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Chapter 456
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 457
Christina nodded thoughtfully and said, "True, while Rhodes Corporation's 60 million isn't a small amount, it pales in comparison to your billion. Even if Madblade Martial Academy is greedy, they wouldn't dare keep such an enormous sum." "Of course not," Aspen replied coldly. "Now that I'm personally involved, I'll bring in the media and the police to make their lives hell if they continue acting like common thieves. Let's see how Mr. Sandford handles that kind of public pressure." The two women put on their sunglasses and strode through Madblade Martial Academy's gates, surrounded by the crowd of creditors. … Inside the academy, Rodney and Dean wore grim expressions—not because of the people demanding money, but because Ivan was still unconscious from his severe injuries. "Damn it, Andrew turned out to be one tough son of a bitch!" Rodney cursed. Despite his young age, he had achieved the rank of junior grandmaster through rigorous training, making him a prodigy even by C
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 458
Dean explained, "In all my years in Gabo Creek, I've never seen anyone as extraordinary as Andrew. What's even more terrifying is that he clearly wasn't using his full strength against Mr. Lincoln. Watching his spine-chilling moves, I can't help but wonder if he might have had something to do with Atlas' death." Before Dean could continue, Rodney cut him off with an angry roar, "Shut up! No wonder you're a lost dog—you're completely useless, building up others while tearing down our own reputation!" Depending on Rodney's hospitality, Dean could not protest the insults, but a venomous glint flashed in his eyes. Rodney seethed. "I've never been humiliated like this in my life. And it's obvious Lauren has a thing for Andrew. I've pursued her for years without getting so much as a glance, while she probably can't wait to jump into his bed." While Rodney stewed in anger, a student hurried in and said, "Mr. Sanford, the debt collectors have arrived." Rodney's face twisted with rage
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 459
Rodney's smile turned cold. "So, you ladies aren't here to pay respect, but to collect a debt?" "If that's how you want to see it," Aspen replied, finally turning to face him. Christina said diplomatically, "Mr. Sanford, we had a billion-dollar deal with the Northern District. When Atlas met his unfortunate end, that money vanished. Since Dean is now with your academy, we're hoping you can help us recover our investment." She explained the situation with a composed and respectful tone, assuming Rodney would act reasonably now that the facts were clear. However, Rodney looked at her contemptuously and sneered, "They call you the Ice Queen CEO of Jayrodale, supposedly brilliant and beautiful. But I see you're just a pretty face without any real substance." Christina's face flushed with anger. "Mr. Sanford, what exactly are you implying?" Rodney laughed coldly. "You marched in here with this mob demanding money. Do you really think the Madblade Martial Academy is some common e
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 460
Rodney smirked shamelessly. "Ms. Aspen, as long as you surrender yourself to me, I wouldn't mind letting these people go. How about that?" Aspen's calm and composed demeanor finally cracked. She exploded, shouting, "Screw you, Rodney! If this were Bridgefields, someone would've dumped your corpse in the wilderness by now for speaking to me like this!" Rodney's face darkened as he waved a hand, barking, "Close the doors!" The sound of the heavy doors slamming shut echoed through the hall. He sneered, "Damn it! Two bitches daring to stir up trouble in my academy? Tonight, you're leaving here soaked, one way or another!" Knowing Rodney's ruthless reputation, the debt collectors accompanying them began to panic. They feared he might truly lock them in and unleash violence. Christina's face turned pale. "Aspen, we need to call the police immediately." Aspen gritted her teeth. "No need. I want to see what this little scumbag thinks he can do to me." She fixed Rodney with an i
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 461
Taking out her phone, Aspen immediately dialed Donald's number. "Donald, come to Madblade Martial Academy quickly. I'm in trouble." She pleaded, "If you help me just this once, I promise I'll treat you to dinner tonight." Donald's voice came through, dripping with impatience. "What the hell are you calling me for again, Aspen? Didn't I suffer enough because of you last time?" "Are you deaf? I told you I'm in trouble, so get over here now!" Aspen shouted angrily. Donald let out a cold laugh. "If you're in trouble, go cry to your parents. Why come to me? I'm not your father." He continued with a sneer, "Besides, sorry to say, but Mr. Lloyd made it clear he wants to make your life hell in Jayrodale, so there's nothing I can do. Bye!" The line went dead as Donald hung up. Aspen stood there in disbelief, wondering how she, the precious daughter of Bridgefields' Stevens family, had reached such a low point where even her cry for help went unanswered. Then, it hit her—Donald sa
