At the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce headquarters building, Beth Dragon Kings sat silently, anxiously and impatiently. The wait was unbearable, and Ronald, the Onyx Dragon King, let out a cold retort. “Andrew’s getting more and more disrespectful toward us."

Ronald sneered. "Aaron, I thought you only cared about money and people. As long as you’re paid enough, you don’t care for anyone. Remember last time when Andrew went after Scarlett? I wouldn’t help, but you were quick to step up. So why are you suddenly playing the coward this time?”

Aaron shot him a cold glance before smirking. “Ronald, don’t play the saint. We’re the same. You can’t tell me you weren’t tempted by Andrew’s 50 billion. You can act high and mighty all you want, but money like that? Nobody says no to it.”

Ronald’s jaw tightened. “Who the hell wouldn’t want that kind of money? But he’s lost his mind. He wants to kill the head of the Driscoll family. That’s Maurice, one of Blumedale’s Three Titans. Tell me, who in Gabo Creek would dare take that job?"

Aaron shook his head. “It’s too late to argue about it now. Mr. Lloyd is clever! Hell, I have to admit, even I’m impressed. He transferred the money to us without saying a word about what it was for. Once we accepted it, he told us. You see what he did? He forced us onto the same ledge he’s about to jump from.”

Ronald paced the room in frustration. “That bastard’s dragging us down with him. If I’d known, I never would’ve taken the money. M–Maybe we still have a way out.”

Aaron narrowed his eyes. “A way out? You’re not planning to take the money and walk away, are you?”

Ronald scoffed. “Taking the money and not doing the job would be a death sentence in our world. I’m not that reckless. But we could return his money and say we can’t help."

Aaron gave a cynical smile. “Mr. Lloyd won’t let us return it. Last time you wouldn’t help him with Scarlett, look how that turned out. Do you think you can stop him if he comes after you?”

Ronald snapped. “Damn it, am I the Dragon King here, or is he? Since when have I not even had the right to say no?”

Before Aaron could answer, the office door swung open. Andrew walked in with his people, and Rachel quickly rushed forward to take his coat and hang it up.

Aaron forced a smile. “Mr. Lloyd, you’re back!”

He shot Ronald a look to greet him.

Ronald’s face was like stone as he muttered, “Mr. Lloyd, hope you’re all good."

Andrew walked behind the desk, sat down slowly, and shook his head. “I’m not doing well."

Ronald froze. He thought, ‘Of course I know you’re not doing well, but we’re supposed to at least pretend here… Don’t you get that?’

Andrew looked up at the two Dragon Kings. “Gentlemen, I heard bits of your conversation outside."

Aaron gave a strained chuckle, while Ronald decided to just rip the bandage off. “Fine, since you heard, I’ll just say it: I’m not taking this job."

Andrew’s expression did not change. “Reason?”

Ronald bristled. “Reason? You want to go to war with the Driscoll family. I don’t feel like dying with you. That’s my reason!”

Inwardly, he cursed. Andrew probably already knew, but he was still forcing him to spell it out.

Andrew replied, “But you already took my money.”

Chapter 1967