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Chapter 636
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 637
Aspen furrowed her brows. She had seen Andrew effortlessly control both Natasha and Dylan at the opening ceremony of Moonlit Sanctuary. If Andrew really called Dylan over, would Stephen be humiliated? Christina spoke calmly, "Aspen, maybe Andrew can call Dylan. But don't forget, Mr. Brunner and Mr. Garner are close enough to drink together. Comparing them, Andrew's connection with Dylan is nothing next to Mr. Brunner's. In the end, he'll only embarrass himself." Aspen thought about it and agreed. Stephen was a big shot in Jayrodale, the leader of the pharmaceutical industry. Even if Dylan came, he would have to give Stephen some respect. She believed that Andrew was only riding on Lauren and Francesca's support. Without them around, Andrew probably would not have stood firm in front of Dylan. Stephen settled back in his chair and lit another cigar. Ever the suckup, Kenneth quickly grabbed a lighter and offered to light it for him. "You little punk, I'll be right here waiting
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 638
"Someone, take him out—make sure he doesn't leave here alive!" This was Stephen's turf, but Andrew had the nerve to talk to Dylan like that, ordering him around. Dylan was someone Stephen had to beg for respect, yet this small-time punk from Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division was acting like he could order Dylan around. As Stephen commanded his men to move, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head. His whole massive body was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing into the wooden desk he loved so much. "What the…" Kenneth blurted out. He was stunned to see Stephen get punched out and thrown across the room. Meanwhile, Aspen and Christina's eyes widened in shock. It finally dawned on them that Andrew and Dylan's relationship was more serious than they thought. Stephen groaned, clutching the back of his head and struggling to get up, his face contorted in pain. "Dylan, what are you doing? Why are you hitting me? The one who insulted you is this punk. Take care of him
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 639
Andrew sat casually on the couch and said, "Alright, let's not make this any messier. I still have to meet with Mr. Brunner about business later." Only then did Dylan stop, coldly asking, "Are you dead yet? If not, get up. Mr. Lloyd needs to talk to you." Stephen trembled and could barely comprehend what was happening. He could not believe that Andrew was the leader of the underground world in Jayrodale, and he was even unaware when such a figure appeared there. Dylan and Natasha were bowing to him, which meant this guy controlled the entire underground world—how powerful must he be? Shaking, Stephen stood up, his face swollen and bruised, and with a nervous stutter, he said, "M-Mr. Lloyd, I'm sorry, I'm blind. I didn't mean to offend you. Please forgive me." His earlier arrogance was completely gone, replaced by a pathetic and submissive tone. Andrew smiled with amusement. "Remember when you said you'd be at my beck and call? Well, let's start with you calling me 'dad'."
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 640
"This is Mr. Lloyd's way of teaching me, showing care for me. What are you two even blabbering about? Stay out of it and get lost!" Christina and Aspen were stunned. They had been trying to help Stephen, but the head of Glorious Pharmaceuticals was yelling at them instead. Was Andrew really that terrifying? "Dad, please accept my bow!" Stephen suddenly dropped to his knees, calling Andrew 'dad' in a desperate tone. His resentment toward the two women from Stevens Corporation had reached its peak. If it were not for them, he never would have ended up in this mess. He had only agreed to the humiliating poster outside because Aspen had suggested it. That day, Stevens Corporation came to him with three prescriptions, and both parties agreed to work together immediately. However, Aspen added a condition—Stephen had to deal with anyone from Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division. Not only would he not cooperate with them, but anyone from their team who came to Glorious Pha
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 641
"Mr. Brunner, you absolutely don't have to submit to him," Christina snapped angrily. "You're the CEO of Glorious Pharmaceuticals, a leading name in the industry! If you stand tall and refuse to be intimidated, no one can oppress you!" Aspen quickly chimed in, "Mr. Brunner, you can't give in to a thug like him. If you stand up to him, I'll back you to the very end!" Stephen rolled his eyes and said impatiently, "You two are rambling too much. Who told you I was being oppressed or forced to submit?" Christina stared at him, dumbfounded. "Mr. Brunner, are you saying you're doing this willingly? But…" Stephen cut her off with a sharp tone. "No 'but'—I'm doing this willingly, alright? Mr. Lloyd let bygones be bygones and gave me a chance to collaborate. If I can't see an opportunity like this and seize it, Glorious Pharmaceuticals would've been destroyed long ago!" Stephen could not understand what was going through these two women's heads. The underground king of Jayrodale was s
