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Chapter 565
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 566
Andrew responded calmly, "Mrs. Rhodes, you're quite funny. Guests like these don't come just because of money!" Tiana glanced around the scene, taking in the notable faces. "Hmm, impressive. Dylan and Natasha, the two ruling powers of Jayrodale, are here. Cedric and Francesca showed up too. Even Mr. Thatcher made an appearance. Mr. Lloyd, you certainly have influence." Lauren beamed with pride and interjected, "Dr. Lloyd has a wide network. He once saved Mr. Thatcher's life." Tiana's smile quickly faded, and she sneered. "It's all because of Marvin's connections. They're just here to keep up appearances. You might not see it, Lauren, but that doesn't mean I'm blind to what's really going on." Just then, a sleek Rolls-Royce quietly pulled up by the curb. An elderly man dressed in a distinguished robe stepped out, immediately drawing a stir from the crowd. "Is that Mr. Yates? Wow! Even the wealthiest man in Jayrodale showed up to support Moonlit Apothecary." "Yeah, and Mrs. R
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 567
Andrew had not expected his clinic's grand opening to draw such a large crowd. The flow of congratulatory gifts from different guests kept him busy. Fortunately, Dylan acted as his de facto manager, overseeing the collection of gifts and seating arrangements for the visitors. Meanwhile, Francesca and Lauren threw themselves into hosting duties. They moved gracefully through the crowd, ensuring everyone had enough food and drinks, their faces glowing with joy. Both women were determined to make the event a success. However, Tiana watched all this with a growing scowl. Seeing Lauren, the celebrated heiress of the Rhodes family and the city's most admired beauty—her own daughter—acting like a mere server was more than she could tolerate. "Jerry," Tiana snapped, "go get Lauren. My daughter is not meant for menial tasks like this!" Before Jerry could move, Marvin chuckled from his seat next to her. "Come now, Mrs. Rhodes. They're young and enjoying themselves. Let them have this
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 568
Tiana maintained her composure out of respect and nodded slightly. "Please, have a seat," she said, signaling Cedric to join them. Marvin chuckled and chimed in, "Cedric, you're different from Mrs. Rhodes here. Your granddaughter Fran is running around just as much as Lauren, but you don't seem to mind it one bit." Cedric stroked his beard with a content smile. "A little hard work never hurt anyone. Once this medical center gets going, I plan to have Fran here often to lend a hand. Working alongside Dr. Lloyd will be invaluable for improving her medical expertise." Marvin grinned and glanced at Tiana. "See, Mrs. Rhodes? That's what I call vision. Sure, the girls are hustling around and probably exhausted, but they're happy. And frankly, Mr. Lloyd seems to have that kind of charm, doesn't he?" Tiana's jaw clenched as she spat through gritted teeth, "Nonsense!" Both Cedric and Marvin shared an awkward look, knowing how touchy Tiana could be. Despite their equal standing in age
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 569
"Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the grand opening of Moonlit Apothecary," Lauren announced gracefully from the stage. Lauren's beauty was legendary in Jayrodale, and all eyes were instantly drawn to her radiant presence. She smiled warmly and continued, "I'll keep it brief—thank you for coming, and I hope you'll continue to support Moonlit Apothecary. Now, let's get the feast started!" With that, cheers erupted from the crowd as the celebration reached its peak. Over a hundred large banquet tables were packed with guests enjoying the spread of delicious food and drinks. Laughter and conversation filled the air as people dove into the feast. Andrew glanced at the lively scene, unsure how to respond. Francesca, her dimpled smile glowing, approached and teased, "So, Andrew, how did we do? Lauren and I pulled off this banquet pretty well, right?" "You did a great job," Andrew replied, grinning. "Thanks for saving me from spending a fortune." Francesca puffed her chest p
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 570
Tiana smirked, and it was obvious from her tone that she was eager to watch Andrew embarrass himself. She said, "With the way the Madblade Martial Academy operates, it's impossible for this Moonlit Apothecary to get through the day without some trouble. Even with you sitting here, Marvin, I bet Andrew will end up with a few slaps across the face." Marvin chuckled coldly. "If they dare cause trouble, I'll have a word with Vince. We'll see if his academy is tougher than my Wealthroller Investments." Cedric scoffed. "Vince has gone into seclusion to focus on martial arts training. If anyone's leading this charge, it'll be his son, Rodney. That brat is trouble." Vince, the academy's founder and an infamous martial arts master, had long been feared for his domineering presence in Jayrodale's martial arts scene. Tiana's eyes glinted with amusement. "Ah, Rodney, huh? With his temper, bloodshed seems inevitable today." Down among the crowd, many underground figures eyed the academy
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 571
Finley silently cursed his hotheaded men. In Jayrodale, Andrew had become a powerful figure with both Dylan and Natasha at his beck and call. With thousands of underground enforcers present, anyone reckless enough to start trouble would be hacked to pieces. He sighed deeply, recalling his younger days when he had been just as cocky. Back then, fresh from Hidden Dragons, he thought he could take on anyone and anything. Nonetheless, after countless humiliations and close calls in Jayrodale, Finley had learned the harshness of reality. The beatdowns, betrayals, and lures of the underworld had drained his fighting spirit. Recently, he had even sought help from a therapist. "Stay put. Today, we're just here to watch," he muttered, downing his drink. "Right now, Andrew isn't someone we can handle. But don't worry, plenty of others want him gone." The Hidden Dragons' enforcers exchanged uneasy glances. They could not believe how much Finley had changed. He used to be a ruthless tyran
