Chapter 6

Doria's suggestion hit the sweet spot. Andrew accepted it without a second thought. "Later tonight, I'll have someone deliver the necessary paperwork. We'll have to appease Grandpa first," Doria said, her grin both polite and grateful. Since Andrew was in sync with Doria, he had no reason to linger. "I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first, Ms. Thompson." "Cabs are scarce around here. Let me give you a ride." Andrew and Doria parted ways at a busy intersection. As Andrew was about to hail a cab, a Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of him. The car door swung open, and a middle-aged man in a suit emerged, approaching Andrew with respect. "Please get into the car, Mr. Hughes." "Are you Rudd Jenkins?" Andrew sought confirmation. Although Andrew had been in contact with Rudd for the past three years, they had never met face to face. Rudd nodded. "The president sent me to pick you up, and the contract's all set." Dumbfounded, Andrew asked, "What contract?" Andrew's reaction caught Rudd off guard. "I guess the president hasn't informed you; he's transferring the business entities the Hughes family owns in Thenswy to your name." Understanding dawned on Andrew. He snorted, knowing Lucas was behind this. While Andrew wasn't particularly interested in the family business empire, he knew the Thenswy assets alone were worth over a hundred billion. Lucas was likely testing the waters, gauging Andrew's interest in taking over the family business, starting with Thenswy. Andrew didn't dwell on it. He waved his hand dismissively and said, "Keep the contract. You will continue to manage the business in Thenswy. Nothing changes. Oh, yes. Find me a place to stay. I'll think about this after some rest." For three years, Andrew had devoted himself entirely to Bernice. Ironically, he ended up homeless. Pulling himself together, Andrew spent the car ride planning his next moves. He was determined to make Bernice pay back everything she owed. "Just a heads up, Mr. Hughes. I've terminated our deal with VitaCare Pharmaceutical Group without consulting you." Rudd had been instrumental in the rapid growth of VitaCare Pharmaceutical Group. As Bernice was part of the Hughes family, Rudd had been instructed to support VitaCare Pharmaceutical Group to the best of his ability. However, after Bernice divorced Andrew, there was no point in continuing the collaboration. Andrew didn't fault Rudd for taking matters into his own hands. He inwardly approved of the decision Rudd had made. After all, people had to pay the price for their actions. Two hours later, Andrew arrived at Starlight Grove. Rudd had bought a house in this area. The location wasn't remote, and the two-story house was more than enough. More importantly, Andrew appreciated the vibe and environment of the neighborhood. It was lively with residents, and after some inquiry, Andrew learned that the neighborhood was populated by families and retirees. So, safety wasn't a concern. Thanks to Rudd's help, Andrew quickly cleaned up the house. All the essentials were provided, and Andrew could move in right away. After getting the bedroom sorted and showering, Andrew finally had the time to check his phone. There were a dozen unread messages and two missed calls. Although Elise made multiple missed calls, not every message in Andrew's inbox originated from her. Elise was mainly expressing her outrage at Andrew's mistreatment and her fight with Bernice. Elise had also mentioned leaving home. Andrew read the messages without replying. He needed distance from the Collins family, especially with Elise's involvement complicating matters. Andrew continued scrolling through the messages. It appeared Bernice had sent him a message, but he didn't bother checking it. Lastly, there was a message from Andrew's grandfather, Fred. The message read, "Andrew, I'm leaving the business entities in Thenswy to you. Don't let it weigh on you. I'll deal with your father when the time comes. Just do what's best for you." Even though the message was brief, Andrew felt the care and concern behind Fred's words. After giving it some thought, he realized he hadn't returned since his arguments with his father, Lucas, three years ago. Andrew gathered his resolve and typed a reply. "Don't worry about me, Grandpa. I'll come visit you soon." Andrew then tossed his phone onto the bed. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep like a log. While Andrew slept soundly, Bernice tossed and turned, consumed by worries. Her night was destined to be sleepless. … The next day, a gentle light filtered through the window. Andrew opened his eyes and subconsciously blurted out, "I'll make breakfast. Sleep in a little longer…" Andrew abruptly stopped talking. He glanced at the empty space beside him and let out a bitter smile. It would take time to shake off that habit. Although it was still early, Andrew didn't feel like sleeping anymore. He changed into comfortable sportswear and took a stroll around the neighborhood. The old folks had gathered at the park for morning exercises. Meanwhile, Andrew found himself a secluded spot in the woods and began his warm-up routine. His medical studies in the mountains were accompanied by dedicated martial arts training for personal development. This rigorous morning routine had been a constant for years. Andrew moved with practiced ease, sweat beading on his forehead as he finished. Repetition had ingrained the routine, but each session pushed him harder. The effectiveness of his routine was undeniable—his physique was a testament to that. "Young man, you need to work on your fitness. You're sweating buckets after just a short workout," remarked a white-bearded old man who appeared out of nowhere. He had been observing Andrew with interest and decided to offer some thoughtful feedback. Andrew glanced at the octogenarian, noting his vitality despite his age, before politely acknowledging the comment and moving on. Andrew exited the neighborhood and bought himself breakfast before showering and settling down to eat. It occurred to him that this relaxed lifestyle wasn't half bad. At least he was living for himself now. Before Andrew could finish his meal, his phone buzzed. It was Doria. "I have the marriage certificate ready. Can you make it for dinner tonight at our place?" "Let's set it for 6:00 pm. I'll confirm with you beforehand." Andrew decided not to be half-hearted, knowing it was a necessary part of the charade. Besides, Lucas wouldn't settle for anything less. After finalizing the time, without wasting time on small talk, they ended the call and went about their own business. Following that, Andrew busied himself preparing for fishing. Meanwhile, at VitaCare Pharmaceutical Group, Bernice fretted. She hesitated, eyeing the familiar number on her phone, unsure whether to make the call. Her company was in hot water.