The imposing gates of the Smith mansion creaked as Andrew, Tristan, Evander, and Anthony entered the grand entryway. Inside, a heated argument echoed through the marble halls as Mr. Robert Smith’s fury resounded off the walls. He struck his daughter Kylie sharply across the face, her cheek reddening as she held it in shock.

"Do you have any idea what you’ve done?" he seethed, voice a low growl. "You've jeopardized everything."

"I did it for the company, Papa,” she whispered, choking back tears.

Andrew entered at that moment, his lips twisted in a cold smile. "Well done,” he drawled.

Robert turned pale at the sight of Andrew’s mocking expression, fear flashing across his face. “Mr. King,” he stammered. “Please, spare my company.”

As her father knelt before Andrew, Kylie scoffed. The man before her had always placed business above his own family, a fact that grated against her. Yet her defiance slipped as Andrew’s calculating gaze lingered on her, assessing her with a mix of disdain and dark amusement.

“Mr. Smith,” Andrew said slowly, sinking into an armchair across from them. “Perhaps you should have taught your daughter that some battles come with real consequences.” His voice was calm, but his gaze was sharp as glass.

Kylie’s fists clenched, and her glare darkened at the reprimand.

"Kylie," her father said in a strained voice. "Apologize to Mr. King."

“I won’t,” she hissed, her pride preventing her from yielding, even as her hands shook.

Andrew watched her for a moment, then smoothly pulled a gun from his jacket, aiming it squarely at her father. Kylie’s defiance melted, replaced by terror as her father pulled her down beside him.

“Do you have any idea what your stunt cost me?” Andrew’s voice was deadly soft. “Three of my men died in that explosion. A warehouse, ruined. And time—time I can never get back.”

Kylie’s confidence faltered as she knelt beside her father, whispering, “I’m sorry for everything.”

“Your apology means nothing to me,” Andrew replied coldly, standing to his full height. “I suggest you make plans to leave the country.”

“But…my shares,” Robert interjected, desperate. “Can I have my shares back?”

Andrew’s smirk grew. “Once I claim something, it’s mine. I don’t give things back.”

Kylie’s eyes widened in horror. “You can’t do this!” she cried, her voice trembling.

Andrew shot her a disdainful look. “And why not? You didn’t hesitate to ruin my people, my business.”

Robert looked confused. “You said you transferred the shares to Kylie?”

Andrew shook his head, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “No, not Kylie. I transferred them to Hazel, your other daughter—the one you deem so useless.”

Robert’s shock was palpable. Anthony looked puzzled, recognizing the name but unsure of the connection. “You mean Hazel, the doctor at my hospital?” he asked.

“You can’t give them to her!” Robert shouted. “She’s worthless to this family!”

Andrew’s expression was steely. “Unlike you, Mr. Smith, I don’t play games with people’s lives. Your daughter’s careless actions killed people, and you have the audacity to call someone else worthless?”

Kylie stammered, “I didn’t mean for anyone to die. I only wanted to sabotage the work, not…not cause a fire.”

“I don’t believe you,” Andrew retorted, his voice ice-cold. “I have proof you spoke with Natalie.”

“Yes, I did, but I never instructed her to start a fire!” Kylie pleaded, falling to her knees as tears spilled down her cheeks. “Please, believe me.”

Just then, Adrien strode into the room, catching the scene with an impassive look. “Andrew, believe her. I know she didn’t intend for this mess.”

Kylie ran to Adrien, clinging to him. He wrapped a comforting arm around her.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Evander’s voice sliced through the room.

Adrien sighed. “Kylie approached me after the fire. She wanted me to make amends. To help in any way I could.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Andrew’s tone betrayed his frustration.

Adrien looked away, his voice low. “You hired me for the launch. I thought it was my way of quietly making things right.”

“This is an absolute mess,” Evander muttered, shaking his head.

“Kylie, do you have any idea who actually started the fire?” Anthony’s tone was icy, distrustful.

Kylie shook her head. “No, I swear, I don’t know. I only wanted a slight setback for you, Andrew, nothing like this.” Her eyes searched Adrien’s for reassurance as he held her protectively.

A young woman entered, her gaze darting around the room before landing on her sister’s tear-streaked face. “Kylie, what’s happening?” she asked, her voice soft, barely concealing her anxiety.

“It’s nothing, Hazel,” Kylie murmured. “Just go back to your room.”

Hazel hesitated, sensing the tension. She glanced around at the unfamiliar faces, her heart pounding, before finally retreating.

Andrew, now fed up, turned away. “This circus is over. Until I know the real story, I have no time for this.”

Evander shot Adrien a last look before following Andrew out. “I hope you’re telling the truth, Kylie,” he murmured.

“I am,” she whispered, clutching Adrien’s hand.

Adrien lifted her in his arms, carrying her out as she rested her head on his shoulder. Anthony’s gaze followed them, his anger simmering as he realized Madeline had been dragged into a web of lies.

Evander noticed Anthony’s sharp gaze. “Jealous?” he teased. “I thought you’d have your pick of beautiful nurses and doctors at the hospital.”

“I’m not as cavalier as you,” Anthony replied, brushing him off. “Let’s get back. I need to check on Madeline.”

Back at the Foster mansion, Andrew slipped into Eva’s room. He found her tangled in her bedsheets, murmuring in her sleep as her brow furrowed.

“No…please…Mom, it wasn’t me,” she whispered, her forehead beading with sweat.

“Eva,” he called softly, kneeling beside her. Gently, he shook her shoulder, and her eyes shot open, glazed with fear. She looked at him, disoriented, as tears trickled down her face.

He brushed her tears away, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “I’m here,” he murmured softly.

Without thinking, Eva threw her arms around him, clutching him as if he were her only anchor in the storm. Her tears soaked his shirt as he held her, his hand rubbing soothing circles along her back.

“It’s okay, Eva,” he murmured into her hair, his voice tender. “It was just a dream.”

Gradually, her breathing steadied, the warmth of his arms calming her as she leaned into him, eyes drifting shut. He loosened his embrace, laying her back against the pillow as she relaxed into sleep.

Andrew lay beside her, his arm draped protectively over her waist as he watched her chest rise and fall with each soft breath. And as his own eyes drifted shut, he realized he’d found the peace he never thought he deserved in the quiet moments of her embrace.

And there, in the stillness, Andrew King found solace he hadn’t known he needed.