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Chapter 7

Penulis: Only For You
Andrew's voice was calm, showing no sign of arrogance. Meanwhile, the scarred man and his thugs were stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Ha! Did this pretty boy just tell me, Scarface, to get lost?"

"Idiot, you've been watching too many superhero movies. Trying to play the knight in shining armor, huh?"

"Boss, why waste time talking? Let's just take him out!" Another thug swung a steel pipe viciously at Andrew's head.

Lauren sighed inwardly, thinking she would have to step in to protect this brave but foolish man. Suddenly, she heard a piercing scream. The thug who had attacked first was on the ground, clutching his stomach.

Somehow, Andrew had taken the steel pipe from him. Then, in a blur of motion, Andrew swung the pipe. A series of thuds followed as the attackers fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

Yet, no one could see how he moved as he was moving too fast.

Scarface roared in anger, leaping at Andrew with a vicious kick. At the same time, Andrew tossed aside the now-bent pipe and, without even looking, launched a kick of his own.

Soon, Scarface's cry could be heard, and his body curled as he flew backward, slamming into the SUV with a sickening thud. Blood spewed from his mouth as he struggled to move.

He looked up at Andrew in terror, stuttering, "Y-You…"

Andrew ignored him, turning back to Lauren as if nothing had happened. "Let's go, Ms. Rhodes."

Lauren's eyes were still wide with shock. Andrew, who had seemed so gentle and refined, turned out to be incredibly fierce in a fight. She thought someone like him was highly unlikely to be just a boy toy. With his medical skills and fighting prowess, he was more like a hidden gem.

Lauren felt a rush of excitement at the thought that she had stumbled upon a real gem. She smiled seductively as she started the car and drove toward South City.

"Dr. Lloyd, first you saved Cece, and now you've saved me. I don't know how to thank you enough," Lauren said with a smile as she drove, her interest in Andrew growing by the minute.

Andrew replied politely, "I really didn't do much. But Ms. Rhodes, you should be careful. These men might be connected to the ones who poisoned Cece earlier."

Lauren's expression hardened. "I have a pretty good idea who's behind this. They'll learn that the Rhodes family isn't to be trifled with, and I'll make sure they pay for this tenfold!"

From the back seat, Cecelia chimed in sweetly, "Lauren, Dr. Lloyd has helped us so many times. Shouldn't we give him some kind of reward?"

Lauren nodded in agreement. "You're right. We should definitely thank Dr. Lloyd properly."

Cecelia's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Lauren, I have a suggestion."

"What's that?"

"Well, since he didn't want our family's Black Gold Card, why don't you reward him… personally?"

"Oh, you little brat! What are you saying? I ought to wash your mouth out with soap…"

Andrew felt uncomfortable listening to the sisters' banter. Lauren's face flushed, but she maintained her composure as she turned to Andrew.

"Dr. Lloyd, please don't mind my sister. She doesn't think before she speaks sometimes."

Andrew smiled awkwardly, trying to show understanding.

However, Lauren suddenly added, "Though I wouldn't mind what Cece suggested if that's what you want."

Andrew was at a loss for words. Undeniably, Lauren was an incredibly alluring woman. Born into a prestigious family, she carried herself with grace and had a face that could launch a thousand ships. Moreover, her figure was really curvaceous.

Unlike Christina's cold, unapproachable beauty, Lauren was the other extreme—passionate and fiery, with full lips and curves that could make a man weak at the knees.

Andrew had seen his fair share of beautiful women, but Lauren's charm was almost overwhelming. Catching a glimpse of Andrew's slightly embarrassed expression in the rearview mirror, Lauren giggled.

She had not expected Andrew to be someone who would actually feel shy, and she was amused. Countless men of all types had pursued her, but Lauren had never met someone quite as intriguing as Andrew. Maybe, she thought, it was worth giving him a try.

South City Orphanage was located on the southern outskirts of Jayrodale, on a sizeable piece of undeveloped land. Jayrodale's business community had long coveted this prime real estate.

