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Chapter 335
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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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"Wow, Aspen truly lives up to her name as Bridgefields' Stevens family's golden girl. She's got more guts and precision than most men out here!" "She's in a league of her own—no one in Jayrodale could match her confidence and skill in this game." Aspen's boldness and undeniable charm captured everyone's attention. Some men could not help but look at her longingly, practically ready to bow down at her feet. She scanned the area with a sharp gaze but did not see Andrew anywhere. She smirked and mumbled, "Looks like someone finally realized they're out of their depth. He must've decided to hide rather than embarrass himself in front of me." The master gem cutter began working on the third gemstone. With years of experience behind him, he carefully shaved away the outer layers without making any bold cuts. Two-thirds of the stone was removed, yet nothing remarkable was revealed. A tense silence fell over the crowd. Could Aspen actually fail this time? Even so, her calm and c
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 343
"It's a shame there's no real competition," Aspen said lazily, stifling a yawn. "Let's open two more stones for fun, and then we'll head out." She lifted a finger, casually signaling the gem cutter to begin again. Her every movement captivated the crowd, who watched eagerly, anticipating another jaw-dropping display of her talent. Before the cutter could start, a calm but distinct voice cut through the chatter. "Excuse me, could you help me cut this stone?" Though the voice was not particularly loud, it seemed to pierce through the noise, drawing everyone's attention. Instantly, the crowd erupted in irritation. "Who's this clown? Can't they see Ms. Stevens is about to make her move?" "Ms. Stevens is playing at the highest level—why waste time with someone else cutting a stone that's probably worthless?" "Whoever it is, they need to leave. Today's show belongs to Ms. Stevens, and no one else should get in the way." The disgruntled murmurs turned into curious stares as
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 444
Suddenly, Ollie, who had been attacking fiercely, started panting and made a tactical retreat. The Madblade student's face broke into a mocking smile as he taunted, "What's wrong? Tired already?" The student changed his footwork pattern, rhythmically advancing toward Ollie before launching a series of quick, vicious strikes at his face. Ollie was startled and tried to defend with all his might, but his footwork became unstable and chaotic. Seizing the opportunity, the Madblade student whipped out a devastating leg sweep that connected with Ollie's thigh. As Ollie groaned in pain and lost his balance, his opponent showed no mercy and delivered a lightning-fast kick to his groin. There was a sickening crack that made even Andrew wince. Ollie's face drained of all color as he rolled around the ring, screaming in agony. The Rhodes family bodyguards stood speechless, completely caught off guard. Ollie had not only lost but had been brutally defeated—his groin likely shattered. "Ro
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 443
Andrew shook his head and warned, "Jerry, you're being too arrogant. "From what I can see, the head of Madblade Martial Academy doesn't even need to step in—that martial arts expert next to Rodney alone is enough to give you serious trouble." Jerry sneered. "What do you know about fighting levels? Do you think you can see something I can't? Young man, don't mistake ignorance for courage—it's truly foolish!" Ollie Keoghan, who had just been called up, mocked, "Andrew, why do you always have to run your mouth when you're around Ms. Rhodes? Jerry could probably take you down with just one finger." "Ollie is right—this guy's a nobody who talks too much," another guard chimed in. "Since we're having three matches, let's win the first two to secure victory. Then, we can let this punk go up for the last round and get beaten to a pulp by Madblade's fighters. Jerry's bodyguards all shot hostile looks at Andrew, joining in the criticism. Andrew just shook his head, noting how Jerry'
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 442
Rodney declared, "If my side loses, then you'll get their 60 million, handed over without question. But if you lose, I don't want anything else except…" At this point, Rodney suddenly stopped, his eyes gleaming with lust as he licked his lips in an incredibly vulgar manner. Behind him, his martial arts students joined in with sleazy snickers. Lauren felt goosebumps all over her body. She asked with disgust, "What do you want?" Rodney smiled. "Don't worry, my request isn't too outrageous. I just want your stockings, Lauren. And specifically, the ones you're wearing right now—I want them while they're still warm!" Then, he burst into laughter. Lauren's face turned slightly pale, clearly suppressing both rage and humiliation. She controlled her emotions well, though, and turned to look at Jerry. "Don't worry, Miss. I can defeat these petty thugs with one hand tied behind my back," Jerry said coldly. Lauren turned to Andrew, blushing slightly. "Dr. Lloyd, my stockings are on
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 441
Rodney's lips curled into a mocking smile. He sneered, "Mr. Keoghan, you've got quite the attitude, showing off in front of my Madblade Martial Academy. What do you think this is, some kindergarten playground?" Jerry, being a renowned senior grandmaster for many years, carried himself with natural authority. "Mr. Sanford, if it were your father, Vince Sanford, I would show him proper respect. But you're still too young and inexperienced, so I advise you not to make any foolish decisions." Jerry continued, "Just hand over Dean and let Ms. Rhodes deal with him. If you do that, we can put this whole incident behind us." Lauren gave a cold smile and turned to Andrew. "Don't worry, Dr. Lloyd. Jerry is one of the top fighters in the Rhodes family. If Rodney wants to play rough, we're more than happy to oblige!" Andrew's expression showed traces of doubt. Jerry's power as a senior grandmaster was indeed undeniable. Even if he had only recently reached that level, it was still enough t
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 440
Rodney's words made the skilled fighters behind him burst into raucous laughter. The students stopped their practice to stare at Lauren with strange expressions. "Rodney, I told you years ago that I wasn't interested in you," Lauren said calmly, showing no sign of anger. "Your persistent pursuit might be romantic to some, but even if you offered me the entire Madblade Martial Academy, I wouldn't give you a second glance." Rodney's face darkened immediately. He had tried to embarrass Lauren, but her sharp tongue had turned the tables on him instead. A hulking man beside Rodney sneered, "Ms. Rhodes, if you're going to reject Mr. Sanford, why are you even here?" "For our money," Lauren replied curtly. Dean scoffed. "Atlas owed Rhodes Corporation money, not me. If you want it, go ask him in hell." Lauren smirked. "Atlas may be dead, but not all Northern District's people are gone. I know you cleaned out Atlas's accounts. Dean, are you really going to pretend you don't owe us?"
