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Chapter 778
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 779
For martial artists, strength and skill could be enhanced directly through specialized herbal tonics—or even more potent alchemical pills. Nonetheless, whether it was a tonic or a pill, these were luxuries that most people could not afford. Hence, it was often said such a journey was only available to the rich. If one wanted to master martial arts, they needed lots of money. However, having wealth and power was only the foundation. It was not nearly enough to reach the highest levels. Plenty of rich kids trained in combat, but most were nothing more than show-offs. Their skills were shallow, nothing beyond a few flashy moves. When faced with real martial artists, they would not last more than a few strikes. At best, they would get slapped around and humiliated. At worst, they would end up dead. To truly improve, money alone was not enough. One needed someone who could refine and craft the right tonics or enhancement pills. And those alchemists? They were not just rare—they w
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 780
Andrew said, "The two of you already have a solid foundation. This tonic won't do much for you. That's why I've prepared something different—pills, specifically made for you." The moment they heard the word pills, Natasha and Dylan's faces lit up with excitement. They watched eagerly, waiting for Andrew to take them out. However, instead of moving, Andrew simply looked at them and said coldly, "All medicine carries poison to some degree. And pills—especially high-grade ones—are the most dangerous of them all." He continued, "For an ordinary person, swallowing a single high-grade pill could make their blood boil and explode within hours. The reason is simple—these pills contain an overwhelming amount of energy. So don't assume that just because a pill is rare and powerful, it's automatically good for you." Natasha frowned. "Darling, are you saying the ones you made for us are high-grade pills?" Andrew pulled out a small box and placed it on the table. His voice remained indiff
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 781
Andrew hesitated for a moment before saying slowly, "The reason I pushed you to improve your skills across the board is because I have other plans. Very soon, you might face a real test against much stronger opponents." Dylan, completely unfazed, smirked. "Mr. Lloyd, you gave me this life, so whether it's stronger opponents or even Jesus himself, I'll make sure he's running with that cross on his back!" Natasha, more perceptive than Dylan, narrowed her eyes at Andrew. "Darling, you're not about to tell us you've got enemies, are you?" Andrew shrugged. "Wouldn't call them enemies, but chances are, there's gonna be a fight." Natasha chuckled. "In Jayrodale? Please. I doubt there's anyone here who could even try to take you on. The Wellers, the Rhodes—none stand a chance against you. Even Mr. Yates on our side, so who else could you possibly be up against?" Andrew smiled. "Just because I don't have rivals in Jayrodale doesn't mean I don't have them elsewhere. For example, the Go
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 782
There was no way around it—no one in the room could afford to bear the brunt of Tiana's wrath. Yet, at the same time, there was nothing they could do to fix Rhodes Corporation's current crisis. Hence, they could only stand there in silence, listening as she vented her fury. Michael finally lifted his head and could not help but say, "Aunt Tiana, none of us wanted this situation to happen either. Yelling at us won't change anything—we've all done our best!" Tiana's icy gaze snapped to him, and she let out a sharp laugh. "So, you're saying that Rhodes Corporation should just sit back and wait for its downfall? We should just watch as our reputation and profits continue to spiral until there's nothing left?" Michael clenched his jaw. "This is obviously the work of someone orchestrating an online smear campaign against us. But I believe if we keep our heads high and stay firm, public opinion will eventually shift, and this whole mess will blow over." Tiana slammed her hand on the
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 783
Michael felt a deep sense of frustration creeping up and let out a cold laugh. "Aunt Tiana, of all people, Andrew is the last person you should be asking for help. Who does he think he is? Like he could actually save Rhodes Corporation? The moment trouble showed up, he disappeared without a trace!" Tiana smirked. "Oh? So if Andrew isn't capable, does that mean you are?" Tell you what—if you can contain the media backlash and turn the pharmaceutical division around, I'll make you CEO on the spot. How about that?" Michael's face darkened immediately. While Tiana made it sound like she was giving him an opportunity, in reality, she was humiliating him in front of everyone. Her words did not just question his abilities—they made it clear to the entire room that Michael simply was not on Andrew's level. That was the only reason she could afford to make such an offer. Michael clenched his teeth. "Fine, Aunt Tiana. I admit, I can't fix this mess. But Andrew? He's even worse—he doesn
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 784
Before Charlie could even finish his sentence, Tiana cut him off coldly. "Right now, what's more important—the company's future or your pride? I don't think I need to spell it out for you." Charlie's stomach twisted. He knew there was no way out of this—whether he liked it or not, he had to go through with it. At Tiana's signal, Marcus dialed Andrew's number again and then handed the phone to Charlie with a polite smile. Charlie forced out a stiff chuckle. "Mr. Lloyd, it's Charlie Mitchell, one of the senior board members. I was just wondering—when do you plan on returning to the company?" He tried to keep his tone as respectful as possible, swallowing his pride. A second later, Andrew's voice came through, completely indifferent. "Get lost." The call cut off—no hesitation, no explanation. Charlie stood there, gripping the phone, his face turning a deep shade of red. "That little bastard! He actually told me to get lost! Me!" Fuming, he raised the phone, ready to smash it
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 785
Michael's eyes burned with fury. "Aunt Tiana, I suggest we make Andrew pay for his arrogance and blatant disrespect!" Tiana nodded without hesitation. "You're right. He's gotten way too full of himself—it's time he faced the consequences. Tell you what—why don't you go over there right now, tie him up, and drag him back here? I'll personally take care of him. Sound good?" Michael's throat tightened as he stared at her in disbelief. He thought, 'Is she joking? Did she seriously expect me to go up against Andrew in a fight?' After all, if he could take Andrew down, he would not have needed to rely on Tiana in the first place. Tiana shot him a condescending look. "If you're not up for the task, then shut up." She turned to Marcus. "Give me the phone. I'll ask Andrew myself." This time, no one in the room dared to protest. They had all tried—and they had all been humiliated. Now, their only hope was Tiana. Tiana took the phone and, after a deep breath, spoke in a calm but fir
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 786
As she spoke, Tiana's expression softened, her tone turning almost coaxing. Seeing the situation, the other executives also jumped in, their voices filled with persuasion. "Mr. Rhodes, true courage lies in sacrifice for the greater good!" "Mr. Rhodes, if you bring Mr. Lloyd back, you won't just be saving the company—you'll be a hero of the Rhodes family!" "It's just bowing and begging for mercy. Think about it—history remembers those who endure humiliation for a greater cause. You'll have the chance to be remembered!" Michael listened as one voice after another filled the room, each word supposedly well-meaning, yet every sentence stabbing deeper into his pride. Once red with fury, his face turned eerily pale. These backstabbing bastards had made up their minds and had all collectively decided to throw him under the bus to save themselves. Being remembered in history? To hell with that! Even with his limited education, he knew that kneeling would only bring him shame for a
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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