The fundraising gala that night was organized to facilitate the orphanage's relocation, attracting Jayrodale's most influential families and business groups.

As night fell and the lights came on, South City Orphanage's courtyard was transformed. A red carpet welcomed Jayrodale's elite, who arrived with their glamorous dates for an evening of socializing.

"Ms. Rhodes, welcome!" The orphanage director personally greeted Lauren.

However, as he adjusted his reading glasses, his eyes lit up at the sight of her companion. "Dr. Lloyd, you're here too? Oh my, the children and I have been eagerly waiting for you!"

A group of orphans excitedly swarmed around Andrew, repeatedly calling, "Andy!"

Lauren was surprised to see Andrew chatting with the director, realizing that this humble doctor's popularity overshadowed her status as the Rhodes Corporation heiress.

Soon, a few VIP guests approached to greet Lauren. She smiled, thinking she had finally regained some of the spotlight.

"Dr. Lloyd, let me introduce you to some CEOs," Lauren said, ready to show off her connections.

To her astonishment, the guests recognized Andrew before she could make introductions.

"Oh, isn't this Dr. Lloyd from Jayrodale General Hospital? Hello, hello! I'm James Campbell. It's thanks to your miraculous treatment that I can walk again!"

"Dr. Lloyd, what an honor to meet you again! Remember me? I had problems with my pregnancy. Thanks to you, we now have a one-year-old. Our family line is secured!"

"Hey, Dr. Lloyd! I owe you a drink tonight. If it weren't for you, I would've been out of the game at 60. Now I'm still going strong!"

Lauren was dumbfounded. She watched as these VIPs eagerly approached Andrew, showering him with warm greetings. This guy's connections were clearly extraordinary—far beyond what one would expect from a simple doctor.

After finally bidding farewell to the guests, Andrew turned to Lauren with an apologetic shrug. "Sorry about that, Ms. Rhodes. They were all former patients of mine. To be honest, I can barely remember them."

Lauren smirked. "Dr. Lloyd, you're quite the dark horse, aren't you?"

Little did she know, Andrew truly could not recall these Jayrodale bigwigs despite their status.
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  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 8

    Just then, Lauren's phone rang. After answering, she turned to Andrew and said, "Dr. Lloyd, feel free to look around. I need to take care of something. See you in a bit!" Andrew nodded. "Of course, Ms. Rhodes. Don't let me keep you." There was still some time before the fundraiser officially began. More influential figures, all eyeing the orphanage's valuable property, continued to arrive. Before long, the parking lot was already filled with luxury cars. A sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up, drawing everyone's attention. As the door opened, a stunning woman in a pure white cocktail dress stepped out, her legs as fair as snow. Her appearance drew gasps of admiration from the crowd. "What a beauty! Her grace is truly unparalleled!" "I'd risk jail time just for a moment with a woman like that!" "That's the famous CEO of Stevens Corporation. Not only is she gorgeous, but her business insight is extraordinary. She'll probably snag this prime real estate tonight." Another luxury

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 9

    Christina stared coldly at Andrew, her eyes filled with disappointment, anger, and a hint of jealousy that she did not even realize. "Andrew, I can't believe you found someone new so quickly after we ended things," she said bitterly. "How foolish of me to feel guilty all this time. I guess I was just fooling myself!" Andrew shot back, "When it comes to moving on quickly, I could never match your efficiency, Ms. Stevens!" "You… Fine, you win. I can't argue with you anymore," Christina stammered, at a loss for words. Lauren's beauty, curvaceous figure, and commanding presence all made Christina feel incredibly insecure. If the woman by Andrew's side had been plain or unremarkable, she might have brushed it off. Yet, Lauren was different—she posed a real threat. This woman did not fall short in any aspect compared to Christina. She even surpassed her in some ways, like her more prominent cleavage. Lauren was the complete package, oozing charm and sex appeal. Shawn's lewd stare

