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Chapter 692
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 693
Before long, Lauren and the proud, pouty Francesca stepped out from around the corner. Both of their faces were flushed pink, and Andrew could not help but wonder what they had been whispering about. Francesca cast a shy, lingering glance at Andrew, her eyes shimmering with a soft, embarrassed sparkle. "Well, Nyla, you be sure to rest up, okay? I'll visit you again soon." Then, she turned to Andrew, gave a small wave, and said, "Andrew, I'm heading back to the hospital. Bye!" With that, she swished her ponytail and walked off, leaving Andrew to watch her retreating figure. He shifted his gaze toward Lauren and asked, "What were you two gossiping about back there?" Lauren giggled. "Oh? Do you really want to know? Lean in." Andrew bent down slightly, and Lauren cupped her hand beside his ear, whispering, "I was telling Fran to go ahead and give herself to you… so you can enjoy yourself." Andrew's expression froze as black lines practically formed across his forehead. "Excuse
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 694
"She told me everything," Lauren said with a sly smile. "She was really happy about what you supposedly did to her. But if she finds out it never actually happened, she'll definitely feel disappointed." Andrew's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Hold on a second. The way you're talking… it almost sounds like you're trying to sell me off to your best friend. You wouldn't actually do that… would you?" Lauren burst into laughter. "Wouldn't? I already did! Fran's all yours whenever you want. I won't mind." "But," she added with a teasing grin, "you better make sure you treat us both equally. No playing favorites!" Andrew slammed on the brakes in front of Glorious Pharmaceuticals and turned to Lauren. "Glad you're both having fun… but has anyone thought about what this will do to my health?" Lauren doubled over, laughing so hard she nearly choked. Andrew sat there for a moment, sighing with a mixture of amusement and dread. He wondered if he was really supposed to take responsibility f
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 695
Andrew let out a cold laugh. "So, Raymond's confidence comes from the Wright family?" Stephen gave a firm nod. "Exactly. Without the Wright family's backing, Raymond wouldn't even be qualified to shine your shoes, let alone set up the ridiculous 'Reckoning Toast'." Andrew's eyes glinted with curiosity. "Mr. Brunner, enlighten me—what exactly is that supposed to mean?" Stephen straightened in his chair and explained, "The Reckoning Toast is an old tradition in certain circles. It's essentially a public apology disguised as a show of respect. "If two sides have a conflict but don't want an all-out war, or if one side wants to back down without losing face, they'll arrange a Reckoning Toast. You'd pour a glass of wine, offer it to Raymond, and apologize while acknowledging his supposed grievance." He explained, "If he takes the glass and drinks, it means he accepts the apology, and the matter is settled. But if he refuses or smashes the glass, that's a declaration of war. It mea
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 696
Stephen hesitated for a moment before forcing out a strained smile. "Mr. Lloyd, the Reckoning Toast at the Jayrodale Grand Hotel officially started today. Raymond plans to host it for three days straight, inviting all the major players in Jayrodale to witness it." He explained, "If, by the end of the third day, you haven't shown up, it will be taken as a refusal to apologize. At that point, Raymond, backed by the Wright family, might decide to make a move against you. Please, think this through." Andrew's eyes darkened with indifference. "I'll go on the third day and settle it then. But until then, I don't have the time—or the interest—to entertain them." Stephen quickly nodded. "Of course, Mr. Lloyd. I'll pass the message along to Raymond." Andrew gave a casual wave. "Do whatever you think is best." He turned and left the office with Lauren beside him. "Dr. Lloyd," Lauren said softly, glancing at him with concern, "I really think you should take the Wright family seriously
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 697
News of Raymond hosting the Reckoning Toast at the Jayrodale Grand Hotel spread like wildfire. In no time, the entire city was buzzing with speculation and heated discussions. Someone commented, "Seriously? Who in their right mind would dare mess with Dream Paradise? You'd have to be either insane or have a death wish." "Once a Reckoning Toast is set, you either show up, drink, and apologize, or you wait for Mr. Chapman Senior to go ballistic and take you down. There's no third option!" Another said, "Lately, this guy Andrew has been making a bit of a name for himself in Jayrodale. A lowlife nobody from the bottom of the barrel, and now he thinks he can take on Mr. Chapman Senior? This is pure suicide!" "Well, you can't say that for sure. Word is, Andrew's gotten close with the Rhodes family and has ties to that legendary Dr. Aicker. Even Harvey, the head of the Weller family, couldn't put him down. If he and Raymond really go at it, who knows how it'll turn out?" "Yeah, righ
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 698
Stephen said calmly, "It's not that I've lost my edge or nerve. It's just that sometimes, you need to read the room and know when to pick your battles." He continued, "There's a saying—A wise man adapts to the times. No matter how strong you are, when a true powerhouse shows up, you still have to bow your head if you want to survive." Raymond waved him off with an irritated snort. "Cut the crap. What you're really saying is that you're scared of Andrew, right? You've already given in to him. Either way, it doesn't matter. My stance is crystal clear. "If that kid shows up, kneels, toasts me, and pays for all the damages, I'll be merciful and let him walk away with his life. But if he dares not to show, then tough luck. I'll make sure he learns exactly what regret feels like." Stephen's expression darkened, and he let out a cold chuckle. "Getting Mr. Lloyd to kneel and toast you? That's never going to happen. I can't say much more, but I'm telling you—you're underestimating him.
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 699
Stephen left without saying a word, his face dark and grim. Raymond sneered as he watched him go. "Spineless coward. You cave the moment someone shows a bit of strength. That's the difference between you and me, Stephen. You're weak, and I've always been a man of action. Success takes guts and relentless effort. Only those who push through, no matter the odds, can create a bright future." Feeling rather pleased with his own words, Raymond stood up and pushed open the door behind him. The room inside was a lavish, neon-lit paradise, packed with state-of-the-art entertainment systems. A dozen women, barely dressed and practically flaunting their bodies, circled around a scrawny young man, giggling and playfully teasing him. "Come on, Mr. Wright, have a drink with me. Let's share a glass, hmm?" "How about you take me on a date tonight? I promise to make you feel like you're on cloud nine." "Mr. Wright, you're so bad… always grabbing my chest. But if you want, there are plenty
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 700
Bane waved a hand dismissively. "Let me make one thing clear—I'm not helping Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division out of pure goodwill. I expect to get what I want when the time comes. I trust you won't be stingy when that moment arrives." Tiana chuckled softly. "Don't worry. You'll have access to all the resources and funds you need." The meeting room was filled with Rhodes Corporation executives. Besides Bane and Michael, Andrew, Lauren, and Marcus were also present. However, the three of them sat on the sidelines, largely ignored. Nobody came over to chat or engage with them. Meanwhile, Michael stood at the center of attention, surrounded by a crowd of managers, all enthusiastically congratulating him. They were not there just for idle flattery—they were hedging their bets. After all, the ongoing power struggle between Michael and Lauren would decide who got the CEO seat. Judging by the current situation, Michael seemed like a guaranteed winner. And in corporate
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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
