Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Elon growled, "Get over here, you idiot! I'll beat you to death!"

He was too terrified to face Andrew directly, so he took out his fear on Oscar instead, slapping him repeatedly. Not satisfied with just his fists, he started stomping on Oscar as well, his heavy shoes driving into Oscar's already battered face.

Before long, Oscar lay curled up under the table, his head a swollen mess of bruises and cuts.

"Stop, please, Mr. Golding, stop hitting me! W-What did I do to deserve this? Why are you treating me like this?"

His breaths came out in ragged gasps. Only when he managed to scramble further under the table, just out of Elon's reach, did he dare to whimper for mercy.

Zephyr finally spoke up, his voice steady but firm. "Mr. Golding, please, there's no need to take it this far. Let's talk this out."

Elon wiped the sweat from his face, ignoring Zephyr completely. He forced a stiff smile as he turned to Andrew. "Andy, I'm sorry for interrupting your meal. Look, this punk disrespected you, so I've already taken care of it for you. Well, I should get going then."

Elon took a step back, eager to escape, but Andrew's cold voice cut through the air. "Leaving already? You think you can just walk out after all this?"

Elon froze mid-step, a wave of dread washing over him. He turned back slowly, forcing a grimace that barely passed for a smile. "Andy, is there... something you're still unhappy about?"

Andrew leaned back, his eyes sharp and unyielding. "First, who gave you the right to act like we're on the same level? Who said you could call me 'Andy'? Second, I'm having a meal with Mr. Stevens, and you come barging in, ruining the mood. "You disrupted us, and you think you can just walk away without making it right? Fatty, did you think I was some pushover, that I'd just let this slide?"

The chill in Andrew's voice made Elon's entire body tremble. He quickly stammered, "Y-Yes, of course! Mr. Lloyd, I'm so sorry! I've clearly overstepped! I- I'll pay for this meal as an apology!"

Elon, who had been trying to play the big boss just moments ago, now bowed his head like a scolded child, shifting his tone to a humble, desperate plea.

Andrew waved a hand dismissively, clearly losing patience. "At least you know how to read the room. Now, get out."

Elon felt a wave of relief as he stumbled back toward the door, his shirt soaked with sweat, his round face pale and shiny.

Meanwhile, his two bodyguards, visibly shaken, scurried after him without a word. They silently cursed at their luck, knowing that Andrew was ruthless and even the Goldings could not deal with him.

If a conflict broke out, those bodyguards would inevitably be the first

to charge in. The result was obvious they would be the first to be buried six feet under.

Just like that, Elon and his men left. He had strutted in like a king, full of arrogance, even reciting grand lines at the door. Now, he slinked out pathetically, leaving behind a trail of sweat and shame.

The Stevens family members watched this dramatic

reversal innoveldrama

stunned silence, their hearts still pounding. It felt like they had just ridden a rollercoaster, each emotional drop hitting harder than the last.

Kon

Oscar slowly crawled out from under the table, his face a swollen, bloody mess, his eyes filled with terror as he looked at Andrew.

Andrew's mere existence could nearly scare the shit out of Elon. To think that he was dumb enough to provoke Andrew made Oscar's blood run cold.

Aspen glanced around at her stunned family members and explained, "You all should know by now that in Blumedale, Mr. Lloyd isn't someone the Goldings or any of the Five Apex Families can just mess with.

"Logan, the heir to the Keller family,

is sworn brothers with him. If

anyone from the Five Apex Families wants to pick a fight, it'll take

someone at the level of a family patriarch, not some spoiled brat."

The Stevens family members gaped at her, their minds reeling. Back in Jayrodale, they had already known Andrew was impressive, directly crushing their family.

However, he had just come to Blumedale with Aspen for a short time. So, how had he managed to build such influence in Blumedale so quickly?

It was simply unbelievable for the Stevens. Or rather, even with their wildest imagination, they could not fathom how Andrew had accomplished this.