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 10

    On the other side of the hall, Lauren waved Eunice over. "Go and donate 3 million dollars in Dr. Lloyd's name," she instructed. Eunice was stunned. While the Rhodes family was indeed wealthy, she thought Lauren should not be so reckless with her expenses. "Miss, isn't that a bit excessive?" Lauren smiled haughtily. "What's wrong with donating 3 million for the man I've got my eye on? Christina may not appreciate him, but I'm not foolish enough to let such a treasure slip through my fingers." She held a file containing information about Stevens Corporation. In just a few short years, the company had transformed from a failing factory into Jayrodale's publicly traded powerhouse. With that, Christina's net worth had skyrocketed to an astounding 150 million dollars. Interestingly, many aspects of Stevens Corporation's rise seemed suspicious, as if someone had been pulling strings behind the scenes. The company's sudden success coincided perfectly with Andrew and Christina's three

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 11

    "Mr. Andrew Lloyd, donating 15 million!" Shawn jumped up as if his seat was on fire. "I request a verification. Is there someone else here with the same name?" Irene paced anxiously, unable to contain her agitation. "It must be a mistake. Andrew's a nobody. He might scrape together a few hundred dollars for charity, but 15 million? He couldn't earn that in several lifetimes!"Amidst the chaos, Andrew remained calm, seated in his spot with an unreadable expression. The host promptly investigated Shawn's request and announced the results."I apologize, ladies and gentlemen, but we only have one Mr. Andrew Lloyd present. There's no name confusion. Now, I'm pleased to declare that Mr. Lloyd has secured the rights to purchase the land for South City Orphanage. Congratulations, Mr. Lloyd!"Christina's face drained of color as the reality sank in. This outcome was beyond her wildest imagination. Meanwhile, Lauren's eyes sparkled as she stared at Andrew in the corner. This unassuming man w

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 12

    The hostile blond guy was none other than Christina's good-for-nothing brother, Leroy Stevens. "Couldn't win fair and square, so you're resorting to threats?" Andrew's expression remained blank, completely unfazed by the knife in Leroy's hand. Irene snarled, "Andrew, don't forget, you're nothing without Christie. She gave you everything for three years. How dare you do this to her!" Andrew laughed at their audacity, his tone full of mockery. "You should be asking what I gave her during those three years, not the other way around." "Bullshit!" Irene exploded. "You've been mooching off Christie. What could you possibly have given her? You've got nothing to your name, you shameless parasite!" Andrew scoffed, "Is that so? If I recall correctly, I negotiated several key contracts for Stevens Corporation. And wasn't I the one who bailed your deadbeat son out of jail? Your family seems to have lost all sense of decency." Irene, flushed with anger and embarrassment, "You ungrateful

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 13

    Andrew replied calmly, "Oh well, it's not like they were much of use to him anyway." Nyla looked puzzled, not quite understanding his meaning. However, Andrew did not elaborate further. With his medical expertise, he had long ago diagnosed Philip's issues with impotence and premature ejaculation. Hence, his penis was practically useless. Suddenly, the office door burst open. Bernard stormed in with a group of hospital staff, his face turning ashen at the sight of Philip writhing on the floor and clutching his crotch. "Dr. Lloyd, as a medical professional, you've violated ethics by assaulting a colleague. Do you understand the consequences?" Bernard growled. A doctor examining Philip exclaimed, "This is bad, really bad!" Bernard's face paled. "What is it? Did this bastard kill my son?" The doctor shook his head. "No, Dr. Philip's just unconscious. But I'm afraid… his ability to have children may be permanently compromised." The room fell silent, shocked gazes filled with p

