Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

George let out a bitter smile. "If, and I'm saying if, something happens to me, I need you to keep an eye on the Keller family."

Andrew's expression turned solemn. "Mr. Keller Senior, you can count on me, completely. But I have to speak my mind about Hank. I think you need to approach this carefully. If you act recklessly, the Keller family could face serious consequences."

George waved it off. "It's fine, I know what I'm doing. Hannah, show Andy your back."

Hannah, face streaked with tears, glanced hesitantly at Andrew. After a moment, she blushed and slowly lifted the back of her shirt.

Andrew's eyes immediately narrowed in shock.

Hannah's entire back was covered with red welts and wounds. The marks were raised and swollen, and with just one glance, Andrew could tell they were from a leather belt that had been used to beat her mercilessly.

Most of her skin had been torn apart completely.

"Hank did all this?" Andrew's voice turned ice-cold.

Hannah wiped her tears and sobbed, "Yes, it was Hank. He forced me to sleep with him, and I said yes. But then he wanted to film it, and I refused. He

threatened me, saying that if I didn't cooperate, he'd dump me. I still said no, so he called me a whore and beat me with his belt.

"I wanted to call for help and leave the hotel, but he grabbed my hair, hit my face, tore my clothes, and I couldn't break free..."

By the end, she was sobbing uncontrollably, holding her head in her hands.

Emily and Freya, unable to console her, broke into tears as well.

Logan's eyes burned red with rage. He stomped his foot and shouted, "Dad, I'm taking our men and hunting that bastard down right now! I swear, I'll tear his damn head off!"

George barked, "Don't you dare move, Logan! Remember that of all the people here, you're the only one who can't afford to settle the score for Hannah. The Keller family is now in your hands, and if something happens to you, then the family is truly finished!"

Logan's eyes filled with tears as he turned his head away, his whole body trembling with suppressed fury that was about to explode.

At that moment, Andrew's cold, proud voice cut through the air. "Mr. Keller Senior, the Keller family has been good to me, and I don't plan to

stand by and do nothing about tonoveldrama

I'll deal with that bastard. I'll get him right away once I finish my business in Goldridge."

George looked stunned. "Andy, you don't have to get involved in this! You're just getting started in Blumedale, and you've got the world ahead of you! I won't let my family drag you down!"

Andrew shook his head, his tone firm. "Mr. Keller Senior, don't say that. I've never forgotten how you've treated me, the support you've given me. At first, I thought this was just some messy breakup between Hannah and Hank. But now I see Hank's worse than I imagined. He's a monster!

"This has gone beyond a simple relationship issue, and I can't ignore it. If I did, I wouldn't be Andrew, and I wouldn't deserve the Keller family's trust or yours and Logan's."

George stood still for a long moment before his face crumpled, tears running down his weathered cheeks. "In that case, thank you."

Hank had already left Blumedale with Chantelle. His intentions were crystal clear before leaving town; he had brutally deceived and humiliated Hannah one last time. He had gotten the woman, the money, and everything else in one fell swoop, killing three birds with one stone.

He took the girl, the money, and the pleasure all in one go.

Since he was already gone, even if the Keller family wanted to pursue justice, he would be beyond their reach.