Andrea hesitated, but at Lucas Anderson's repeated assurances, "Andrea, I'll be fine, just go," she slammed her foot on the accelerator, the tires squealing as she shifted the gears and sped away.
"Daddy!" Pete's voice, tearful and heartbroken, echoed from the retreating car. At the sound, Lucas Anderson's expression darkened, a flicker of rage passing through his eyes.
Surrounded by a throng of journalists, Lucas stood alone as Andrea and her son made their escape. The reporters swarmed him, unleashing a barrage of questions.
"Did you have a role in your twin brother's death?"
"Why is your brother Valentine Anderson so famous, yet you remain a mystery? Is that why you impersonated him?"
"What's your name?"
Amid the cacophony of malicious inquisition, Lucas Anderson remained calm, his face devoid of emotion as he focused intently on his phone, typing something. After a moment, he pocketed the device and lifted his gaze. The journalists fell silent, their faces alight with a mix of excitement and expectation.
Lucas's voice cut through the silence, cold and unyielding. "I'm not at liberty to answer your questions, and soon, none of you will be practicing journalists."
As if on cue, the reporters' phones began to ring in unison, a chorus of digital chimes filling the air. Confusion spread among them as they answered their calls.
One journalist barely managed to utter, "Chief Editor, I—"
But the voice on the other end interrupted him, and when he spoke again, his voice quivered, "Fired? Why am I blacklisted?" Disbelief and shock etched his features.
The scene repeated itself with each journalist, phone calls delivering the same grim news of dismissal and blacklisting.
While they were left reeling from their sudden downfall, Lucas Anderson had already vanished. He crossed the street and entered an alleyway, where a coffee shop sat in darkness.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside, approaching a masked man seated in a corner. The man rose to meet him.
"Thank you," Lucas said casually as he took a seat. "I owe you for this favor, and I'll repay it when I can."
The masked man sat back down and responded, "You're still the boss of the organization."
Lucas retorted, clearly displeased, "I have nothing to do with that organization anymore. I agreed to meet only to make it clear I haven't changed my mind. I'm not returning."
He stood to leave, but paused as the masked man spoke, "Our brothers and sisters all miss you. No one else wants to lead; they all believe the organization would become more humane and ethical under you."
Hand in pocket, Lucas was blunt. "I'm not interested," he stated, before turning to walk away.
The masked man rose and followed him out of the shop. "You're doing all this for her, aren't you? Does she know how you feel?"
Lucas halted, his cold gaze making the masked man stiffen with fear. Without a word, Lucas continued on, hailed a taxi, and left for the Singers Mansion.
As Lucas Anderson stepped into the living room, Andrea and Pete were there to greet him. Pete's face lit up with joy at the sight of his father.
"Daddy!" exclaimed Pete, his eyes sparkling.
A tender smile spread across Lucas's face as he wrapped Pete in a warm embrace. Andrea watched them, and without realizing it, a smile crept onto her face too.
Her phone interrupted the moment with its insistent ringtone. Glancing at the screen, Andrea saw Tony's name flash before her. She excused herself and stepped out of the living room to take the call.
"Hello, Tony," Andrea spoke into the receiver, her tone business-like.
"Andrea, I'm urging you to rethink the wedding anniversary plans. Valentine Anderson's abrupt trip to Vegas City is stirring up the media, and the public sentiment isn't on your side," Tony implored her.
But Andrea was resolute. "Tony, the plans stay. We aren't bending to pressure," she said firmly before ending the call.
Frustration marred her features as she tossed the phone aside. Valentine's lengths to corner her and Lucas were beyond what she had anticipated.
Unaware of her surroundings, she didn't notice Lucas entering the bedroom until his voice reached her. "Are you considering cancelling the anniversary?"
Andrea looked up, her gaze searching Lucas's face. "Are you having second thoughts about our decision?" she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Lucas shook his head, his smile reassuring. "Not at all, it's actually quite fun," he said lightheartedly.
With that, Andrea’s resolve strengthened. "Then there's no reason to call off tomorrow's anniversary. It's the perfect strategy to draw your brother out," she declared with a hint of defiance.
Lucas gave a nod of agreement. As he turned to leave, Andrea's voice stopped him. "I'm sorry, Lucas. I didn't expect this to cause so much trouble for you."
Pausing at the door, Lucas responded sincerely, "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."
With those final words, he closed the door behind him, leaving Andrea alone with her thoughts.
Meanwhile, at Vegas City airport, a private jet touched down. Valentine Anderson and Margret Willow stepped out into the cool morning breeze. Valentine's expression was stone-cold, his jaw set in determination.
Margret, with a twisted smile, posed a chilling question, "Are you really sure about abducting Pete and... ending his life?"
Valentine had left behind the room and the drinks they had been sharing, and Margret had quickly followed him to the airport, resulting in them arriving together.
"There will be no clemency for that adulterous couple or their child," Valentine declared, his voice devoid of any warmth, his resolve as chilling as the morning air.