Andrew finished speaking and immediately ended the call without hesitation. That decisive action was full of his anger and frustration.
Assistant Ryan stood still, completely confused. He stared blankly at the now black screen of the phone, raising his brows slightly, his face full of puzzlement.
"What just happened to the boss? Why is he angry?"
He muttered under his breath, his brows scrunched into a deep frown, his eyes filled with confusion.
"I didn't even say anything wrong, did I?"
"Ryan, do you want me to copy this surveillance video?" the person watching the footage looked up and asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Hearing that, Assistant Ryan quickly returned to his senses and nodded at once. "Yes, of course. Go ahead and make a copy."
While speaking, he rubbed his temples. The tense relationship between the boss and madam was really giving him a headache.
The boss must regret getting that divorce certificate with her.
Otherwise, why would he suddenly get so mad?
Did madam do something to upset him?
The boss didn't even realize it himself, but every time he's with madam, his emotions go out of control. That never happens when he's with Charlotte.
Looks like the boss still hasn't figured out his true feelings.
Right now, Andrew felt like there was a burning fire trapped in his chest, raging and scorching his reason.
"If that's how it is, then fine. We'll just stay completely out of each other's lives."
He started the engine. The car gave a low roar, echoing his suppressed anger, and then he sped off.
On the way back, Andrew's phone suddenly rang, breaking the heavy silence inside the car.
He frowned and pressed the speaker button, his voice cold. "Hello."
"Oh? Who made our mighty President Andrew so mad? Don't tell me it's because of your precious Charlotte?"
Ethan's teasing voice came through the speaker, echoing in the empty car.
Andrew's brows furrowed even more. His tone grew sharp. "If you have something to say, say it. If not, I'm hanging up."
He really wasn't in the mood to joke with Ethan. The anger boiling inside him made him want to be alone.
"Come on, are we still brothers or not? You've been back for days. Did you ever think to call me?"
Ethan's voice still carried amusement, clearly unbothered by Andrew's cold attitude.
"Andrew, you're really something. Mocha Room 1708. I'm waiting. Come have a drink with me."
"If you don't come, don't blame me for showing up at your place."
"Is there anyone else there?" Andrew asked.
Ethan kept teasing. "Are you asking if there are women or men? If it's women, then yeah, for sure."
"Screw you."
Hearing the growing irritation in Andrew's voice, Ethan finally stopped joking. "Alright, alright. I'm just kidding. Get over here. It's just you and me."
Andrew made a U-turn up ahead and sped off toward Mocha.
Outside the window, the scenery blurred past in streaks of color, but his mind wasn't on any of it. His head was still full of tangled emotions.
Soon, he pulled up in front of Mocha.
As soon as the car came to a stop, he pushed the door open and got out. His swift movements carried a certain intensity.
He casually tossed his car keys to a nearby valet. The valet caught them steadily and drove the car away with practiced ease.
The receptionist at the entrance spotted Andrew right away. His face lit up with a respectful smile as he quickly bowed to greet him. "Mr. Andrew, did you reserve a private room?"
"1708," Andrew answered briefly.
"Understood, this way please." The receptionist bent slightly at the waist and motioned with his hand to lead the way.
To the staff here, Andrew wasn't just anybody. Everything he did carried weight. He had the kind of power that could make or break their jobs in an instant.
Even though Andrew hadn't been active in the capital city these past two years, his reputation hadn't faded. In fact, it had only grown stronger over time.
The receptionist led Andrew to the door of Room 1708.
Inside the room, Ethan was immersed in deafening music. The powerful beat seemed to ignite a fire in the soul.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Andrew appeared in the doorway.
Ethan quickly reached out and turned the music volume down a bit. Then he stood up, a big smile on his face, and walked briskly toward Andrew.
With open arms, he was ready to give Andrew a warm hug. To him, this was just a natural way for brothers to greet each other.
But Andrew frowned and slapped his arm away without hesitation. His voice was cold. "Don't try that on me."
Even after being brushed off, Ethan didn't get angry. He just pouted slightly, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Our Mr. Andrew is still so... aloof."
He knew this was just how Andrew was. On the outside he looked cold, but deep down he had a warm heart—he just didn't like to show it.
Andrew ignored the teasing and walked straight to the couch. He sat down gracefully, crossing one leg over the other, then leaned back lazily against the cushions. Every movement carried a natural elegance and ease.
Ethan followed and sat beside him. He tilted his head slightly, studying Andrew carefully.
Seeing the stormy look on his face, like dark clouds before a thunderstorm, Ethan couldn't help frowning. "What's with you? Just got back and someone already pissed you off?"
"Who's got the guts to do that?"
Andrew gave him a calm glance but fell into deep thought.
The complicated mess between him and Katherine wasn't something many people knew about. Not even Ethan. He'd never mentioned it to him.
His thoughts drifted back to the beginning. Back then, Katherine had gotten his grandfather to force him into marrying her. At the time, he had been filled with anger and disgust over that sudden arrangement.
In his eyes, Katherine had been someone who used tricks to trap him and take away his freedom. He hadn't just disliked her—he had completely despised her.
But now, after seeing her again, something felt different.
He realized that the hatred in his heart wasn't so clear anymore. There was something else growing inside him, something unfamiliar.
That change made him uneasy and confused.
Thinking about all of this made him restless, like ants crawling all over his chest.
He couldn't hold back the irritation any longer. He reached for the bottle on the table and poured himself a drink in one smooth motion.
The amber-colored liquid swirled in the glass, releasing a rich fragrance. Without a second thought, he raised the glass and drank it all in one go.
It was like he hoped the alcohol could extinguish the strange fire burning inside him.