Chapter 776
Michael sneered. “Fortune favors the bold, Bane. Haven’t you always wanted to take over the Aickers and replace Cedric? My father has already agreed. In fact, he’s even willing to pull some strings for you—help you get in with the Golding family. So, are you in or out? Think carefully.”
Bane’s expression shifted, torn between hesitation and ambition.
After a long pause, he let out a sinister chuckle. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Ruthless—just the way it should be. Fine. Once I take care of Andrew, I’ll roll the dice with you and go after Tiana. But you and your father better keep your word. I don’t work for free.”
Michael’s eyes darkened. “In Jayrodale, Lauren is fighting me for Rhodes Corporation. In Blumedale, Jameson is fighting my father for the Rhodes family throne. Those two should’ve been dealt with long ago, but my father and I have been waiting for the perfect opportunity.
“Tiana has always been the one standing in our way. She’s the only person my father actually fears. But if you can take her out? Then Lauren and Jameson won’t even be a threat anymore.”
“I can’t believe Michael and his father are actually making a comeback,” Francesca fumed as they returned to Moonlit Apothecary. “They committed crimes in broad daylight, and they still walked free. Do bad people really get to run wild forever in this world?”
Cedric let out a weary sigh. “You’re still young, Francesca. You’ll see a lot more of this in your lifetime.”
He continued, “There’s no such thing as good and evil—only the strong preying on the weak. With the Golding family backing them, Jameson really doesn’t stand a chance against Kenny. No matter how rotten Michael is, he’s got the kind of protection that makes him untouchable.”
Andrew had brought Lauren back to Moonlit Apothecary to recover since he did not feel safe leaving her alone at Rhodes Corporation. The chaos surrounding the company had not settled; it had only escalated.
With the Wellers and Stevens fanning the flames in the background, Rhodes Corporation’s Pharmaceutical Division had become a disgrace, its reputation sinking to rock bottom. The damage was not just limited to one department either—every branch of the company was now suffering.
Revenue was plummeting by the day, and deals were falling apart left and right. Dozens of businesses had already cut ties, and lawsuits and contract breaches were piling up.
Andrew came downstairs and found Cedric and Francesca. He gave them a few quick instructions. “Mr. Aicker, from now on, you can pick up Vitality Pills and Titan Essence Pills directly from Glorious Pharmaceuticals—no need to check in with me.
“For now, Lauren will be staying at Moonlit Apothecary to rest. I need you both to keep an eye on her. As for finding brand ambassadors for the two signature pills, Mr. Aicker, I’ll leave the initial arrangements to you. Once I have time, we’ll go together to finalize things.”
Cedric nodded. “Dr. Lloyd, don’t worry. Anything I can handle on my own, I will. You won’t need to check in. As for Ms. Rhodes, rest assured—I’ll make sure she’s well taken care of.”
Francesca clenched her fists. “Andrew, no matter what, we have to help Lauren take back the CEO position. If we don’t, all of this will just be handed over to that bastard Michael!”
She added, “And with Mrs. Rhodes turning her back on Lauren, if she loses this fight, she’ll be left with nothing.”
Andrew’s gaze turned ice-cold. “Don’t worry. Everything that rightfully belongs to Lauren—I won’t let anyone take it away from her. It’s time to clean house. And I know exactly where to start.”