Chapter 61
A moment of silence hung over the phone line before Dylan’s furious voice erupted. “Refund? Go to hell! Michael, you son of a bitch, you almost got me killed!” he roared. “I’m lucky I didn’t make the biggest mistake of my life! If I had gone down, I’d make sure I drag you with me, damn it!”
The line went dead.
Michael’s face darkened. He muttered angrily, “Dylan, you may rule South City, but the Rhodes family isn’t afraid of you. How dare you insult me and keep my money? You’ll answer for this!”
Confused by Dylan’s outburst and furious about the failed job and lost money, Michael immediately tried calling back, only to discover he’d been blocked. He stared at his phone in disbelief before hurling it against the wall with a roar. Between the fifteen million dollars Andrew had cost him and the three million just lost to Dylan, he could have lived the high life for years.
His face contorted with rage. He mumbled, “This isn’t over! Dylan and Andrew, you’ll both pay for this!”
The next morning dawned bright and clear. Andrew, his upper body bare, practiced martial arts in the courtyard atop Moonlit Sanctuary. His tall, lean frame displayed perfectly proportioned muscles. An intricately detailed black dragon head tattoo, fierce and majestic, sprawled across his chest. Unlike typical tattoos, this one was a deep, vivid black with blood-red eyes—a design instantly recognizable to any expert as representing one of Holtriens’ most powerful families.
After his workout, he received a call from Lauren.
“Dr. Lloyd, it’s your day off, and the weather’s beautiful. Let’s meet up,” she said cheerfully. Without waiting for a response, she added, “It’s settled then! Fran tells me you’re neighbors, so she’ll pick you up. Don’t be late!”
Lauren hung up before Andrew could refuse. At the residential complex entrance, Francesca waited, leaning against a red BMW convertible.
“Andrew, this is your first high-society event with Lauren in Jayrodale. Remember, you’ll be meeting the wealthiest and most powerful people. Try not to embarrass Lauren!”
The red BMW sped toward an exclusive club on the east side of town. Luxury cars filled the parking lot as Jayrodale’s elite arrived. Lauren, in an elegant pleated dress, was surrounded by admirers, but her face truly lit up only when Andrew emerged from the car.
“Dr. Lloyd, over here!”
Before Andrew could reply, Christina stepped from a nearby Bentley, looking surprised. “Andrew, what are you doing here?” she exclaimed. Harvey stood beside her, arrogant, while another fashionably dressed couple eyed Andrew with disdain.