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Chapter 333
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 334
In stark contrast, Orion, Aspen, and his followers stood there, furious yet helpless. Meanwhile, Christina stared at Andrew in disbelief. She wondered if he really emerged victorious again. Orion was furious and growled, "How did you know they were fakes? What tricks did you use?" Francesca scoffed. "What a loser—he can't even accept his defeat graciously!" Andrew shrugged. "Does it matter how I knew? What matters is I was right about both bowls, which means you lost. Time to kneel before me." The crowd was shocked by Andrew's unexpected victory. His triumph brought pride to Jayrodale's antique community, and they relished seeing the arrogant Orion get his comeuppance. "You're always talking about rules, Orion," Cedric beamed, finally getting his revenge. "Well, a bet's a bet—kneel!" "Exactly, Mr. Kelce! Are you going back on your words now?" "Mr. Kelce, this is Jayrodale, not Bridgefields. I told you to be less arrogant, but you didn't listen. Now you're being punis
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 335
The crowd, stirred up by Aspen's accusations, began to eye Andrew again with suspicion. If he had really cheated by colluding with the owner, it would be a scandal of epic proportions. Andrew remained unfazed and responded calmly, "I thanked the owner, but not because he told me which piece was genuine." "In fact, I don't even know this man," he continued, his tone light yet firm. "If anything, I'd say this seller is more likely to be Mr. Kelce's acquaintance." Orion's face darkened, his teeth clenched tightly as he stayed silent. Aspen's heart skipped a beat. Could Andrew's claim be true? Was the owner actually on Orion's side? If that were the case, her earlier accusations would make no sense. After all, there was no reason for someone to align with Orion to help Andrew cheat. Elsie stepped forward with a calm but serious expression. "Mr. Cooper, as one of the event organizers, we have access to your background. "You're from Bridgefields, correct? And from what we know,
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 336
"However—" Andrew began. Just then, Christina cut in excitedly. "While everyone was nervous, Mr. Cooper remained completely calm! That's how you knew both bowls were fake. He would have been panicking about their safety if they were real." "Exactly." Andrew nodded with approval. Christina felt conflicted. She was smart enough to run Jayrodale as CEO, but she would never have thought of such a brilliantly simple method. It seemed that her intelligence was nothing compared to Andrew's. The crowd erupted in amazement as the mystery was solved. "Incredible! He used psychology to authenticate antiques. Mr. Lloyd, you're truly the best!" Another expert claimed, "This is pure genius! I've been authenticating pieces for 20 years, but today's lesson has shown me I've still got more to learn!" "There's no doubt that Mr. Kelce has lost!" Aspen desperately searched for another angle to refute Andrew's claims but found none. She thought bitterly, 'He really beat Mr. Kelce. As fel
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 337
Aspen's face darkened, and she could not help but step in. "Andrew, let it go. Think about it—Mr. Kelce is someone of his age and stature, and you're… well, you're not. Forcing him to kneel is just risking your own life." Andrew's tone was calm as he replied, "I'm not worried. I'm built tough. I'd gladly accept it if he kneels and begs before me." Aspen clenched her fists in anger and retorted, "Andrew, do you realize what you're risking? Mr. Kelce commands the loyalty of thousands in Bridgefields. Not only is he respected in the antique community there, but he also has powerful connections in martial arts circles. Are you ready for the retaliation that's bound to come your way if you force him to kneel today?" Andrew let out a cold laugh. "Aspen, I see what you're trying to do. You're just trying to get him off the hook. And you're threatening me with Bridgefields' big shots and antique tycoons? Whether I'm afraid or not is one thing, but do you think these Jayrodale folks here
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 338
Orion staggered to his feet, his bloodshot eyes glaring at Andrew as he roared, "Andrew, you insolent brat! This isn't over between us!" Andrew barked, "How dare you use that tone with me! Do you have a death wish?" Covering his face in humiliation, Orion, supported by his followers, scrambled toward the exit of the antiques fair. He did not want to stay even a second longer, fleeing down the bustling street with his pride in shambles. Christina hesitated and turned to Aspen. "Aspen, no matter what, Mr. Kelce is still one of the most prominent figures from Bridgefields. Are you really not going to check on him after such a humiliating defeat?" Aspen's tone was icy. "Check on him? Not a chance. It doesn't matter. Mr. Kelce's fury will be something Andrew absolutely can't handle. Just wait—Mr. Kelce will definitely come back to settle the score, and Andrew's the one who's in real trouble now." Christina frowned. She could not help but feel that Andrew had gone too far. Winning
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 339
Andrew smiled. "Don't mention it. I didn't do much for Dr. Aicker anyway. That relic just seemed to have a natural connection with him." Elsie stood quietly to the side, observing Andrew with subtle interest. Her thoughts churned as she wondered to herself, 'Could a man like this truly exist? Someone so composed, charming, and effortlessly skilled in everything he does?' From his demeanor and words to his charisma and even his looks, Andrew checked every box for Elsie. She had to admit he had a magnetic pull on her, yet she felt a pang of disappointment. No matter what she did, her charm did not catch his attention at all. Just then, a staff member whispered something in Elsie's ear, and she hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Mr. Lloyd, the Jayrodale Antiques Association would like to invite you to join as a member. Are you interested?" Andrew instinctively wanted to decline. He was never one to care about club memberships, VIP titles, or committee positions. Those
