Andrew stood outside Eva’s room, debating whether to check on her one more time. Irene's voice floated from down the hallway as she told Mia to sleep with her to avoid disturbing Eva. He intercepted them, his expression unreadable.

“Mia,” Andrew asked quietly, “Where was Eva’s old room?”

Mia pointed down the hall. “It’s the second door to the right. Why?”

“I’ll take her there,” Andrew said, his tone firm but low. “You can have your room back.”

Evander, leaning against the wall, smirked knowingly. “Someone’s gone lovesick.”

Andrew shot him a deadly glare. “I suggest you shut it before I shut your mouth for you.”

Evander raised his hands in mock surrender, chuckling under his breath. “Touché.”

Just then, Anthony’s phone rang, breaking the moment. “Brother, are you coming home tonight?” Madeline’s voice came through the line, filled with uncertainty.

“Yes, I’m coming soon,” Anthony replied, sensing something was wrong.

Edward overheard and furrowed his brow. “Wait… you were talking to Madeline Quinn? The model?”

Anthony nodded, and Edward’s expression shifted. “She’s your sister?”

“Yes.” Anthony’s eyes narrowed, sensing something was off.

Andrew stood nearby, watching the exchange with interest. He decided to explain the situation. “Natalie was blackmailing Madeline,” he said. “Your sister got caught in the fire she didn’t set.”

The color drained from Anthony’s face as fury surged through him. “You have that bitch Natalie in your hands, right?”

Andrew's gaze turned steely. “Yes. She’s at my base.”

Anthony stormed out, rage radiating off him like a storm on the verge of breaking. Evander followed close behind, knowing it wasn’t safe to leave him alone with his temper. Irene and Mia stood nearby, confused by the abruptness of the situation.

“Something came up,” Andrew told Mia. “Take care of Eva. I have to leave.”

Tristan appeared beside Andrew, eyeing him with curiosity. “You going to your base?”

Andrew gave him a curt nod. “Coming with me?”

“Of course,” Tristan answered without hesitation.

“Give me a few minutes.” Andrew’s voice softened. “I need to see Eva first.”

Andrew slipped into the dark room where Eva slept peacefully, her delicate form cocooned beneath the blanket. For a moment, all his frustrations and plans faded as he gazed down at her, his heart unexpectedly tender.

He bent down, scooping her gently into his arms. She stirred, clinging to his arm instinctively, murmuring something incoherent in her sleep. Andrew’s lips quirked into a soft smile. He kissed her forehead tenderly.

He laid her down on her bed and tucked her in under the blanket before brushing her hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear.

“I love you, Eva,” he whispered into the quiet room.

As he stood up and walked out of the room, Eva’s eyes fluttered open just as the door clicked shut behind him. She lay still, her mind racing.

“Did I… did I just hear that right?” she whispered, touching the spot on her forehead where Andrew had kissed her.

Meanwhile, the forest loomed dark and silent as Andrew, Tristan, Anthony, and Evander arrived at Andrew’s hidden base—a secluded mansion with high stone walls and iron gates that warned trespassers away. The guards saluted as they entered, leading them to a staircase that spiraled deep into the underground levels of the estate.

“Where’s that bitch?” Anthony’s voice was sharp and dangerous as they descended.

Darren greeted them at the bottom of the stairs, bowing to Andrew before leading them to Natalie’s holding cell. The room was dim, cold, and foreboding. Natalie was chained by her wrists, her arms stretched painfully above her head. Her head hung low, her face streaked with tears and smeared makeup.

Anthony stormed into the room, gripping a sharp knife. His anger was palpable as he stood before Natalie.

“Bitch,” he growled, his voice low and venomous. “How dare you lay your filthy hands on my sister?”

Without warning, Anthony drove the knife into Natalie’s hand. Her scream echoed off the stone walls as she writhed in agony.

“Ahhh! Please… leave me alone!” she begged, her voice cracking through her sobs.

Anthony grabbed her chin roughly, forcing her to meet his burning gaze. “Do you know who my sister is?”

Natalie blinked through the haze of pain, “I… I don’t know…”

“Her name is Madeline Quinn.” Anthony’s voice was ice-cold. “You violated her dignity. Do you even understand what you’ve done?”

Natalie whimpered, her breathing ragged as she tried to twist away from his grip.

Anthony’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “Women’s dignity is everything, and you stripped that from my sister.”

Andrew could sense Anthony was moments away from losing control. “Anthony,” Andrew called sternly, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

Anthony’s hand trembled, the rage threatening to consume him.

“Don’t kill her yet,” Andrew said, stepping closer. “We still need her alive. She knows too much.”

Anthony glared at Natalie, his jaw clenched. “I swear, I’ll come back for you,” he spat, tossing the knife aside. He leaned in close to Natalie, his voice dripping with malice. “Enjoy what little time you have left.”

Natalie whimpered as Anthony stormed out of the room, Evander trailing after him to keep him from doing something reckless.

Back in the hallway, Tristan glanced at Andrew, his expression tense. “This needs to end, Andrew. We can’t drag this out any longer.”

Andrew smirked, his cold confidence unsettling. “You’re right. It’s time we paid Mr. Smith a visit.”

Tristan raised a brow, intrigued by Andrew’s sudden shift in tone. “We’ve been keeping him waiting for far too long.”

Andrew’s smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with purpose. “Let’s make sure it’s a visit he never forgets.”

The men exchanged knowing looks, a silent agreement passing between them. They had played the long game, but now it was time to strike. The Smith Empire was about to crumble—and this time, there would be no escape.