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Chapter 1095
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1096
In the faint light of dawn, Aspen slowly woke up back at the hotel. Her body ached, and a soft groan escaped her lips as she frowned from the soreness. The last thing she remembered before blacking out was Andrew finally arriving at the villa to find her. Everything else after that was a blur. However, she vaguely recalled him treating her wounds and undressing her. When Aspen realized Andrew had undressed her, she bolted upright and flung the covers aside in a panic. Her bare, pale body was fully exposed beneath the sheets, with bandages wrapped around her chest and lower abdomen. She wondered how Andrew helped with the bandage, and if he had touched her. If he did, where did he touch? Did he touch her chest, her thighs, or even her private part? A sharp scream echoed through Room 9527, and Andrew jolted awake on the sofa, looking more irritated than surprised. "What the hell? You moaning from a dream or something?" Aspen scrambled to sit up, her face flushed with fu
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1097
"Not bad. You look stunning," Andrew commented with a smirk. Aspen silently cursed him for being a pervert. Though she was fully dressed now, her expression remained dark, and her mind kept flashing back to the thought that he might have touched every inch of her body—especially the most private parts. Her skin crawled just thinking about it. … After a quiet breakfast downstairs, the two returned to the villa they had been staying in. "Pack your things. We're leaving. It's not safe to stay here anymore," Andrew said casually. Aspen frowned, feeling both annoyed and disappointed. "The house was perfect, and it was paid for, too. Such a waste, all thanks to you!" Andrew let out a cold laugh. "Then why don't you stay behind?" Aspen's face went pale in an instant, and she did not dare argue further. At this point, she and Andrew were practically bound together—if she did not stick with him, she was not sure she would live to see the next day. They gathered a few essentia
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1098
In one of the rooms inside the private club. "Mr. Parks, I'm still recovering from my injuries, so I truly can't drink. I hope you'll understand," Aspen said politely, her brow tightening. She had come expecting a legitimate business conversation—a contract negotiation. However, judging by the atmosphere and Davon's sleazy expression, it was clear he had other intentions. Fat-faced and beady-eyed, Davon swirled a glass of red wine as he leered at her. He said, "Ms. Stevens, you must be new around here. I guess you're not familiar with how things work in this city. "When you sit down to talk business, drinks and fun go hand in hand. Loosen up. Don't be so uptight. Tell you what—down this bottle, and I'll sign that contract on the spot. Deal done." Aspen replied calmly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Parks. I don't drink at all. But if you sign the deal today, once I've recovered, I'll gladly toast with you to celebrate." Davon's smile faded, and his tone sharpened with irritation. "Aspen,
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Aspen's expression fell immediately. If she had not been injured, this group of muscle heads would not have even made her blink. However, her chest wound had just been freshly bandaged by Andrew—if she fought now, the stitches would rip open for sure. Still clutching in pain, Davon was helped to his feet by two of his men. He stared at Aspen with a twisted grin. He taunted, "What, getting scared now, slut? Do you think you're walking out of here after that? Think again. Let me be real clear—the only reason I agreed to meet you today was to screw you. If I don't have you writhing and begging under me tonight, then this deal is far from over." Aspen's face twisted in fury. "Why don't you go home and screw your mother instead, you fat freak?" Davon roared, "Get her! Hold this bitch down for me!" His goons lunged at Aspen like starving wolves. Suddenly, a figure shot in from the side and landed in front of Aspen like a shadow. Then, three kicks flew out in the blink of an eye,
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1100
Aspen glared coldly. "Says who? What is this? Are the Haywoods running a den of thugs now? Does no one here know what decency even looks like?" Rufus let out a sinister chuckle. "Sweetheart, did you really think this club was built for a legitimate business? You rookies must be first-timers here. This entire club belongs to Seth Haywood himself. "And what we offer isn't just champagne and contract signings. We provide services that rich men like Mr. Parks truly value. You want logic and fairness? Girl, after you've been taken a few times, you'll realize reason doesn't matter. Power and money are all that do." Aspen's face darkened instantly when she heard that it was Seth, the same man who had once pursued her and paraded around like a golden boy from a noble lineage. She never would have guessed he was secretly running this kind of hellhole. She was glad she never placed any hopes on him. But right now? They were surrounded by over 100 armed guards. Injured or not, there was n
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Aspen's eyes never left Andrew as she asked nervously, "Andrew, do you need my help?" Andrew calmly replied with just two words, "No need." With a casual motion, he slapped a thug holding a machete so hard the man flew back. Without even looking, he threw his elbow backward, smashing into another guy swinging a steel pipe like he was volunteering to get wrecked. The blow crushed his nose flat, and he howled in pain. Andrew's expression did not change—no anger, excitement, just pure calm. To him, these guys were not even worth warming up for. Then, he raised his hand and collided directly with Rufus. Rufus looked shocked. "You actually caught my Haywood Strike? Kid, I gotta admit, you've got some skill." Andrew smirked coldly. "Only 'some'?" "Fine, try this next strike and see what happens!" Rufus tossed aside his jacket, revealing a tight shirt stretched over rippling muscles and a solid chest. Andrew scoffed. "Bring it on. You think I'm scared of you?" Rufus sneered,
