Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Francesca let out a cold laugh. "You really think I'd believe word you say? Everyone in Jayrodale knows that Mr. Jameson has always been the backbone of the Rhodes family. Mr. Kenny? He's been irrelevant for years."

Michael whistled arrogantly, his grin widening. "Ever heard the saying? Tables turn every. Did you really think my father and I would stay nobodies forever? Fran, if your brains were even half as big as your chest, you'd know better.

"Go ask around-aside from not officially taking the family head title, my father has already stripped Jameson of all his power."

Feeling triumphant, Michael took a long swig of champagne, reveling in his own audacity.

"Oh, and let me really open your eyes. The Wellers' warehouse? Yeah, I torched it. Not just that—I took a few lives while I was at it. But so what? Dad made one call to the Golding family, and they made another straight to the governor's office.

"After that, the governor put pressure on Mr. Thatcher, and Mr. Thatcher cracked down on that fat pig Donald, forcing him to cut me loose immediately. And just like that, I walked out of there untouched. That, my friends, is real power. That's what it means to be untouchable."

Watching Michael bask in his arrogance, Francesca felt nothing but disgust. "Michael, you might escape for now, but karma has a way of catching up with people like you."

Michael sneered, his eyes flashing with malice. "Francesca, if you were smart, you'd ditch Andrew and Lauren while you still can. Spend some quality time with me instead. If you can satisfy me, maybe I'll be generous and help out your little Aickers family."

His gaze shifted to Andrew, a cruel smirk curling on his lips. "And you-watch your back. My old man's got his eye on you now. I'd be careful if I were you-wouldn't want to take a wrong turn one night and end up in a ditch."

Andrew grabbed Francesca's hand and turned to leave. "Fran, there's no point wasting time on this scumbag."

After taking two steps, he suddenly stopped and glanced back, his expression unreadable. "When I first came to Rhodes Corporation, I was only planning to teach you a lesson. But now, I've changed my mind. Michael, I'm going to make sure you don't walk away from this. Mark my words."

Michael's expression twisted in fury as he clenched his teeth. That bastard actually dared to threaten him?

He had already laid all his cards on the table, yet Andrew was not the least bit afraid-he had not even flinched.

That pissed Michael off. Normally, people would be trembling the second they heard his father's name.

"Bane!" Michael suddenly barked.

From the shadows, a figure

emerged a man who had been sitting quietly like a ghost in the

corner. His voice was eerily calm.

"What do you need, Mr. Rhodes?"

Michael's eyes gleamed with vicious intent. "Poison, That's your specialty, isn't it? I'm done waiting. I want Andrew dead. I don't care how you do it-make his body rot from the inside out, make him suffer until he begs for death. And when you're done, bring him to me. I want to be the one to crush his skull under my boot."

Bane let out a chilling laugh. "I've

already started preparing for

Mr. Rhodes. You won't have to wat longer." Content be wait

much

Michael's smirk grew even darker. "And after Andrew, I have one more job for you-take care of Tiana for me."noveldrama

Bane's expression shifted immediately, his confidence faltering. "That..... is impossible. Tiana isn't just strong-

she's stronger than me. If you want me to go after her, you might as well be sending the to my grave."