After leaving the Aroma Exchange, Andrew got into the car and said, "Drive. I'm tired and just want to rest." However, Aspen did not start the engine. She had been holding back her curiosity all evening and finally asked, "Was Mr. Fischer really your subordinate?" Andrew kept his eyes on the window and replied calmly, "Something like that." Aspen's heart skipped a beat. She had suspected that Andrew was not an ordinary man. She pressed on, "Mr. Fischer called you… General. Andrew, were you some kind of military general before?" Andrew glanced at her and said, "Why the interrogation? Are you trying to run a background check?" The Ferrari shot forward with a roar, and Aspen huffed, "Fine, don't tell me. It's not like I'm dying to know anyway." Andrew said, "The more you know, the more dangerous it gets for you." Aspen scoffed, "There it is. The mysterious act. You think you're in a movie or something?" A vein popped on Andrew's forehead. "Aspen, I just complimented your

Andrew let her go and said casually, "Your twin core meridians were never fully opened. That's why your skills have always been so underwhelming. But now, I've fixed that for you. "From here on out, your cultivation will be a lot faster. And you've officially broken through to the senior grandmaster level." Feeling the new surge of power running through her body, Aspen gasped, "But… opening the twin core meridians is something only a martial king could do, and even then, with rare medicinal aids! H-How did you pull it off?" Andrew answered calmly, "Just gave it a strong push. It hurts a little, but you already lived through it, didn't you?" Aspen's face turned red hot as she gritted her teeth. "You sound like a damn pervert, you sleazy jerk!" She said that, but deep down, she was genuinely grateful to him. Reaching senior grandmaster so quickly was partly thanks to her own hard work, but mostly, it was Andrew's guidance. Aspen knew how rare this kind of hands-on instruction

"Aspen, long time no see." Christina was the first to speak, smiling as she broke the awkward silence. Aspen's expression turned icy. "You don't need to call me. I don't recognize you as family. Your family is in Jayrodale, and mine's in Bridgefields. We were never close, and we never will be." Christina kept her smile steady. "It's been so long, and you're still holding a grudge? But don't forget—when the main family fell apart, and you ended up as Andrew's servant, that was mostly your own doing." Aspen let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, I'll admit it. Everything back then was my own fault. But Christina, do you dare say you didn't stir the pot from behind the scenes with that sweet, scheming smile of yours? I know it was you who lured the main Stevens family to Jayrodale, just to use them against Andrew." Christina did not even try to deny it. "You're absolutely right. I brought them there. But I only did it to help you—to settle the score on your behalf. Things just didn't go h

Christina had not expected the two of them to be that close already. "Andrew, you're going to regret what you've done!" she snapped coldly before looping her arm around Quinton's and striking a deliberately intimate pose. Quinton smirked. He knew Christina was using him, but he did not care. For someone like him, the thrill was in the chase. When the thrill was gone, he would have no problem tossing her aside or forcing things if it amused him. Quinton said with a smile, "Ms. Aspen, Christie's mentioned you before. But sticking with Andrew will only bring you down. Why not join me? Serve under the Wrights, and I promise you a spot among the capital's elite socialites." It was a tempting offer, made with a wolfish grin. If he could really win Aspen over, having both Stevens beauties serve him would be a fantasy come true. Especially since Aspen had a figure that made him burn with desire. Hell, she was playing housemaid for Andrew—that was practically a crime in Quinton's boo

Not long after Andrew and Aspen arrived, a middle-aged man in a formal robe stepped onto the stage and addressed the room. "Thank you all for coming to the capital's official charity event. As always, I'm Derek McCormick. No long speeches—everyone, just show your sincerity. I hope we can all give something back and help those struggling in the poorer regions of Gabo Creek Province." He did not say much—just brief sentences—before setting down the mic and stepping off. And yet, no one had a single complaint. On the contrary, the room erupted into applause, with waves of praise echoing throughout the hall. The reason was simple: the man was Derek McCormick, Governor of Gabo Creek—one of the highest-ranking officials in the province. He was a true regional powerhouse. Andrew nodded with interest. "You can tell. The guy actually seems like a good leader." Aspen rolled her eyes with a half-laugh. "Can you not act like that? Mr. McCormick is way above your league, and you talk like