Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

In front of Andrew, everyone else was not worth mentioning-just dust beneath his feet. To put it bluntly, they were nothing.

Kevin beamed. "Perfect. Just perfect! Andy, then it's settled between our families! Come on, let's raise a glass and celebrate the Wrights becoming sworn brothers with you!"

Kevin grinned from ear to ear, lifting his wine glass high. At this point, the Wrights practically worshipped Andrew, treating him like a king.

So, Andrew could not really refuse-he clinked his glass against Kevin's with a polite smile. He said smoothly, "I should be the one thanking you, Kevin. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have ended up with such a remarkable godson. But hey, let's not get too sentimental-cheers to you. Bottom's up!"

Kevin burst into laughter. "You're too kind! Cheers, let's drink till we drop!"

The drinking went late into the evening, and it was already around 8.00 p.m. when it finally wound down. Kevin offered to take Andrew to their private country club for a full massage and relaxation session, but he politely declined.

Andrew wandered off by himself, planning to catch a ride home. However, before he could reach the curb, Christina and her family came rushing up behind him.

"Andrew, wait! Don't go yet!" Leroy was the first to speak, though he started with a scolding tone.

However, as soon as the words reached his mouth, he backed down, suddenly meek. The man who once barked at Andrew like he was nothing did not even dare raise his voice anymore, afraid one wrong word might get him decapitated with just a snap of Andrew's fingers.

"Is there something you need?" Andrew's expression was cold as he glanced at them.

Irene stepped up first, nervously smiling. "Andrew, sweetheart, I just want to sincerely apologize for everything."

However, Andrew's response was sharp and simple. "Sorry, not interested."

Irene's smile froze in place as she awkwardly backed off. Then, Christina stepped forward, her eyes swirling with complicated emotions as she looked at him.

She said, "Andrew... now that everything's happened, I've finally figured it all out. You were never just some small-time doctor back in Jayrodale, were you? You were hiding your true strength all along, weren't you?"

Andrew waved a hand dismissively. "Whatever the case, it has nothing to do with you anymore, Christina. Now, if there's nothing else, I'm heading home."

Christina bit her lip hard. "Andrew, you won't even look me in the eye now? And why... Why are you being so cold to me? Do you really hate me that much?"

Andrew chuckled, the sound icy. "Hate you? Christina, you're flattering yourself. I don't hate you-in fact, you don't even exist in my world. Do you think someone like you, with your so-called 'accomplishments', is worth my hatred?"

That sharp sting shot straight through her chest and Christina's head like a dagger. Tears spilled from her eyes as she cracked, nearly breaking down.

"Andrew, if you're so powerful-if you've always had all this strength and talent... then why didn't you show it back in Jayrodale? Why did you let me lie awake every night, drowning in regret? Why are you doing this to me?"

Yet, Andrew showed no trace of sympathy, and his gaze remained ice-cold. "Christina, I've got three words for you: you deserved it. You asked why I didn't show my abilities in Jayrodale?"

He gave a bitter laugh. "Let me ask

you this-did you ever really get to know me? Did you care about whether was capable or not?

didn't You only cared about

your ambition and climbing the next rung on the ladder. But what you failed to realize is that you were

never strong enough for that ladder. You overestimated yourself."

He exhaled, his smile tinged with disdain. "If you'd simply stayed humble-acted like a real

woman then honestly, I could'vet

taken the Stevens family to the top. I could've made your family outshine even the Five Apex Families. It wouldn't have been hard. But no, you chose what you thought was the smarter route. You decided I wasn't

good enough for your dreams.

There's only one word for women like you: foolish." noveldrama

He let out a small laugh as if shaking off a bad memory. Then, he sighed. At this

point, Christina might as well have been a stranger to him.