Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

"If you trust him, you're just being used by him!" Quinton warned desperately.

Before Kevin could respond, Andrew shrugged casually. "If the Wrights still have doubts about me, then at worst, I'll just leave! But you can bet that Rafael and Mosby absolutely won't let this go. Kevin, it won't be easy for the Wrights to swallow this treasure whole!"

The sly grin on Andrew's face made Kevin's gut clench. That smile was not innocent-it was loaded with intent.

Laughing awkwardly, he quickly reassured Andrew, "Andy, don't overthink it. I definitely won't doubt you! Here's what we'll do—let's form an alliance. We explore the treasure together. When the time comes, we'll split it 80-20 between us!"

Andrew smiled. "Good, I'll take 80 and you take 20, Kevin- that sounds very reasonable!"noveldrama

Kevin nearly choked, thinking, 'This guy has no shame! Who the hell said he was getting the 80?'

Kevin cleared his throat and corrected, "Andy, I think you misunderstood. I meant the Wrights get 80. You get 20."

Andrew silently scoffed. 'Typical Kevin-greedy to the core.'

Without hesitation, he shook his head in refusal. "No way, that distribution is far too unfair to me! If we split it like that, it would only prove that you don't consider me, Andrew, a real brother!"

Kevin instinctively wanted to scoff with contempt. Of course, he did not consider Andrew a real brother-this was just mutual exploitation, nothing more. Nonetheless, he certainly could not say that right now.

He frowned and said thoughtfully, "Come on, I'd never shortchange you. How about this-I'll go a bit lower. You get 30, the Wrights get 70. Fair?"

Andrew shook his head again. "Still unfair. Totally one-sided. You keep saying I'm your brother, but you clearly don't mean it. And if that's the case, I'll walk away from this whole thing. The Wrights can deal with Rafael on their own.

"Who knows, maybe that two-faced snake has already gotten the main Driscoll family involved! I don't think the Wrights can stand up against one of the Three Titans."

Kevin immediately panicked. After all, if Rafael really got the main Driscoll family involved in this affair, then the Wrights would not stand a chance and would end up with nothing.

"Fine! Alright! So, how exactly should we split it?" Kevin gritted his teeth He did not even bother taking the smile anymore, and his glare toward Andrew now carried a faint killing intent.

Andrew really had quite the appetite and ambition. Unfortunately, if he kept this up, he might win the treasure-but he would lose his life before ever touching it.

Kevin was already entertaining the thought.

However, Andrew pretended not to notice the shift in tone. He just raised one hand, five fingers out. "50-50. The usual deal."

Kevin gasped, "50-50? Andy, don't you think that's asking a bit much? I'm already giving you a generous offer. With anyone else, I'd be doing ninety-ten!"

He could not hold back his sneer

and added, "Fine. You want half?dt's

not impossible. But keep in mind,

that the Wrights are putting everything on the line: our people, our power, our resources.

"And you? You're just one man. Do you really think you match up to everything the Wrights are throwing in?"

Andrew simply spread his hands. "Why not? I do match up. In fact, without me, you can't even activate the last piece of the map."

Kevin did not answer right away. Instead, he shot a glance at Quinton.

Quinton's expression twisted with resentment as he muttered, "It's true. He's the only one who can reveal what's hidden in that last piece."

Kevin's smile turned cold. "Andy... you're even more cunning than I thought. Being so calculating and scheming at such a young age isn't necessarily a good thing!"

Andrew's grin was bright as ever. "Kevin, are you implying I'm young and reckless, that I'll get myself killed chasing treasure? Don't worry. I've got tough luck-I scare off death itself Even the Grim Reaper wouldnt dare lay a hand on me."