Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Richard stayed silent for a long moment, then clenched his jaw and muttered with a complicated expression, "This kid keeps making enemies left and right—either he's messing with major families or provoking big names like you, Dr. Lake.

"You'd think he's courting death, yet somehow, he's still alive and kicking. But if you say he's unbeatable or has god-tier power, he doesn't exactly live up to that either. I just don't get why he'd go out of his way to pick a fight with someone like you."

Mosby sneered. "The wise adapt to the times, but this arrogant little bastard clearly thinks he's untouchable-like he doesn't have to respect anyone. Well then, I'll be the one to teach him a lesson. I may not command a powerful family...

"But my influence and pull in this city? It's scarier than half the legacy clans put together. I could destroy him ten thousand ways and not repeat a single one."

With a huff, Mosby hung up the call. Richard's indecisiveness had irritated him to the core.

Meanwhile, Richard stared at his phone and let out a laugh full of disdain.

"Mosby, oh Mosby... fame's gone to your head these past few years. You've got unmatched skills, sure, and the big houses in Blumedale treat you like some living saint, showering you with praise and favors.

"But if you think that makes you equal to a legacy bloodline, then you've really overestimated yourself. If the Kellers are willing to suppress the Goldings just to protect Andrew, then crippling you wouldn't be beyond them either."

As Richard muttered to himself, Elon walked into the room.

"Dad, why do you look so pissed off? Did you just get into it with Mosby?" Elon asked, looking suspicious.

Richard gave his son a sideways glance full of disgust. "Get out of my face. I'm in a bad mood today because of you! Starting now, you're banned from eating at the same table as me!"

Elon looked hurt. "What? Why? I'm not sick. I don't even have bad breath Okay, maybe I eat a little too much, but come on, that's not some big problem!"

Richard let out a cold laugh. "You want to know why? Why? Because you ate shit.

And I don't want any of that rubbing off on me."

Elon stood there, frozen in place, eyes wide with disbelief, practically on the verge of tears. They were supposed to bury the whole 'eating shit' scandal, and the entire Golding household agreed never to speak of it again.

So, why did they keep bringing it up, reopening his wound, and stabbing at his pride again and again?

Elon wanted to scream-eating that crap had been a desperate decision, and he had his reasons.

As Richard stormed off, Elon stood there stewing in humiliation and rage.

At that moment, he snapped. A vengeful, irrational thought bubbled up from his

gut.

If Richard had not been his father, he might have tackled the old man right there, pinned him to the ground, and shoved his mouth into a kiss.

He thought, "You hate me because I'm filthy? Because I ate shit? Then fine-l'make you taste what you're so disgusted by! Let's see how high and mighty you feel after that!'

Elon was not thinking straight—he just wanted to lash out. He wanted to punish.noveldrama

What he did not pause to consider... was that charging your own father and kissing him out of revenge?

Well, that might just land you in court and therapy.