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Chapter 572
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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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Andrew could not help but chuckle to himself—he definitely was not going to refuse that entire tray of gold. Rodney had brought it straight to him, so why not take advantage of it? He carefully handed the gold off to Francesca, who grinned brightly as her dimples deepened. "Mr. Sanford, you and your team should sit down before all the food's gone!" Francesca said warmly. Rodney waved his hand, polite as ever. "No need to worry about us, Ms. Aicker. We'll just grab a spot anywhere." After that, he quickly led the Madblade Martial Academy members to an empty table, keeping things humble despite their earlier fanfare. Dean subtly nudged Rodney and whispered, "Mr. Sanford, look over at the VIP section." Rodney followed his gaze and immediately tensed up. His heart skipped a beat when he realized sitting at the head table were Jayrodale's top power players: Marvin, the wealthiest man in Jayrodale; Tiana, the matriarch of the Rhodes family; Cedric, the famous doctor; and Mark, the
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Lauren raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Who else? You're not seriously going to ask Mr. Thatcher for money, are you, Dr. Lloyd?" Andrew grinned and gestured toward the corner where Finley sat sulking. "Not Mr. Thatcher. It's our good friend, Mr. Moore. His uncle's the leader of Hidden Dragons, so he's got deep pockets." The mention of Finley made Lauren and Francesca's eyes sparkle with anticipation. If anyone was perfect for fleecing, it was that unlucky fool. With playful determination, the two women followed Andrew, their heels clicking with purpose as they headed straight for Finley. Finley was busy drowning his sorrows in liquor when he noticed someone standing beside him. He frowned in irritation. "What now? Can't a guy drink in peace? Beat it!" Andrew chuckled softly. "Drink all you want, Mr. Moore, but how about paying your tab first?" Finley froze for a moment before his face twisted in disbelief. He looked up and saw Andrew standing there, smiling casually. His eyes
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Finley sneered, his voice laced with sarcasm. "You think using some reverse psychology is going to make me play the sucker and hand over more money?" Andrew shook his head with a serious expression. "You misunderstand, Mr. Moore. I'm not trying to provoke you. This isn't about greed for money." He gestured around them and added, "This is Moonlit Apothecary—Jayrodale's most upscale medical center. We're hosting some of the top figures in the city today. When guests give gifts here, we're talking hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions in cash or more." Andrew glanced pointedly at the cash Finley had handed over earlier. "And yet, you come here and offer a measly 1500 bucks. I mean, really, Mr. Moore, how can someone of your standing think that's enough?" Finley clenched his jaw. "That's on them if they wanna throw money around like idiots! I wasn't even invited here, Andrew. You can't expect me to be held to the same standard!" Andrew chuckled softly. "Oh, if that's the issu
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Finley crossed his arms, sneering. "Sorry, Andrew, but if you want more, tough luck! We're out of cash. If you're that desperate, go rob a bank." He was not broke, but he had limits. He would not be bullied into emptying his wallet just for this. Andrew raised an eyebrow and replied calmly, "Mr. Moore, don't push me." Finley snapped, "Push you? You're the one pushing me!" He was in disbelief at how shameless Andrew was. Andrew simply smiled. "No worries. You can pay by card, or maybe Venmo or PayPal?" Finley's temper exploded. "Andrew, don't test me! You've got some nerve." Ignoring his outburst, Andrew continued casually, "And if you're low on funds, no problem! You can always take out a quick loan. I'll wait." Finley's hands trembled in fury, his eyes blazing red with barely restrained rage. He had never been so publicly humiliated. Meanwhile, his Hidden Dragons crew watched in stunned disbelief. "Damn… Mr. Moore wasn't exaggerating," one muttered. "This Andrew guy
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Finley's eyelid twitched violently. "What do you mean by that? I'm warning you—don't go spreading rumors!" Andrew chuckled. "Oh, it seems Mr. Moore values his reputation quite a bit. But here's the thing—this is my Moonlit Apothecary. You've eaten and drunk here without paying, and that's just unacceptable." He leaned in a little and added with a smirk, "All it takes is one loud announcement from me, and soon, everyone in Jayrodale will know you're nothing more than a broke freeloader. Think about your uncle's reputation!" Finley's expression darkened further as Andrew casually said, "So, Mr. Moore, why not save face and swipe that card? Or perhaps consider applying for a loan?" At the mention of Hidden Dragons' reputation, the faces of the other gang members grew serious. They could tolerate embarrassment, but their leader's reputation? That was sacred. "Mr. Moore, just pay something. It's not worth the fallout." "Yeah, if word gets out that Hidden Dragons can't even cover
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 579
Andrew sighed dramatically. "I can't believe it. You have a Hidden Dragons boss as your uncle, yet you can't even manage 50 million. Fine, I'll lower it to 30 million." "30 million? Forget it! If you're going to keep pushing, then do it. I'd rather risk my life!" Finley snapped. Andrew chuckled. "Alright, alright, you look like you're about to pass out. Let's settle on five million. Honestly, you're the poorest and stingiest of all the guests today, Mr. Moore." In the end, after some intense back-and-forth, Finley begrudgingly transferred five million to Andrew. He stared at his phone screen, watching his balance drop, and felt his heart bleed. Five million gone over a single simple banquet—it was a humiliation he could not swallow. The moment the transfer came through, Francesca promptly confiscated it. "This isn't some secret fund, Andrew. It's part of the collection, so I'll keep it for proper accounting," Francesca said with a playful grin. "You're not getting it back!
