Elsewhere, at an upscale club in Ashridge, the atmosphere inside one of the private rooms was already lively."Come on, Sophie, there's nothing to worry about. Besides, we don't have any classes later anyway, so stop being so reluctant. Today we're drinking until we drop!"A dozen or so young men and women in their early twenties filled the private room, talking and laughing among themselves as drinks were passed around. Sitting beside a young woman in the prime of her youth was a rather handsome man whose carefree expression and reckless demeanor made it clear that he was accustomed to doing whatever he pleased. This was Adrian Kane, the son of Malcolm Kane, one of the leading figures of the Kane Group in Ashridge."I really can't drink anymore. I've already had plenty today. If I drink any more, I won't be able to get home," Sophie Lane said, refusing.She felt genuinely confused. Why would Adrian suddenly be so enthusiastic toward her out of the blue?

The next morning, Andrew Allen woke to find a fair-skinned woman lying beside him. She was a beautiful young woman, and as he stared at her sleeping face, he couldn't help but wonder how things had escalated to this point. Then his gaze drifted to the bed sheets, and he froze. A vivid red stain spread across the white fabric, unmistakable in its meaning. This had been her first time.He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. "Well, there's no helping it now," he muttered under his breath, though his tone carried no real guilt. "Don't blame me for this. If you're going to blame anyone, blame that bastard Adrian Kane. He's the one who turned you from a girl into a woman."Despite his words, a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. In fact, he felt oddly satisfied. If Adrian ever found out about this, the guy would lose his mind. All that scheming, all those careful plans, and in the end, Andrew had been the one to reap the benefits. The irony was almost too perf

"Wait, hold on. I saw you getting pretty cozy with the boss's younger relative last time. Don't tell me you're trying to get both sisters wrapped around your finger?" The employees at the company were birds of a feather, and Andrew Allen had barely been there any time at all before he'd already become one of the gang."That's nothing," Andrew said with a swagger. "You guys ever heard of Ashridge School of Arts? The beauties there, you have no idea. Every single one of them could be an actress. Just last night, I landed another one!""Sure you did, keep dreaming. As if you could get anywhere near Ashridge School of Arts. Those students are surrounded by good looking guys. You think you can compete with them?""Hey now, don't be so quick to judge. Andrew here has a certain mature charm that those pretty boys at the academy can't match. Who knows, maybe those girls are into the older, experienced type these days. If you ever get the chance, you better count me in!"

Andrew Allen hadn't found a place to stay, so he'd gone straight to the territory he'd seized from the Hatchets and crashed in one of the abandoned buildings. The place was a wreck, barely showing signs of human habitation, but at least it gave him a roof over his head for the night.The next morning, Andrew waited downstairs for Claire Bennett as usual. The only difference today was that he could no longer stay at her place.In the car, Claire carefully organized the documents in her hands before speaking in an indifferent tone. "I'll be handling some matters at the company today, and I might need the car. Don't you dare wander off anywhere. And what about those things I talked to you about? Have you given them any thought?""Don't worry. Whenever you need the car, I'll be there on time," Andrew replied."Did you find a place to stay?" Claire asked."What's wrong? Look, I didn't do anything. Besides, the bed there is way too small. I think it's mu

"Cole, your boys did good work. Now help me teach this guy a lesson, and we can get out of this place," Adrian Kane said, his eyes boring into Andrew Allen with vicious intent. There was a smug confidence in his voice, as though he had already decided how the situation would end and expected Cole to do exactly as he was told."Sure thing."The moment the words left his mouth, the sharp crack of impact echoed through the room. A pained scream followed almost instantly, tearing through the tense silence as Adrian staggered from the force of the blow. Blood sprayed from his mouth, and several broken teeth bounced across the floor before coming to a stop.For several seconds, Adrian remained completely motionless, his eyes wide with disbelief and his expression frozen in shock. He stared blankly ahead, unable to understand how the situation had changed so violently in the span of a single instant."Do you have any idea who he is? You dare mess with him? Do yo