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 642
Stephen had never experienced such an easy negotiation before. There was no hassle, no drawn-out discussions—just a straight green light, clearing the way without obstacles. Andrew stood and said, "Well, if that's settled, we'll be on our way." He turned to Dylan and added, "Dylan, keep an eye on things here with Stephen in the future." Dylan nodded. "Got it, Mr. Lloyd!" Stephen was elated. "Thank you, Mr. Lloyd! I knew something good was going to happen today—I've had this twitching in my eyelid since morning!" Dylan raised a brow and teased, "How do you know that wasn't a sign of bad luck?" Stephen chuckled. "Same difference! Good luck, bad luck—they're two sides of the same coin. I got both today, didn't I?" Andrew smirked in amusement. Businesspeople were always like this—slick, adaptable, and sharp. Stephen had just been disciplined but was already smiling like nothing had happened. Nonetheless, Andrew understood why. Stephen saw a chance to cozy up to Jayrodale'
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 643
"Mr. Brunner, first come, first served. Stevens Corporation approached you first, and we already had an agreement. How can you go back on your word?" Christina tried to stay calm, though her anger simmered just beneath the surface. Aspen's expression hardened as she spoke coldly. "Mr. Brunner, doing business is about trust. Stevens Corporation partnering with you is a win-win deal, but Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division is on its last legs. "I heard their formulas were leaked, and the Weller family is squeezing them out. There's no profit there anymore. Are you really going to abandon us for them? Please reconsider!" Stephen sneered. "A bad move? Aspen, I've been through hell and back in the real world while you were still a little girl playing in the dirt. You think you can teach me what's right and wrong?" He continued, "Yes, your pharmaceutical project is impressive, but you've misunderstood something crucial. No matter how good your project is, can it compete with
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 644
"As for why? It's simple," Stephen sneered. "Because you can't recognize his true capabilities while others can. Your understanding is so shallow that you're still stuck questioning the reality." Christina's face flushed with embarrassment as she glared at him. "Mr. Brunner, we're talking business here—there's no need to get personal. Besides, how can you be so sure that what you see is the truth?" Stephen chuckled coldly. "How? Because I'm leagues ahead of you. Glorious Pharmaceuticals crushes your Stevens Corporation in every way. The 'nobody' you keep badmouthing—Mr. Lloyd—is the undisputed king of Jayrodale's underworld. "He owns the biggest, most exclusive spot in town, Moonlit Sanctuary, and he's a board member at Rhodes Corporation. Without Mr. Lloyd propping you up, your company is on the decline, and as for you, Ms. Stevens, your glory days as Jayrodale's 'darling CEO' are over. "Let's be real—who still talks about you in the media? Hardly anyone cares anymore." His
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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
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1185
Andrew finally paid a visit to the Rhodes family. "Andy, you're here! Come in, have a seat," Jameson greeted warmly, his tone unusually enthusiastic. The way he looked at Andrew was not just the admiration of a family elder—it was the hopeful gaze of someone eyeing a perfect son-in-law. Lauren giggled behind her hand. "Andrew, you've become quite the welcome guest around here. Everyone in the Rhodes family is thrilled you came." Andrew glanced around casually and noticed several of the Rhodes family's core members smiling and nodding in greeting. A few girls around Lauren's age were sneaking glances his way, their cheeks tinged pink. Cecelia, the youngest among them, blurted out, "Andrew, when are you marrying Lauren?" Andrew laughed and replied, "Anytime works for me." Cecelia clapped her hands excitedly. "Great! Let's do the wedding today and the honeymoon tonight!" Jameson's eyes widened. "Cece! Stop saying nonsense!" His youngest daughter was a wild one—always blu
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1184
