“Who knew you had such… interesting tastes! You’re all talking about challenging Andrew, but behind closed doors, you’re just scavenging his leftovers!”
“I gotta say, you’re really dragging our family name through the mud!”
Quinton was so livid he nearly lost it! Every word from Yara cut deep, hitting him where it hurt most.
Frozen in place, Quinton’s brow furrowed as he racked his brain. ‘How can she be so full of herself, daring to sass me like this?’
Yara’s rebellion had set off alarm bells for him! Once upon a time, he had her under his thumb, and there were moments when she nearly found herself trapped in a situation she could not escape from. However, then Yara had become like a dagger that had slipped through his fingers, no longer under his control.
“Pfft, even if you think you’ve got some kind of ace up your sleeve, find yourself a powerful friend! Going up against me, you’re heading for a fall! The Wright family is going to be mine, all mine. You and Andrew, you’re all going to be left in my dust!”
Quinton whipped out his phone and made a call with an icy command, “Get things ready on your end. I’m going after the Rhodes family’s treasure map in the next couple of days! And if you mess up, it’s game over for you!”
Little did he know, Yara was eavesdropping from the other side of the wall, catching every word. She let out a quiet chuckle and slipped away unnoticed. A quick text from her phone went out to Andrew.
At that very moment, Andrew was hanging out at Supreme. His phone buzzed–it was a message from Yara!
Aspen gave a mocking laugh. “Wow, that was fast. Did Ms. Yara just text you? She’s not asking you out to get a room tonight, is she?”
Andrew shot her a look. “Jealousy much?”
Aspen’s laugh was tinged with annoyance as she scoffed. “Jealous? As if!”
Andrew tuned her out and read the message.
[Mr. Lloyd, that lowlife Quinton is planning to hit the Rhodes family soon! I’m giving you the heads up, but remember, you owe me one next time.]
Pocketing his phone, Andrew grinned. “Yara sure doesn’t let anything slide! However, hey, I dig a girl who knows how to keep score. At least she won’t act like she’s helping me while secretly plotting to backstab me!”
Aspen said with conviction, “You’ve got to watch your back, no matter what! I’ve got this hunch that Yara and her brother Quinton really hate each other’s guts! Taking her side means you’re ready to go head-to-head with Quinton! Getting mixed up in the feuds of these big-shot families usually means trouble for anyone who tries!”
Andrew’s expression was frosty. “Quinton’s been asking for trouble time and again, and he’s really gotten under my skin! Now Yara’s come to me for help, and I’m totally up for lending her a hand to get back at Quinton! And just imagine, if things work out and she ends up leading the Wright family, wouldn’t I hit the jackpot?”
Seeing the smirk on Andrew’s face, Aspen could not help but scoff, “In your dreams! The top spot in the Five Apex Families isn’t something just anyone can mess with!” she thought. Forget the average Joe–even Derek could not touch it! Aspen figured Andrew was living in a fantasy world!
“You can grab a cab home. I’ve got to swing by Oak Apothecary. Later!” Andrew did not bother with another word to his underling. With a casual remark, he was off.
Aspen was steaming. “Hey, Andrew, that Ferrari is mine. Why should I have to take a cab?”
Without looking back, Andrew called out, “Sure, the Ferrari’s yours, but you’re mine! By extension, that means everything’s mine!”
Aspen was on the verge of losing it, but then it hit her–Andrew’s logic was annoyingly spot-on!