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Chapter 521

Author: Only For You
Michael cut through the growing tension with a sharp tone. "That's enough. Today's meeting is over. What matters to me is your ability to do your job and make money for the company. Your personal lives and relationships are of no interest to me as CEO."

He started to walk away but paused after a few steps, gesturing for Troy. "Mr. MacAfee, come to my office. I'd like to clarify a few details about the collaboration with you."

Troy smirked, glancing at Andrew with a look of triumph. The unspoken message was clear. "So what if you caught me fooling around with Ruby? You can't touch me if the CEO has my back."

Ruby stood to leave, but as she passed Lauren, she leaned in with a cold smile. "Ms. Rhodes, I haven't forgotten my grudge against you. Be careful not to make a mistake you'll regret for the rest of your life."

Lauren shot back without missing a beat. "Don't worry, Ms. Dickinson. I'd be happy to send you back for another helping of prison meals—on the house."

Ruby's smile
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  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 522

    Lauren looked puzzled. "There's an issue with that document? I didn't notice anything off." Andrew smiled knowingly. "It's normal you didn't catch it. The problem lies in Ruby's formula for the pill she wants Rhodes Corporation to produce." He paused briefly before continuing in a colder tone. "Ruby requested the Pharmaceutical Division to manufacture a so-called 'miracle anti-cancer drug'. It's positioned as an exclusive, high-end product designed for the wealthy and elite families—rare, valuable, and groundbreaking." "But here's the catch," he said, his voice sharp. "While the formula lists over 30 premium ingredients that appear highly effective on their own, they turn into a lethal poison when combined. And not just any poison—it's a slow-acting, insidious toxin. Anyone who takes it will suffer without even realizing the cause." Andrew's gaze darkened. "Now, imagine if Rhodes Corporation went ahead and produced this pill, selling it to affluent clients and major figures. Wh

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 523

    Michael called Troy in and personally locked the door behind him. Troy, shifting uneasily, spoke first. "Mr. Rhodes, about Ruby and me… We did go to the hotel yesterday. But aside from… well, you know… I was genuinely there to discuss business. Honestly, if I hadn't kept her happy, we wouldn't have secured the Amberpeak Corporation deal so easily." Michael waved dismissively. "I didn't call you here to scold you." Troy froze, caught off guard. "I thought you would scold me for mixing personal matters with work!" In truth, Troy had not gone to the hotel to talk business at all. Ruby's stunning beauty had completely captivated him. Their initial flirtation quickly escalated into something far more intimate, and the deal came up only afterward. By chance, Troy learned that Ruby was a representative for Amberpeak Corporation. The realization thrilled him—sealing such a significant partnership would be the perfect way to prove himself as the new head of the Pharmaceutical Divisio

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 524

    "I want Lauren to experience true despair and unrelenting pain," Ruby hissed, her eyes alight with malice. "When the Rhodes family collapses completely, when their legacy is destroyed, I bet her anguished screams will sound like music to my ears." Aspen, standing calmly by the window, gave a faint smile. "Hatred is indeed a powerful motivator, but you can't rely solely on it. The brain, Ruby, is the deadliest weapon of all." Ruby hesitated, then bowed her head respectfully. "Please, Ms. Stevens, enlighten me." Aspen's cold smile deepened. "The Weller family is currently under the spotlight, drawing public scrutiny and outrage. It's the perfect distraction for us. Everyone thinks the crisis in Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division is over, but this lull in vigilance is precisely when I strike." She turned to Ruby, her tone laced with pride. "The key is to attack your prey when they least expect it, when their guard is down—that's when it's most fatal." With a light laug

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 525

    In the hotel room, Ruby stripped off her clothes and enjoyed a luxurious rose-scented bath. Afterward, she sprayed perfume generously around the room, filling the air with a sweet, seductive aroma. She picked up her phone and dialed Troy. "Troy, when are you coming over? I miss you!" she cooed, her voice dripping with allure. Busy at work, Troy felt a shiver run through him when he heard her sultry tone. He laughed, half-joking, "What's gotten into you, baby? Feeling frisky again?" Ruby pouted playfully. "You're the one feeling frisky! I already told you—I miss you. Are you coming over or not? I just finished a bath, and now I'm all soft and smooth… and smelling divine." Troy hesitated. "How about tonight, baby? It's broad daylight, and I'm now swamped with work." Ruby's tone turned cold as she huffed. "Fine, then. You stay busy with your work, and don't bother coming tonight either. I have a dinner meeting with some executives later anyway, so I won't have time for you. B

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    Ruby's smile widened as she thought, 'The fish has taken the bait. Troy is just as predictable as I expected.' However, as the grin lingered, a sudden itch below made her uncomfortable, dampening her excitement. Her mood instantly darkened as she wondered if that disease was coming back again. Meanwhile, Troy's car sped out of the Rhodes Corporation parking garage, rushing toward its destination. Andrew and Lauren, already in their SUV, quickly followed. "Dr. Lloyd, just as you predicted—Troy leaving work during office hours is definitely suspicious," Lauren said with a cold smirk. Andrew, keeping his eyes on the road, replied, "A spy like Ruby will always look for the easiest way to infiltrate a company, and her best target is someone she can easily manipulate from the inside. Since she's already slept with Troy, it's no surprise she's using him as her pawn." Lauren frowned. "Dr. Lloyd, you mentioned earlier that both Troy and Ruby have the same foul smell. What exactly did

