Andrew's voice was calm, showing no sign of arrogance. Meanwhile, the scarred man and his thugs were stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Ha! Did this pretty boy just tell me, Scarface, to get lost?"

"Idiot, you've been watching too many superhero movies. Trying to play the knight in shining armor, huh?"

"Boss, why waste time talking? Let's just take him out!" Another thug swung a steel pipe viciously at Andrew's head.

Lauren sighed inwardly, thinking she would have to step in to protect this brave but foolish man. Suddenly, she heard a piercing scream. The thug who had attacked first was on the ground, clutching his stomach.

Somehow, Andrew had taken the steel pipe from him. Then, in a blur of motion, Andrew swung the pipe. A series of thuds followed as the attackers fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

Yet, no one could see how he moved as he was moving too fast.

Scarface roared in anger, leaping at Andrew with a vicious kick. At the same time, Andrew tossed aside the now-bent pipe and, without even looking, launched a kick of his own.

Soon, Scarface's cry could be heard, and his body curled as he flew backward, slamming into the SUV with a sickening thud. Blood spewed from his mouth as he struggled to move.

He looked up at Andrew in terror, stuttering, "Y-You…"

Andrew ignored him, turning back to Lauren as if nothing had happened. "Let's go, Ms. Rhodes."

Lauren's eyes were still wide with shock. Andrew, who had seemed so gentle and refined, turned out to be incredibly fierce in a fight. She thought someone like him was highly unlikely to be just a boy toy. With his medical skills and fighting prowess, he was more like a hidden gem.

Lauren felt a rush of excitement at the thought that she had stumbled upon a real gem. She smiled seductively as she started the car and drove toward South City.

"Dr. Lloyd, first you saved Cece, and now you've saved me. I don't know how to thank you enough," Lauren said with a smile as she drove, her interest in Andrew growing by the minute.

Andrew replied politely, "I really didn't do much. But Ms. Rhodes, you should be careful. These men might be connected to the ones who poisoned Cece earlier."

Lauren's expression hardened. "I have a pretty good idea who's behind this. They'll learn that the Rhodes family isn't to be trifled with, and I'll make sure they pay for this tenfold!"

From the back seat, Cecelia chimed in sweetly, "Lauren, Dr. Lloyd has helped us so many times. Shouldn't we give him some kind of reward?"

Lauren nodded in agreement. "You're right. We should definitely thank Dr. Lloyd properly."

Cecelia's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Lauren, I have a suggestion."

"What's that?"

"Well, since he didn't want our family's Black Gold Card, why don't you reward him… personally?"

"Oh, you little brat! What are you saying? I ought to wash your mouth out with soap…"

Andrew felt uncomfortable listening to the sisters' banter. Lauren's face flushed, but she maintained her composure as she turned to Andrew.

"Dr. Lloyd, please don't mind my sister. She doesn't think before she speaks sometimes."

Andrew smiled awkwardly, trying to show understanding.

However, Lauren suddenly added, "Though I wouldn't mind what Cece suggested if that's what you want."

Andrew was at a loss for words. Undeniably, Lauren was an incredibly alluring woman. Born into a prestigious family, she carried herself with grace and had a face that could launch a thousand ships. Moreover, her figure was really curvaceous.

Unlike Christina's cold, unapproachable beauty, Lauren was the other extreme—passionate and fiery, with full lips and curves that could make a man weak at the knees.

Andrew had seen his fair share of beautiful women, but Lauren's charm was almost overwhelming. Catching a glimpse of Andrew's slightly embarrassed expression in the rearview mirror, Lauren giggled.

She had not expected Andrew to be someone who would actually feel shy, and she was amused. Countless men of all types had pursued her, but Lauren had never met someone quite as intriguing as Andrew. Maybe, she thought, it was worth giving him a try.

South City Orphanage was located on the southern outskirts of Jayrodale, on a sizeable piece of undeveloped land. Jayrodale's business community had long coveted this prime real estate.

