Andrew waved his hand with a smile and said, "Mr. Bates, I'm not worthy of being compared to those so-called prodigies you mentioned. I just don't like being pushed around, that's all." Ronan gave a bitter smile and said, "In times like these, not being pushed around has practically become a luxury. A lot of folks just want some basic fairness and justice, but even that feels impossible to get. "And someone like you, Mr. Lloyd, who dares to fight back against the big, powerful families—well, people like that are few and far between." Andrew caught a deeper meaning behind Ronan's words. "Mr. Bates, did something happen to you and Janice? Something you can't face alone?" "If so, don't hold back—I'm just one man, but I'm not afraid to speak up for what's right," Andrew said, his voice steady and firm. Ronan hesitated, clearly torn, and after a long pause, let out a tired smile. "We are facing something we can't survive on our own. But I've been struggling with whether or not to

"I'd rather hand it to you for free than let that scumbag Mosby get his hands on it!" Ronan said firmly. Andrew finally took the partial map and tucked it away carefully. He promised, "Don't worry, Mr. Bates. I'm just holding onto it for now. Even if this treasure is real and ever uncovered, it still belongs to you and Janice." Ronan gave a weary smile. "That treasure isn't so easy to find. To be honest, I've spent years secretly investigating it myself. But I haven't found much. This is only a piece of the map. "In other words, we'd need to gather the rest of the fragments before we could even begin to figure out where the treasure's actually hidden." Andrew chuckled. "So this was passed down through your family and dates back to the fall of the Crimson Dynasty, right? That means it's been over a century. Finding the rest of the pieces seems like a lost cause." Surprisingly, Ronan shook his head. "That's where you're wrong, Mr. Lloyd. From what I know, this treasure is tied

Richard stayed silent for a long moment, then clenched his jaw and muttered with a complicated expression, "This kid keeps making enemies left and right—either he's messing with major families or provoking big names like you, Dr. Lake. "You'd think he's courting death, yet somehow, he's still alive and kicking. But if you say he's unbeatable or has god-tier power, he doesn't exactly live up to that either. I just don't get why he'd go out of his way to pick a fight with someone like you." Mosby sneered. "The wise adapt to the times, but this arrogant little bastard clearly thinks he's untouchable—like he doesn't have to respect anyone. Well then, I'll be the one to teach him a lesson. I may not command a powerful family… "But my influence and pull in this city? It's scarier than half the legacy clans put together. I could destroy him ten thousand ways and not repeat a single one." With a huff, Mosby hung up the call. Richard's indecisiveness had irritated him to the core. …

Suddenly, a thought sparked in Mosby's mind, and his entire face lit up as he burst into laughter. "The Crimson Dynasty's Ten Great Treasures… now that's an absolute fortune. "Sure, most treasure stories through the ages are nothing but legends. People have always said the Ten Great Treasures were just old myths. But more often than not, even lies can carry fragments of reality. "The treasure map held by the Bates family is one of those fragments—hidden in plain sight, woven in half-truths. And if I get my hands on it, then riches beyond imagination are already within reach!" As he finished speaking, Mosby clenched his raised fist as though he could already feel mountains of gold and silver folding into his palm. Old Hayface was staring with wide-eyed greed. He licked his lips and asked eagerly, "Mr. Lake, is the treasure held by the Bates family really that miraculous? I mean… what if it's just another fantasy? Something someone made up to throw people off?" Mosby gave him a

"Mr. Lake, please teach me. What's the solution?" the young disciple asked. Mosby grinned darkly. "Simple. Let them… die." … At The Sovereign Residences, Andrew pushed open the door to Aspen's room—only to find it empty. He turned sharply, frowning. "Didn't I tell you guys to keep an eye on Aspen? I said don't let her jump off the damn building!" Dylan gave an awkward laugh. "Come on, Mr. Lloyd, isn't that a bit dramatic? I really don't think she's that unstable." Andrew sneered. "Says the guy who's still single at your age. Figures." Dylan blinked. "Excuse me?" What happened to having a normal conversation? Did Andrew have to aim straight for the personal wounds? Still, Andrew could not shake the worry gnawing at his chest. He really was concerned that Aspen might have done something reckless. That woman had always been a little unstable, and the stuff that happened between them in the car recently? Yeah, not exactly therapy-approved. If Aspen got caught in a spira