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Chapter 180
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 181
Lauren was angry at how arrogantly Jerry had been acting. She could not help but think these martial arts experts were all challenging to deal with, whether it was Tracia or Jerry. Andrew suddenly spoke up. "I know what he's so smug about, but unfortunately, it won't help him at all!" "Please tell me where to find the clues about the stolen herbs!" Lauren exclaimed excitedly. Andrew explained, "He must be thinking about following the trucks' tire tracks." Lauren nodded thoughtfully, "That's actually not a bad idea. There are plenty of dirt roads in the countryside, and our trucks would definitely leave tracks." Andrew shook his head and replied, "Unless the thieves are complete idiots, they wouldn't leave such obvious tracks for us to follow. Besides, Ms. Rhodes, have you considered what happens when the trucks hit concrete or asphalt roads?" "I guess that would make the tracks useless…" Lauren deflated. "Let's go," Andrew said with a smile. "Where to?" Lauren asked, co
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 182
Lauren watched this scene unfold with a dreamy look in her eyes. She admired his kindness and compassion, secretly wishing she could marry him right then and there. Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside as Jerry rushed in with his men. When he spotted Andrew and Lauren, he briefly showed panic before quickly composing himself. He cleared his throat and said, "Ms. Rhodes, I'm impressed you found the trucks before I did. Your brilliant mind truly proves why you're the most exceptional member of the younger Rhodes generation!" Jerry laughed nervously, showering her with compliments while conveniently forgetting his earlier boastful promises about finding the trucks himself. Lauren smiled graciously. "Thank you for your efforts too, Jerry. The important thing is that we recovered the herbs." "Indeed… But did you manage to catch the criminals who stole it?" Jerry asked, trying to sound casual. Lauren shook her head. "The place was empty when we arrived, so we couldn't identify w
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 183
Andrew shrugged casually. "Those are your words, not mine." This finally pushed Jerry over the edge as he angrily shouted, "You fool! Stop trying to sow discord! I've served the Rhodes family faithfully for over 20 years. Do you think your petty words can discredit my loyalty?" In his fury, Jerry turned to Lauren and said respectfully, "Ms Rhodes, this pretty boy is insulting me. I demand justice." "Jerry, he just tends to be very direct with his words," Lauren stated diplomatically. "I know your loyalty to the Rhodes family, so on his behalf, I apologize." Jerry let out a cold snort and stormed off with his men, but not before shooting Andrew a murderous glare. Andrew, however, maintained his smile, completely unfazed. Once Jerry was gone, Lauren's expression turned ice-cold. "Do you think Jerry was telling the truth?" "I'd rather believe pigs could fly than trust him," Andrew replied without hesitation. Lauren burst into laughter. "You can be quite funny sometimes." A
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 184
Bane silently crouched down and examined Tracia's body. After a moment, he stood up with a grim expression and said, "She must've encountered a skilled martial artist." "What kind of master could kill a Rhodes family security chief?" Michael demanded angrily. Bane remained silent for a moment, his face unusually grave. "At the very least, someone on the level of a junior grandmaster—or maybe even a full grandmaster." He continued, "The ability to kill Tracia with a single punch is leagues beyond those amateurs who had just learned the basics." "Come on, Bane, you can't be serious," Michael said in horror. "How could there be a grandmaster hiding in this place?" To Michael, a grandmaster was practically a living legend—someone even the Rhodes family would show respect. In his mind, those figures were untouchable, being able to kill others without breaking a sweat. Bane snapped, "I never joke about such a matter. She died at the hands of at least a junior grandmaster." "Ba
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 185
Michael nodded nervously. "Thank goodness we weren't there when Tracia died. Running into that grandmaster would've been bad news. Still, it's unfortunate Lauren escaped, but at least we have the herbs. When she returns to Rhodes Corporation empty-handed, she'll have to answer for this failure!" At this thought, a hint of a smile returned to Michael's gloomy face. However, Bane suddenly tensed and shouted, "Who's there? Show yourself, or you'll regret it!" Michael spun around in terror, stuttering, "B-Bane, you don't think it's that grandmaster coming for us?" A broad-shouldered man emerged from the shadows, and Michael immediately relaxed. "Oh, it's just you, Jerry. You scared me half to death!" Jerry scoffed. "Mr. Rhodes, if you want to take over Rhodes Corporation, you need to show more backbone. Being spooked by every little noise makes you look like a coward." Michael laughed. "Relax, Jerry, it's just us three here. Even if I'm scared out of my wits, no one else will kno
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 186
