Chapter 5

Diana froze.

She had thought that after five years in prison, Andrew, the playboy of the Pierces, would have come out more spoiled and reckless.

But what she saw now completely shattered that expectation.

Andrew was terrifyingly strong.

The bodyguards in front of him were like paper—fragile and powerless.

He was incredible.

Diana instinctively covered her slightly parted lips with her hand, her eyes sparkling with astonishment.

Her gaze locked onto Andrew as if she were seeing him clearly for the first time.

This was not the lazy, careless man she had first met. Every inch of him radiated sharpness and power.

With his broad shoulders, straight posture, and a sharply defined face with a cold edge, it was hard not to feel a surge of respect, maybe even fear toward him.

He was like a tiger unleashed.

A strange feeling stirred in Diana's chest.

As the Pierces' eldest daughter-in-law, she had been carrying the family's burdens alone, living each day under stress and fear.

Now, with Andrew back, she felt a sense of security she hadn't known before.

She smoothed the folds of her blouse over her chest and took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Andrew kicked a bodyguard aside and advanced step by step toward Vincent.

"You pathetic little snake," Andrew growled. "So eager to snatch my family's empire, huh? Was the fall of Unitron Enterprise your doing? Or did you set me up and get me thrown in prison?"

He crouched slightly, his eyes locked on Vincent's collar with a murderous gleam in his gaze.

Vincent went pale, and his legs shook uncontrollably as wet spots formed on his pants.

He had peed himself.

"I-I swear it wasn't me! I'm not your enemy! I just… I just figured the Pierces had no one left, so I thought… I thought I could benefit a little," Vincent stammered, retreating with hands and feet, terror written all over his face. "I didn't know why Unitron Enterprise fell! I didn't know why you went to prison! I'm just a small player, Mr. Pierce! Please spare me!"

His voice cracked, as if someone were strangling him. Gone was the arrogance he had shown earlier.

Andrew squinted, studying Vincent's every reaction.

What a pathetic little runt. Maybe he really was just a petty opportunist.

"Talk! Who sent you? Who is targeting Unitron Enterprise behind the scenes?"

"N-No one sent me… I swear, I did it myself! Mr. Pierce, please spare me! I'll never do it again…"

Vincent looked ready to cry, his fear utterly crushing his pride. Survival was all that mattered now; dignity was long gone.

Andrew let out a cold laugh.

"Get out. If you ever dare cause trouble at the Pierces again, I'll make sure your whole family pays."

Vincent scrambled to his feet, crawling and bolting toward the door like a beaten dog, utterly humiliated.

"Remember this," Andrew called after him. "Next time you see me, you'd better stay far away."

Vincent tumbled out the door, leaving a wet trail behind him that made anyone watching wince.

Sebastian exhaled slowly, relief washing over his pale face.

His grandson had finally returned, stronger than ever.

Maybe there was still hope for the Pierces.

Diana's dark eyes curved slightly, and a rare smile tugged at her lips. It had been a long time since she felt this triumphant.

All the people like Vincent who had bullied them, she had had to endure in silence.

Today, someone finally stood up for her.

Her smile was like spring sunlight, enhancing her natural beauty even more.

Andrew caught her smile out of the corner of his eye.

Since they had met, Diana rarely smiled so openly. He hadn't realized just how captivating she could be.

"Diana, I'm sorry for everything you and Grandpa went through. From now on, with me around, no one will dare bully the Pierces again," he said.

Outside the villa, Vincent was wearing a different expression as he sat in his luxury car. The terror had vanished, replaced by cold, venomous intent.

He pulled out his phone and dialed quickly.

"It's me, Vincent… I have a business proposition for you. There's someone I want crippled for life. Name your price. Money's no object as long as it gets done."

A hoarse voice replied, "A hundred thousand. I'll need his info and photos."

A twisted smile spread across Vincent's face. "Deal. Three days. I want him in a hospital bed, crippled for life."

"Alright. It will be done in three days."

Vincent hung up, satisfied, a cruel grin twisting his features.

"Andrew, just you wait! You humiliated me today. I'll make you wish you were dead."

Inside, the tension in the villa had finally eased.

Sebastian looked at Andrew with relief and pride. Five years in prison had shaped him into a more mature, stronger man.

"Andrew, you've been through so much…" Sebastian's voice choked as he held Andrew's hand.

Andrew got down again before him. "Grandpa, I've let you down. I should've come back sooner."

Sebastian helped him up, shaking his head. "Silly child. It's not your fault. I failed to protect the family, and that's why your brothers… Sigh…"

At the thought of his three deceased grandsons, Sebastian closed his eyes in pain.

"I'll find out what happened to them, Grandpa. From today, I'll restore the Pierces."

Sebastian patted Andrew's shoulder. "Good. Since you've said that, I can finally rest easy."

Diana watched the interaction, her emotions a mix of admiration and worry.

Her view of this young man had changed significantly.

Yet she couldn't ignore the danger. Vincent was the kind who never forgot an insult. Today's humiliation would not go unanswered.

Would he try to get revenge on Andrew in secret?

She didn't want Andrew to run into trouble just as he came home.

Her dark eyes flicked toward Andrew, who was speaking with Sebastian, and she bit her lower lip.

She would find a chance to warn him. After all, in this world, hidden tricks were far deadlier than open ones.