Chapter 274

Chapter 274

Andrew kept the car in the steadiest line possible, focused entirely on keeping the two passengers in the back safe.

He didn't speed up out of spite or try to fight back. He just stayed calm and steady.

He couldn't afford to gamble. He wasn't going to let Olivia or Zara get hurt.

After several failed attempts to force them off the road, Holden grew more unhinged. He floored it and aimed straight for their rear bumper, trying to ram them into a stop.

At that critical moment, Andrew's eyes sharpened. He spotted a gap in the traffic ahead, hit the gas, and shot through it. Once he'd shaken Holden off, he eased toward the shoulder and brought the car to a stop.

Zara had buried herself in Olivia's arms long ago, too scared to look up, her small shoulders trembling.

Olivia gently patted Zara's back until the shaking finally stopped, then quietly tried to get her to sit up.

"It's over now. Don't be scared. Aunt Olivia's got you."

As she said it, Olivia glanced out the window, and the look in her eyes went ice cold.

This was clearly a deliberate attack.

Andrew turned in his seat to check on them. Once he was sure they were okay, the tension in his jaw eased slightly. His voice came out a little rough.

"It's okay. We're safe now."

Zara's eyes were red. She had a tight grip on Olivia's sleeve, her face still pressed against her shoulder, tears falling without her being able to stop them.

"Uncle, that was so scary..."

Olivia ran a hand softly through Zara's hair to soothe her. When she looked up at Andrew, her voice was heavier.

"He was clearly following us and forcing us off the road. That wasn't just road rage."

Andrew's expression went cold. He looked in the rearview mirror. Holden's car was sitting in the middle of the road, not moving.

"That's Holden."

He'd recognized the car right away, and immediately understood what was behind all of this.

"Looks like the Edwards family is setting Holden up to take the fall."

Before the words were even out, the car behind them made a hard turn, cutting across traffic without any regard for the other vehicles, and came barreling straight toward them on the shoulder.

Holden shoved his door open and stumbled out, eyes red, unsteady on his feet but driven by something reckless and unhinged. He came straight at them.

Cars on the road swerved to avoid him, horns going off one after another, the whole scene falling into chaos.

Zara saw Holden charging toward them and curled even tighter into Olivia, trembling again without realizing it.

"Stay in the car. Lock the doors. No matter what happens, don't get out."

Andrew said it quietly, then unclipped his seatbelt, pushed the door open, and got out alone to meet him.

Holden reached the car, chest heaving, eyes shot through with red and full of hatred that looked ready to spill over.

"Andrew! You're the one who destroyed everything I had!"

He jabbed a finger at Andrew, voice cracking with rage.

"If you hadn't kept pushing me into a corner, would I have ended up like this?! You did this to me, and now you're just out here living your best life!"

His eyes shifted past Andrew and locked onto the car behind him.

"I know who's in that car. Today I'm going to make you feel what it's like to lose everything."

Holden's face twisted into a wild, unhinged grin as his gaze moved back and forth between Andrew and the car.

"Holden. Out of respect for Vaughn, if you walk away now, I'll let this go like it never happened."

Andrew watched Holden's every move with cold, steady eyes. If he tried anything, he wouldn't walk away easy.

Holden blinked at that, then let out a low, short laugh.

"There it is again. That look like you're above all of this. Let it go like it never happened?"

The quiet laugh grew until it became something louder and wilder, a sound that was as much desperate as it was unhinged.

"Andrew, not everything is yours to control!"

Then Holden lunged. The moment his hand touched the door handle, Andrew stepped forward and locked onto his wrist with a grip that felt like it could snap the bone.

"Holden. You're bringing this on yourself."

Andrew had clearly run out of patience. As his grip tightened, Holden's face contorted with pain.

The pain pushed Holden completely over the edge. He thrashed and shoved against Andrew.

"Andrew! If I ever get another shot at you, I will end you!"

Andrew's expression didn't change. His grip didn't change. He just looked at Holden the way you'd look at someone who'd completely lost the plot.

"I'll be waiting."

While the two of them were locked in that standoff, a line of black sedans came speeding in from down the road. Their headlights cut through the dark as they pulled up in a clean row along the shoulder.

Vance came rushing over with a team of security, and the moment he saw Holden pinned against the car with Andrew's hand on him, his expression dropped.

"Mr. Anderson!"

Seeing Holden's face twisted in pain, Vance felt a flash of panic and his tone slipped before he could stop it. He caught himself quickly, remembering who Andrew was, and moved to explain.

"Mr. Vaughn Edwards knew Mr. Holden Edwards had gone out, so he sent us to follow and make sure nothing went wrong. We didn't get here in time to stop him from causing trouble for you. We're truly sorry."

Vance dropped Vaughn's name deliberately. Vaughn was an elder to Andrew, and had a close history with George. That counted for something.

It worked. At the mention of Vaughn, Andrew's grip loosened slightly, and Holden got just enough room to catch his breath.

Vance caught that and quickly signaled two of the bodyguards beside him. They stepped in and took Holden by each arm.

Vaughn's car arrived right behind, and he got out moving fast. One look at the scene in front of him and he was shaking with fury.

Vaughn walked slowly up to Holden, looked at him for a moment, then raised his hand and slapped him across the face.

The crack of it cut through the air.

Holden went still. Some of the wild, frenzied energy in his eyes faded. He dropped his head, knowing full well he was in the wrong.

"And you still show no remorse!"

Vaughn's voice shook with anger.

"Wasn't it enough to ruin yourself? You want to take the entire Edwards family down with you?"

At those words, Holden stopped fighting. His shoulders dropped. The manic edge drained out of him and left nothing but exhaustion.

"Andrew, I didn't raise my son well enough, and he's caused you real trouble. I'm truly sorry."

Vaughn stood in front of Andrew, at a loss, a man of his age looking almost helpless. He was afraid this would follow the Edwards family long after tonight, and so he swallowed his pride and came to Andrew as the one asking for peace.