score.”
Andrew’s voice stayed flat. “Give me the address. I’m coming now.”
Riker burst into laughter. “Now that’s what I like to hear! Always straight to the point. I respect that!”
He gave the location immediately.
Andrew hung up and took a deep breath. That bastard Henry really had planned for everything.
Then, he dialled Zachary’s number. The call connected instantly, Zachary’s voice urgent and anxious.
“Captain! Where are you?”
“I’m fine,” Andrew replied calmly. “What about you and Ruth?”
Zachary’s voice trembled. “We’re okay! We’re still at the hotel. But it’s bad! Mr. Thornton is in trouble! The Fischer family and a bunch of others ambushed him. Word is, he might not have made it!”
Andrew rolled his eyes.
Clearly, Zachary had only just snapped out of whatever daze Etic had put him in.
Andrew already knew everything he was saying.
“Try to find a way out of Goldridge. If you get a chance, take Ruth and get out. I’ll meet you outside the city.”
After issuing the orders, Andrew ended the call and headed straight for Riker.
Henry’s grip on Goldridge and the Southern Martial Union headquarters was deeper than he expected. Even the Hidden Dragons had become his loyal dogs.
In other words, half of Goldridge’s powerhouses now stood behind Henry.
When Andrew allowed himself to be captured earlier, it was not because he could not resist. If he wanted, dealing with Eric, Scarlett, and even Alex, the three martial kings, would not have been that difficult.
However, Henry was the wild card.
Andrew finally realized why he managed to escape too easily. It was because Henry already had a backup plan: to use Andrew’s weakness against him.