LOGINShare
Chapter 669
Related chapters
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 670
Nyla's voice was barely above a whisper. "Then… he struck me with his palm… Everything went dark… I wanted to warn you, Dr. Lloyd, but I blacked out before I could." Andrew pressed his hands gently on her shoulders. "Nyla, you don't need to say anything else. Just rest." Nyla shook her head weakly, refusing to stay silent. "Dr. Lloyd, run! That hunchbacked old man is terrifying. He said he'd come back. If he can't find you, he'll kill one person a day… until you show up." Francesca clenched her fists, her entire body trembling with rage. "That psycho!" Andrew's expression turned bone-chillingly cold. "Don't worry. He won't get the chance. Fran, stay here and watch over Nyla. I need to take care of something." There was something in Andrew's voice—something final—that made Francesca's heart skip a beat. She reached for him in panic. "Andrew, where are you going? Please, be careful!" Andrew nodded but did not stop. "I won't be long." His G-Wagon roared to life, tires screec
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 671
Aspen slammed her coffee down and strode toward the front hall. She wanted to see who had the guts to call her by name so brazenly. In the front hall, Leroy clutched his stomach, his face twisted in rage. He spat, "Andrew, you barged into the Stevens mansion and still had the nerve to hit me? You better believe Christie will make you pay for this!" Irene shrieked hysterically, "Andrew, you're nothing but a heartless bastard! No matter what, Christie was with you for so long, and this is how you repay her? How could you go after Leroy like that? Do you even have a conscience?" Andrew cast them both a cold glance and smirked. "Leroy, you know damn well why you got hit! The second I walked in, you charged at me like a mad dog. What was I supposed to do, just stand there and let you take a free shot?" Leroy gritted his teeth, seething. "You've gotten real cocky, Andrew. Don't forget, everything you have today exists because of the Stevens family!" Irene shouted, "Exactly! You owe
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 672
Christina turned to Aspen, her expression uncertain and her voice trembling. "Aspen, did Mr. Woods… really kill someone?" Aspen clutched her throat, her eyes filled with resentment. "Mr. Woods' actions are beyond my control. All I can say is that Andrew brought this on himself!" Christina's face twisted with anger. "Andrew, all of this happened because you provoked Aspen in the first place! I told you long ago—if you'd just apologized to her and returned the money, this whole mess would've been over. But you just had to be stubborn, didn't you? Who do you have to blame but yourself?" Andrew sneered. "Christina, I swear, you've gotten even dumber these days. Can you even tell right from wrong anymore? How the hell are you running Stevens Corporation when you can't see the truth right in front of you?" He let out a cold laugh, shaking his head. "Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. I helped you and Stevens Corporation more times than I can count, but you never appreciated it. In
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 673
"Christie, don't listen to that loser's nonsense. He's just making stuff up to mess with you—none of it is true!" Irene said hurriedly, noticing her daughter's shaken expression. Leroy snorted. "Christie, you're not actually buying Andrew's crap, are you? Come on, he really stood there and claimed he built Stevens Corporation from the ground up. What a joke!" Christina did not respond. Her face had gone pale, her expression hollow and exhausted as her entire worldview began crumbling. Aspen stood quietly, her eyes filled with contemplation. She had always considered Stevens Corporation's rise from a small, struggling workshop to the powerhouse it was today an anomaly. For the longest time, she had assumed Christina was some kind of prodigy, a brilliant businesswoman who single-handedly made it happen. However, after working closely with her for a while, Aspen realized Christina was not as extraordinary as everyone believed. Sure, she was smart enough to handle her CEO duties
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 674
Leroy snorted. "Christie, go ahead and get to the bottom of it. I can't wait to see that bastard's face when you expose him for the fraud he is." Not wanting to get dragged into the Stevens family's drama, Aspen slipped away to her room and dialed Gordon's number. She warned him, "Mr. Woods, you should be careful. Andrew might come looking for you." Gordon's voice came through the phone, cold and dismissive. "If that kid wants to come die at my doorstep, I'll gladly help him with that." Aspen replied, "Still, you should stay alert. I'm worried Andrew might show up with some of the underground forces in Jayrodale to ambush you." Gordon scoffed. "Numbers mean nothing against someone at my level. If they come swarming like ants, I'll just retreat and pick them off one by one later. It's nothing but a waste of my time." Aspen's voice turned icy. "I'll wait for your good news, Mr. Woods." Gordon chuckled darkly. "Relax. Once I clean up the mess here in Jayrodale, I'll be heading
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 675
Andrew glanced at his palm, where a faint black mark had appeared—the toxic imprint of Gordon's Plaguebringer's Palm. However, with a slight shift of his internal energy, the venomous mark dissolved into nothing, as though it had never existed. "Your so-called Plaguebringer's Palm feels more like an itch," Andrew stated coldly. "It's not even worth mentioning." With that, he lunged forward. His voice dropped to a frigid growl as he taunted, "That was just a warm-up, Gordon. So what if you're a peak senior grandmaster? Killing you will be child's play!" In the blink of an eye, the two of them exchanged over a dozen ferocious blows. "You insolent brat!" Gordon bellowed, enraged. "I swear I'll crush you under my palm!" However, Andrew pressed the attack relentlessly, forcing Gordon to retreat with every strike. On the other hand, Gordon's anger flared. He was supposed to be the dominant one here, the predator toying with his prey. He had expected Andrew to cower, maybe beg fo