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 439
Inside Madblade Martial Academy, hundreds of students were practicing martial arts with loud shouts. They barely glanced at Lauren and Andrew's group before turning away, displaying obvious arrogance and dismissal. Lauren was unfazed by their attitude. She explained, "The students here are all from Jayrodale's wealthy families. Most of them are spoiled rich kids who couldn't succeed academically, so their families sent them here to learn martial arts. Over time, they've developed quite a superiority complex." Andrew did not mind. After all, it was natural for martial artists to have some attitude. Whether it was looking down on others or being arrogant, this kind of temperament came with this lifestyle. As long as they were not all talk and had no skill, he could tolerate their pride. A young man in casual clothes approached them with a smile, his pale complexion suggesting a life of extravagance. He was flanked by about four clearly skilled martial artists. As he passed the
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 438
Jake could not help but marvel at how a single conversation had completely changed his fate. His head was still spinning from the series of surprises. "Ms. Rhodes, should we head to Madblade Martial Academy now?" Andrew suggested. Lauren smirked playfully. "Dr. Lloyd, Natasha seemed quite different around you. Did something happen between you two?" Andrew shook his head. "She's West End's leader, a widow. What could possibly happen between us?" Lauren said suspiciously, "I don't believe you. The way she looked at you was exactly like a lonely woman gazing at her lover." Women's intuition was truly frightening. First Francesca, and now Lauren was just as perceptive. Andrew started the car and decided there was no point in hiding it. "Natasha wanted to be with me, but I turned her down because it didn't feel right." Instead of getting jealous or upset as Andrew expected, Lauren became excited. "Really? Natasha offered herself to you? That widow sure moves fast!" Andrew's
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 437
Natasha chimed in and explained, "Dean Mayer was Atlas's senior apprentice from the same martial arts school and Northern District's second-in-command. He was known as 'Iron Palm'. However, his skills never matched Atlas', which is why Atlas always held the position of Northern District's leader." Andrew asked, "So you're saying most of Atlas' assets and personnel fell into Dean's hands?" Natasha shook her head. "In terms of manpower, Dean only took about seven elite fighters with him. However, he did make off with the majority of Northern District's wealth—Atlas' years of accumulated fortune." "Natasha, do you know where Dean is now?" Andrew frowned. "As my people previously informed Mr. Lloyd, some of Atlas' forces have regrouped," Natasha said gravely. "Dean is their leader, and they've aligned themselves with the Madblade Martial Academy." Andrew was shocked. "Madblade Martial Academy? You mean the place that calls itself Jayrodale's premier martial arts institution?"
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 436
"I'm here at Northern District's headquarters. One of your men is here, and I'm planning to get him promoted," Andrew spoke into the phone. "Of course, I'll be there in five minutes. Wait for me," Natasha replied urgently. As Andrew hung up, Jake shook his head. "Sir, this act isn't funny anymore. Don't tell me you actually have Madam Vostokoff's number?" "Of course I do," Andrew replied simply. "How else could I call her?" Jake did not bother responding and headed downstairs to hand out flyers, hoping to sell the abandoned building soon and get his promotion. He dismissed the supposed lunatic upstairs, remembering how he had only seen Natasha once since joining West End. Regular people never got close to someone of Natasha's status, let alone have her private number—unless this guy was her boy toy, he thought cynically. Minutes later, a convertible sports car screeched to a halt in front of the building. Jake, clutching a stack of flyers, stared in disbelief at the beauti
