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Chapter 67
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 68
After they sat down in a corner, Francesca quickly whispered, "Lauren, that sneaky Bernard is clearly trying to drive a wedge between Mr. Thatcher and your family." Lauren shrugged. "Let him try. He's a nobody. If not for Mr. Thatcher, I would've slapped him for talking about Andrew like that." Francesca turned to Andrew with disgust. "This is all because of you! Thanks to you, Mr. Thatcher probably doesn't think highly of Lauren anymore!" "Is Mr. Thatcher's approval really that important?" Andrew frowned. Francesca sneered. "Are you actually this clueless, or are you just pretending? He's the mayor of Jayrodale! Haven't you noticed all those people waiting with expensive gifts just to curry his favors? One word from him can make or break someone's fortune in this town." Lauren intervened, "Fran, stop it. The Rhodes family isn't going to lose a connection over someone like Bernard." "If maintaining good relations with Mr. Thatcher is so important, I might have an idea,
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 69
Lauren clapped her hands excitedly. "Dr. Lloyd, you're amazing! Number Seven actually won!" Her joyful laughter caused Harvey, Bernard, and their group's faces to darken. However, Mark maintained his composure and smiled. "Don't be discouraged, everyone. Such is the thrill of horse racing—you never know who the dark horse will be until the very end!" The mayor's words prompted immediate agreement from the crowd. "Well said, Mr. Thatcher!" "Absolutely, Mr. Thatcher! Anyone could be the dark horse!" "Your insights are truly remarkable!" "Let's get ready for the next round. The game isn't over yet! Stick with Mr. Thatcher, and we'll be in the winner's circle!" For the next race, Mark confidently selected Number Five. Lauren turned to Andrew and asked, "Dr. Lloyd, which horse should we choose?" "Let's go with Number One," Andrew replied casually. Bernard could not resist a sarcastic comment. "Andrew, are you deliberately going against Mr. Thatcher's picks? Can't you
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 70
Lauren covered her mouth to suppress a laugh, suddenly realizing that these so-called Jayrodale elites were not much different from the social climbers they claimed to mock. "Andrew, I challenge you on behalf of Mr. Thatcher!" Harvey declared. "Don't get cocky. Your first two wins were just beginner's luck. Fortune won't keep favoring a fool forever!" Bernard chimed in, "Well said! Those two wins were nothing but dumb luck. No one in Jayrodale can match Mr. Thatcher at horse racing, especially not some junior doctor!" Mark waved them off with a chuckle. "Come now, we're not sore losers. Dr. Lloyd, if you can win this one too, you'll definitely earn my respect!" "If we're playing by the same rules, Mr. Thatcher, then I won't lose," Andrew replied with a calm smile. The crowd erupted immediately. "Such arrogance!" "This young man doesn't know his place!" "How dare he speak to Mr. Thatcher like that!" Francesca's heart was racing. She could not believe Andrew dared to sp
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 71
Horse Number Two was indeed leading, maintaining its pace well past the halfway point and showing no signs of tiredness. Meanwhile, Andrew's Number Four stayed close behind but remained trailing by a good meter's length. "There's no point watching any longer—the winner is clear!" Harvey turned to Mark with a smile. "Mr. Thatcher has led us to victory, truly showing the spirit of a leader!" Bernard exclaimed admiringly. Mark felt deeply satisfied as his fortunes turned around. He smiled smugly at Andrew and asked, "Well, what do you say now?" Andrew shifted his gaze from the track and replied calmly, "You're right. The winner is clear." Mark laughed heartily. "It's great that you know when to admit defeat. There's hope for you yet!" However, Andrew shook his head and said, "I think there's a misunderstanding, Mr. Thatcher. I meant our victory and Number Two's defeat." Before Mark could respond, Bernard shouted in disbelief, "How is Number Four moving so fast?" Mark's hea
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 72