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 527

    After confirming the formula was legitimate, Ruby handed it back to Troy, her face lighting up with a seductive smile. She said, "So this is one of Rhodes Corporation Pharmaceutical Division's legendary formulas? "I heard they're worth more than gold, but honestly, it's not as impressive as I imagined. Compared to Amberpeak Corporation's products, well, let's just say it falls short." Troy, now completely naked and clutching Ruby's feet, laughed nervously, too infatuated to notice her subtle jab. "Of course, baby, you're right. Rhodes Corporation's products are decent in Jayrodale, but Amberpeak Corporation sets the industry standard. We could never compare." Ruby's lips curved into a silent sneer, thinking, 'This fool has no idea I've already memorized the formula.' With a practiced move, she shifted her body slightly, dodging Troy's slobbering kisses. Ruby was a master of the game, seasoned in dealing with men like him. She knew better than to let him have everything at once.

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 528

    Though the time was short, Troy had managed to satisfy Ruby to some extent. Those brief bursts of intense effort had at least brought her a flicker of enjoyment. However, just as they were reaching the peak of the moment, Troy's phone rang loudly. Neither of them paid attention at first—they were too caught up to care. The phone refused to stop. It kept ringing persistently, over and over again, as if determined not to give up until someone answered. Troy let out a sudden yelp of frustration, his face contorting with both anger and despair. Ruby, startled, asked, "What's wrong?" Troy's expression was a mix of fury and helplessness as he gestured downward. "See for yourself!" Ruby glanced down and immediately froze, disbelief spreading across her face. Troy had completely deflated—his once enthusiastic presence reduced to a soft, limp failure. The repeated phone calls had dealt a devastating blow, killing the mood entirely. Grabbing his phone with a vengeance, Troy answered,

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 529

    Ruby's gaze lingered on Troy with a mix of pity and ridicule. She said, "Mr. MacAfee, some things can't be forced. A man's body doesn't lie. Once age catches up with you—and especially if you've overindulged in wine and women—it's no use pretending. When it stops working, it stops working." Troy roared in frustration. "No! My heart still burns with passion! I'm still ready for battle!" Ruby let out a light laugh. "Ah, but your weapon is rusted and brittle. It's no longer fit for combat. Tell me, how can a knight without a proper sword hope to ride onto the battlefield?" Troy slumped on the bed, looking like the life had been drained out of him. He could not stand it—he was sitting in front of a feast, yet his body refused to let him enjoy it. No matter how much his pride resisted, his body's limits were absolute. Pulling his clothes on hastily, Troy muttered, "Baby, give me a few days to recover, and we'll go again. I promise—I'll make you beg for mercy next time." Ruby, exha

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  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 1176

    Yet, of all the fearless, reckless men they had encountered, neither Aspen nor Chantelle had ever seen anyone as stubbornly arrogant as Andrew. Both women were completely stunned, wondering where he even got the guts to say things like that. In this world, commoners fear officials—but officials? They fear the men with guns—the military. However, here was Andrew, treating a colonel like Xavier as if he were worthless weeds. It was utter madness—like a sparrow challenging an eagle, a lamb taunting a wolf. It was sheer recklessness bordering on suicide. With a thunderous swoosh, Xavier's massive broadsword came crashing down with enough force to split boulders and level trees. Just the murderous pressure from that swing made Chantelle's face go pale. She was starting to doubt if she could even stand up to Xavier herself. After all, Andrew looked like he was about to be torn in half by that blade. What infuriated her even more was that, at the height of danger, Andrew just st

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  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 1174

    Chantelle sneered, "All in all, you're just an ordinary man, a slave to your desires with a pathetically mediocre mind." She had finally caught an opening to hit Andrew where it hurt, and she was not about to waste it. Andrew chuckled. "Ms. Garcia, you really do live up to your title as a master of psychology. You got most of it right. But you still missed one tiny detail—like the fact that, right now, I've got a very clear image of your naked body in my mind." The bluntness of that line stunned Chantelle, and her expression twisted in outrage. She snapped, "Andrew! That was in the past—how dare you bring it up like it's nothing? Aren't you worried I'll kill you?" The usually cold woman was genuinely furious now. Andrew shrugged lazily. "I'm sitting right here, wounded and unarmed. Go ahead, kill me. But even if you did, you still wouldn't erase the fact that you once stripped bare in front of me." Chantelle raised her hand in fury but forced herself to lower it again with

