Andrew was fuming. He’d been hoping that if Archie took the fall, he’d get some of the allowance money But now, Archie had thrown him under the bus.


    Andrew shot Archie a re.


    Archie didn’t back down, ring right back.


    Hugh was furious. Seeing his sons squabble over something so silly nearly gave him a heart attack.


    Hugh snatched up the whisk from the sofa and sent it flying at both of them.


    “Ah-” The first swing hit Archie, who howled like he’d just been murdered.


    Maria had been fine letting Hugh scold the boys for losing money, but the moment she saw him going in for a real smack, her heart broke.


    She wasn’t always a saint, but she was the kind of mom who’d go full mama bear when it came to her kids.


    Maria jumped in front of Archie. “Calm down. What’s the point? It’s already happened. Smacking them is totally useless.”


    “They deserve it. Move aside. You just don’t understand. And it’s not just about today,” Hugh said, utterly exasperated. “Look at them–fighting over something so petty, pushing me onto each other.


    “They’re real brothers. They’re supposed to look out for each other, support, and care for one another. That’s how the Lawrence family keeps moving forward, gets stronger and better.


    “If they keep acting like this, our family is doomed.”


    Andrew understood instantly what had Hugh so fired up. He didn’t hesitate–he owned up right away. “That was on me, Dad.


    “Archie was just following what I said. I promise I won’t lose my head again, and I’ll make sure Archie keeps his cool, too.”


    Hugh finally started <i>to </i>let it go. “Alright, just don’t go pulling any stupid stunts from now on.”


    Andrew let out a sigh of relief. “I have to hit the restroom.”


    He bolted for the bathroom, and Archie followed right behind. “Me too.”


    *****


    Inside the bathroom, Archie faced Andrew. “Man, that was messed up. We agreed not to tell Dad, and you went and snitched on me.


    “But hey, since you took the fall in the end, I’ll let it go. You’re still my buddy.”


    15:41 Wed<b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>1 </b>


    Andrew gave Archie a frosty stare. “Idiot.” Then he turned and walked out.


    Archie, pissed off by Andrew’s words, stomped out after him, grumbling.


    (44


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    Maria watched the boys duck into the bathroom, then came over to give Hugh a massage, trying to smooth things over. “Come on, don’t stay mad.


    “The kids were just all riled up. If you really need to me someone, me that Alicia–she’s a real piece of work


    Hugh, enjoying the massage, chimed in, “You should keep an eye on Tiffany. Make sure she doesn’t keep egging her brothers on to do dumb things.”


    Maria had only recently gotten Tiffany back, so of course, her mom instincts kicked in. She immediately jumped in to defend her girl. “What are you saying?


    “Tiffany’s not like that at all. She was probably just curious and made some offhand remarks; those two troublemakers are the ones who went and did something dumb.


    “No way was Tiffany behind it. She’s as pure as theye; she’d never do that sort of thing.”


    Hugh nced at Maria, but let it go. Truth was, a little bit of cunning in his daughter wasn’t the worst thing; it’s the ones who are too sweet that really make him worry.


    Seeing Hugh drop the subject of Tiffany, Maria quickly changed the topic. “So, who do you think paid for that brat Alicia’s hospital bill?”


    With the inte going wild over the Lawrence brothers and no sign of Charles in the video, Hugh had no clue there was more to the story. He just figured Adam had footed the bill for Alicia.


    After a moment, Hugh said, “My guess is it was Adam, that ungrateful brat. He’s been working for years and hasn’t brought a single cent home, but he’s got money to blow on Alicia.”


    Maria chimed in, “Well, it’s not really Adam’s fault. That sly girl knows how to y him. Adam’s too kind- hearted, and she totally scammed him.


    “We took care of her all these years, and now she turns on us; if we don’t put her in her ce, it just doesn’t sit right.”


    Hugh’s eyes turned cold, his expression downright ruthless. “Oh, she’ll get what’sing to her.”


    “So how are we going to teach her a lesson?” Maria asked.


    Hugh replied, “This isn’t something we can rush; we’ll need to think it over carefully. For now, let’s go pick up Tiffany from the hospital. She said she’s ready to leave.”


    Just then, Andrew, who had juste out of the bathroom, piped up, “I’ll grab a nket for the car. We don’t want Tiffany getting cold.”


    With that, Andrew was already on his feet, heading to get the nket.


    15:41 Wed, Oct <b>1 </b><fnd240> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find·novel</fnd240>


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    Archie quickly added, “Tll grab some snacks for Tiffany. We don’t want her getting hungry”


    Watching the two brothers fussing over Tiffany, Hugh couldn’t help but nod with satisfaction. Yet, the moment he thought about Adam, his brows instantly knit together.


    Why can’t Adam ever put the family first? Hugh grumbled to himself. ‘If all five siblings really stuck together. the Lawrence family would be unstoppable; no one in this city could touch us


    The Yates family did very well in this aspect.


    Back when Hugh was younger, he’d gotten a rare chance to visit the Yates family and saw how fiercely united they were.


    Yeah, maybe those big families had their dramas behind closed doors, but whenever an outsider showed up, they closed ranks in a heartbeat. And now? The Yates were livingrge, right up at the top.


    That was why, ever since starting his family, Hugh had hammered it in–stick together, watch each other’s backs, always keep the Lawrence family united.


    Only then could they get strong–and never get knocked off their throne.


    Hugh couldn’t help but think, ‘When they were kids, they’d always stuck together, always followed the rules. So what happened to Adam? Why does he always stick up for outsiders instead of his own family these days?


    Hugh would have to find a chance to sit Adam down and set him straight. If Adam kept pulling this crap, there wouldn’t be a ce for him in the Lawrence family.


    Just as Hugh was lost in thought, Aaron walked in. “Dad, it’s time to head to the hospital and pick up Tiffany.”


    Hugh nodded, then asked, “How did it go when you went looking for Adam after he took off that day? Did you talk to him?”


    Aaron let out a sigh. “I couldn’t find him.”


    Hugh’s frown deepened, but he didn’t say anything more.


    Soon, the whole family was there–everyone except Adam. They had to take two cars to fit everyone.


    As soon as they got to the hospital, Hugh turned to Aaron. “Go find Adam and have him help Tiffany with her discharge paperwork.”


    Andrew chimed in, “Yeah, Adam’s a doctor; he’s here every day, knows all the ins and outs. If he handles it, we won’t have to run around or wait in line. He can get it sorted way faster.”


    Aaron nodded. “Alright, I’ll go find Adam.”


    Aaron headed straight for Adam’s office, but after knocking for what felt like forever, no one answered.


    Just then, a doctor passing by noticed him and asked, “Looking for Doctor Lawrence? He’s not here; he’s been on leave for a few days.”