Rowan looked cold and indifferent. "So what if it is, and so what if it isn''t?"

    Evan immediately felt ufortable, his voice rising with frustration. "So you do

    know him?"

    Rowan''s cheeks turned a little red as she snapped back, "Evan, what are you

    trying to say?"

    Evan clenched his jaw. "Nothing. I just want to remind you not to forget who you

    are. Don''t forget what we are to each other. You''re focused on some random

    nobody, so what does that make me?"

    Rowan''s expression dimmed, her tone distant. "I don''t want to talk about this

    pointless stuff. I''m tired. Let''s head back to the hotel to rest."

    Evan kept pace beside her and tried to exin, "Rowan, I wasn''t trying to

    interrogate you. I just think that guy isn''t worth your attention. He caused a huge

    scene earlier, and now he''s on the Yeagers'' cklist.

    "With their influence in Goldridge, they wille after him. Plus, I''ve heard rumors

    that Mr. Thornton was recently attacked and is seriously injured. Goldridge is full

    of danger right now, and it''s not safe. You''re the president of the Onyx Serpents.

    You should focus on our organization, not waste time on some irrelevant little

    punk!"

    Rowan did not even look back as she replied, "He''s not just some punk. He has a

    name, Andrew Lloyd. Five years ago, I was seriously ill. You remember that, right?

    It was he who saved my life and healed me. I just want to find him and thank him."

    Evan scoffed. "If it''s just gratitude, wait until I find his address. I''ll send ten million

    his way. You don''t need to lower yourself like this, chasing after some nobody with

    your status."

    Rowan did not answer, but her eyes flickered as she quietly spun through ideas.

    She was already thinking of ways to ditch Evan and track down Andrew herself.

    This time, she would not let that pervert who had touched her all over five years

    ago slip through her fingers again.

    Elsewhere, the Yeagers'' scouts realized something was off when Andrew still had

    not shown up.

    One said, "That bastard''s pretty sharp. I''ll have to report to the family that he gave

    us the slip. But don''t worry. He''s not getting out of Goldridge."

    The scout''s face was grim as he ordered the Yeagers to be notified and then

    mobilized his team for a full-city manhunt.

    Back at the hotel, Andrew realized Lauren and the girls had not returned yet. He

    pulled out his phone and made a call.

    "Hey, honey, we''re out shopping!"

    Lauren''s voice was cheerful and

    lively, with background chatter

    clearlying from a busy street.

    Andrew chuckled. "Alright, just stay safe ande back soon."

    He hung up, then knocked on Zachary''s door next door.

    Zachary had already changed into

    fresh clothes and was just about to

    head out. Seeing Andrew, he smiled.

    "Captain, if you''re tired, you don''t

    need toe with me! I am already

    qualified and need to meet Mr.

    Thornton toplete the formal

    initiation."

    Andrew nodded. "Alright then, I''ll stay behind."

    Zachary grinned. "Yeah, you should rest up here or find Ms. Rhodes and the girls.

    I''ll have Ruthe with me instead."

    So, the two of them packed up and headed out together.

    It was obvious that Zachary was thrilled about being epted into Jerome''s inner

    circle, which meant everything to him.

    And who could me him? Up until now, Zachary had only been an outer disciple

    under Jerome, which was little more than a formality.

    In martial society, outer disciples were seen as glorified errand boys. They had

    almost no status.

    Only inner disciples, or personal

    disciples, were considered true

    followers. They were officially

    brought into the master''s lineage

    and guided along their martial path.

    Zachary bing Jerome''s student was a huge leap forward.

    Andrew felt genuinely happy for him. After all, Jerome was not just any martial

    artist; he was a martial saint.

    Even Andrew had to acknowledge that much.