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1102
Andrew stood by and waited patiently as Davon obediently signed the contract. Aspen said coldly, "Let's go. I never want to see this fat pig again." Davon's bruised and swollen face twisted with hatred and bitterness. He silently cursed, 'You little bastard… and you too, Aspen, you damn tramp. Just wait. I'm the Vice CEO of Phoenixdream Enterprises—there's no way I'm swallowing this humiliation for nothing.' Andrew let out a cold laugh. "Hold on, I'm not done with him yet." He lightly patted Davon's chubby cheek and sneered, "I know exactly what you're thinking. You're probably hoping that as soon as we walk out that door, you can call in backup and try to take back control, right?" Davon's face froze as panic flashed in his eyes. He quickly shook his head and stammered, "N-No, sir! I swear, I'd never do something like that! I wouldn't dare!" Andrew scoffed. "Whether you dare or not, I honestly couldn't care less. I just want to ask you one thing—so you were planning to get
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1103
"Anytime, anywhere—if I want to take her, I can," Andrew said coolly. "For example… right now." As Davon stared with envy, practically drooling with jealousy, Andrew turned to Aspen and said, "Come here. Kiss me." Aspen blinked like she misheard him and asked in disbelief, "What did you just say?" "I said come here and kiss me," Andrew repeated, his expression unreadable. Aspen's face flushed a deep red from her neck to her ears as she snapped, "Andrew, you bastard! How could you ask me to do something like that in front of others? Have you lost your mind?" She honestly started to wonder if Andrew had lost it. Just moments ago, he said he had no interest in touching her, and now he wanted her to kiss him in front of a disgusting creep like Davon. What kind of twisted taste did this demon have? Andrew's face turned cold. "Aspen, you better think very carefully. Are you going to follow my command, or not? Because you already know what happens if you refuse." Aspen's face
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1128
Andrew waved a hand dismissively. "I don't have time to explain everything to you, and even if I did, you wouldn't understand it anyway. You just need to know this—if you want to save your father, then do exactly what I tell you to." Logan looked uncertain and shot a quick glance at Chantelle as if to ask, "Who is this guy you brought along, and what's with the ego?" Chantelle's face darkened. "Mr. Keller, this man is Andrew Lloyd—he came at Mr. McCormick's recommendation. But honestly, you don't have to take him seriously. Just carry on with your own plans—ignore him." However, Logan shook his head and turned toward Andrew. "Dr. Lloyd, go ahead. Tell me what you need. As long as it'll help my father, I'll make it happen." His respectful tone stunned Chantelle. She wondered if Logan was out of his mind for believing Andrew just like that. Andrew smiled. "My request is actually pretty simple. If I'm going to treat your father, I expect to be compensated. So, I want access to al
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1127
Chantelle could not lash out, so she gritted her teeth and quickly followed behind. Inwardly, she made a mental note to report this arrogant clown to Derek later. To her, Andrew was reckless, so full of hot air, and completely unworthy of trust—nothing but a showboating jester. … Inside the main hall of the Keller residence, the place was packed with people coming and going. A group of specialists and renowned doctors stood gathered, their brows furrowed as they exchanged anxious whispers. One commented, "Mr. Keller Senior's condition is strange—truly bizarre!" "Exactly. His entire face is paralyzed. Even his tongue won't move. He can't swallow even a spoonful of medicine!" Another chimed in, "And the worst part? No one can get within three feet of him. The second anyone tries, they get attacked—some left with cracked skulls, others… well, some didn't make it." "Jeez! That serious? Who would dare try to treat him now? No matter how much the Keller family is offering, it's no
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1126
Chantelle was behind the wheel while Andrew rode along in the passenger seat as they headed out to treat Derek's old friend, George Keller. The atmosphere inside the car was tense, with Chantelle's resting expression as frosty and detached as ever, her face practically carved from ice. Andrew was not the kind of guy to throw warmth at a wall of cold, so he simply stayed quiet, staring out the window at the passing streets. After holding back for a while, Chantelle finally could not resist and let out a mocking laugh. "Mr. Lloyd, what a clever move—create your own mess, then try to get Mr. McCormick to step in and clean it up for you. Don't you think you're playing with fire?" Andrew smiled. "Playing with fire? Nah, I don't see it that way. At this point, I'm pretty much one of Mr. McCormick's trusted men. So if the little guy's getting targeted, doesn't it make perfect sense for the boss to step in and fix it?" Chantelle was momentarily stunned before letting out a scoff. "An
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1125