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Aspen strode confidently to the center of the banquet, her expression cold and unforgiving. She swept a glance over the gathered crowd and sneered. "Looks like today's a good day. Jayrodale's most prominent figures are all here. Perfect timing—I'll make sure everyone knows that the Stevens family from Bridgefields always collects their debts." However, Christina and her family looked increasingly nervous. Christina whispered urgently, "Aspen, you might want to reconsider. Even Jayrodale's wealthiest man is here today. You're playing with fire!" Irene glanced around nervously. "How on earth did that loser Andrew manage to gather such a crowd? These people aren't ones to mess with!" Leroy clutched Irene's arm, his legs shaking. "Mom, I feel like fainting. Oh my God, look! Even Natasha and Dylan are here—those two are killers, legends in the underground world of Jayrodale!" Their initial confidence quickly evaporated. They had arrived intending to support Aspen and demand rev
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The elevator bell rang, and the doors slid open. Andrew stepped out with Shiloh, walking toward Lauren's office under the employees' curious gazes and polite greetings. On the way, they ran into Tiana. She eyed Shiloh up and down, her gaze carrying a hint of doubt as she asked, "Mr. Lloyd, is this the Master Shiloh you went to recruit?" Andrew nodded. "That's right, this is Ms. Shiloh Greene." He secretly let out a breath of relief—he had almost called her Master again. The last thing he wanted was to end up like Michael, who got slapped across the face for it. Tiana, exuding her usual cold and commanding presence, stepped closer to Shiloh and said, "Take off your veil. Let me see what you look like. If you're going to represent Rhodes Corporation, you can't be someone who doesn't look the part." Shiloh met her gaze calmly and replied, "Wearing a veil won't stop me from endorsing your products." Tiana's brows furrowed, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "Even so, I'd st
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They chatted idly on the way back. Before long, they arrived in downtown Jayrodale, and Andrew drove straight to the Rhodes Corporation building, pulling up in front. A security guard jogged over with a big smile. "Mr. Lloyd, you're back!" As Andrew and Shiloh stepped out of the car, he handed over the keys to the guard and said, "Park it for me." The company's security guards practically worshiped Andrew now. Their respect for him was just as strong compared to Tiana's. "Of course, Mr. Lloyd, don't worry! I'll take good care of your car!" Just then, a weak knocking sound came from the trunk, along with what sounded like muffled cursing. However, with the noise of traffic all around, it was hard to make out. The security guard frowned and asked, "Uh… Mr. Lloyd, I think something's moving in the trunk." Andrew waved it off. "We picked up a wild boar on the way back. The kind that roams the mountains—mean as hell." The security guard's eyes widened. "A wild boar? Oh man,
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From the moment Shiloh first mentioned she was over 80, Andrew had suspected she suffered from a rare condition—one commonly known as the "ageless syndrome". As the name suggested, those affected by it never aged beyond a certain point. Looking at Shiloh, even with her veil on, Andrew could tell she had likely stopped aging in her early 20s—still in the prime of youth. To the outside world, ageless syndrome sounded like a blessing—eternal youth. Yet, in reality, for many who suffered from it, it was a nightmare. Some stopped growing as infants, toddlers, or even newborns, forever trapped in a child's body. On the other hand, Shiloh was one of the lucky few—she had at least matured into adulthood before her aging had frozen. Nonetheless, the ageless syndrome was not as wonderful as it seemed. Certain conditions—cold, extreme heat, or even specific lunar phases—could trigger unbearable pain, or worse, episodes of mental instability. In Shiloh's case, she was not just dealing wi
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The two Wellers enforcers exchanged uncertain glances, hesitation flickering in their eyes. "Even if she isn't a full-fledged martial king, she's definitely close—an elite martial artist at an unfathomable level. But something about this doesn't add up. Why would someone that powerful be hiding away in a rundown monastery in the Southern Highlands? "Not to mention, she was practically living in poverty. Someone of her caliber could easily dominate all of Jayrodale, if not the entire southern martial world. She should be one of the top three powerhouses, at the very least." Harvey sucked in a sharp breath. The next second, his jealousy exploded. He yelled, "Are you telling me that a martial king-level master just fell into Andrew's lap for free? Absolutely not! I don't care if I have to throw everything the Wellers have into it—I need to bring Shiloh into our ranks!" One of the enforcers shook his head and sighed. "Mr. Weller, if you don't want to die young, you'd best drop t