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 676
Gordon staggered backward, his eyes wide with fear as he gasped out, "Why don't we just end this here? Let's call it even. If you push me too far, I'll fight to the death—and I guarantee you won't walk away unscathed." He was retreating frantically now, his voice trembling beneath the bravado. Survival, not pride, was his priority. Facing Aspen's disappointment was one thing—but losing his life was another matter entirely. More than that, Gordon was struggling to process the reality in front of him. Jayrodale was supposed to be a stagnant backwater town. How had a terrifying powerhouse like Andrew emerged from this place? He thought returning from Bridgefields after years in hiding would allow him to dominate this city easily. Instead, he had stumbled into a nightmare—a young monster who dismantled him with brutal efficiency. The realization gnawed at his sanity. His entire worldview, built on decades of superiority, was collapsing. Andrew's voice cut through the tension, col
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 677
Aspen thought for a moment, then let out a cold, satisfied laugh. She decided to wait a little longer before calling Gordon again. Now that Andrew was finally out of the picture, the suffocating frustration she had been feeling for weeks seemed to lift, and she was in a much better mood. … Meanwhile, Christina was on a call with Owen Maloney from Wealthroller Investments. "Mr. Maloney, this is Christina Stevens. I was wondering if I could possibly speak with Mr. Yates… if he has a moment?" Her voice was cautious, almost nervous. Wealthroller Investments was a powerhouse, and she knew she had to tread carefully. Owen had overseen the South City Orphanage project and had previously liaised with the Stevens family, but his tone remained indifferent. He asked, "What do you need to speak with Mr. Yates about, Ms. Stevens?" Christina hesitated, gripping the phone tighter. "I-I'd like to ask him something about Andrew." There was a pause on the other end. When Owen spoke ag
Latest chapter
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 692
Lauren sighed and said, "At the end of the day, it all comes down to my family's alliance with the Driscoll family in Blumedale. Anyway, Fran, I can't sleep with Dr. Lloyd right now. But you don't have that restriction, so you can go ahead and give him what he needs." Francesca bit her lip, looking embarrassed. "Forget it. How could I take Andrew before you do? I'd rather wait for you… maybe we can figure it out together." Lauren's face turned bright red as she squirmed in her seat. "What? If we do it together, wouldn't that mean all three of us in bed? Like… a threesome?" Francesca's cheeks flushed even deeper. "I-I don't know either." She took a shaky breath and added, "But Lauren, since you've been so good to me, I should be honest, too. I need to tell you something… or else I'll feel guilty." Lauren covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. "Don't tell me… you've already slept with Dr. Lloyd?" Francesca's face turned ghostly pale. Her eyes filled with guilt as she whispered,
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 691
Lauren said with a playful smile, "Of course not! If anyone's doing the bullying, it'll be me bullying Dr. Lloyd!" Francesca rolled her eyes and said, "Lame. Then why did you drag me over here? Just to flaunt your sweet, lovey-dovey moments and make me jealous?" Lauren gave her a mock glare. "Francesca, we've known each other for years. When have I ever done something disloyal to you?" Francesca thought for a moment and realized she was right. With a laugh, she said, "Okay, fine. What is it then? You've got that mischievous smile, so spill it already!" Lauren stared at her intently, so long that Francesca started to feel uncomfortable. Finally, Lauren asked, "Fran, tell me the truth… do you like Andrew?" Francesca gasped, eyes wide as she quickly lowered her head. "I-I don't know what you're talking about. Of course not! I mean… obviously not!" Lauren huffed in exasperation. "Fran, do you really think you can fool me? I know you like the back of my hand, so stop with the aw
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 690
Andrew smiled warmly. "Fran, you've really thought this through. What does Mr. Aicker think about it?" Francesca nodded. "Grandpa agreed, but he asked me to check with you first. The Moonlit Apothecary is yours, after all. He doesn't want to come here uninvited and cause trouble." He continued, "He's also worried people might start gossiping that the Aickers are trying to take over your medical center." Andrew's expression turned serious. "If Mr. Aicker feels that way, he's being way too polite. Tell him the doors of the Moonlit Apothecary will always be open to him. Anytime he wants to come by, he's more than welcome. He won't just be a guest—he'll be part of this place." Francesca's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Andrew! Honestly, Grandpa's always wanted to run a medical center like this—something prestigious and respected. But our family's been struggling for years. Grandpa's been saving every penny for Simon and us younger ones. He couldn't bear to spend the money
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 689