Andrew remained calm, explaining, "Since you're curious, let me break it down for you in simpler terms. For the first race, everyone underestimated the mixed-breed horse because of its lower charging speed than purebreds. Any casual racing fan would know that. However, Mr. Thatcher might have overlooked that while mixed breeds lack explosive power, they excel in endurance, which is their key advantage." He waved his hand, gesturing toward the racetrack as he continued, "This club's track is nearly 50 meters longer than standard tracks. That extra distance allowed the mixed breed to showcase its superior stamina, ultimately overtaking the faster but less enduring horses, which decided the race." Mark contemplated this before asking, "I see. What about the second race?" Andrew replied, "That was even more straightforward. Your chosen horse had a hidden injury in its left front hoof, causing it to stumble and fall off the track." Harvey scoffed. "That sounds like cheating. How
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 73
A chubby tycoon laughed and exclaimed, "I get it now! It's just like with men and women—even the most powerful man can be brought to his knees by a woman's charm!" Another man chimed in. "Exactly! As they say, between a woman's legs lies the path to paradise—apparently, the same applies to horses!" Their remarks left Christina, Lauren, and the other women blushing. The rest of the crowd exchanged awkward glances. The comparison made sense, but it felt a bit off somehow. After a brief pause, Mark sighed and said, "Alright, I accept this defeat completely. Andrew Lloyd of Jayrodale General Hospital. I'll remember you. You're truly a remarkable young man!" Andrew's expression remained unchanged despite Mark's high praise, while Bernard and Harvey could not hide their displeasure. Harvey, especially, was glaring at Andrew. He could not stand how this guy, wherever he went, seemed to steal all the attention. This kind of praise was supposed to be his alone, not for a nobody like
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 74
Dexter sneered at Andrew. "You've got some nerve. Just because you won a few races and caught Mr. Thatcher's attention, you think you can make up stories about his health to get him to depend on you?" Harvey added with a smirk, "That's pretty low, Andrew. Trying to climb the social ladder by tricking Mr. Thatcher is honestly quite naive." "I'd explain it to you, but honestly, with you, the lights are on, but nobody's home," Andrew replied calmly. "Is he insulting us with some fancy words?" Dexter asked Harvey in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?" Harvey scoffed. "Just meaningless rambling. Let's go!" As Dexter passed Andrew, he strutted arrogantly and said, "Hey, freeloader, I do have my lights on, thank you very much! My electricity bill is proof!" "Dexter, let's go!" Harvey called out, red-faced with embarrassment. Having such an uncultured sidekick was truly embarrassing. Lauren stifled a laugh. "Dr. Lloyd, you should know that while Dexter's family is wealthy
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 75
"But if you can't cure my condition, I'll make sure you regret it!" Francesca threatened. Andrew nodded, looking serious. "Indeed, we must cure your condition. If you keep that fiery attitude and let your hormones stay out of balance without any outlet, you'll just snap at everyone at sight." "You bastard! I'll kill you!" Francesca exploded with embarrassment and rage. Just then, a group of flashily dressed young people approached, surrounding a skinny guy. He greeted, "Ms. Rhodes, Ms. Aicker, what a pleasure!" His eyes wandered inappropriately over Lauren and Francesca as he spoke. "Juan, take your men and get lost," Francesca said with disgust. Juan Madden gave a sleazy grin. "Still hot-tempered as ever, Ms. Aicker. How about I help you cool down?" Francesca swung at him in anger, but he dodged easily, licking his lips with a perverted smile. "Feisty… I like that!" Lauren was furious and warned, "Juan, don't think you can act like trash just because your father runs
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Rising from the Ashes Chapter 752
