Meanwhile, in Jayrodale.


    Andrew had no idea that Elon had actually gone and seriously drank the golden juice. Bone-Rotting Elixir was a deadly poison, sure-but Andrew did not carry that kind of thing around.


    At the time, he had just bluffed and slipped Elon a random pill to scare him. What he did not expect was that Elon would really eat crap.


    Early that morning, his phone buzzed with a call from Aspen, who rang in from Blumedale with a voice full of shock. "Andrew, you''re unbelievable! Did you seriously kill Michael?"


    Andrew calmly munched on his breakfast and replied, "You already know the answer to that. So what''s the point of asking me?"


    Aspen paused for a beat, then snapped, "Do you realize Kenny and the entire Golding family are absolutely losing it right now? Kenny''s in the middle of Michael''s funeral, and he swore you''ll crawl to Michael''s grave and kneel until your knees bleed!"


    Andrew let out a coldugh. "Well, that wish is probably gonna stay a wish. Because instead of getting me on my knees... he just might end up lying next to his son. Michael''s gone, and Daddy might be next."


    Aspen growled, "You''ve taken this way too far. All this-for Lauren? You think she''s worth it?"


    Andrew answered without hesitation, "She is. Absolutely."


    Aspen went quiet for a long moment before scoffing, "Wow. I didn''t think you were the sentimental type. You''d go that far for Lauren... but I''ve been busting my ass in the capital, working day and night for you, and you''ve never said a single kind word."


    Andrew said tly, "Aspen, you know exactly what your role is. All that running around? That''s your job. I''m not some stingy corporate shark. As long as you keep the business running well, I''ll even let you collect ten grand or so a month in your free time."


    Aspen clutched her chest in fury, nearly smashing her phone on the floor. The amount was ridiculous.


    After all, she was the beloved daughter of Bridgefields'' prestigious Stevens family -yet she was working herself to death for him, and he thought she was only worth ten grand.


    Andrew might as well rob a bank at this rate.


    "Fine. Whatever. I''m hanging up now!" she snapped.


    Her voice had turned cold and mechanical. "Just take care of yourself, Andrew. If you end up dead, that ten billion and my freedom won''t belong to you anymore."


    Andrew chuckled. "Well, for a statement like that, I guess I''ll have to stay alive just


    to spite you."


    "Go kill yourself!" Aspen barked and mmed the call shut.


    Andrew smiled again. He thought Aspen was overdue for a little


    attitude adjustment, as she had be a bit too feistytely.


    Across from him, Francesca picked at her breakfast with a pout. "Wow, you and


    Aspen sure are talking a lot these days."


    Andrew nced up and grinned. "What''s wrong, my little princess? Feeling a bit salty?"


    Francesca huffed. "As if! Why would I be jealous?"


    Andrew replied smoothly, "If we''re talking about frequent contact, Fran, technically you and I are the most connected."


    Francesca blinked. "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    Andrew gave her a slow, meaningful


    smirk. "Because someone''s been


    sneaking into my bed every night... and let''s just say our conversations get very in-depth."


    Francesca turned red in an instant,pletely flustered as she rushed to shut him up.


    She red at Andrew with her cheeks burning, then growled, "Don''t get cocky. Lauren''s about to join my team soon enough!"