Chapter 1973

Dozens of Hopkins family members rushed out, weapons ready. Leading them was Diego, the family head himself.

He asked, “Sir, who are you, and why have you injured my people for no reason?”

The moment he saw Timothy’s face covered in blood, gasping for breath, Diego nearly passed out.

He was their family’s most promising talent, a high-level martial king not far from reaching the peak, the one they proudly compared to the main house’s elites. Yet now he was dangling in a stranger’s grip like a helpless bird.

Diego’s chest tightened as if it might burst.

Andrew gave a faint smile, glancing over the Hopkins family members. “I don’t want to kill anyone who isn’t involved. Where’s Walter? Bring him out. And I want to borrow the Hopkinses’ Helioheart Gem.”

Diego’s expression darkened. “Sir, you’ve gone too far. You talk about borrowing, but you came in here injuring my people. Sounds less like borrowing and more like robbery.”

Andrew feigned shock. “You’re the head of the Hopkins family, aren’t you? You’re a smart man. You’ve guessed my true intentions.”

Diego nearly fainted from rage. He thought the bastard was not even trying to hide it. Not only had he attacked them on their own turf, but he was openly admitting his intent to rob them.

It was an insult to the Hopkinses!

“What if we don’t cooperate? Does that mean you’re ready to go against us completely?” Diego asked coldly.

Timothy was in tatters, and there was no way he would let this end without blood.

Andrew nodded. “Won’t lend it, huh? That’s simple enough.”

He snatched the Bloodletting Needle from Timothy’s hand and jabbed it into Timothy’s arm.

Timothy’s scream tore through the place. “N–No… Sir, I was wrong! Please! Dad, help me!”

He felt his soul nearly leave his body.

Diego’s jaw clenched tight, and his gaze toward Andrew shifted. “Sir, who exactly are you?”

Andrew grinned. “I already told your son that my name is Andrew Lloyd, but he didn’t believe me. So, I had to give him a little demonstration.”

Diego’s face paled in shock. “Y–You’re Andrew Lloyd?”

He had just been plotting with Timothy about how to deal with the Driscolls and Andrew, and now the man himself had walked through their gates like death incarnate.

The Driscolls’ enemy was not some reckless fool; he was a predator. All this talk about waiting and watching was pointless; survival meant stepping aside immediately.

Diego chuckled awkwardly. “Andrew… N–No. Mr. Lloyd! Please, have a seat. It’s just a misunderstanding! You want the Helioheart Gem? Of course, we’ll give it to you. As for Walter, well… that’s a little tricky. We have no idea he’s in the back garden’s pavilion by the pond.”

Andrew saw Diego’s pained expression and tossed Timothy aside, heading toward the back garden. He did not forget to turn back with a cheerful smile.

“Mr. Hopkins Senior, don’t worry. I won’t tell Walter that you tipped me off.”

Diego’s face twitched. He prided himself on being sly, but Andrew was slicker than he was.

Chapter 1974