Rusty was stunned speechless. He yanked his pants up and growled through his teeth, "Fine, I'm done. Damn it, Mr. Lloyd gave the order, so what else can I do?" Mikayla got a set of clothes to change into and shakily stood up, following Jerome out. Koda watched the two leave, his eyes dark and brooding. Rusty stood beside him, spitting out bitterly, "Mr. Dawson, I really don't get it… Are you the leader, or is it Andrew? While you were out cold, we got pushed around by him. Now you're awake, and you've taken over the Advanced Medical Institute, about to become the director. Why the hell does this punk from Chetvine still get to boss us around?" Koda did not say anything, but the dark look in his eyes only deepened. After a long pause, he smirked. "Rusty, don't you think Mr. Lloyd is a major contributor to my success?" Rusty reluctantly admitted, "Of course he is. Without him, we never would've pulled this off. Especially you… You wouldn't have come out on top in the end."

Andrew looked down at her coldly. "I told you to kneel and call me daddy."Mikayla was furious. "Andrew, don't push it."Andrew sneered. "I'm pushing it? Mikayla, you clearly don't understand the situation you're in. Right now, all I have to do is abandon you, and your fate will be worse than death. Koda has so many hungry wolves under his command. How many of them do you think you can handle?"Mikayla's expression shifted repeatedly, and she said through gritted teeth, "Andrew, I'm the heiress of the Chetvine's Owens family, my father…"Andrew impatiently cut her off. "Idiot. You're still putting on an act when death is staring you in the face. Mikayla, I'm not the type to go easy on women, especially brainless, foolish women… I won't show any mercy."Then, he started counting, "Three, two… This is your last chance. Do what I say, or I'll have Koda take you away right now to reward his men."Mikayla's heart filled with humiliation, wishing she could tear Andrew apart. However, s

Andrew did not even look up as he smiled and said, "They made it down the mountain safely, but it's still going to take most of the day to get back to Chetvine. Do you need something?"Koda stepped closer with that same easy smile. "I just came over to check on you, and to send you off properly. Honestly, I wouldn't have taken the director's seat if it weren't for you. If you hadn't given me that life-saving pill, I probably would've died under Corbin's hand."Andrew finally lifted his head and looked at him with a squinted smile. "I told you back then that I had a way for you to win in the end. Corbin had Lorenzo's help, and his power had skyrocketed… In a direct fight, you would've lost for sure."He continued, "So we turned the tables by using the life-saving pill to protect your vital organs, letting Corbin put you into a state of false death, which set the stage for a comeback."Koda laughed heartily. "You city folks sure know how to play games. Coming up with such a brilliant

Andrew shook his head. "Jovan, I don't need you bowing down to me or paying tribute. What we have is more like a partnership, a win-win situation. The Advanced Medical Institute belongs to you, the elders, and the rest of the apprentices. After I leave, you'll be free to do whatever you want."He continued, "I hope you'll work hard to build up the Advanced Medical Institute. In the future, you'll become a regional powerhouse yourself."A flicker of confusion crossed Jovan's face. He had not expected Andrew to be so generous.To him, the next leader should be someone like Koda or Lorenzo. Andrew did not expect Jovan to believe him right away. Looking at the other elders, he said flatly, "I hope all of you will support Jovan well. The reason I'm backing him is simple."He has a kind nature, and he's a promising talent worth cultivating. So, elders, you need to seize this opportunity. If another Koda or Corbin emerges, it'll be a disaster for both you and the Advanced Medical Instit

Lorenzo's expression shifted violently as he struggled between protecting his family's core technique and saving Mikayla. He had considered threatening Andrew or using other tricks to free her, yet he quickly realized none of his usual tactics would work on this man.Andrew was the kind of hard target you could only defeat by killing head-on, but right now, Lorenzo could not afford to make a move.The standoff dragged on until a calm laugh broke the tension."Andrew, let Ms. Owens go first. Everything else can be discussed later."A tall figure stepped out of the crowd, hands clasped behind his back, carrying a natural and overwhelming pressure.Andrew looked his way and did not even blink. Andrew looked over, his expression unchanged. "Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Vazquez's number one."The newcomer was Jose, Guillermo's strongest fighter and one of his two top lieutenants alongside Lorenzo.Jerome immediately tensed and quietly shifted aside, subtly opening a path behind him. I