Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

From behind, Irene shouted angrily, "Aspen, what the hell do you mean by that? What do you mean by 'silent cruelty'? Compared to you-selling yourself to Andrew like a cheap whore-Christie is a thousand times more dignified than you!"

Aspen paused, turned around, and smiled as if she had not even heard Irene's insults. She replied, "I'm starting to see why Andrew despises Christie, why he won't accept her anymore. It's because she's really... nothing special."

She continued, "You don't deserve Andrew, Christina. You're not even close to Lauren and Francesca."

Shaking her head slightly, Aspen turned away and walked off without looking back.

Christina's once-composed expression darkened instantly. She had tried to use the Bridgefields Stevens family to crush Andrew and destroy him completely. Yet, in the end, she was the one who lost-completely and utterly.

Moreover, Aspen had seen right through her.

Irene fumed, practically shaking with rage. "That little bitch! How dare she blame us for her mess? Christie, you only called the Bridgefields main family for her sake! You were trying to help her get revenge!

"But Zephyr and his people were useless! They couldn't even handle Andrew- how is that our fault? If anything, it just proves that the Bridgefields Stevens family was always doomed! They destroyed themselves!"

Leroy hesitated. "Mom, that's not exactly fair... Aspen did help us a lot recently. At the very least, with her around, the Wellers didn't dare cause trouble for us. And now, after the main family's humiliating defeat, she's become Andrew's slave. It's honestly pitiful."

Irene scoffed. "Pitiful? Please. She deserved it. And that little bastard Andrew isn't much better. What, just because he got a little power, he thinks he's hot shit? Acting all high and mighty, dragging all these people here he just wanted to rub it in Christie's face!"

She mocked, "He wanted her to regret it! He just wanted to show off how 'successful' he is now! Disgusting!"

Leroy sighed, still uneasy. "Honestly,

I don't like it either, but I have to admit-Andrew really is something now. The fact that Wealthroller Investments backed him alone is crazy And Rodney? He's one of Jayrodale's Four Most Eligible Bachelors, and he's practically

Andrew's errand boy now."noveldrama

He continued, "Thinking about it just makes me jealous and pissed off. That bastard really hit the jackpot after leaving us!"

Irene felt the same bitter jealousy twisting in her gut, but she refused to admit it out loud. She turned to Christina and asked cautiously. "Christie, the future of the Stevens family depends on you. Have you thought about... maybe finding a way to pull Andrew back in?"

Christina's expression was ice-cold as she shook her head. "I already extended an olive branch, but you all saw how he treated me. I'm willing to swallow my pride once or twice, but repeatedly lowering myself? Sorry, but even I have limits."

Irene softened her voice, trying to coax her. "I know, sweetheart. I know you have your dignity, your status, your pride-you can't just keep humbling yourself for him."

She added, "But Christie, think about it... Andrew is the real deal now. Those big shots who showed up for him? Just one of them alone is terrifying. Dr. Aicker, Glorious

Pharmaceuticals' Mr. Brunner.net"

Madblade Martial Academy's Mr. Sanford, and Radiant Group's Mr. Vaughn-every single one of them is someone Stevens Corporation has to look up to!"

With each name Irene listed, Christina's face grew darker and darker.