Lauren blinked her big, expressive eyes and asked in confusion, "Why?" Andrew spread his hands and said, "Because I don't think I even went all out." Lauren's expression froze instantly, thinking that Andrew was truly terrifying. Watching as the flirty Lauren quickly turned and fled, her graceful silhouette disappearing in the distance, Andrew felt completely misunderstood. However, he had only spoken the truth. Last night, he had actually held back with Francesca. If he had not, things would have taken a much wilder, more intense turn. … Today was the scheduled delivery day for Stephen's shipment. Andrew and Lauren personally went to oversee the product being sent out. Stephen wiped the sweat from his forehead and grinned. "Mission accomplished, Mr. Lloyd. Please check if everything meets your expectations." Andrew clapped his hands and said, "No need. I already looked it over—good work, Mr. Brunner!" Stephen quickly laughed along. "As long as you're satisfied, Mr. L
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 751
Andrew packed up and drove to Rhodes Corporation. Right at the entrance, he ran into Marcus, who had just stepped out of his car. The moment Marcus saw Andrew, he gave him a once-over, grinning from ear to ear. He chirped, "Mr. Lloyd, you're looking great—full of energy and in high spirits!" Andrew raised a brow in surprise. "Mr. Chapman, how exactly can you tell I'm feeling good?" Marcus smirked knowingly. "Mr. Lloyd, let's not play dumb. We're both men. That kind of glow? It's obvious you had a very… satisfying night." Andrew was even more surprised. Could Marcus really tell something like that just by looking at him? Then, it clicked. This department head at Rhodes Corporation might appear serious on the surface, but he was a regular at certain high-end clubs. That explained a lot. Lowering his voice, Marcus chuckled. "Every time I spend the night at a club, I see plenty of like-minded gentlemen walking out in the morning with the exact same look as you. "It's the kin
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 750
Lauren's teasing voice came through the video call. "Fran, are you at Dr. Lloyd's place right now?" Francesca's cheeks instantly flushed red. She hesitated for a second before mumbling a quiet "Mm-hmm." Lauren gasped dramatically before covering her mouth with a giggle. "Oh, so that means… Fran, you got the full Dr. Lloyd treatment last night?" Francesca gritted her teeth. "Lauren, you better not laugh at me! Do you even know how close I was to being ruined last night? I can barely walk!" Lauren blinked, looking both impressed and mildly horrified. "Wait… you mean Dr. Lloyd is that intense?" Francesca huffed. "You'll find out soon enough. When it's your turn, let's see if you can handle it!" Lauren snickered. "Oh no, no, no—I hate pain. I'll let Dr. Lloyd go wild with you first, and then I'll swoop in once he's all tired out. That way, I can dodge the first wave of his attacks!" Francesca narrowed her eyes and smirked. "Nice try. Next time, you go first—I'll sit back and
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 749
Andrew paused for a moment, surprised that she was not ready—not because of hesitation, but because of the location. With a light chuckle, he gave Francesca's soft bottom a playful pat. "Don't move. We'll be home soon." He shifted gears, released the brakes, and stepped on the gas. The G-Wagon roared to life, speeding toward the Moonlit Sanctuary estate at the top of the hill. Francesca's lips curled into a satisfied yet bashful smile. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she leaned forward and bit Andrew's chest playfully. "You big pervert! You jerk!" However, deep down, she was already scheming. 'Lauren, you better not blame me for this. You're the one who told me to take good care of Andrew first. Hehe… once your little purity mark is out of the way, the two of us will make sure Andrew completely surrenders!' And so, that night, the master bedroom of Moonlit Sanctuary's hilltop estate was anything but quiet. Francesca, at first nervous, soon found herself completely imm
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 748
Francesca sat there, completely stunned. It felt like all the air had been sucked from her lungs. She thought, 'Did… did this guy just do what I think he did?' She had practically offered him her lips, yet he did not kiss her. All he did was unbuckle her damn seatbelt. Francesca silently cursed Andrew for being an idiot. The perfect moment was right there, and he ruined it. Her face burned with embarrassment as frustration bubbled up inside her. Then, she let out a huff, sulking like a child. Andrew raised a brow. "What's wrong, Fran? Are you feeling sick again?" Francesca let out a sharp laugh. "Nope. Don't worry about it!" Andrew smirked. "Say that again." "I said—don't worry about it! Don't. Worry. About. It. What are you gonna do about it, huh?" Her voice rose in irritation, her temper flaring as she glared at him. Without warning, Andrew's large hand pinched her soft, delicate cheek. He grinned and teased, "Say it one more time." Francesca's eyes widened in shock