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 340
Elsie chuckled and said, "It's not as exaggerated as it sounds, Ms. Aicker. True experts at stone gambling know how to play smart—they're looking for a jackpot. All it takes is uncovering one rare gemstone worth millions, and they're set for life. Why wouldn't they take the risk?" She leaned in slightly, adding, "The most famous case in modern history is the 'King of Emerald' discovery from an overseas quarry. That guy, as if blessed by luck itself, unearthed a gemstone worth over a billion dollars from an unassuming stone. The news caused a worldwide sensation, even catching the attention of royalty from across the world." Francesca's eyes sparkled with excitement, completely captivated by the story. "A billion-dollar gemstone? That's incredible! Andrew, we should definitely try our luck with a few stones later, don't you think?" Andrew smirked and teased, "Didn't you just say that the risks were too high, and we shouldn't play?" Blushing, Francesca laughed awkwardly. "Well, w
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 341
The cutter straightened his posture and nodded firmly. "Miss, don't worry. With over a decade of experience in stone cutting, I'll make sure not to damage your stone." Aspen smiled confidently. "Good. Then follow my instructions and make the cut." The man carefully brought the blade down, following Aspen's precise directions without a single deviation. As the outer layers were stripped away, the crowd collectively gasped as the interior was revealed. "It's a high-quality translucent emerald! Aspen's got an incredible eye for this." "That piece alone is worth far more than 200 thousand dollars. She's definitely made a great call on this one." "Man, what a sharp woman. Her skill at stone gambling isn't something ordinary people can match." The crowd was awestruck, their admiration for Aspen growing. However, she remained unimpressed. In her mind, this was only a warm-up. "Cut this one next," Aspen instructed, pointing to another stone. "And those three over there—open them
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1218
The crowd could not help but wonder if Andrew was just that hurried to die, "Dragon Claw Strike!" With a low, lethal growl, Ellis struck, his eyes full of murder. His hands curled into claws, shooting straight for Andrew's chest and eyes, going for nothing less than a kill shot right from the start. However, Andrew's expression did not change. He stepped back once, then again, calm and fluid. It looked casual, but every move was calculated—just enough to slip right past Ellis's deadly thrusts. "Not bad. That's some decent footwork," Ellis sneered, his tone mocking even as he circled again. Then, his wiry frame lunged low, sweeping toward Andrew with a lightning-fast kick. Andrew's voice remained quiet and steady. "Dragon Claw Strike and Golden Cicada Stance are elite techniques from Silverthorn Monastery. Too bad you only learned the shell, not the substance." He stopped moving. Like a rock in a river, his stance suddenly locked in place. Ellis's sweeping legs, fast as
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1217
The bald man, Ellis, was not some no-name street thug—he was well-known in Blumedale. Among Mosby's apprentices, he was one of the rare few with zero talent in medicine but exceptional prowess in martial arts. Insiders knew the truth—Mosby had not taken Ellis in to pass on his medical legacy or help heal the sick. He wanted muscle, someone who could handle the dirty work behind closed doors. The whispers began almost instantly among the growing crowd. "This is bad. That's Mosby's third apprentice—trained under the monks at Silverthorn Monastery. I heard he's so powerful he can crack stone with his bare hands." Another chimed in, "Genesis Dispensary isn't the kind of place you just stroll into looking for trouble. That young guy's finished." "Well… I don't know. Judging from what I saw earlier, the guy's no amateur either." "Amateur? My ass. Ellis doesn't hold back. People have died under his fists before. That punk's either going to be crippled or dead in minutes..." More a
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1216
Barely two minutes had passed, but every single one of Genesis Dispensary's enforcers lay sprawled on the ground—some unconscious, some writhing in pain, and some not even moving. Janice clutched the edge of her sleeve, her face pale as a sheet. She stared at Andrew in shock, as if not recognizing this man. The Andrew she knew was gentle, refined, eloquent—someone who had won her grandfather's respect the moment they met, a miracle doctor with endless skill. However, the Andrew standing before her now was the complete opposite—ruthless, cold-blooded, and surrounded by a sea of blood from the beatings he had just handed out. Old Hayface's legs trembled as he stared at Andrew like he had seen a ghost, thinking this was beyond insane. How could some young punk wipe out all of Genesis Dispensary's muscle like it was nothing? He shook his head furiously in denial. "Andrew, you've messed up big time—real big. Mr. Lake is on his way and—" Before he could finish, Andrew delivered t
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1215
