Andrew would never have expected that after all these years, the only person in Goldridge who cared about his safety would be Rowan. However, thedy standing before him now waspletely different from the bratty little girl from five years ago.


    Her intoxicating fragrance, soft little hands, a smooth face, and those long legs that could make any man drool. Everything about her screamed that she was a real beauty.


    Andrew remained perfectly still because he never expected Rowan to secretlye to rescue him. However, if he left with her now, everything he had worked for would be wasted.


    "Come on, let''s go! What''s wrong with you?" Rowan whispered urgently.


    Seeing Andrew''s nk, dull look, she began to panic. Then, a terrifying thought struck her, draining the color from her face.


    She gasped and mumbled, "Phantom Mirage... No.... Don''t tell me you''ve been brainwashed by Phantom Mirage! Grandma told me that Mr. Thornton''s adopted son, Eric... that bastard''s hypnosis technique is terrifying! Anyone who falls under it loses their mind little by little until they be a puppet, just a shell,pletely controlled..."


    Her voice trembled, and her thoughts spiraled. She waved a hand in front of Andrew''s face, but there was no reaction. Then, she shook his shoulders, but still no reaction.


    Finally, she pped him across the face. "Snap out of it!"


    Andrew cursed silently, ''Damn, this girl hits hard! That hurt!''


    Still, he held still, determined to stay in character and pay her backter.


    Rowan tried everything she could think of, but nothing worked. Her face fell, eyes filled with heartbreak as she stared at him. "You jerk... five years ago, you promised you''de back to see me. Did you know? I waited for you for five years. Five whole years!"


    She murmured the words to herself, then suddenly dropped to the floor and broke into sobs. Her shoulders trembled as she cried without holding back.


    Andrew''s scalp tingled in panic. ''Lady, if you keep crying like that, you''re gonna alert those two psychos upstairs! Also, what did you just say?''


    Did she just say that she had waited for him for five years? He vaguely remembered healing her five years ago, and that was how they met.


    Back then, Rowan had been fierce and unreasonable, not particrly likable at all. So, Andrew''s impression of her was not good. Besides, she seemed to hate him too, especially when the treatment required touching her body, which had caused unpleasant scenes.


    Who could have imagined she would actuallye crying to this den of thieves because of him?


    Andrew found it all very strange, wondering what the hell Rowan was up to. He needed to find a way to get her out of here before things went south.


    Just then, footsteps echoed from the stairwell, and the lights flicked on.


    Andrew''s heart skipped a beat, and he thought, ''This is bad! Either Eric or Henry ising downstairs!'' Rowan, who had been crouching and sobbing on the floor, reacted with extraordinary speed. To Andrew''s amazement, she stood up, bent her slender waist, leaned down, and gently kissed his lips.


    She whispered, "Goodbye, Andrew. The Onyx Serpents are being crushed by the McCormick family and threatened by people like Henry. We have no choice. Either we submit, or we get wiped out. Grandma and I have no choice but to take the Onyx Serpents and leave Goldridge."


    After that brief kiss, Rowan''s delicate face flushed with color.


    Cupping Andrew''s face, she cried andughed at the same time, whispering softly, "Andrew, I fell in love with you five years ago. Don''t worry. Grandma and the others are leaving Goldridge, but I won''t go. I''ll secretly stay behind and find a way to save you! You idiot, you touched my breasts back then, you know. So I''m stuck on you now! You can''t escape!"


    With onest lingering look at Andrew, Rowan turned around and, like an agile white cat, flipped over the balcony and left the mansion.


    Andrew breathed a sigh of relief, but he quickly froze again. ''Wait... What the hell did she just say? She''s in love with me? Since when? And she''s saying I touched her breasts?''


    Honestly, Andrew could not remember.


    Nheless, Rowan''s confession just now had been crystal clear and unmistakable.


    The young girl from five years ago had now be a charming, voluptuous, graceful, and alluringdy.


    Then again, when had she secretly fallen for him?


    Andrew could not figure this out and found it troublesome. After all, he did not want to harm Rowan. Originally, he could have followed his n to toy with Henry and the others, then slip away when the time was right.


    However, Rowan had appeared out of nowhere. If it were just anyone else, he would not have cared.


    He sighed deeply. Maybe being too attractive really was a curse for a man. Also, he secretly suspected that deep down, he might be a pervert too. Otherwise, he would not have been disturbed by Rowan''s pitiful appearance and heartfelt confession just now.


    As they said, women were nothing but distractions. Even though Andrew knew it well, he still could not help himself. Women, especially beautiful women, were dangerous.


    They had two mouths, and both could devour you.


    That night passed without further incident. As dawn broke, Henry and Eric were fully geared up and ready tounch their assault on the Yeagers.


    This time, even Eric wasing along, which showed Henry was ready to go all in.


    Scarlett also showed up early, dressed forbat, and seething with killing intent. She asked, "Where''s Alex? I don''t see him anywhere."


    Henry answered tly, "Dead."


    Scarlett''s eyes widened. "Dead? He died at the Yeager estate?"


    Henry nced at Andrew. "Yeah. He died there. Andrew used him as a scapegoat and threw him out to die!"


    Scarlett walked up to Andrew and sneered. "Who would have thought that even as a puppet, you little bastard could still do such shameless things! It just shows how truly rotten you are!"


    ''Rotten, my ass!'' Andrew resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Staring at Scarlett''s ugly face, he really wanted to p her hard.


    "Everyone, let''s head to the Yeager estate. Move out!" Henry barked.


    With that, about seven SUVs roared to life, heading straight for the Yeager estate in a mighty convoy.