Derek said coldly, "These elite families and old-money clans have been feasting off Blumedale like it's their private banquet. They think they can gorge themselves for life, rule without question, and remain unchallenged. "But as long as I'm the one calling the shots in this province, they don't get to do as they please!" Chantelle was startled. She had not expected Andrew to actually ignite Derek's fury. She silently cursed, 'This idiot is already useless on his own, and now even worse, he's using Mr. McCormick as his shield? It's despicable!' Derek turned to Andrew. "Mr. Lloyd, don't worry. Those arrogant bastards—I'll handle them and make sure you get justice. But the reason I brought you here today is something more urgent. There's a matter I need your help with." Andrew lifted a hand and said, "Mr. McCormick, say the word. If I can help, I will." Derek nodded. "Here's the situation—an old friend of mine suddenly found himself fighting for his life. We've brought in nearly
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Andrew said indifferently, "I was just being honest. I don't see how that counts as a joke. And besides, didn't you dress up to please Mr. McCormick's eyes?" Chantelle, who usually stayed cool as ice, immediately felt her temper flare. "You…" Andrew could not be bothered to deal with her. Without waiting for any announcement, he pushed open Derek's office door and swaggered in. "Uncouth brute…" Chantelle gritted her teeth and followed behind him with a scowl. Derek's office, just like his reputation, was simple and understated. Aside from two traditional landscape paintings and a few framed family photos, Andrew did not see a single decorative item inside. "Mr. Lloyd, you're here—please, have a seat!" Derek stood up with a warm smile the moment Andrew walked in. Andrew chuckled. "Mr. McCormick, you're the top official in Gabo Creek Province. If you're personally welcoming me, I might start getting a big head. You go ahead and sit—I'll manage just fine." Derek took his sea
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1123
The red Ferrari sped down from the mountaintop of The Sovereign Residences, tires slicing through the breeze with precision. Aspen sat in the passenger seat, hesitating for a while before finally speaking. "That Xavier… turns out he's Seth's older brother, and even worse—he's a full-blown colonel. Andrew, a colonel in the military is basically a god to most people. You'd better… watch your back." Andrew hit the brakes and stopped right in front of the gated entrance of The Sovereign Residences. He turned with a grin. "Aspen, are you worried about my safety?" Aspen scoffed, gritting her teeth a little. "Worried is a stretch. I'm just giving you a heads-up. And don't act like it's nothing. We haven't even cleaned up the mess with Seth and Mr. Parks." She added, "And now you've provoked the Haywoods' golden boy too? All I can say is—way to add fuel to the fire." Andrew said flatly, "One loser or 100 losers, there's no real difference." At that moment, the two martial arts guard
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Ethan refused to let it go. He pointed at Andrew, cursing under his breath. "Kid, I'm not gonna stoop to your level. But if I actually wanted to deal with you, you wouldn't even live to see the sunrise tomorrow. You better believe that." Xavier stepped forward and looked down at Andrew with a calm, superior gaze. "I can see you've got some skill. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to stand up to my younger brother, Seth. "But here's a word of advice—you've made too many enemies. And your attitude? It's practically begging for trouble. Sooner or later, it'll catch up to you." Andrew raised a brow. "So that scumbag Seth is your little brother, huh? That means you're from the Haywoods." Although Xavier tried maintaining a cool, aloof front, a hint of arrogance still slipped through his mask. "I'm the eldest son of the Haywoods. Go ask anyone on the streets of Blumedale—see if there's a soul who doesn't know the name Xavier Haywood." Andrew shook his head. "Sorry, but I'm not
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1121
Andrew replied coolly, "Alright, fine. I did do it on purpose. But the only reason I chose the room next to yours was so it'd be easier for you to wake me up in the mornings. Nothing more—so don't go overthinking it." Aspen crossed her arms and let out a cold laugh. "You think I'm buying that?" Andrew shrugged. "Whether you believe it or not doesn't matter. Even if I asked you to warm my bed at night, would you dare say no?" "You…" Aspen was instantly at a loss for words. Her cheeks turned pink as she silently fumed. She was sure that the bastard Andrew was still lusting after her body. Andrew seemed to read her mind and scoffed, "You dumb woman. Don't flatter yourself. Do you really think the only reason I went through the trouble of snatching Serenity Villa from Zachary and picked the room next to yours was just to sleep with you?" As Aspen let out a sarcastic chuckle, Andrew headed downstairs, adding, "I did it because you're weak. If you got yourself killed because of on
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Aspen ran through every room and checked out the front and back of the house. By the end of it, her legs were sore. Even so, instead of feeling tired, her delicate face was lit up with excitement and wonder. "Hey, this place is hands-down the best, fanciest, and most expensive location I've ever seen in my life!" she said, rubbing her aching calves while smiling up at Andrew. Andrew replied casually, "Judging by that smile you can't wipe off your face, I'm guessing you're falling in love with it?" Aspen pouted. "Saying I'm not would just be lying to myself. Serenity Villa is clearly the kind of estate that money alone can't buy. A place like this… I'd say only the top families in Blumedale are worthy of it." Andrew let out a dismissive snort. "Don't put those so-called Blumedale elites on a pedestal. Serenity Villa isn't some heavenly paradise. Just remember—the view from the top is always the most breathtaking. And Blumedale in Gabo Creek Province? That place barely makes it t