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 572
Behind the scenes, Marvin maintained his respectful demeanor. He knew better than to take liberties when speaking privately with Andrew. Meanwhile, Tiana's expression was dark as thunderclouds. She had fully expected the Madblade Martial Academy to crash the party and humble Andrew. Yet, to her dismay, Rodney and his crew had shown up not to fight, but to deliver an elaborate gesture of goodwill. Tiana struggled to comprehend why the academy, known for its pride and arrogance, would humble themselves before Andrew. "Mr. Sanford, you're quite a rare visitor. I don't recall sending an invitation to the Madblade Martial Academy," Andrew remarked with a faint, mocking smile, his tone distant. The crowd gasped. Many thought Andrew was pushing his luck. The Madblade Martial Academy had come to show respect, yet here he was, giving them a cold shoulder. It seemed reckless, even suicidal. Rodney, visibly embarrassed, chuckled awkwardly and replied, "You're absolutely right, Dr. Lloyd
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 573
Holy! It's a whole platter of solid gold bars. Madblade Martial Academy sure knows how to make a statement!" "Seriously, how much would all that gold be worth? Must be at least a few million dollars." "Are they really trying to cozy up to Moonlit Apothecary that hard?" The extravagant gift had everyone buzzing. Even Francesca and Lauren were momentarily stunned. "Mr. Sanford, this is way too much. You're just here for a meal. There's no need for such a grand gesture. Please, take it back," Francesca said, extending the tray toward Rodney. While she was pleased with Andrew receiving gifts, this level of generosity was overwhelming. Her kind-hearted nature made her feel awkward accepting so much gold. Rodney waved it off with a smile. "Ms. Aicker, please, just accept it for Dr. Lloyd's sake. It's really not that much." There was no way Rodney intended to take back the gift. However, his grand gesture was not just about generosity—it had a deeper motive. Though Madblade Ma
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 612
Before Andrew realized it, Francesca had torn off every piece of clothing, including her underwear. The rough force she used left faint red marks on her smooth, fair skin. Yet, Francesca seemed oblivious to the pain, writhing in his arms as sweat glistened on her flushed body. Andrew knew they were out of time. If she did not find relief soon, the consequences would be dire. Taking a deep breath, he muttered apologetically, "Sorry, Fran!" Then, he scooped her up and hurried toward her bedroom. Francesca's warm breath tickled his ear as her eyes shimmered with desire. "Andrew, I don't blame you… I want this. I want… to give myself to you," she whispered between ragged breaths, her voice filled with anticipation. … Meanwhile, Simon's escape led him to a gated mansion on the outskirts of Jayrodale's wealthy district. He staggered toward the entrance, only to be blocked by a scowling security guard. "Get lost, freak! Who the hell do you think you are?" the guard barked, ey
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 611
Simon let out a sharp cry, tumbling across the ground as blood spurted from his mouth. His entire body trembled in fear, his mind on the verge of collapse. He could not believe how vast the difference in strength between him and Andrew actually was. The dark arts he had been so proud of, along with his ambush using deadly poison powder, had not even made a dent. On the contrary, if Cedric had not spoken up on his behalf out of their old ties, Simon was sure he would already be dead by now. As luck would have it, a cab happened to drive by. Simon threw the door open, jumped inside, and barked, "Drive!" The driver stared at him in shock. "Dude, are you practicing for Halloween? Why are you covered in blood?" Simon's face contorted with pain, and he roared, "Are you going or not? One more word and I'll take you out with one strike!" Terrified, the driver slammed on the gas and sped off. … Meanwhile, back at the Aicker residence, chaos erupted. Cedric's apprentices had been r
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 610
Simon crossed his arms, fists flying with ferocity, his face twisted with rage. Andrew's eyes, cold and unyielding, locked onto him. With one hand, Andrew intercepted Simon's strike mid-air and grabbed his throat with a vice-like grip. Two powerful punches—one to Simon's nose and another to his crown—left Simon screaming in agony, blood spraying from his face. His nose was broken, and crimson streams poured freely, choking him with every breath. "Andrew, I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" Simon roared in desperation, trying to activate his dark art. But no matter how he tried, his body refused to respond. His meridians felt frozen, immovable, and powerless against Andrew's crushing grip. Andrew sneered. "Aren't you the one who loves stripping and behaving like a beast? Fine, I'll help you fulfill that desire—make you a 'man' who will never stop. Let's see how long you last before you burn out." A cold, glinting silver needle appeared in Andrew's palm. His hand move
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 609
