“You’re completely insane!” Lauren’s anger exploded on the spot.

Michael sneered, his face twisted with arrogance. “So what if I have the power to be arrogant! I’ve put up with your entire family long enough!”

He spat, “And you, Tiana–I’m not afraid of you just because you’re the lady of the family. Who becomes the true leader of the Rhodes family is still up for debate!”

Lauren’s face darkened. “So that’s it–you and your father are plotting to take the family head position for yourselves?”

Michael let out a low, mocking laugh. “And what if we are? Leadership belongs to whoever earns it. Right now, the Rhodes family’s power in Blumedale is far greater than what your father has here. Compared to my father, he’s nothing. So, Lauren, I’d say your days of luxury are coming to an end.”

The executives in the room exchanged uneasy glances. Some of them subtly turned toward Tiana, while others eyed Michael’s blatant confidence.

Was the Rhodes family truly about to face a major power shift?

If that was the case, they needed to pick sides–and fast.

Michael then turned to Andrew, his lips curling into a vicious smirk. “Come here. Get down on your knees and crawl under my legs!”

Marcus scoffed. “Mr. Rhodes, have you lost your damn mind?”

Michael ignored him, pointing a finger at Andrew with contempt. “Andrew, this time, you’re going to learn your place. You will kneel before me like the pathetic mutt you are. I’m giving you one last chance. Get on your knees, or I’ll kill you on the spot.”

Lauren snapped, “Michael, you’re nothing but a rabid dog! Dr. Lloyd, don’t waste your breath on him!”

Michael pulled out his phone, grinning. “See this, Andrew? With one call to my father, he can reach the Driscoll family in an instant. If Joe–the Joe Driscoll–hears about you and Lauren getting all cozy… Trust me, he’ll have his personal guards marching into Jayrodale tonight to bury you alive!”

Even Tiana’s expression shifted at those words. She ordered, “Michael, put down your phone! This is an internal family matter–there’s no need to drag the Driscolls into this!”

Michael grinned smugly. “Oh? So even you don’t want them to know about Andrew and Lauren’s little affair? Fine, then let’s make a deal. Have Andrew crawl over here and beg for mercy. I’ll let him live–but I want him half-dead before I’m satisfied.”

Lauren clenched her fists. “Michael, you’re shameless! You’re hiding behind the Driscoll family like a coward–what kind of man does that?”

Michael snorted. “I already told you–Andrew is nothing. He’s a mere insect who isn’t even worth my time, but he keeps getting in my way."

“And you–you had the audacity to name Lauren as the next CEO? Well, guess what? I don’t have to hold back anymore. If I’m not happy, none of you will be.”

His eyes locked onto Andrew, glinting with sadistic pleasure. “Especially you, Andrew. I may not be able to beat you myself, but getting rid of you? That’s child’s play for me. I told you before, no matter how strong you think you are, you can’t compete with my connections. You can’t compete with Blumedale’s influence. All I have to do is whisper the right words to Mr. Driscoll, and before you know it, you’ll wish you were never born.”

With that, Michael straightened up, convinced that the entire conference room was now under his control–he had the power and the leverage.

Tiana’s expression flickered between hesitation and calculation before she finally spoke.

“Andrew,” she said coldly. “Apologize to Michael. Do what he says. Otherwise, no one in Jayrodale will be able to save you.”