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Chapter 637
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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
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 645
Marcus had not expected the task of securing a pharmaceutical partner to be handled so easily. "Mr. Lloyd, your moves today have truly impressed me," Marcus said with a grin. "How about I treat you to a night out?" Andrew chuckled. "Mr. Chapman, let's head back to the office first and check on how things are going with Lauren. As for your offer, maybe tomorrow." Marcus nodded enthusiastically. "It's a deal then! You can't back out tomorrow—I insist on helping you unwind and enjoy yourself." Andrew teased, "Mr. Chapman, you always seem so focused on work. I never pegged you as someone who enjoyed going out and having fun. Or is this one of those 'you never really know someone' moments?" Marcus laughed. "You've got it wrong, Mr. Lloyd. Sure, I spend most of my time on work and my daughter, but I know when to take a break and splurge on a good time. What's the point of making all this money if you don't enjoy yourself now and then?" Andrew raised an eyebrow and joked, "Special
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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