"No, I can't hold it anymore. Francesca, you're mine, and mine alone…" With a guttural roar, like a wild beast, Simon lunged forward. Francesca silently screamed in her mind, "No!" Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. At that moment, she recalled the time when she was still afflicted with her condition, a state that had made her incapable of intimacy. Back then, she had been grateful when Andrew had cured her, giving her the chance to experience love and the hope of family life. But at that moment, she regretted it. If this was how it would all end, Francesca wished she had remained the way she was—untouched, and unable to be violated. Suddenly, the solid wooden wall of the grand hall exploded into splinters. Andrew stepped through the debris, lowering his leg, his face dark and menacing. "Stripping down naked in broad daylight and drugging your junior? Simon, are you performing some avant-garde performance art here?" Andrew sneered as he moved to block Franc
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 608
Simon retorted with disdain, "What right do I have? It's because I, Simon Gaal, managed to get rid of this useless trash all by myself! "He's nothing but a sweet-talker and pretty face who won over the hearts of young women like Fran and Lauren. Even a hundred Andrews wouldn't be a match for a real man like me!" Simon scoffed and laughed aloud. "As for the so-called skills in medicine that you and Fran claim he has, it's all because of your personal bias toward him that you're willing to make those unbelievable claims! How can a youngster like Andrew achieve anything at his age? Even if he started studying medicine from the moment he was conceived in his mother's womb, it's still far from enough. "Meanwhile, I grew up in a conducive environment since I was a kid and learned in various medical fields. Furthermore, I have learned from the forbidden techniques in your secret chamber. Before me, Andrew is nothing but a bug. He should thank his lucky stars he's not here right now. If
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 607
Simon's expression turned dark. "Do you think I wanted this? If I didn't trick you into drinking this Enthralling Essence, would you ever willingly give yourself to me?" Before Francesca could respond, Simon's face twisted with rage as he shouted, "No! Your heart is full of that Andrew Lloyd, that useless pretty boy!" "I just don't get it," he continued, his voice filled with frustration. "Compared to me, your childhood companion, what is Andrew anyway? He's nothing but a pathetic excuse for a man!" Francesca swallowed hard, her throat burning as if flames were licking up from within her. She was wearing a cropped white T-shirt and tight jeans, but under the effects of the Enthralling Essence, she felt an uncontrollable urge to remove her clothes. Yet, in the last moments of clarity, her rational mind forced her to stop. "Andrew would never stoop to your level, doing something so vile and disgusting to his own junior! And now that you've hurt my grandfather, Simon, I swear I'll
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 606
If anyone doubted the possibility of someone having such a great talent for flipping skirts and tugging stockings, there was only one answer: Andrew Lloyd, the Dragon Prince of the Lloyd family, could do anything! The Moonlit Apothecary had finally quieted down. Andrew glanced at the sky, deciding against reopening for the day. Shutting the grand doors, he prepared to head back to the Moonlit Sanctuary. "Dr. Lloyd! Thank goodness you're still here. I wouldn't have known where to find you otherwise!" A young boy, out of breath, rushed up to the doors of the medical center. Spotting Andrew, his face lit up with relief. Andrew studied the boy and asked, "Who are you? Do you need something?" The boy, no older than thirteen or fourteen, looked sharp and clever. He quickly responded, "Dr. Lloyd, sir, I'm from the Aicker family. I'm Dr. Aicker's youngest apprentice, and Francesca is my senior." Andrew nodded in realization, smiling. "Ah, so you're Fran's junior. What's
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 605
Andrew unexpectedly felt a wet sensation on his hand. For a brief moment, a wave of desire threatened to consume him, but just as quickly, his unwavering self-discipline took over, and he stopped himself. "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?" Andrew asked softly, withdrawing his hand and planting a gentle kiss on Lauren's forehead. "You're so annoying!" Lauren pouted, playfully hitting Andrew's chest with her delicate fist. Her legs still felt weak, and a strange sensation lingered in the center of her being—a feeling she'd never experienced before. It was unfamiliar but irresistibly enticing. Andrew chuckled apologetically. "Maybe it's because I finally let go of some old emotional baggage. I couldn't help myself. If you weren't ready, I wouldn't have done anything to push you." Lauren's heart swelled with joy. Andrew's desire for her, his willingness to claim her entirely, meant that she was now the only woman in his heart. The shadow of the past—her rival, Christ
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 604
Andrew held Lauren's delicate hand tightly and said with conviction, "Now, I've found someone I truly care about. Everything in the past is behind me—it's gone for good." Lauren's cheeks flushed red in an instant. With Francesca still present, she felt shy and tried to pull her hand away. But Andrew tightened his grip and gave a gentle tug, pulling Lauren toward him. "Ah!" Lauren exclaimed softly, falling into Andrew's arms. Before she could react, he wrapped an arm around her slender waist, holding her close. A shiver ran through Lauren's body like an electric current, leaving her feeling weak and her ears burning red. She stammered softly, "Dr. Lloyd, y-you… don't do this. Fran is still here. Let go!" Andrew chuckled. "No, I don't want to." Francesca, sitting nearby, felt a pang of discomfort as she watched the two of them so intimately close. Her heart felt hollow and uneasy. Yet at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a wave of embarrassment. She no
