In front of Andrew, everyone else was not worth mentioningโjust dust beneath his feet. To put it bluntly, they were nothing.
Kevin beamed. โPerfect. Just perfect! Andy, then itโs settled between our families! Come on, letโs raise a glass and celebrate the Wrights becoming sworn brothers with you!โ
Kevin grinned from ear to ear, lifting his wine glass high. At this point, the Wrights practically worshipped Andrew, treating him like a king.
So, Andrew could not really refuseโhe clinked his glass against Kevinโs with a polite smile. He said smoothly, โI should be the one thanking you, Kevin. If it werenโt for you, I wouldnโt have ended up with such a remarkable godson. But hey, letโs not get too sentimentalโcheers to you. Bottoms up!โ
Kevin burst into laughter. โYouโre too kind! Cheers, letโs drink till we drop!โ
The drinking went late into the evening, and it was already around 8:00 p.m. when it finally wound down. Kevin offered to take Andrew to their private country club for a full massage and relaxation session, but he politely declined.
Andrew wandered off by himself, planning to catch a ride home. However, before he could reach the curb, Christina and her family came rushing up behind him.
โAndrew, wait! Donโt go yet!โ Leroy was the first to speak, though he started with a scolding tone.
However, as soon as the words reached his mouth, he backed down, suddenly meek. The man who once barked at Andrew like he was nothing did not even dare raise his voice anymore, afraid one wrong word might get him decapitated with just a snap of Andrewโs fingers.
โIs there something you need?โ Andrewโs expression was cold as he glanced at them.
Irene stepped up first, nervously smiling, โAndrew, sweetheart, I just want to sincerely apologize for everythingโฆโ
However, Andrewโs response was sharp and simple. โSorry, not interested.โ
Ireneโs smile froze in place as she awkwardly backed off. Then, Christina stepped forward, her eyes swirling with complicated emotions as she looked at him.
She said, โAndrewโฆ now that everythingโs happened, Iโve finally figured it all out. You were never just some small-time doctor back in Jayrodale, were you? You were hiding your true strength all along, werenโt you?โ
Andrew waved a hand dismissively. โWhatever the case, it has nothing to do with you anymore, Christina. Now, if thereโs nothing else, Iโm heading home.โ
Christina bit her lip hard. โAndrew, you wonโt even look me in the eye now? And whyโฆ Why are you being so cold to me? Do you really hate me that much?โ
Andrew chuckled, the sound icy. โHate you? Christina, youโre flattering yourself. I donโt hate youโin fact, you donโt even exist in my world. Do you think someone like you, with your so-called โaccomplishments,โ is worth my hatred?โ
That sharp sting shot straight through her chest and Christinaโs head like a dagger. Tears spilled from her eyes as she cracked, nearly breaking down.
โAndrew, if youโre so powerfulโif youโve always had all this strength and talentโฆ then why didnโt you show it back in Jayrodale? Why did you let me lie awake every night drowning in regret? Why are you doing this to me?โ
Chapter 1383
Yet, Andrew showed no trace of sympathy, and his gaze remained ice-cold. โChristina, Iโve got three words for you: you deserved it. You asked why I didnโt show my abilities in Jayrodale?โ
He gave a bitter laugh. โLet me ask you thisโdid you ever really get to know me? Did you care about whether I was capable or not? You didnโt. You only cared about chasing your ambition and climbing the next rung on the ladder. But what you failed to realize is that you were never strong enough for that ladder. You overestimated yourself.โ
He exhaled, his smile tinged with disdain. โIf youโd simply stayed humbleโacted like a real womanโthen honestly, I couldโve taken the Stevens family to the top. I couldโve made your family outshine even the Five Apex Families. It wouldnโt have been hard. But no, you chose what you thought was the smarter route. You decided I wasnโt good enough for your dreams. Thereโs only one word for women like you: foolish.โ
He let out a small laugh as if shaking off a bad memory. Then, he sighed. At this point, Christina might as well have been a stranger to him.