Jerry immediately refused, "I'm sorry, but I won't do something that risky. Andrew is obviously very close to Ms. Rhodes. If I harm him, she'll never forgive me. I work for the Rhodes family to secure my future, not to be your hitman." Then, Jerry disappeared into the woods, ignoring Michael's furious expression. "Bane, since Jerry is too scared, why don't you take care of that guy yourself? Eliminate him before he causes more problems!" Michael suggested. Bane's face darkened with uncertainty as he replied, "We can't rush this… One wrong move, and we lose everything. We now know Tracia was killed by at least a junior grandmaster-level fighter, and that person might be backing Andrew. If that's the case, moving against him carelessly would only bring us trouble." Michael was frustrated by how his sure victory had turned into a complete defeat, and he shouted, "Bane, are you afraid of that worthless pretty boy too?" Bane scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous! I've dominated Gabo Cree
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 187
Lauren was shocked and exclaimed, "Even Mr. Weller Senior is here? Well then, let's see what they're really up to." Upon entering the main hall, Andrew noticed not only the Weller family members but also Christina. When she caught Andrew's glance, Christina remained expressionless and turned away. Harvey smirked, looking down at Andrew with contempt. Lauren greeted Kane respectfully, acknowledging his status as one of Jayrodale's most influential family patriarchs. His local influence sometimes exceeded even the mayor's, particularly in matters concerning traditional martial arts circles. "Lauren, it's been years since I've seen you!" Kane chuckled before breaking into a cough, quickly covering his mouth with a white handkerchief. Though Kane tried to be discreet, Andrew's keen eye caught sight of blood on the cloth, and noting Kane's pale complexion and dim eyes, he could tell the man was gravely ill. "Mr. Weller Senior, if you're unwell, we can discuss this another time
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 188
Lauren maintained her composure and replied, "My relationship with Dr. Lloyd isn't your concern, Mr. Weller Senior. Perhaps we should focus on business matters now." Kane's brows furrowed at her bluntness. As the head of a prestigious family, he was not accustomed to being dismissed, especially by a junior. His intentions were genuine—Harvey had mentioned Andrew's abilities, but from Kane's perspective, Andrew was clearly not in the same league as Lauren. However, unlike Harvey, Kane maintained his grace and smiled. "Very well, let me be direct. My price for the Oakridge Club is 150 million." The number shocked both Lauren and Andrew. "I'm sorry, Mr. Weller Senior, but at 150 million, I'll have to pass on this deal," Lauren replied, disappointed that Kane would try to take such a blatant advantage of her. Harvey chimed in with a smirk, "Lauren, we're giving you first priority here. If you're not interested, there are plenty of others lined up to buy Jayrodale's premier cl
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1194
Justin instantly sensed something was about to spiral. He rushed forward and tried to defuse the tension. "Mr. Hopkins, please calm down. We're all just here to have a nice dinner—no need for this." Archie clutched his swollen cheek, his face twisted with rage. "Calm down? Get out of my face! If you say another word, I'll end you too!" Justin flinched and quickly backed off, no longer daring to speak. However, as he glanced toward the Rhodes family, his eyes burned with resentment. He cursed them for being foolish. Despite knowing they could not go up against the Hopkins, they still had to throw punches. He could not help but think they were just asking for it. Lauren's voice rang out cold and firm. "Mr. Hopkins, what are you trying to do? Start a war?" Archie bellowed with laughter. "Big mouth on you, you little bitch! With your trashy Rhodes family, you're not even qualified to go to war with the Hopkins!" He sneered, eyes gleaming. "But don't worry—I'm not just gonna tak
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1193
Justin's face twisted in discomfort, but before he could say anything, a loud voice boomed across the entrance. "Mr. McGrath, you can step back! If Mrs. Rhodes wants to dine in our Celestial Suite, then she's more than welcome!" As the voice faded, a burly man with a thick beard strode over. The giant crystal ring on his hand and the heavy gold chain across his chest made it clear—this man was rich, but absolutely tasteless. Jameson snorted coldly. "The Hopkins family sure has some nerve, snatching up someone else's reservation like it's nothing." Archie Hopkins cracked a wide grin, revealing a mouth full of blackened teeth, and laughed without a care. "Mr. Rhodes, you sound way too naive!" Archie shrugged and said, "In this world, it's all about money and muscle. The Hopkins family's got both. So stealing a little dining room from the Rhodes family? It's nothing." Tiana's voice turned icy. "Since you're admitting it's theft, then do us a favor and get the hell out." Arch
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1192
The place Jameson picked for dinner was one of the most well-known upscale restaurants in Blumedale—The Palace. "Andy, you might not know this, but around here, this spot is top-tier," Jameson said as he adjusted his tailored suit and smiled. He added, "It's not like I'm trying to flaunt my wealth or anything. But sometimes, even if you don't care for appearances, you've still got to show up with style!" Andrew chuckled and replied, "Mr. Rhodes, I get what you're saying." Tiana spoke up coolly, "Jameson, no need to put on this kind of show in front of Andrew. Otherwise, you'll just end up looking ridiculous. This guy probably poops in places you haven't even dreamed of stepping into." Jameson froze for a second, clearly shocked. "Well now, Tiana, you're really singing Andy's praises today. Could it be… the classic case of a mother-in-law who's starting to really like her son-in-law?" Tiana gave a snort. "This has nothing to do with liking him. I'm just telling the truth."