The red Ferrari screeched to a stop in front of the famous Genesis Dispensary like a streak of lightning. The dramatic entrance instantly caught the attention of pedestrians walking by. "Who the hell do you think you are? Driving that flashy piece of crap like you own the place? Move it before we lock your ass in!" Two burly security thugs stationed at the entrance of Genesis Dispensary stomped over, cursing as they approached. Janice jumped out of the car in a panic and rushed to explain, "I'm sorry, sirs, really sorry! We'll leave right now, please don't—" However, before she could even finish her sentence, Andrew stepped forward and slapped both men across the face. Each blow landed with a crack, and neither man had time to react before their heads slammed into the pavement, completely unconscious. Janice stood frozen, wondering if Andrew had always had such an explosive temper. How had she never seen this side of him before? "You bastard! You think you can hit our guy
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1214
Ronan's Oak Apothecary had built a modest but respected reputation in Blumedale, so having him gather the herbs was a huge time-saver for Andrew. However, the moment Andrew stepped into the shop, Janice Bates came running toward him in tears. "Andrew! My grandpa… he got hurt! Someone beat him up!" she cried, sobbing uncontrollably. Andrew's brows furrowed. "Janice, stop crying for now. Take me to him." In the back room, Ronan was lying on a bed, clearly injured. Two red handprints burned across his cheeks, and his forehead was bruised and bleeding as if someone had shoved him hard against something. "Mr. Lloyd… you came," Ronan said weakly, trying to sit up. "Forgive me, I've failed you." Andrew quickly motioned for him to stop talking. "Don't waste your breath. Let's get you patched up first." After checking him over, Andrew was relieved to find that Ronan had only suffered surface wounds and a badly twisted waist. He worked swiftly, massaging the injured muscles and ap
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1213
The awkward silence lasted for almost half an hour. Eventually, Aspen regained enough strength in her legs to move again. Without a word and her face icy cold, she reached for the car door, desperate to leave. Andrew quickly grabbed her wrist and said, "I'll drive you home so you can change clothes. Especially your skirt and stockings—they're completely soaked." Aspen immediately blushed crimson, embarrassment flooding up her neck and across her cheeks. She ground her teeth angrily and snapped, "No need!" Andrew ignored her protests completely, starting the Ferrari and driving straight back to The Sovereign Residences. Neither said a word during the entire drive. Andrew genuinely did not know what to say. Everything had been perfectly normal until he suddenly crossed the line with Aspen. It was just like those old movies, where the wealthy guy ended up sleeping with his favorite maid. Technically, Andrew had not done anything wrong; Aspen was his slave, after all. Nonethe
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1212
Andrew shook his head slowly and said, "No, you're not like some middle-aged lunatic, and you're definitely not trash or a hooker. You look like a cute little bunny rabbit, just begging to be eaten up. You forced my hand, Aspen!" As soon as he finished speaking, Aspen's eyes widened in sudden panic, realizing what was about to happen. She struggled fiercely, desperate to escape Andrew's grasp. Her voice trembled with tears as she pleaded, "No, no, no! Andrew—Mr. Lloyd—I'm sorry, I admit it, I was wrong! I swear, I won't do it again, please don't do this—please, no!" Her frantic protests ended abruptly with a soft, electric whimper as Andrew silenced her, pressing his mouth firmly onto hers. What followed was a hungry, unstoppable kiss, intense and overwhelming. Aspen's clear eyes widened, her expression first filled with shame and anger, then disbelief, and finally melting into a dazed, dreamy blankness. Their rapid breathing mingled in the confined space of the Ferrari, th
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1211
Andrew let out a cold laugh as he stared at the trembling Aspen right in front of him. "What am I doing? What do you think I'm doing? When you were trying to suppress Christina and Davon earlier, you used my presence to scare them off. Don't tell me you forgot that?" Aspen flushed, both embarrassed and angry. "I didn't forget! But what I said—was any of it wrong?" Andrew snorted. "No, it wasn't wrong. But you did get one thing messed up: your grudge with Christina has nothing to do with me, so don't drag me into it just to make yourself look good. You used your own boss as a pawn. That takes some guts, Aspen." Aspen instantly felt a chill. She shrank back and begged, "I-I-I… I won't do it again, okay? Andrew, just let me down first. My butt's right up against the window, and if someone walks by and sees this, how the hell am I supposed to live that down?" The corner of Andrew's lips curved into a teasing grin. "Isn't that perfect? You're my little secretary. This? This is very
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 1210
Someone joked loudly, "But we get it… I mean, with a secretary like that, why would you even look at anyone else?" The others burst into raucous laughter, not bothering to hide it even in front of Aspen's increasingly dark expression. "Exactly!" another chimed in. "Mr. Lloyd is living the dream. Damn, I look at my office girl and suddenly feel dead inside!" "Mr. Lloyd's not just talented—he's got the best of both worlds. That little secretary of his is a top-tier beauty!" A bespectacled executive chuckled crudely and added, "Mr. Lloyd, let me give you a piece of advice: when there's work, let the secretary handle it; when there's no work, handle the secretary! That line fits you perfectly!" The entire room erupted in laughter as Aspen's face flushed deep red, her cheeks burning. Furious, she shot Andrew a murderous glare, then stormed out of the room in her heels without a word. Andrew, looking utterly unbothered, leisurely followed behind. He even muttered to himself, "Han
