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Chapter 323
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 324
Christina sighed, glancing at Andrew with a mix of helplessness and frustration. "Aspen, enough already," she said, tugging her cousin's arm lightly. "Let's just walk around. I want to find a couple of good pieces to bring home." Aspen chuckled, clearly enjoying the attention, and let Christina pull her away. "Sure, Christie, let's look around," she replied, her voice dripping with smugness. You know, back in Bridgefields, I was trained by the best since I was a kid. I've never been wrong about authenticity in antiques, not even once." Christina could not help but admire Aspen's confidence. They were cousins, and Aspen was just a year older. Yet, she always seemed so composed and capable. Whether it was her sharp instincts or commanding presence, Aspen had the kind of charm that Christina found hard to rival, even with her own pride. Just as the tension seemed to subside, a sharp, mocking voice broke through the hushed crowd. "Two strays from Bridgefields barking away, b
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One of Orion's followers shouted, "Hey, Mr. Kelce is graciously lowering himself to challenge you in an appraisal contest, and you don't even have the guts to agree?" Another chimed in, "Calling us dogs? Kid, you're biting off more than you can chew. Words like that will get you into real trouble—if you don't crawl out of this appraisal event on all fours today, I'll take your last name!" A third laughed mockingly, "Even Jayrodale's antique experts wouldn't dare utter a word against Mr. Kelce, yet here you are, some nobody playing the hero. Didn't your mom ever teach you that sticking your neck out doesn't make you brave? It makes you reckless, and reckless fools tend to end up regretting it!" No one could believe that Andrew, who was not even part of the antique world, would dare provoke someone as influential as Orion. Christina snapped angrily, "Andrew, apologize to Mr. Kelce and Aspen right now!" Andrew replied nonchalantly, "Why should I apologize?" Gritting her teeth,
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Francesca voiced her concern, "Andrew, you don't know anything about antiques, let alone artifact authentication. Maybe we should bail—after all, this is Jayrodale, and even though we're dealing with Orion and Aspen, what's the worst they could do?" Andrew raised an eyebrow and replied, "Who told you I don't know about antiques?" He took the bronze statue from Cedric's hands, weighed it carefully, and turned to Orion. "Since you're letting me go first, I won't hold back. Now, why don't you authenticate this piece?" Orion was stunned for a moment before breaking into laughter. "You fool, this is nothing but a fake, and you dare test me with it? Listen carefully—this is a replica of the famous piece from the Hall of Faith. Unfortunately for you, the original was destroyed during the civil wars of the early 20th century." Several antique experts in the room nodded in agreement. "That's correct—this statue is just a replica," they chimed in. "The original was destroyed long ago.
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"Mr. Lloyd, is that a sacred relic in your hand?" Elsie gasped in disbelief. Andrew casually tossed it to her and said, "Have your Radiant Group experts verify it—that should clear things up right away." Elsie immediately took the pearl for authentication. Orion felt uneasy but still scoffed, "A sacred relic? Kid, you've got some nerves. Do you even know how precious these artifacts are?" "Of course I do," Andrew replied coolly. "When ancient spiritual masters passed away and were cremated, these relics remained. Scientifically speaking, they're just crystallized remains—but in the antiquities world, every authentic relic is priceless. I'm sure the experts here understand what I mean." Many nodded in agreement with Andrew's words. Indeed, any genuine sacred relic was one-of-a-kind, and while it might not have any special physical properties, its cultural and historical significance made it an absolute treasure in collectors' eyes. Seeing Orion's confidence falter, Aspen qui
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 328
Andrew shook his head. "I'm no master—I just know a thing or two." Elsie could no longer take Andrew's modesty at face value. Earlier, she had confidently shown off her antique knowledge while guiding Andrew and Francesca through the collection, but now she felt embarrassed. It was like teaching calculus to a math professor. While some celebrated, others brooded. Orion's face had turned dark as he reached out his hand and demanded, "I don't trust these worthless Jayrodale experts. Give it to me—I need to examine it myself." "Dream on, Orion," Cedric pulled back protectively. Andrew intervened calmly, "Let him see it. Let's put his doubts to rest." Cedric reluctantly handed over the relic. Orion turned it over in his palm, examining it from every angle until his face went ashen gray, an uncontrollable glint of greed flickering in his eyes. "According to the auction rules, whoever authenticates a piece gets to keep it," Andrew said. "Mr. Kelce, you've handled it enough, and i
