Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Kevin snorted coldly. "Fine then, 50-50 it is! Now, come with me to the Wright estate, and we'll make this fragment reveal its contents. Then, we'll negotiate with Mr. Driscoll,"

Andrew refused once again. "Forget it. Your combat skills are exceptional; even Grand Viper wasn't your match. If I follow you to the Wright estate, I'd just be at your mercy!"

Kevin grinned smugly. "All this time, everyone has only seen me as just an ordinary family head! But nobody, not even my own sons and daughters, knows that my martial arts have already advanced tremendously!

"Since you already understand that coming with me would mean being under my thumb, then be smart about it. Don't force my hand. Otherwise, this so-called brotherhood of ours? It's over."

The threat could not have been more obvious.

A flicker of cold light passed through Andrew's eyes, though his face stayed calm. "Sorry, but I'm not going to the Wright estate. That fragment in your hand? It's blank. Without me, no one's solving this.

"So here are your options-either hand it over and I'll decode it, then give it back... Or try to take me down. But I'm not accepting humiliation. And if you go that route, you'll end up with nothing."

Kevin's voice dropped, dark and heavy. "Andrew, don't test my patience. Do you really think I don't know who caused all this tension between the Wrights and Grand Viper's people?

"You were stirring the pot from the start. I let myself trust you and let you talk circles around me. But after the way you've been acting... maybe Mosby wasn't lying. You've been playing puppet master, using the Wrights to block your enemies and take the heat for you."

Andrew did not bother denying it. He simply said, "Well, if you've already figured it out, then what are you waiting for?"

Kevin's expression changed

dramatically. He clenched his jaw, hissing, "For now, I won't move on you. And I know why you're this. confident. Truth is, Andrew, when I first made you my sworn brother, it wasn't just about your clever mouth.

"I had reason to believe you had some serious backing behind you. If I were to turn on you now, everything I've built around that alliance would go up in smoke."

Andrew raised a brow. "Well, I didn't expect you to be that level-headed."

With a grunt, Kevin tossed him the map fragment. "Fine. Take it. I'll be waiting to hear what you find. tok

you try anything shady, think

carefully about this-can-e

really

stand against the full might of the Wrights... plus me, a martial king?"

Andrew caught the map and strolled off like he owned the place.

Kevin was thoroughly exasperated. This damn guy acted like he was not even slightly afraid of his threat.

He barked, "Tora, follow him. Don't let him out of your sight for a single second. If anything goes wrong, don't engage-just report back to the family immediately."noveldrama

Kevin's mind was already spinning with backup plans. If Andrew tried to pull anything, he would have the entire Serenity Villa crushed under their boots.

Andrew might escape, but Kevin did not believe Andrew's people would all make it out.

Quinton, eyes lit with greed, rushed

up and said Father, you've got to

get in touch with Mr. Driscoll too! Once Andrew decodes that piece of the map, we'll know exactly where the treasure's hidden and open the vault. Just like that, we'll be rich beyond our wildest dreams!"