Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

"Mom, something's seriously wrong with Christie," Leroy said urgently, noticing how her expression had completely collapsed. It's like she's about to have a breakdown-we should stop arguing and just let her rest!"

Irene, pacing in circles and dabbing at her tears, wailed, "How could this happen to my sweet girl? She was fine just this morning! Christie, how am I supposed to go on if anything happens to you? I'm still counting on you to take care of me when I'm old!"

Leroy rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Mom? Christie's losing it, and all you can think about is who's going to fund your retirement? You've got to be the most selfish mother on the planet-all you ever think about is your own little world!"

Irene snapped, eyes wide. "You brat! You've got a lot of nerve talking to me like that! Don't forget that you've been bleeding Christie dry too! I'm your mother! I raised you, fed you, and gave you everything! Expecting my kids to support me is not a crime!"

She added, "And what about you? You're young, able-bodied, and still useless- Christie's a woman, and she's done more than you ever have! You're a disappointment!"

Leroy's face flushed red with shame. Her words stung like a slap, burning his pride. He hated being called weak, hated hearing that he was not a real man.

If anyone else had said that to him, he would have lashed out at them already, fists flying in rage.

"Fine! You're my mom, so I won't fight you on it," he growled. "You think I'm pathetic? That I'm not a man? That I'll never amount to anything? Great. Then I'll prove you wrong. I'll show you what I'm really made of!"

He grew more agitated by the second, face twisting in fury, then stormed out and slammed the door.

Irene chased after him, yelling, "You brat! Where do you think you're going? Don't you dare cause trouble!"

Somehow, Leroy had gotten his hands on a long kitchen knife, which he tucked into his hoodie. His eyes burned with rage.

"You think I'm useless, huh? Just

wait. I'll prove it to you, and to

Christie! I've got blood in my

and I've got guts to back it up! Christie's like this because of bastard Andrew. I'm going over there right now to make him pay!"

Irene gasped. "You idiot! Don't do anything stupid! Have you already forgotten what happened last time?"

Leroy's mouth t

twisted into a wicked grin. "Of course I remember. But it's like they say-every dog has its day Don't look down on someone just because they're struggling! You and Christie always thought I was just wasting time in Blumedale, doing nothing. Truth is, I've already built a little empire here, just behind the scenes."

He added, "Don't ask too much. Just stay here and take care of Christie. If I can't get justice from Andrew today, then I'm no man. I'm not even worthy of being Christie's brother!"noveldrama

The way he said it-full of bravado, fists clenched, chest puffed-he almost looked like some tragic hero marching off to battle.

But the moment he was out of Irene's line of sight, his entire demeanor flipped.

With a greasy smile, he whispered into his phone, "Hey, Sergey! It's me, Leroy- yeah, yeah, the guy who paid protection money last time! Listen, I need a favor. Christie's in trouble-she passed out from stress!

"I was hoping you could roll with me, maybe help me scare the guy who did this to her. Don't worry, Sergey. If you back me up on this, I'll make sure you're well compensated. You won't regret it!"

Back in the hotel suite, Irene mumbled to herself, squinting toward the door. "This dumb kid actually looked pretty serious just now. Could it be... maybe my

useless son actually carved out a life in the underworld?

"Who knows? Maybe he's secretly the kingpin of Blumedale's underground scene,

running everything from the shadows..."