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 329
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Orion's assistant brought two identical porcelain bowls forward. They were pristine white with delicate blue patterns adorning their surfaces. Elsie's expression turned serious as she warned, "Mr. Lloyd, in authentication, the toughest challenge is the twin test." "What's the twin test?" Andrew asked, which made Elsie sigh helplessly. She could not understand how Andrew seemed to know nothing, yet had spotted that sacred relic earlier. She quickly explained, "The twin test is an authentication term. It refers to two identical pieces—one authentic and one fake—that are so similar, they're impossible to tell apart with the naked eye. These two bowls, for instance, appear identical. Usually, we'd rely on professional knowledge, experience, touch sensitivity, and specialized equipment—but the competition rules prohibit using tools, so you'll need another approach." Orion extended his hand with a smirk. "You have five minutes to identify the authen
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 330
Orion's assistant mocked, "This kid knows nothing about antiques, and as for experience. Hell, he's barely old enough to drive! Just kneel before Mr. Kelce and admit you're wrong, kid. That's how youngsters like you should behave." "These jerks are going too far," Francesca grumbled. Andrew picked up both porcelain bowls, one in each hand, and asked with a smile, "Ms. Santana, these bowls are competition property, right?" Elsie nodded, puzzled by his question. "Yes, Mr. Lloyd. Competition rules state that all antiques and items must be from registered dealers." "Then I'd like to ask the owner of these bowls to step forward," Andrew announced loudly. Orion laughed coldly. "Do you really think the owner would tell you which is real? Stop playing games and just admit you don't know anything." "Patience. You'll be crying soon enough," Andrew replied with a smirk. The bowls owner, an elderly man in a burgundy suit with kind eyes, stepped forward and said politely, "Young man,
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 331
The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. They could not understand why Andrew had wasted time asking such obvious questions about the bowls' value. "Are you done wasting time? Can you tell which is real now?" Orion asked impatiently. Without answering, Andrew casually tossed the bowl in his left hand into the air. Aspen shouted angrily, "Andrew, what are you doing? Can you afford to replace a million-dollar piece?" Before she finished speaking, the bowl crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces. The spectators stared in disbelief, wondering if the pressure had made him lose his mind. Elsie was overwhelmed and could only manage to stutter, "Mr. Lloyd, you—" "If it were real, I'd have to pay for it, right?" Andrew asked calmly. "Well, that's obvious," Elsie replied, distressed. Andrew let out a relieved sigh. "Good thing I broke the fake one." The crowd was stunned. Some whispered about Andrew's unorthodox authentication method, while others bet he was just bluffing
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1134
Logan was stunned. He rushed forward in shock. "Father, you're awake?" George forced a small smile. "Not only am I awake, but I've never felt this clear-headed before. It even feels like my martial cultivation just had a breakthrough!" The crowd of expert doctors, including Chantelle and Mosby, was frozen in place, completely dumbfounded. No one could utter a single word, as they were too stunned to react. Andrew gestured for Logan to help George onto the couch, smiling as he said, "Mr. Keller Senior, the energy corruption has already been cleared from your system. Now you'll just need some medication to aid your recovery, and your body should return to normal. "However, your vitality and spiritual energy were badly depleted—it'll take a few months to fully recover." George looked at Andrew with genuine admiration. He asked Logan to help him sit up, then turned solemnly and said, "I'm already grateful just to be alive. But to come out of this without losing an ounce of my life
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1133
