Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Hannah might have been spoiled and scheming, but even she did not dare to underestimate Andrew anymore. Her eyes darted around as she thought he was seriously loaded with all kinds of amazing treasures.

Maybe if she reluctantly agreed to be his girlfriend, she could make a fortune off him.

Meanwhile, George waved his hand with obvious satisfaction, clearly delighted by the turn of events. "Alright, let's wrap up the birthday celebration! Now it's time to discuss the real business at hand!

"I'm sure you all know that I'm planning to step down from my position as Chamber of Commerce chairman! However, I've been struggling to decide on the right nominee for quite some time!"

The moment those words left his mouth, Duncan and Emily practically shot their hands up simultaneously.

Duncan declared, "Mr. Keller Senior, though I may be unworthy, I humbly accept the burden you've carried. From this day forward, I will devote myself entirely to the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce-with every ounce of my being, until my last breath!"

"Dad, by all rights and reason, your position should go to someone from our family! I truly believe I'm completely capable of handling it, and I'll even surpass your achievements!"

Andrew sat in the back with a slightly amused expression.

Logan sighed heavily beside him. "Emily has always been ambitious, but I never realized just how ambitious she really was."

Andrew chuckled softly, "Ambition is actually a good thing. A Keller without drive is just a declawed tiger-all roar, no bite."

Logan grimaced ruefully in response. "That's true enough, but ambition needs to be backed up by real capability! Emily is prideful and arrogant, and she's learned all those business methods from abroad that simply don't work here in Holtrien!"

Andrew shrugged casually, "But you heard what Ms. Emily said—she thinks she'll surpass your father's achievements!"

Logan snorted coldly, "That foolish girl is way too young and doesn't know her own limitations! Our father's accomplishments are currently unmatched by anyone in the younger Keller generation!

"Of course, now that you're practically part of our family too, you might actually be able to exceed my father's success someday!"

Andrew waved dismissively. "Logan, you're giving me way too much credit! I think the Chamber of Commerce chairmanship should go to Ms. Emily!"

In the front row, almost immediately after Emily made her declaration, Freya and Hannah spoke in perfect unison, "We fully support Emily taking over!"

Their coordinated support gave Emily an immediate boost of confidence as she turned to face Duncan with a triumphant smile. "Mr. Irving Senior, I apologize for this! I'd love to let you have the seat-but alas, duty forbids it."

Her words sounded polite, but every syllable was laced with sharpness and pride -pure, unapologetic Keller heiress energy.

Duncan stayed cool as ever and laughed calmly. "Well, with all three Keller daughters joining forces, how could I possibly compete?"

Emily lit up with excitement. "So... you're saying you won't fight me for it?"

Duncan held out his hands. "That's right. I wouldn't dare go up against you, Ms. Emily. I'm old now and can't keep up with you youngsters."

Emily was ecstatic. She had not expected to snag a position with that much power so easily. It felt like victory had landed right in her lap.

Freya and Hannah were just as thrilled. The whole thing felt effortless, like

winning a prize without even buying a ticket.

The three of them high-fived, squealing and chatting as they turned in unison to glance over at

Andrew. They thought that while

George supposedly favored Andrew for the role, Andrew did not even get the chance to speak up—he was already irrelevant.

But then, a calm voice rang out.

"Prima Group supports Mr. Irving Senior as Chairman."

That one line hit like a spark in dry chaff. Soon, others chimed in one after another.

"The Maddock family backs Mr. Irving Senior too!"

"The Tanner family stands with Mr. Irving Senior. No one else is even in the running."

"Globeworth Group? Full support for Mr. Irving Senior!"

"Mazenigma Solutions—if it ain't Mr. Irving, we're out."

Within moments, over a third of the 80 or so Chamber of Commerce members had declared their support for Duncan. Moreover, they did not just sound supportive-they

sounded unyielding.

It was as if Duncan was the only person they would recognize as a leader, and

everyone else was just noise.

The Keller sisters' confident grins

froze mid laugh, and their color drained instantly. The excitement innoveldrama

their chests was gone in a blink,

replaced by a sickening drop of pure panic.

The higher you flew, the harder you crashed-and right now, they were crashing

fast.