Chapter 76

Francesca exploded. "Juan, what has Andrew ever done to you? Besides hiding behind your father's reputation, bullying seems to be your only talent!"

Juan smirked. "I just can't stand the guy. What makes him so special? Why do all the girls fawn over him? What does he have that I don't?"

Lauren scoffed. "You're not even in his league!"

"Everyone's saying Ms. Rhodes is smitten with this pretty boy. I didn't believe it, but it's obvious now. Given how infatuated you are, you must have done everything to get him."

Juan leered at Lauren. While he wouldn't dare antagonize the Rhodes family, he assumed he could easily handle someone he perceived as a freeloader.

Lauren's face burned with anger and shame. Before she could react, Andrew stepped forward.

"Ms. Rhodes, allow me to handle this."

Francesca warned urgently, "Andrew, don't be reckless! His father is one of Jayrodale's crime lords. Even the most powerful families fear Tony's influence!"

Juan boasted, "You hear that? Since you can't touch me, get on your knees and beg."

Andrew calmly asked, "How does East Side Tony's power compare to South City's Dylan?"

"The four crime lords of Jayrodale are roughly equal in strength," Lauren explained, puzzled by Andrew's question.

Andrew advanced toward Juan. "Your biggest mistake was disrespecting Ms. Rhodes."

Juan crossed his arms mockingly. "So? What are you going to do? Hit me? Come on, my head's right here! Go ahead, you coward!" He leaned forward, daring Andrew, confident in his impunity.

The onlookers snickered, expecting Andrew's imminent defeat. They resented Andrew's popularity, considering him a freeloader, while Juan, despite his unsavory reputation, received little social attention.

Francesca pleaded, "Lauren, stop Andrew! Juan's scum, but he's Tony's son. Even Harvey avoids him. Andrew can't win this!"

Lauren smiled confidently. "I couldn't stop Dr. Lloyd if I tried. Fran, don't worry. He's far more capable than you realize."

"Come on, pretty boy! Hit me! But if you touch me, you and your family are toast!" Juan taunted. This threat had always worked; even Jayrodale's elite feared Tony's son.

Andrew, however, was undeterred. "Don't worry. I won't leave a scratch… I'll just leave you half-dead!"

With lightning speed, Andrew's knee connected with Juan's face.