The tension in Andrew’s study was palpable as Matthew, Julian, and Asher sat across from him, the air thick with unresolved emotions. Matthew’s voice broke the silence, his frustration evident. “I didn’t kill her. What the fuck is going on? Why would you keep that woman alive?”

Andrew leaned back in his chair, his smirk calm yet chilling. “Because Camilla deserves a punishment worse than death. She owes us, and that debt will be collected.”

Asher’s eyes burned with unrelenting fury. “She took everything from me—my wife, my family, and twelve years of our lives. Sending her to hell would be merciful compared to what she deserves.”

Andrew nodded in agreement and turned his laptop to face the men. “Darren, are you there?”

The screen flickered, and Darren’s calm face appeared. “Yes, sir.”

“Show them,” Andrew ordered, his tone icy.

Darren turned the camera, revealing a barely recognizable Camilla, bloodied and broken, her hands and feet chained to a cold stone wall. Her breaths were shallow, her body teetering on the edge of life and death.

“I’ve followed your orders to the letter,” Darren said. “She’s alive, but just barely.”

Andrew’s lips curled into a satisfied smile as he turned the laptop toward Asher. “Look, Father-in-law, a present for you.”

Asher’s lips twitched into a cruel smile, his eyes lighting up with the promise of revenge. “Good. She borrowed something from me, and I intend to take it back before she dies.”

Later that evening, the family gathered in the dining room for dinner, but not before a bit of drama unfolded in the hallway. Irene knocked on the study door, interrupting the men’s heavy conversation.

“Mom says food’s ready, and she wants everyone at the table before it gets cold,” Irene announced sweetly.

Adrien grinned and took her hand. “Princess, I’m starving. Let’s go.”

Tristan’s voice, cold and threatening, cut through the air. “Adrien.”

Adrien looked back with an exaggerated smile, holding Irene’s hand tighter. “What, Tristan? Scared I’ll steal your girl?”

“You’re testing your limits,” Tristan growled, his jealousy palpable.

Irene sighed, pulling her hand away from Adrien. “Stop it, both of you. Adrien, you go first.”

Adrien laughed, winking at Tristan before walking off. Irene rolled her eyes and took Tristan’s hand, tugging him along. “Better now, my big baby?”

Tristan squeezed her hand and remained silent, his possessiveness clear as he marched her down the hallway. Asher watched the scene unfold with a puzzled expression.

“What’s going on with my son and Irene?” Asher asked.

Orion chuckled. “You should know. He takes after his father.”

Leonard nodded in agreement, his tone light. “Tristan’s in love. It’s about time.”

Alex muttered irritably, “That bastard of yours is stealing my princess. I don’t like it.”

Asher smiled faintly, finally understanding, but the moment was short-lived as Anthony entered, laughing. “Tristan in love? I never thought I’d see the day. Honestly, I once thought he might like men.”

The room erupted into laughter as the men made their way to the dining room.

Before dinner began, Asher pulled Andrew aside, his gaze hard and piercing. Andrew’s defenses immediately went up, his mind racing. Is he about to ask me to divorce Eva? That will never happen.

Asher crossed his arms, speaking evenly but with a sharp undertone. “I know everything about your marriage to my daughter. I’m not thrilled about how it started.”

Andrew’s jaw clenched, but he stayed silent, letting Asher continue.

“A loveless marriage won’t survive. You two are friendly enough, but if there’s no love, you need to let her go,” Asher said, his words deliberate and cutting.

Andrew’s fury erupted, his voice cold and firm. “Divorce? Not in a million years. Eva is mine. She is my everything, and I will never let her go. She’s Eva King now, not Eva Foster.”

Asher smirked slightly, satisfied that he’d gotten a reaction. “Good. I wanted to see if you had it in you to fight for her. Let’s eat.”

Andrew was left seething, barely containing his frustration. What game is he playing?

At dinner, Eva sensed Andrew’s tension and placed her hand on his under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. The unexpected gesture caught Andrew off guard, and he choked on his food. Eva quickly handed him a glass of water, patting his back as he regained his composure.

“Are you okay?” she whispered, concern etched across her face.

“I’m fine,” Andrew muttered, touched by her care but unable to shake his lingering anger.

After the meal, Asher stood and addressed the room. “Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll be taking Eva home with me tonight.”

Andrew shot to his feet, gripping Eva’s hand tightly. “Absolutely not.”

“Andrew,” Leonard said, his tone calming. “Let her go for a little while. They’ve been apart for twelve years; they need this time.”

Andrew’s response was immediate. Without a word, he scooped Eva into his arms and stormed out of the dining room, his protective instincts overriding all reason.

Eva glanced over his shoulder at her father, torn between her love for her husband and her desire to reconnect with her parents. She sighed, knowing this battle was far from over.