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 462
With a sharp smack, Rodney slapped Christina's exposed leg, the sound echoing through the room. "Wow, now this is something else—silky, soft, and with just the right bounce. Ms. Stevens, these legs of yours could keep me entertained for years!" Rodney exclaimed, his hands growing bolder as he laughed. Christina burned with shame and fury, raising her hand to slap him across the face. However, Rodney caught her wrist effortlessly and slapped her back instead. The impact left a visible red mark on her pristine face, and a tear rolled down her cheek as the reality of her situation sank in. At that moment, she felt utterly fragile. Aspen gritted her teeth and growled, "Rodney, forget the money. Open the door, and we'll leave right now!" Rodney sneered at her request. He taunted, "You think you can just walk in and out of Madblade Martial Academy as you please? Remember how commanding you were when you first came in? I hate people giving me orders, so you're not going anywhere un
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 463
Looking toward the entrance, Rodney felt furious at whoever dared interrupt him. However, when he recognized one of the two people who entered, he nearly wet himself. Dean and the hundred-plus students of Madblade Martial Academy collectively stepped back, falling silent. The newcomers were Francesca and Andrew. Andrew had not expected to return to Madblade Martial Academy so soon. After leaving Rhodes Corporation, he went back to Jayrodale General Hospital, where Francesca asked him to accompany her to treat a patient at the academy. Rodney's father, Vince, had deep ties with Cedric. Due to this connection, Francesca could not refuse the house call. Andrew could guess why Madblade Martial Academy had requested Cedric's help. After all, he had given Ivan quite a beating. Since Ivan was an honored guest, Rodney would naturally seek treatment from someone of Cedric's caliber. However, Andrew had not anticipated returning to the academy, much less encountering Christina and Aspe
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 464
Francesca said, "Please take me to the patient. I have other matters to attend to after this treatment." Though Rodney's face darkened, he did not dare show any attitude. He replied, "Dr. Aicker, please follow me." Francesca gestured to Andrew and introduced him. "This is our deputy chief, Dr. Lloyd." Rodney nodded quickly and greeted, "Dr. Lloyd." Inwardly, his thoughts raced with confusion as he wondered just how many titles Andrew held. Andrew chuckled. "Fran, go ahead and handle the patient. I need to speak with Mr. Sanford here." Francesca agreed. "Alright, wait for me." Then, she followed one of the Madblade Martial Academy members into the main hall. Andrew scanned the remaining students and staff, including Dean, before speaking flatly. "Those not involved, get out." The students departed without protest, while Dean bowed deferentially. "I'll take my leave. Mr. Lloyd, please call if you need anything!" Once alone, Andrew asked, "Why did Aspen and Christina c
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 528
Though the time was short, Troy had managed to satisfy Ruby to some extent. Those brief bursts of intense effort had at least brought her a flicker of enjoyment. However, just as they were reaching the peak of the moment, Troy's phone rang loudly. Neither of them paid attention at first—they were too caught up to care. The phone refused to stop. It kept ringing persistently, over and over again, as if determined not to give up until someone answered. Troy let out a sudden yelp of frustration, his face contorting with both anger and despair. Ruby, startled, asked, "What's wrong?" Troy's expression was a mix of fury and helplessness as he gestured downward. "See for yourself!" Ruby glanced down and immediately froze, disbelief spreading across her face. Troy had completely deflated—his once enthusiastic presence reduced to a soft, limp failure. The repeated phone calls had dealt a devastating blow, killing the mood entirely. Grabbing his phone with a vengeance, Troy answered,
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 527
After confirming the formula was legitimate, Ruby handed it back to Troy, her face lighting up with a seductive smile. She said, "So this is one of Rhodes Corporation Pharmaceutical Division's legendary formulas? "I heard they're worth more than gold, but honestly, it's not as impressive as I imagined. Compared to Amberpeak Corporation's products, well, let's just say it falls short." Troy, now completely naked and clutching Ruby's feet, laughed nervously, too infatuated to notice her subtle jab. "Of course, baby, you're right. Rhodes Corporation's products are decent in Jayrodale, but Amberpeak Corporation sets the industry standard. We could never compare." Ruby's lips curved into a silent sneer, thinking, 'This fool has no idea I've already memorized the formula.' With a practiced move, she shifted her body slightly, dodging Troy's slobbering kisses. Ruby was a master of the game, seasoned in dealing with men like him. She knew better than to let him have everything at once.