Logan nodded and smiled. "Andrew's medical skills really are rare. Medicine is a deep and complex field, and among the younger generation in Blumedale, hardly anyone has any decent understanding of it. "Even top talents like Joe Driscoll or Luna Phelan from the three major families are focused on martial arts. When it comes to healing, there's nothing to talk about." George beamed. "What makes Andrew truly special is that he's not only exceptional in medicine, but his martial prowess is also extraordinary. Just the fact that he's survived the joint manhunt from two powerful families already tells me he's not to be underestimated." Logan frowned. "There's a rumor going around that Andrew survived only because someone powerful is secretly protecting him." George scoffed. "That's just idle gossip from nobodies parroting what they hear. If Andrew were weak, no amount of backing could keep him alive. Logan, remember this—life throws us many challenges, but there's one hurdle you mus
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1183
Elon's face turned red from the scolding, and he muttered bitterly, "I mean, I might not be great, but I'm still better than Andrew, right? Are you really saying that in your eyes, your own son is worth less than that guy?" Richard let out a cold snort. "You really care about comparing yourself to him? Fine then—do you want the truth or a lie?" Elon shrank back at his father's sarcastic smile and mumbled, "The lie… I guess." Richard scoffed, "Alright. If it's lies you want, then sure—you're way more promising than Andrew. That guy doesn't even deserve to be compared to you." Elon's face twitched. He wanted to laugh, but the words tasted bitter in his mouth. The lie was that he was better than Andrew. But the truth? The truth was that compared to Andrew, he was absolutely nothing. The more he thought about it, the more he realized—either way, he came up short. So what was the point in choosing? He silently cursed, 'Damn it!' Richard folded his hands behind his back, his
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1182
"He's my sworn brother, then standing up for him—no matter the cost—is only right," Logan said firmly. Elon's face instantly darkened, and deep inside, a gnawing jealousy bubbled up. Despite being the most low-key of the Five Apex Families' younger generation, Logan was arguably the most terrifying. He was about to take over the Keller family, a rising powerhouse. The Haywoods had Xavier—young, sharp, and fierce in combat. The Wrights had Quinton—manipulative, cunning, and notorious for his ruthlessness. But Elon? He was… just Elon. He was overweight, lacked presence, and had just been publicly humiliated when word spread that his wife had cheated on him. His reputation was already slipping, and now he had become the joke of Blumedale's elite circle. Still, no matter how pathetic things seemed, Elon believed he was far better than the man Andrew was. In his eyes, they were not even in the same league. So, it burned him even more to see Logan—someone he had always tried to i
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1181
"Logan, don't you know Andrew killed my younger brother?" Xavier shouted furiously. It was understandable for Luna to speak up. After all, the Phelans owed Andrew a small favor—but now even the Keller family was interfering. If this continued, Andrew would not just remain unharmed; he would likely rise to prominence in Blumedale. Andrew's rise would be a direct slap in the face to the Haywoods, humiliating them beyond redemption. Roy spoke grimly, "Logan, you're set to lead the Keller family. You should know better than to blur right and wrong. Andrew repeatedly humiliated the Haywoods and even murdered Seth. Do you expect us to swallow such a huge insult?" Logan replied calmly, "Mr. Haywood Senior, you know exactly why things turned out this way. I hate to say it, but Seth brought his death upon himself. Andrew may be impulsive, but he's done nothing wrong in my eyes." "I'll say this only once: if the Haywoods continue their vendetta against him, the Keller family won't stan
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1180
Xavier said, "Uncle Jude, you're in charge of internal discipline. My request is simple—either throw those losers out of the Haywoods and make them manage some backwater branch, or I'll kill them myself. And I doubt anyone in the family would object." Jude's eyelids twitched violently as he cursed the brats under his breath. Out loud, though, he nodded quickly and replied, "Don't worry, Xavier. I'll make sure they're kicked out of the family for good. They won't even get close to the front gate again." Xavier snorted and walked off, leaving Jude staring at his back, shaking his head. Jude muttered to himself, "Xavier… you really are the pride of the Haywoods. But you're spoiled by your status. With your father as the family head and all the elders favoring you, you've always kept the other branches under your heel. "That's understandable since you're the future heir and our strongest fighter among the younger generations. But the fact remains—you made a public promise and faile