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 747
With Francesca in the passenger seat, Andrew drove swiftly through the city. Before long, they arrived at Moonlit Sanctuary. Just as they reached the gated community, a loud rumble echoed across the sky, followed by heavy rain. The sudden downpour was intense, with flashes of lightning cutting through the darkness. Francesca hugged herself, her voice soft with unease. "Andrew, it's storming… I don't like being alone when there's thunder. Can you stay with me for a while?" Andrew pulled the car to a stop along a quiet street. Towering trees lined both sides, their silhouettes barely visible in the dim light, while the car's warm interior glowed softly. "Alright, I'll stay until the rain stops." Francesca's face lit up with joy. "Andrew, you know… ever since I was little, thunderstorms have always scared me. But right now, with you here, I don't feel afraid at all. Actually, I feel… safe." Andrew glanced out the window. Raindrops pounded against the glass, the steady drumming
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 746
Francesca had enough. She turned to Christina and snapped, "Christina, are you seriously going to stand there and let your mother humiliate herself like this?" Christina's face burned with shame. She was beyond embarrassed, but Andrew's attitude toward her was something she could not accept. So instead, she steeled her voice. "Andrew, there's no denying that my mother was hit. You probably don't want this to escalate, so here's the deal—come back with me to the Stevens mansion, and I won't pursue this any further." Andrew let out a short laugh. "Go ahead. Let her make a scene all she wants. In fact, I have a pretty good relationship with Donald over at Jayrodale's law enforcement division. I'm sure he'd love to look into a case where a crazy old woman is harassing my business." The second Andrew reached for his phone, Irene instantly panicked. She scrambled to her feet so fast it was almost comical—no trace of the poor, battered old lady was left. She shrieked, "Andrew, you b
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 745
Leroy sneered. "Andrew, you and Christie had a history. Back when you were struggling, she was the one who helped you! Now that you're successful, it's only right that you repay her. If you refuse, then you're just an ungrateful traitor—and trust me, if you don't cooperate, I'll make sure you're ruined!" Andrew's eyes turned ice-cold as he let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Christina helped me when I was at my lowest? Leroy, the Stevens family really has no shame, huh? When I was living under your roof, did I ever take a dime from you? Did I ever owe you anything? "If anything, it was you—and your greedy, money-grubbing mother—who kept taking from me, milking me for every cent you could get." Ignoring how Irene and Leroy's faces darkened, Andrew turned to Christina and scoffed. "And you, Christina—what is it? Now that I have everything, you think you can just swoop in and claim a piece of it?" Christina opened her mouth, struggling to explain. "I-I'm not the kind of person you th
Rising from the Ashes Chapter 744
Leroy said, "You just need to manage Stevens Corporation, make good money, hand over your G-Wagon to me, and introduce Natasha to me as my future wife. That's all!" Andrew burst out laughing—so hard his stomach hurt. He mocked, "Hah! The Stevens sure are straightforward with their demands. And wow, so polite about it too!" However, Irene did not seem to catch the sarcasm in his tone. She beamed. "Of course! Andrew, just come back and patch things up with Christie. You two were meant to be together! Don't worry, as your future mother-in-law, I'll treat you well from now on. Everything that happened in the past? Consider it forgotten!" Leroy stretched out his hand expectantly and smirked. "Andrew, give me the keys to the G-Wagon now. I'll take it for a spin at the club tonight—gotta impress the ladies! And about Natasha, no rush! Just talk to her and let her know that becoming my wife would be an honor. She should be grateful, honestly!" He was already lost in his own fantasy, gr
