Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Under the eager gazes of the crowd waiting for a show, Andrew stood up. Ignoring Duncan's menacing expression, he looked straight at him and sneered coldly.

"Spencer started the trouble himself, which led to his current situation! As his father, instead of disciplining your son first, you come to blame me? Mr. Irving Senior, your family's values are seriously lacking!"

The crowd erupted in shock.

"Damn, this kid actually has the nerve to lecture Mr. Irving Senior?"

"Does he really have a death wish? Mr. Irving Senior is notorious in the Gabo Creek Chamber for his ruthless methods!"

"He beat up the man's son-he should just get on his knees and beg for mercy instead of running his mouth here. No doubt about it, he's going to die horribly!"

In his fury, Duncan's cane lashed out violently, not at Andrew, but splitting the dining table beside him clean in half. His rage was evident as he snarled, "Who do you think you are to judge how my family conducts itself? That's our business!

"How dare an outsider, some insignificant little brat, presume to criticize me? Andrew, if it weren't for the Keller family's sake today, I wouldn't waste another word on you—I'd simply order your ruin and show you what true misery means!"

Duncan had an extremely volatile temper, and his entire being radiated the brutal aura unique to those in power, causing many people to instinctively step back. They all sneered inwardly, thinking Andrew was finished-absolutely finished.

Only one person did not think so-the chubby Elon standing far away. He also thought someone was finished, but it would be Duncan, the family patriarch, and the entire Irving family.

"Today is Mr. Keller Senior's birthday, and I don't want to start trouble at the Keller residence," Andrew said casually, though his actions said otherwise.

He pressed his finger directly against Duncan's chest and continued, "Let's go outside and settle this properly. Your family thinks it's hot shit and wants to hold me accountable? Fine-I'm not exactly a pushover either. I'll just wipe out your entire family. You're nothing but a bunch of weaklings in my eyes."

By the end of his words, Andrew's expression had turned ice-cold. The Irvings were not even at the level of The Five Apex Families, yet they had the attitude of a first-class dynasty family without the power to back it up.

Andrew absolutely could not tolerate that kind of arrogance. He had even dared to take on Rafael from one of the Three Titans. So, what was the measly Irving family to him?

The crowd gasped in unison.

"What the hell is Andrew doing? Goodness, where does he get the balls to boss around Mr. Irving Senior like that?"

"Mr. Irving Senior is already temperamental, yet Andrew's even more volatile. Does he really think he can single-handedly take on the Irvings and their dozen experts?"

"He's too arrogant! He's young, and with just a little taste of success, he becomes insufferably cocky, not knowing his place. How could he possibly mess with someone like Duncan..."

Even the spectators thought Andrew was being suicidal, let alone Duncan himself.

His eyes blazed with fire as he spat, "You... poked me? You actually laid a hand

on me? I'll fucking kill-"

He was about to finish his threat when George's voice rang out cheerfully from the second floor of the Keller residence.

George chuckled and called out,

"Duncan, why bother arguing with a

youngster? Everyone, disperse! Logan, take Andy to the conference room-he'll be joining our family for the executive meeting shortly."

With just a few words, George had settled everything. Then, he immediately turned and went downstairs.

No one dared disobey-the spectators automatically dispersed, and Duncan suppressed his rage, looking grim as he walked away with his Irving family experts, leaning on his cane.noveldrama

That was George's authority-those who listened could still smile and remain friends, while those who did not might find their families destroyed overnight. As the leader among the Five Apex Families, the Ketter family had always operated this way, and this approach had made them what they were today.

Logan walked over to Andrew with a smile. "Is everything okay?"

Andrew shrugged. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Logan replied helplessly, "Of course, I know you're fine-I'm asking if Duncan is okay, in case you hurt him."

Andrew was exasperated. "It's Mr. Keller Senior's special day. Do you think I'm that inconsiderate?"

Logan sighed. "My father intervened just now because he was afraid you might kill Duncan!"