Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2025

The truth was finally out for all to hear.

Andrew and his allies had long known, so they showed little reaction. Yet, Maurice, already half-delirious, suddenly flared with one last burst of strength, thrashing in Andrew's grip.

He cried out, "No, why is this happening? I don't believe it… I refuse to believe it! Joe is my child, and he's always been my blood, the most outstanding member of the Driscoll family!"

Like a dying beast, Maurice stared at Mia with bloodshot eyes filled with madness.

The moment Mia met his gaze, she immediately looked away, guilt written all over her face.

Andrew released his grip, allowing Maurice to lunge toward her.

Mia panicked. "Stay back, Maurice! It's not what you think! It's not like they said! You can't believe them!"

Maurice approached like a vengeful ghost, his voice dripping with rage. "You bitch, you still dare to lie to me even now? After all this, you still dare to deceive me? Go to hell!"

His blood-soaked hands reached out to strangle her, but Mia's eyes turned cold as steel.

There was a sharp thud, and the dagger in Mia's hand slid straight into Maurice's chest.

He gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief as he looked down at the blade buried in him.

Mia's face was cold as she whispered, "I can't let you live, and I can't let Joe ever know the truth. Maurice, I'm sorry… but I feel no regret. Franklin is already dead, Joe has gone far away to Goldridge, and I have nothing left to lose.

"If I let you live, you'd hunt Joe down and expose him. Worse, you might kill him yourself. So I can never let you live…"

The light faded from Maurice's eyes as he collapsed to his knees. He croaked out, "Why…"

This shocking turn of events stunned everyone present. Even Andrew had not anticipated that Mia would personally deliver the killing blow to her own husband.

He immediately burst into motion, creating a powerful gust of wind as he swept Victoria away from danger.

"Victoria, are you alright?" Andrew asked.

Joe's tears spilled over as he cried out. "Dad, why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell me the family had fallen this far? I'm your son, I've always been your son! Please don't die, don't leave me…"

He suddenly froze when he saw Maurice's lips curve into a faint, relieved smile as the last breath left him.

Having heard Joe's affirmation in his final moments, Maurice passed away content.

Tiana shook her head. "Perhaps this was the best ending Maurice could have hoped for."

Joe raised his tear-streaked face, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared up at Andrew. "Andrew, you killed my father, didn't you?"

Andrew looked down at him with no expression. "If that's how you see it, then yes. I killed your father."

Joe's teeth clenched as he let out a furious roar. "Then today, I'll kill you!"

The crowd scattered and watched Joe warily. After all, the Driscoll family had already been defeated, and as the last one left, Joe posed no real threat at all.