Jackie wore a deep frown, worry etched across his face. "But Miss, we're completely stuck here in Jayrodale. We have no working capital, no reliable connections, and now Mr. Woods—our strongest card—is gone. We can't pull off anything without resources." Aspen shot her a glare, voice cold and sharp. "Shut up. It's not as hopeless as it looks. Don't forget that I still have the pharmaceutical formulas from Rhodes Corporation's Pharmaceutical Division. Those formulas are pure gold." She added, "Stevens Corporation has already partnered with a manufacturing firm to start production. Once that kicks off, we'll have cash flowing in soon enough." Bruce gave a cautious nod. "That's a start, but we still need protection. Without someone strong guarding our operations, we'll be exposed." Aspen's lips twisted into a venomous sneer. Her grip on the ring tightened, her knuckles turning white. "Andrew… this is all your fault." She turned to Bruce. "Find Finley Moore for me. Tell him I wan
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 688
Aspen did not say a word. Her lips trembled as she crouched down, reaching toward the skeleton. Her fingers found the metal ring resting on the bony remains of a hand. She pulled it free, her breath catching in her throat. It was a signet ring—made of reinforced alloy, untouched by the decay around it. Etched into the surface was a single word: Woods. Aspen's mind went blank for a moment before a wave of dread crashed over her. She mumbled, "Mr. Woods… is dead." Her heart pounded erratically as the truth she had tried so hard to deny solidified into cold, undeniable reality. That ring was Gordon's—a personal item he never went anywhere without. Yet, here it was, buried with this broken, rotting corpse. The implications were crystal clear. Jackie stumbled back, his face deathly pale. "W-Who the hell did this? Who the hell in Jayrodale is capable of taking him down?" Bruce sucked in a sharp breath. "Miss, t-this has to be Mr. Woods. There's no mistake. We need to inform the f
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 687
Aspen's heart pounded in her chest as she led Bruce and Jackie, two of the family's top enforcers, toward the location on the GPS. Her pulse was racing, her anxiety reaching its peak with every step. When they finally arrived at the indicated spot, Aspen's eyes scanned the area. However, there was nothing—no sign of Gordon. "Damn it!" she cursed, her frustration boiling over. "Did the GPS malfunction?" Her mind raced with anxious thoughts as she silently prayed, 'Please, Mr. Woods… please be fine.' If Gordon was gone, her position in Jayrodale would collapse. All the advantages she had painstakingly built would vanish overnight. However, that was not the worst of it. If Gordon—their so-called "secret weapon"—was really dead, the Bridgefields' Stevens family would be dealt a disastrous blow. Without him, the family's strength would be cut in half, leaving the Stevens family wide open to its enemies. "Miss, there's no sign of Mr. Woods anywhere," Bruce reported. Aspen's
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 686
Aspen was in disbelief. After all, she thought Gordon was supposed to have already killed Andrew. Hence, there was no way Andrew could still be alive. Aspen's mind spiraled into chaos. Her breathing grew ragged, and her thoughts twisted in every possible direction. She even wondered if it were Andrew's ghost, a vengeful spirit coming back from the grave. Her trembling fingers fumbled for her phone as dread coiled tighter around her chest. She quickly called Gordon's number, only to find that his phone had been turned off. Aspen's heart skipped a beat. She already knew it would not go through, but she kept dialing anyway—again and again. She tried more than a dozen times, and each time, she was met with the same automated response that the number was unavailable. Frustration exploded within her, and she screamed, "Gordon! What the hell is going on? Are you dead or alive? Can't you give me a damn sign?" The silence that followed was deafening. Nothing about this made sense. A
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 685
Aspen's expression darkened as she watched Christina nervously hover her thumb over the call button. "Christie, are you sure you want to make this call? You and Andrew have already gone your separate ways. What's the point of reaching out now?" Christina bit her lip, her anxiety plain to see. "Honestly, I don't even know what I want to say. But… I need to know. I need to hear his voice. I need to know if he really hates me as much as I think he does." Aspen did not say another word. She just leaned back and crossed her arms, her eyes cold with indifference. 'What a waste of time', she thought, 'Andrew is long gone—probably feeding worms in a coffin by now. This phone call is pointless.' Still, if Christina wanted to chase ghosts, so be it. The phone would either go straight to voicemail, or someone else would pick up. Andrew was not alive to answer. To Aspen's surprise, the call connected. "Hello?" came Andrew's familiar voice on the other end. Christina's heart leaped. S
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 684
Aspen gave a satisfied nod. "That's the spirit. That's the Christie I know. Don't worry. With me by your side, Stevens Corporation will rise stronger than ever." Christina forced a weak smile. "Yeah… at this point, the only way I can reclaim my dignity is through my career. I'll make Andrew see that I'm not a quitter. I'll catch up to him—and surpass him." Aspen's eyes gleamed with a cold, twisted amusement. In her mind, Andrew was probably already rotting six feet under, completely unaware of the foolish Christina's self-pity. Still, she could tell that Andrew's brutal truth had shattered Christina's confidence. Well, killing Andrew had at least served the purpose of giving Christina a sense of closure. … Meanwhile, Andrew had no idea that Christina was drowning in regret and disbelief, teetering on the edge of an emotional breakdown. Then again, why would he care? To him, whether Christina's well-being was none of his concern anymore. He strolled into the Moonlit Apothec