The fundraising gala that night was organized to facilitate the orphanage's relocation, attracting Jayrodale's most influential families and business groups.

As night fell and the lights came on, South City Orphanage's courtyard was transformed. A red carpet welcomed Jayrodale's elite, who arrived with their glamorous dates for an evening of socializing.

"Ms. Rhodes, welcome!" The orphanage director personally greeted Lauren.

However, as he adjusted his reading glasses, his eyes lit up at the sight of her companion. "Dr. Lloyd, you're here too? Oh my, the children and I have been eagerly waiting for you!"

A group of orphans excitedly swarmed around Andrew, repeatedly calling, "Andy!"

Lauren was surprised to see Andrew chatting with the director, realizing that this humble doctor's popularity overshadowed her status as the Rhodes Corporation heiress.

Soon, a few VIP guests approached to greet Lauren. She smiled, thinking she had finally regained some of the spotlight.

"Dr. Lloyd, let me introduce you to some CEOs," Lauren said, ready to show off her connections.

To her astonishment, the guests recognized Andrew before she could make introductions.

"Oh, isn't this Dr. Lloyd from Jayrodale General Hospital? Hello, hello! I'm James Campbell. It's thanks to your miraculous treatment that I can walk again!"

"Dr. Lloyd, what an honor to meet you again! Remember me? I had problems with my pregnancy. Thanks to you, we now have a one-year-old. Our family line is secured!"

"Hey, Dr. Lloyd! I owe you a drink tonight. If it weren't for you, I would've been out of the game at 60. Now I'm still going strong!"

Lauren was dumbfounded. She watched as these VIPs eagerly approached Andrew, showering him with warm greetings. This guy's connections were clearly extraordinary—far beyond what one would expect from a simple doctor.

After finally bidding farewell to the guests, Andrew turned to Lauren with an apologetic shrug. "Sorry about that, Ms. Rhodes. They were all former patients of mine. To be honest, I can barely remember them."

Lauren smirked. "Dr. Lloyd, you're quite the dark horse, aren't you?"

Little did she know, Andrew truly could not recall these Jayrodale bigwigs despite their status.

Just then, Lauren's phone rang. After answering, she turned to Andrew and said, "Dr. Lloyd, feel free to look around. I need to take care of something. See you in a bit!"

Andrew nodded. "Of course, Ms. Rhodes. Don't let me keep you."

There was still some time before the fundraiser officially began. More influential figures, all eyeing the orphanage's valuable property, continued to arrive. Before long, the parking lot was already filled with luxury cars.

A sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up, drawing everyone's attention. As the door opened, a stunning woman in a pure white cocktail dress stepped out, her legs as fair as snow. Her appearance drew gasps of admiration from the crowd.

"What a beauty! Her grace is truly unparalleled!"

"I'd risk jail time just for a moment with a woman like that!"

"That's the famous CEO of Stevens Corporation. Not only is she gorgeous, but her business insight is extraordinary. She'll probably snag this prime real estate tonight."

Another luxury car pulled up behind the Rolls-Royce. Shawn eagerly jumped out and approached the center of attention, Christina.

"Christie, you really know how to make an entrance. I bet you'd be a top celebrity even if you weren't the CEO of Stevens Corporation!"

Shawn's eyes could not hide his admiration as he gazed at the radiant Christina. Christina, however, seemed uncomfortable with his closeness.

"Let's focus on business. And I think it's best we maintain some distance in public."

Shawn brushed off her concern. "What's there to worry about? Everyone knows how I feel about you, Christie. Besides, you're single now. You kicked that loser to the curb, so no one can say anything."

Irene chimed in, supporting Shawn. "That's right, Christie. Andrew's out of the picture now. Plus, Shawn's our ally. We'll need his support for Stevens Corporation tonight."

From a distance, Andrew watched Christina and Shawn chatting and laughing, surrounded by other guests. He had not expected to run into the woman who had almost become his wife in such a place. He turned away, intending to leave.

