Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

After who knows how many slaps, Quinton finally exploded in rage. "Stop hitting me! I said fucking stop, dammit! Do you hear me?"

His bloodshot eyes locked onto Kevin with a murderous glare, like he was ready to kill.

Kevin's fury surged right back. "You little bastard! Andy was right—you're a disgraceful, ungrateful son! If he hadn't warned me, I wouldn't have seen your true colors today! Fine! Since you're so stubborn, then let me make it official-starting today, you're no longer the Wrights' heir!"

Panic instantly took over Quinton's face. He dropped the tough act and started begging.

"Dad! No, you can't do this to me! I was just upset—I didn't mean anything by it! You can't do that to me! I'm your firstborn! I'm the rightful heir to the Wrights!"

Kevin gave a cold sneer. "Oh, so now you remember you're the firstborn of the Wrights? Then tell me if you want to inherit this family, shouldn't you be taking responsibility for its future?"

Quinton pointed at Andrew, yelling furiously, "So kneeling to this clown and making him my godfather means taking responsibility for the Wrights? Huh?"

Kevin raised his hand and delivered another clean slap-so crisp it echoed. "That's exactly right! Kneeling and recognizing Andy as your godfather is a contribution to this family!"

He barked, "What, are you blind? Don't you see? He's the Grand Physician! He won first place at the Grand Medical Summit! He crushed Mosby, and he's tight with the Keller family and even Governor McCormick! So tell me, you little idiot, are you seriously too blind to see how powerful he is?"

The more he spoke, the more Kevin's anger spiked back up like a fire set ablaze. This disgraceful son of his was a massive disappointment. Even with such a golden opportunity right in front of him, he chose not to grab it.

Kevin started wondering if this dumbass was even his biological child.

Andrew tried to play the part of the reasonable one. "Come on, Mr. Wright, let's just drop it. If Quinton here doesn't want to do it, I won't force him."

However, Kevin's face darkened with a cold, thunderous look. "Quinton, I'm giving you one last chance. Either you apologize, address him as 'Uncle Andrew', and show him the respect of a second father,

"Or get the hell out. From this day on, Yara will manage the Wrights. You won't even be left with a single damn penny!"

A bitter laugh cracked from Quinton's bloodied lips. His face was stained with blood, and his mouth twisted with hatred and humiliation.

The sight was downright tragic.

Then, he dropped to his knees right in front of Andrew. "Andrew, you bastard, listen up, I—"

Before he could finish, Kevin's palm came down again, silencing him with another vicious slap.

Quinton let out a hoarse cry, and his eyes welled with tears.

"You're not kneeling to show off, you're kneeling to show respect, you arrogant little shit! Try that attitude again, and I swear I'll cripple you on the spot!"

Kevin jabbed his finger into Quinton's forehead with brutal force, his tone a full- blown warning.

Quinton was shattered inside. Yet, for the sake of his inheritance, he had no choice but to submit. "Uncle Andrew, my dearest Uncle Andrew... please accept your humble godson's apologies!"

He knelt, laughing and crying at the same time—it was as if he had lost his mind. He apologized again and again, his voice trembling as he shouted, "Uncle Andrew", each time louder and more sincerely

Andrew gave a theatrical sigh. "Ah, my sweet godson. I'm here. I don't have muchnoveldrama

to offer, so here, just a small token of affection."

He reached into his pocket and fished around. Eventually, he pulled out a crumpled single dollar bill-no one knew how long it had been in there. Then, he tossed it to the ground.

Quinton stared at the dollar by his feet, his whole body trembling as if his sout had just left his body. At that moment, he was so humiliated, so enraged, that he could kilp someone.

Yet, he also knew that if he dared lay a hand on Andrew with Kevin around, he would be digging his own grave.

So instead, he picked up the dollar with shaking fingers, forced a twisted smile, and said with venom in his voice, "Thank you, Uncle Andrew."

Christina and her family had their minds blown yet again. They were frozen in place, completely stunned.

Quinton had caved—he actually got on his knees and regarded Andrew as his godfather.