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 526
Ruby's smile widened as she thought, 'The fish has taken the bait. Troy is just as predictable as I expected.' However, as the grin lingered, a sudden itch below made her uncomfortable, dampening her excitement. Her mood instantly darkened as she wondered if that disease was coming back again. Meanwhile, Troy's car sped out of the Rhodes Corporation parking garage, rushing toward its destination. Andrew and Lauren, already in their SUV, quickly followed. "Dr. Lloyd, just as you predicted—Troy leaving work during office hours is definitely suspicious," Lauren said with a cold smirk. Andrew, keeping his eyes on the road, replied, "A spy like Ruby will always look for the easiest way to infiltrate a company, and her best target is someone she can easily manipulate from the inside. Since she's already slept with Troy, it's no surprise she's using him as her pawn." Lauren frowned. "Dr. Lloyd, you mentioned earlier that both Troy and Ruby have the same foul smell. What exactly did
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 525
In the hotel room, Ruby stripped off her clothes and enjoyed a luxurious rose-scented bath. Afterward, she sprayed perfume generously around the room, filling the air with a sweet, seductive aroma. She picked up her phone and dialed Troy. "Troy, when are you coming over? I miss you!" she cooed, her voice dripping with allure. Busy at work, Troy felt a shiver run through him when he heard her sultry tone. He laughed, half-joking, "What's gotten into you, baby? Feeling frisky again?" Ruby pouted playfully. "You're the one feeling frisky! I already told you—I miss you. Are you coming over or not? I just finished a bath, and now I'm all soft and smooth… and smelling divine." Troy hesitated. "How about tonight, baby? It's broad daylight, and I'm now swamped with work." Ruby's tone turned cold as she huffed. "Fine, then. You stay busy with your work, and don't bother coming tonight either. I have a dinner meeting with some executives later anyway, so I won't have time for you. B
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 524
"I want Lauren to experience true despair and unrelenting pain," Ruby hissed, her eyes alight with malice. "When the Rhodes family collapses completely, when their legacy is destroyed, I bet her anguished screams will sound like music to my ears." Aspen, standing calmly by the window, gave a faint smile. "Hatred is indeed a powerful motivator, but you can't rely solely on it. The brain, Ruby, is the deadliest weapon of all." Ruby hesitated, then bowed her head respectfully. "Please, Ms. Stevens, enlighten me." Aspen's cold smile deepened. "The Weller family is currently under the spotlight, drawing public scrutiny and outrage. It's the perfect distraction for us. Everyone thinks the crisis in Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division is over, but this lull in vigilance is precisely when I strike." She turned to Ruby, her tone laced with pride. "The key is to attack your prey when they least expect it, when their guard is down—that's when it's most fatal." With a light laug
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 523
Michael called Troy in and personally locked the door behind him. Troy, shifting uneasily, spoke first. "Mr. Rhodes, about Ruby and me… We did go to the hotel yesterday. But aside from… well, you know… I was genuinely there to discuss business. Honestly, if I hadn't kept her happy, we wouldn't have secured the Amberpeak Corporation deal so easily." Michael waved dismissively. "I didn't call you here to scold you." Troy froze, caught off guard. "I thought you would scold me for mixing personal matters with work!" In truth, Troy had not gone to the hotel to talk business at all. Ruby's stunning beauty had completely captivated him. Their initial flirtation quickly escalated into something far more intimate, and the deal came up only afterward. By chance, Troy learned that Ruby was a representative for Amberpeak Corporation. The realization thrilled him—sealing such a significant partnership would be the perfect way to prove himself as the new head of the Pharmaceutical Divisio
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 522
Lauren looked puzzled. "There's an issue with that document? I didn't notice anything off." Andrew smiled knowingly. "It's normal you didn't catch it. The problem lies in Ruby's formula for the pill she wants Rhodes Corporation to produce." He paused briefly before continuing in a colder tone. "Ruby requested the Pharmaceutical Division to manufacture a so-called 'miracle anti-cancer drug'. It's positioned as an exclusive, high-end product designed for the wealthy and elite families—rare, valuable, and groundbreaking." "But here's the catch," he said, his voice sharp. "While the formula lists over 30 premium ingredients that appear highly effective on their own, they turn into a lethal poison when combined. And not just any poison—it's a slow-acting, insidious toxin. Anyone who takes it will suffer without even realizing the cause." Andrew's gaze darkened. "Now, imagine if Rhodes Corporation went ahead and produced this pill, selling it to affluent clients and major figures. Wh
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 521
Michael cut through the growing tension with a sharp tone. "That's enough. Today's meeting is over. What matters to me is your ability to do your job and make money for the company. Your personal lives and relationships are of no interest to me as CEO." He started to walk away but paused after a few steps, gesturing for Troy. "Mr. MacAfee, come to my office. I'd like to clarify a few details about the collaboration with you." Troy smirked, glancing at Andrew with a look of triumph. The unspoken message was clear. "So what if you caught me fooling around with Ruby? You can't touch me if the CEO has my back." Ruby stood to leave, but as she passed Lauren, she leaned in with a cold smile. "Ms. Rhodes, I haven't forgotten my grudge against you. Be careful not to make a mistake you'll regret for the rest of your life." Lauren shot back without missing a beat. "Don't worry, Ms. Dickinson. I'd be happy to send you back for another helping of prison meals—on the house." Ruby's smile
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 520
Andrew smiled calmly. "Alright, one final question." Ruby, clearly irritated, snapped, "Mr. Lloyd, enough is enough. You just said the last question was your final one." Andrew chuckled, unfazed. "It just popped into my head, Ms. Dickinson. No need to get so tense—this one isn't about the collaboration. Just casual chit-chat." Ruby huffed. "Tense? Who's tense? You're quite the joker, Mr. Lloyd. Ask your question—I have other matters to attend to. Rhodes Corporation isn't the only company knocking on Amberpeak's door." Andrew's smile took on a sharper edge. "I heard from Mr. MacAfee earlier that the two of you discussed the collaboration thoroughly and worked very hard, even late into the evening. Is that correct?" Ruby froze for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, Mr. MacAfee is very dedicated. We had a detailed conversation yesterday and talked until around nine in the evening." Troy, clearly proud of himself, chimed in, "It was exhausting, but for Rhodes Corporation, it's my dut
