Martin Saunders, Andrew's father, immediately snapped at him. His voice was sharp and stern. "Watch your tone! You're speaking to your own brother!"

"It's fine," Ryan replied calmly. "Andrew has always been this way. Even after all these years, he hasn't changed a bit."

"You're the golden child of our family. No matter what I do, I'll never measure up to you," Andrew retorted with self-mockery. "Anyway, since the family is rarely together, take your time catching up. My friends are waiting over there, so I'll be going."

"Andrew!" Martin huffed in frustration. Still, he couldn't possibly make a scene in front of so many guests.

There was no doubt they were biological brothers, but their personalities were worlds apart. Ryan had always been intelligent and sensible, never causing anyone to worry. His only act of rebellion was leaving Saunderia to pursue scientific research. Lindsay and Martin had been hesitant, but they couldn't bring themselves to stand in the way of his ambitions, especially when it served the nation. In the end, they gave him their full support.

Meanwhile, Andrew never took his studies seriously and was constantly getting into fights as a child. Lindsay and Martin were frequently called to the school. As he grew older, he showed no interest in working, preferring to spend his time drinking and chasing women. Entrusting Saunderia to him would undoubtedly lead to disaster!

Their only hope now was Samantha, who they prayed could help Andrew manage Saunderia properly.

"Are you coming or not?" Andrew asked Samantha, but she wasn't as impulsive as he was—she would never leave during a family gathering.

"Guess not," Andrew scoffed, and walked away alone.

He headed over to William, who was standing with Victoria, Nathan, and Ethan.

Elise seemed to have already left.

"Well, look who it is—the birthday boy!" Nathan teased playfully.

Andrew shot him a glare. "I thought you weren't coming. Where's your girlfriend?"

"She's feeling a bit shy."

"Heh," Andrew snorted dismissively.

"By the way, is that your brother? The prodigy who left to serve the country, finally making his return?" Nathan asked, sneaking a glance at Ryan.

Andrew completely ignored the question, and Nathan grinned. "Still jealous of him after all these years?"

"Bullshit," Andrew grumbled irritably.

"Ah, so I hit a nerve," Nathan chuckled.

"Enough from you!" Andrew snapped, raising his fist and throwing a playful punch at Nathan.

Though it was meant in good fun, Nathan winced dramatically when he blocked it.

"Ouch."

Andrew was speechless—that was an overly dramatic reaction for such light contact! "You've really turned into a softie since you got a girlfriend, huh?"

"My hand is injured," Nathan explained, showing everyone the cuts on his fingers.

"Just a scratch," Andrew scoffed. "What happened?"

"Cooking with my girlfriend."

Andrew stared at him in disbelief, but Nathan was beaming with happiness. "What? It's called setting the mood, understand? Neither of us knows how to cook, so we're learning together. Someone like you, who lives for instant gratification, would never get it."

William glanced at Ethan, who remained silent throughout the exchange.

"Yeah, I don't—and neither does anyone else," Andrew snorted. "Do you get it? William? Ethan?"

"I actually do," Victoria spoke up, since neither William nor Ethan responded. "It's really nice to cook with someone you care about."

Nathan felt validated hearing that, but he didn't reply since it was Victoria who spoke.

She felt a bit awkward, but knowing that William's friends didn't think highly of her, she said gently, "It's getting late, William. Let's head home—we have to go to Rockville tomorrow, after all."