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 1173

    Andrew was sitting on the lawn outside Serenity Villa, watching the crew from The Sovereign Residences repair his home. After the attack last night, it was a miracle the place was still standing—if the villa had not been built to the highest security standards, it would have been reduced to nothing but ash and rubble by the Srovika Federation mercenaries. Felix Daughtry, the security captain from The Sovereign Residences, a semi-martial king-level fighter, walked over with a grim expression and reported, "Mr. Lloyd, Serenity Villa took quite a hit. Full restoration might be difficult." Andrew glanced at him and said coldly, "I want it restored exactly as it was, and not just that—The Sovereign Residences will need to compensate me for all damages, including emotional distress. If that's too much, then I don't want the house anymore. I'll go to the press and let the world know just how useless your brand really is." Felix's face darkened, turning almost pitch black with anger. H

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 1172

    Since the night before, Xavier had been fully suited in military attire, standing vigilant and sleepless. He gripped a massive broadsword, and when the butler spoke, his voice was ice-cold. "Don't worry. Andarov won't fail me. That bastard Andrew is as good as dead." Though those were his words, doubt lingered in Xavier's mind. After all, Andarov never took this long to finish a kill. Nonetheless, the sun was rising—he should be back any minute now. Andarov, commander of the Blood Wolf Mercenaries, was ruthless and battle-hardened. Xavier met him while stationed overseas, and after several missions together, they became close allies. "With the entire Blood Wolf squad under him, it doesn't matter if Andrew has bodyguards. He won't last five minutes," Xavier sneered, confident. He was already planning the next steps—hold Seth's memorial as soon as Andarov returned, then introduce him to Luna to score even more clout. Having a famous international mercenary as a personal friend? E

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 1171

    At the Golding family estate, Elon exclaimed in disbelief, "What did you just say? Black Wolf is dead?" The butler, face tight with unease, replied, "Yes, sir. Early this morning, his body was found dumped in the sewer. The cause of death matched the last group of assassins perfectly. There's no doubt that it was Andrew who killed him." Elon's expression darkened instantly. "Even Black Wolf failed and ended up dead? Andrew... you've clearly been hiding more strength than we thought." The butler nodded gravely. "Sir, that man is definitely not some pawn on the board. Not only is Black Wolf gone, but the Srovika Federation mercenary commander the Haywoods brought in also died at Serenity Villa." Elon gasped. "Even Xavier's overseas hitman got wiped out? Are you absolutely sure?" The old butler's brow twitched. "Completely sure. This morning, both bodies—Black Wolf and the mercenary captain—were found side by side in the sewer on Blumedale's main street." Elon clenched his ja

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 1170

    On the ground, Black Wolf writhed in pain, howling in disbelief. He finally understood why that last squad of heavily armed mercenaries had vanished without a trace after storming Serenity Villa. This place was not just a house—it was a damn death trap. "Who sent you to kill me?" Andrew asked calmly as he twirled the dagger Black Wolf had dropped. Pinned down by Natasha and Dylan, Black Wolf was drenched in sweat, his shattered legs leaving him gasping in agony. He growled, "Why the hell should I tell you? You should know exactly who you've pissed off. Even if I'm in your hands, kid, if you lay a finger on me, the consequences—" Andrew did not let him finish. Instead, he drove the blade straight into Black Wolf's chest. Whatever threat Black Wolf was about to spit out died on his tongue. His eyes bulged in shock before his head slumped to the side—dead. "If you didn't have the sense to act like a prisoner, then I did you a favor and sent you straight to hell. Next time, try

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 1169

    Aspen could not help leaning closer to see what Andrew was doing. To her surprise, his breathing was steady—he was already asleep. She stared at him, both amused and annoyed as she thought, 'I'm lying right next to him, and he still manages to fall asleep? Am I not attractive enough? Or does this guy just not find me worth the effort?' That split second of realization triggered an unexpected wave of disappointment and frustration in her. … Meanwhile, outside Serenity Villa, a black figure moved silently across the ruined outer wall, climbing with inhuman ease. It was Black Wolf—Elon's secret weapon, a top-tier assassin with a reputation to match. A matte-finished blade dangled from his lips as he surveyed the building, swiftly memorizing the layout of the damaged villa. He was not alone. At least a dozen other men hid in the dark, surrounding the perimeter and lying in wait. Nonetheless, they were not predators, at least not to him. He scoffed, thinking, 'They're the bait,

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 1168

    Through the second half of the night, Serenity Villa remained eerily quiet. Chantelle stepped out from her lookout post and announced, "Looks like no one else is coming tonight. Everyone should get some rest." Andrew stopped her. "Hold up. You all stay on watch—I'll go rest." Chantelle narrowed her eyes. "Are you giving me orders like I'm your subordinate?" Andrew responded calmly, "Not at all. I just want to isolate myself and draw the next assassin in alone." Chantelle frowned. "So, you're planning to be alone in a room and give the assassin a shot at you? You're using yourself as bait?" Andrew replied, "Exactly. One mercenary commander from the Srovika Federation is dead, but with the Haywoods and Goldings both after my head, there's no way they'd just send one decent hitter and be done." Chantelle nodded. "That… makes sense. But you're injured. What happens if something unexpected comes up? Can you really handle it?" Before Andrew could answer, Aspen blurted, "It's

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