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1191
Lauren said, "Funny thing, Andrew—you probably don't know this, but my mom's been all about dressing up lately. For the longest time, I only ever saw her in simple outfits. She never really cared about appearances. "But now, she's all glammed up and polished! If you didn't know better, you'd think she was dating someone!" Andrew did not know how to respond, so he stayed quiet. He had a pretty good idea why Tiana suddenly started caring about her looks. It was probably because his presence reminded her of her first love—his father. Even though he was not the man himself, they were still father and son. Much like Aspen, Tiana clearly had something not quite right going on in her head. Only someone like her could project her feelings for a man onto his son. Nonetheless, no matter how he looked at it, Andrew just could not shake the weirdness of it all. After all, this woman was supposed to be his future mother-in-law, and yet, she was just a little off. Not that Tiana acted c
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1190
"Andrew, my mom didn't give you a hard time, did she?" Lauren asked as they stepped into the Rhodes residence's front parlor. She had noticed right away that Andrew did not look so great. "It's fine. Your mother was… gracious enough," Andrew said with a small smile. There was no need to bring up Tiana's moment of madness—it was better buried. Jameson chuckled. "Andy, sorry to trouble you again! But today wasn't just about getting your help with her condition." Lauren beamed. "That's right, Andrew. Now that you're part of the family, you're not an outsider anymore. So, Dad planned a little family dinner. We thought we'd introduce you to some people too, help you make some connections around Blumedale." Jameson added, "Exactly! And I heard from Lauren that you've been looking for some rare medicinal herbs. Well, turns out, I know some folks who might be holding on to a few." Andrew nodded thoughtfully. "I am looking for rare herbs, that's true. But as for opening doors, Mr.
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1189
Truthfully, Tiana was by far the most challenging woman Andrew had ever dealt with. He could not hit her or offend her. To make things worse, she was Lauren's mother and Jameson's wife. No matter what insanity she pulled, Andrew could not actually do anything to her. Seeing Andrew so obviously trapped, Tiana felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. She chuckled smugly. "Andrew, you're the Dragon Prince of the Lloyds. There's no way I could ever win against you—not in a million years. "But you lost the moment you started dating my daughter. I'm your mother-in-law. That means I can mess with you, tease you, and you won't be able to lift a finger." Andrew replied evenly, "You're right—I can't fight you. But if I can't win, I can still walk away." Tiana waved her hand. "Alright, alright. Let's stop arguing. Just promise me one thing—what happened here today stays between us. Lauren can never find out." Andrew let out a dry laugh. "You're only worried about Lauren? What ab
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1188
It felt to Tiana like she had fallen into a vast, unfamiliar net—one she had never experienced before. She was sinking, drifting, wanting to break free. Yet, she was addicted to the thrill of it all. All these conflicting emotions passed through her in the blink of an eye, though they were layered and complex. Meanwhile, Andrew was completely unaware of the chaotic thoughts swirling inside her. To him, this was just another straightforward medical procedure. He was careful and respectful. He only touched what he had to, avoiding sensitive areas entirely. As a doctor, Andrew had no sense of guilt about what he was doing. Illness knew no gender; treatment was treatment. That was how he saw it. Whether others saw it the same way was not his concern. He calmly explained, "Stimulating your pressure points with needles and smoothing the meridians with massage helped your condition today. "But in the end, to restore proper balance, you'll still need a medicinal remedy to regulate
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1187
Tiana flinched, both shocked and furious, but she had no chance of dodging him. Under Andrew's hand, she did not stand a chance. However, the loud smack that followed was not across her face—it landed squarely on a pressure point along her waist. A wave of sharp pain shot through her body like a crashing tide. She gasped, "Ah… Andrew, you… stop, that hurts…" A strange moan escaped her lips, echoing awkwardly in the quiet room. Andrew muttered under his breath, cursing her madness. Without wasting time, he lifted her up and laid her down across the bed. Tiana stared up at him in disbelief, her eyes wide—until he pulled out a slim, metallic object. A gleaming golden acupuncture needle. "Mrs. Rhodes, your speech is erratic, your energy's spiking. I'll give you a few needles to stabilize your condition," Andrew said calmly. With that, he plunged the first needle into a targeted spot on her body. Tiana's breath hitched as her lips parted, and her reaction was a mix of pai
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1186
"If you called me here just to ask something this ridiculous, Mrs. Rhodes, then I'll be going now," Andrew said flatly as he turned toward the door. He did not dare stay a second longer, worried Tiana might start acting crazy like she did last time. If things spiraled out of control and someone like Jameson walked in on them, not even a hundred confessions could clear his name. "Stop right there!" Tiana snapped, her brows raised in defiance. "What's the matter? Are you that scared of being alone with me?" Andrew paused and looked back, his brows still tightly furrowed. "Mrs. Rhodes, you and I both know this isn't appropriate." Tiana stepped forward with a graceful sway, a trace of perfume trailing in her wake as she stopped right beside him. Her lips curled in a playful smile. "What's not appropriate? Can't a mother-in-law spend a little one-on-one time with her future son-in-law?" Andrew fell silent, exasperated. "You said you weren't feeling well. If you need help, I'll tak
