Chapter 289

Andrew Smith's lips curled into a faint smirk. It seemed the Li family patriarch was still in the dark.

"Uncle Li, perhaps you're unaware?" he deliberately raised his voice. "Dr. White is Andrew's fiancée! Of course, the lovebirds would sit together."

The private room fell into stunned silence.

Andrew suppressed a triumphant grin. He'd done his homework on Luna White and knew about the Smith family's influence behind her. What puzzled him was how the Smiths seemed completely oblivious to this engagement.

The Smith family dynamics were far more complicated than most. Andrew's stepmother, Victoria Smith, was a formidable woman. His grandfather had once remarked how she'd managed to wrap Andrew's father around her finger without bearing any children, securing her position as the lady of the house.

Years ago, when the Smith child went missing, the entire compound had mobilized to search. Officially, it was declared a case of the child wandering off, but everyone knew Victoria was behind it.

If Andrew didn't sort out his family situation, this engagement wouldn't go smoothly.

Today, he intended to give Luna a helping hand. Having Mayor Li's support would carry more weight than anything else.

Mayor Li's eyes widened as he stared at Andrew and Luna in disbelief. "Dr. White, you and Andrew are really...?"

Andrew turned to Luna, his gaze deep and unreadable.

Luna pressed her lips together in a small smile. "Sir, Instructor Smith is indeed my fiancé. He saved me from drowning in the reservoir and proposed to protect my reputation from village gossip." She playfully winked. "I'd say I got the better end of the deal."

Their shared smile seemed to sweeten the air between them.

Mayor Li clapped Andrew on the shoulder. "You sly dog! I was planning to introduce Dr. White to my useless son!" He suddenly leaned in conspiratorially. "Tell you what—if you're having second thoughts, I can help you call off this engagement."

Luna arched an eyebrow at Andrew, who merely smiled calmly.

"Dr. White," Mayor Li turned to Luna, "the Smiths are too high society for you. If you want out, I'll back you up!"

Luna grabbed Andrew's hand. "Sir, there's no need for concern. Andrew and I have an understanding—he's mine in life and death." She tilted her head at Andrew. "Isn't that right?"

Andrew clasped her slender wrist in return. "Uncle Li, we've already submitted our marriage application. The wedding will happen once Luna turns twenty."

Mayor Li deflated like a punctured balloon.

Nathaniel burst into laughter. "Give it up, old friend! These two are perfect for each other!"

"Bah!" Mayor Li waved him off irritably. "Who wouldn't want such a fine young woman? I was just recognizing quality when I saw it!"

As the banter continued, Luna and Ryan brought out the hot pot. The bubbling spicy broth immediately captured everyone's attention.

Then—screeching tires.

Luna whirled toward the window just in time to see a van barreling straight toward them.

"Run!" she barely had time to shout.

Andrew yanked her into his arms, diving for the corner as—

CRASH!

Shards of glass exploded inward with the winter wind. The van reversed hastily to escape, but Andrew and Andrew were already in pursuit.

Andrew lunged for the door handle as the vehicle accelerated, his body lifting off the ground.

Andrew jumped into his own car, giving chase through the snow-slicked streets in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

Andrew smashed the window with one punch, reaching in to unlock the door. As it flew open, he used the momentum to roll inside.

"Stop the car!" he roared, locking an arm around the driver's throat.

BAM!

Andrew's car rammed the van. Andrew was thrown to the floor as the driver went flying through the windshield.

Struggling to rise, Andrew felt warm blood dripping down his arm. A gruesome gash revealed white bone beneath torn flesh.