However, Christina spotted him and called out, "Andrew… is that you? Wait right there!"

The click of high heels echoed as Christina approached, uncertainty in her steps.

Andrew cursed his luck silently before turning to face her with a cold expression. "What can I do for you, Ms. Stevens?"

Christina's smile faltered. "Andrew, it really is you. A-Are you still angry with me?"

Andrew took a deep breath, quickly suppressing his emotions. "You must be joking, Ms. Stevens. A nobody like me has no right to be angry. If there's nothing else, I'll leave you in peace."

"Wait, don't go!" Christina stepped forward, her tone serious. "Even though our relationship is over, I've always thought you were a good person, Andrew. So please, listen to me one last time—why don't you turn yourself in?"

Andrew let out a cold laugh, amused by how Christina was still as clueless as ever. Even until then, she was unaware of the true situation.

"Why don't you call the police right now and have them arrest me, Ms. Stevens?"

Christina was taken aback, then her face flushed with anger. "Andrew, why are you being so stubborn? Even if I wronged you, that's no excuse to break the law! Listen to me. Return the King of Diamonds and face the consequences of your actions."

Irene and Shawn approached, their faces unfriendly.

"Christie, why are you even bothering with him?" Shawn sneered as he turned to Andrew. "A shameless thief daring to show up at a high-class event like this. Where do you get the nerve?"

Irene chimed in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Andrew, did you follow Christie here like a lost puppy? I just don't get why you keep hanging around. It's pathetic."

Andrew glanced at the arrogant Shawn. "Didn't that slap teach you how to behave?"

Shawn's face instantly darkened with rage. "Christie's not here to protect you anymore. I'll cripple you in a heartbeat!"

He signaled, and the Fields family's bodyguards started moving toward Andrew.

Just then, a cold voice cut through the tension. "My, what a temper. What an impressive show of force. How dare you threaten my man."

Lauren approached with an imposing presence, wearing an exquisite red gown. She was accompanied by Eunice and the Rhodes family's top bodyguards. Her hair was elegantly styled in an updo, accentuating her long neck and flawlessly beautiful face.

She was breathtakingly stunning.

Shawn stared at Lauren, almost drooling. Another gorgeous woman had entered the scene, and he was mesmerized.

"Miss, w-what did you say?" he stammered.

Lauren linked her arm with Andrew's and smiled sweetly. "I said, he's my man. Is that clear enough for you?"

Shawn snapped out of his trance, burning with jealousy. This loser seemed to have incredible luck with women. He could not believe Andrew had already snagged such beauty right after breaking up with Christina.

It just seemed so unfair.

"Beautiful lady, here's some advice—this guy's a deadbeat, a gold-digger. With your looks, he's not even fit to run errands for you!"

Irene chimed in, "Sweetie, I don't know who you are, but be careful. This guy's a loser. He used to mooch off my daughter. You'd better stay away from him before he tricks you too!"

Lauren ignored them both and turned her gaze to Christina, flashing a seductive smile. Her sharp intuition immediately sensed that Andrew had a history with this woman.

Christina met Lauren's gaze with an icy stare. The tension between the two women was palpable.

"Andy, aren't you going to introduce me to this lovely lady who seems to know you so well?" Lauren asked Andrew teasingly, her tone deliberately provocative.

Andrew felt a headache coming on. He had not expected these two women to meet, let alone for Lauren to start calling him "Andy" so casually. This woman was clearly stirring up trouble.

"This is the famous Ice Queen of Stevens Corporation," Andrew said with a hint of sarcasm. "Also known as Ms. Christina Stevens, the one everyone's talking about—the woman who dumped me."

Lauren laughed dramatically. "Oh, so you're Ms. Stevens! No wonder you're so beautiful. I must thank you, Ms. Stevens. If you hadn't let Andy go, he and I might never have found happiness together!"

Her words ignited Christina's fury.