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Nonetheless, for the Wellers, their rise to power was the only thing that mattered. Harvey might have been a disgraceful excuse for a leader, but he was still the head of the family. One of the elder enforcers spoke in a cold voice. "Andrew, you know too much. That leaves us with no choice—we have to take you out." Andrew smirked. "Of course you do. That way, no one will ever know just how filthy the Wellers' secrets really are, right?" The two Wellers elders roared in unison, "Arrogant fool! Die!" Andrew casually lifted his foot and kicked Michael straight into them, sending him flying toward the two elders. One of the enforcers scoffed, effortlessly swinging a palm and smacking Michael aside like a ragdoll. His body went flying, landing in a heap—his fate unknown. Andrew's face turned cold. "Shiloh, get in the car. I'll handle the Wellers, and then we'll head back to Jayrodale." However, Shiloh stood her ground, completely unfazed. "No need for that. They came here to tak
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Andrew led Shiloh toward the car, with Michael trailing behind. As they walked, Shiloh turned her head for one last look at the worn-down monastery. Her voice was soft as she mumbled, "Perhaps I won't be coming back here again." Andrew chuckled. "If you ever decide to return, I can have the entire place renovated for you. I'll get a team to rebuild it, plant some trees and flowers, and turn it into a beautiful retreat—maybe even a landmark in Jayrodale." Shiloh shook her head. "No need. I have no attachment to this place." Michael, unable to hold back his curiosity, blurted, "Mas—Uh… Shiloh, can you take off your veil?" He had almost called her "Master" again. That would have earned him another slap for sure. Shiloh remained indifferent. "No one is allowed to see my face. Especially men. If any man sees my real face, I'll kill him." Michael frowned. "Seriously? Just one look, and you'd kill someone? What are you, the queen of some ancient empire?" Shiloh cast him a col
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Shiloh corrected him immediately. "Just call me Shiloh. I don't like being addressed in a way that makes me sound old. Also, while I once trained at Everglade Mountain, it was a temporary practice. "I never fully took vows—I'm merely a lay disciple, so you don't need to call me 'Master' or anything like that. And one more thing—I see myself as young. So don't call me by addresses that make me sound ancient. I won't remind you again!" Andrew chuckled and nodded. "Got it, Shiloh." He had never expected this woman to have quite a fiery temper. Then again, no woman liked being called old, so Andrew understood. Michael, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with excitement. He could not believe it—Andrew had actually secured an endorsement from the most respected wellness expert in Jayrodale. For Rhodes Corporation's pharmaceutical division, this was nothing short of a miracle. Eager to please, he grinned and stepped forward. "Master Shiloh, this way, please!" Andrew si
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Shiloh's bright eyes flickered with surprise. "You noticed? No wonder Cedric speaks so highly of you, Mr. Lloyd. Your insight is truly remarkable. You're right—I do have a condition. That's why, despite being over 80, I don't look my age." Andrew nodded but did not press further. That was her personal business, and prying any more would have been rude. Meanwhile, Aspen and Christina were fuming. Aspen stepped forward, blocking their path. "Master Shiloh, I just don't understand. Why would you choose to leave with Andrew over a mere 20 million?" Christina gritted her teeth. "Master Shiloh, we already told you—we're willing to offer you a better price. Why won't you accept our offer?" Shiloh's expression remained calm. "It's simple. Mr. Lloyd understands what I actually need, unlike you all, who keep making empty promises without any real grasp of my practice. But most importantly, Cedric told me that Mr. Lloyd is a remarkable physician. So I thought, perhaps he might be able t
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Shiloh's voice remained calm as she said, "Neither the Wellers nor the Stevens have grasped what I truly practice. You are all too fixated on appearances." Christina could not help but interject, "Master Shiloh, even if you need money and believe that your teachings should be grounded in reality, then why not come to Stevens Corporation? We're willing to offer an even higher price." Aspen, growing anxious, quickly added, "Master Shiloh, you and I go way back! Just come to the Stevens instead. If it's money you want, Christie and I are willing to offer 50 million—no, 80 million!" However, Shiloh shook her head. "This isn't about money." Aspen and Christina instantly froze. They had refrained from mentioning money earlier, yet Shiloh had chosen to follow Andrew, who had offered payment. But now, when they were willing to pay even more, she suddenly claimed it was not about the money? Their minds felt like they were about to split apart. Why was a revered figure like Shiloh fa
