Andrew replied dismissively, “Oh really? And what if I don’t tone down?”

Liliana sneered. “If you don’t behave yourself, you’ll be the only one who suffers in the end!”

Miles frowned. “Liliana, don’t exaggerate. You make it sound like Mom’s a monster.”

Then, he turned to Andrew and said, “Mr. Lloyd, I’m just giving you a heads-up. That’s all. Nothing more.”

Without another word, Andrew followed Otis deeper into the estate to meet Victoria.

Liliana watched his back disappear and stomped her foot. “Miles, why would you warn that bastard? Let him mouth off in front of Mom and get wrecked. He deserves it!”

Miles replied, “How many times do I have to tell you not to provoke him? Did you already forget what happened last time?”

Liliana sneered. “Of course I didn’t forget! But to say the Peck family can’t handle someone like Andrew? That’s laughable. Last time, Mom didn’t get involved. If she had, Andrew would probably be dead already.”

Miles shook his head. Clearly, Liliana still hadn’t learned her lesson.

Andrew had grown into a serious force who could stand toe-to-toe with the Five Apex Families. Even with Victoria around, the Peck family could not actually do much to him.

If they did, the people backing Andrew would probably come knocking, and they would not be polite.

Still, a part of Miles was frustrated. The Peck family was a well-established household with real influence. Yet, even their patriarch had been forced into retreat after crossing paths with Andrew.

Now that Victoria had asked for this meeting, Miles had a strong feeling that she planned to put Andrew in his place behind closed doors to reassert the family’s authority.

Miles turned to Liliana and smirked. “She probably won’t kill him. But a good beating? That seems very likely.”

After passing through multiple buildings and winding around for quite a while, they finally arrived at a small villa.

Andrew could not help but comment, “Mrs. Peck certainly lives in a secluded place!”

Otis smiled. “Mrs. Peck likes quiet. Usually, only those of us who serve her are around. Even her children can’t come to disturb her without being summoned.”

Andrew nodded. That lined up with what he had pictured.

She stayed behind closed doors, completely inaccessible to ordinary people. But when she did appear, the world trembled.

Tiana was already a difficult woman to deal with, and Victoria was probably even worse.

What puzzled Andrew the most was why Reginald always ended up with such terrifying women.

It would be nicer to be with someone soft-spoken and sweet, like Francesca or Aspen. Someone you could rest your head on, snuggled up against her plush thighs or warm tummy.

Now that was peace.

Andrew silently grumbled, ‘Dad, you were such a player. You’ve left quite a mess for me to clean!’

With a creaking sound, the sandalwood door painted with gold dust slowly opened.

Otis stood outside the door and said to Andrew, “Mr. Lloyd, please go in. Mrs. Peck is waiting for you inside!”

Andrew hesitated. “You’re not coming with me? Seems a little off, going in alone.”

Otis smiled and shook his head. “Mrs. Peck specifically asked to see you alone. No one else is allowed to enter. Anyone who crosses that line without permission, no matter who they are, will face serious consequences.”

Andrew chuckled. “What if Mr. Peck Senior wants to come in?”

Otis still smiled. “No exceptions. If Mrs. Peck decides to act, she will without hesitation.”

Andrew laughed again. “What, is she planning to conquer the world single-handedly?”

With that, he stepped through the door. Behind him, the door slammed shut with a bang and locked tight.

Andrew’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Damn it, is Otis working with Mrs. Peck to set me up?’

If they were planning to corner him and attack, given how terrifying Victoria was, he really needed to be extra careful.

Just as he was secretly on guard, a soft, pleasant voice came from behind the screen. “Mr. Lloyd, is that you? Please come to the back. I’m feeling a bit unwell, so I won’t get up to greet you. Please forgive me.”

Her tone was very polite, and her voice gave no indication of her age. She could be a sultry woman in her late 30s or a young lady in her late teens or early 20s.

Andrew could not tell for sure, and that made it trickier.

It was one thing for Victoria to request a private meeting, but to do it while lying in bed?

Was this some kind of trap?