Mosby explained, "But undoubtedly, his mind must be utterly exhausted and his spirit completely drained! Whether or not he wakes up will be the real challenge. If he doesn't regain consciousness, he'll become nothing more than a hollow shell." As he spoke, he cast a deliberately sinister glance at Andrew. If George remained in a vegetative state, then Andrew would not just be blamed—he would probably be executed on the spot by the Keller family. Yet right then, Logan turned to Andrew with genuine sincerity and said, "Andrew, all of us in the Keller family saw what you did for my father. Don't worry—even if he doesn't wake up, you'll still be honored as a benefactor of our family." Mosby could not believe what he was hearing. "Mr. Keller, how can you say that? If Mr. Keller Senior doesn't wake up, Andrew should be held accountable for a grievous crime!" Logan, however, had already seen through Mosby's jealousy and hostility toward Andrew. He responded calmly, "Mr. Lake, this is
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1132
Andrew ignored all the shouting around him without batting an eye. Once everything he requested had been brought in, he began the treatment without delay. "Mr. Keller Senior, brace yourself for some pain," he warned calmly. With that, he slowly inserted golden needles into the top of George's head. Chantelle's voice turned serious. "Andrew, the head is the most delicate part of the human body. It's where the nerves are most complex—what you're doing could have serious consequences." Andrew replied evenly, "Mr. Keller Senior's condition stems from a mental collapse, and the mind resides in the thoughts—the thoughts in the brain. So, treatment has to start there." As he explained, his hands moved with precision. Soon, the crown of George's head, right in GV20, was covered in golden needles. Then, he pressed two acupoints on George's chest with careful control. A flicker of relief finally appeared on George's agonized face. Logan asked cautiously, "Andrew, why did you target
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Mosby said, "I already drained most of the old man's strength with Ms. Garcia! And now you're just waiting on the sidelines to swoop in when it's safe. Don't you think that's rather shameless?" Andrew said flatly, "Judging others by your own petty standards—that's exactly the kind of person you are, Dr. Lake. If you're so upset about it, how about I release Mr. Keller Senior and let you try your luck? Let's see how easy that 'swooping in' really is." Mosby's expression instantly changed. He fell silent, visibly shaken by the idea. He still remembered almost getting killed by George just moments ago, and there was no way he wanted to flirt with death again. Andrew sneered, "Coward." Mosby snapped, "You insolent brat! How dare you insult me?!" Andrew could not be bothered to respond. He had no personal vendetta against the man, but after being provoked repeatedly, he was not going to sit there and take it either. "Logan, get Mr. Keller Senior into the room. I'm ready to begin
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1130
Logan shouted, his voice cracking, "Dr. Lake, get out of the way!" Mosby forced himself to stay conscious, pried his eyes open, and immediately saw death rushing at him. He screamed, "Mr. Keller Senior, please—spare me!" However, George had already charged in, eyes blood-red, and a brutal hand chop was aimed straight for Mosby's skull. If that blow landed, the so-called legend of Blumedale would die right here, with his head cracked open. Chantelle gritted her teeth and moved in without hesitation. Her long leg, clad in sleek, tailored slacks, swept out in a horizontal arc. George stumbled back two steps, let out a low, guttural growl, and immediately lunged at her instead. Logan shouted from the side, trying to talk his father down, yet it was useless. George had fully descended into a killing trance. "Dr. Lake, get clear!" Chantelle barked as she spun forward. Her pale, graceful hand landed squarely on George's shoulder, and with a sharp twist, she executed a perfect shoul
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1129
Logan instinctively stepped forward, panicked, ready to intervene. However, Andrew stopped him. "No rush. Mr. Keller Senior needs to burn off some of that energy first. That way, it'll be easier for me to treat him afterward." Logan's voice trembled. "Dr. Lloyd, my father is not going to get hurt, right?" Andrew smirked. "Relax. Mr. Keller Senior will be fine. If anyone's in danger, it's probably Dr. Lake." Mosby and George had already gone head-to-head in combat. However, George looked completely possessed, growling like a wild beast, clearly stripped of rationality. His physical strength was nothing short of monstrous. Every vase, table, and piece of furniture in the room that stood in his way was shattered to dust under his fists. He held nothing back. Chantelle's eyes widened. "That strength… Has Mr. Keller Senior reached martial king level?" Logan sighed, conflicted. "That was originally a tightly guarded secret of the Keller family. No outsiders were supposed to know.
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
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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