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 14

    Francesca glanced at Andrew from behind her desk, irritation rising at his seemingly indifferent attitude. "Dr. Lloyd, don't you have anything to say for yourself? Or do you admit to Dr. Hackett's accusations and violation of hospital policy? If so, you can pack your things and leave this hospital. I don't condone unruly behaviors here." Andrew frowned. "Dr. Aicker, since you called us here, I assume you're already informed of the matter. Why ask questions you already know the answers to?" "You…" Francesca glared at Andrew, her temper flaring. Bernard seized the moment and chimed in, "Dr. Aicker, look at him! He has no humility or respect. He's nothing but a thug. I suggest we fire him immediately and blacklist him from the medical profession entirely!" Andrew replied coldly, "Bernard, you and Philip are the real disgrace to this profession. How could you lie through your teeth?" Bernard turned to Francesca, pleading, "Dr. Aicker, he's still unrepentant, insulting us even

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 15

    News of Philip's dismissal spread like wildfire through the hospital, leaving staff in shock at the unexpected turn of events. "Serves him right! That creep's been harassing nurses for ages." "What an amazing news! It's about time someone stood up to the Hacketts. Dr. Lloyd's got guts!" Many were relieved Andrew had come out unscathed, while those who had hoped to see him go were baffled. They wondered how Bernard lost this battle, as it simply did not add up. After all, Andrew no longer had Christina's support, and he was nothing in their eyes. Some of the more imaginative male doctors exchanged knowing glances, wondering if Andrew had somehow charmed Francesca too. If so, they would never forgive him for snagging such a prize. On the other hand, Nyla's colleagues could not resist teasing her. "Dr. Lloyd played the hero for you, Nyla. Shouldn't you show your appreciation?" "That's right, Nyla! You're the belle of our hospital, and I think the only one who could sweep y

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  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 818

    Tiana said coldly, "And these last two are from Rhodes Corporation. Aspen, do you have any idea how much damage you've caused? Because of you, Rhodes Pharmaceutical has taken hit after hit. We're barely hanging on! "Now get lost. Go back to Bridgefields, and don't ever set foot in Jayrodale again. Otherwise, if I'm ever in a bad mood, I'll make sure to slap you every time I see you!" Exuding pure dominance, Tiana let out a disdainful scoff before turning on her heel and walking away with her entourage. Aspen collapsed to the ground like a pile of broken rubble. Her whole body trembled as tears streamed down her face. The pain was unbearable—not just physically, but mentally. "W-why… why did it come to this?" she choked out. "Why, of all people, is it me? First, Andrew torments me, and now Tiana! Why?" She lay there, shoulders shaking violently as sobs racked her body. Tiana had completely destroyed her face, but that was not the worst part—the worst part was that her spirit w

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 817

    Christina gritted her teeth, refusing to say a word. She hated the idea that anyone could think she was beneath Andrew. Deep down, there was a dark, bitter part of her that would never accept that he was doing better than her. After all, admitting it would mean that leaving him had been a monumental mistake—one of the dumbest decisions she had ever made. Christina was too proud to ever acknowledge that. Even if she said it out loud, she would never truly believe it in her heart. Tiana scoffed. "Forget it. I only said all that because I found you incredibly irritating. But I'm actually here for Aspen." As she spoke, her icy gaze shifted to Aspen. Aspen, already trembling, started shaking even harder. She stammered, "M-Mrs. Rhodes, what can I do for you?" Tiana took two slow steps forward, her smile sharp and merciless. "I never expected the Stevens family to produce someone like you, nor did I think Zephyr would raise such a thieving daughter!" Aspen swallowed her anger an

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 816

    Christina said flatly, "Let's grab a bite first. We can deal with everything else after. Andrew is even taking the people I set my sights on now. Fine. If he wants to force my hand, then I have no choice but to go against him." Aspen hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Christie, have you considered that maybe Andrew really isn't on the same level as us anymore?" Failing time and time again, getting crushed by Andrew repeatedly—it had shattered Aspen's once-proud and confident heart. Whenever she faced him, she found herself losing the drive to compete. Instead, she just wanted to keep her distance. Aspen did not want to admit it, but deep down, she knew she was scared of him now. Christina's voice was icy. "No. I don't think he's that impressive. I'll admit, he's changed. He's become more powerful and holds much more influence now. But I'll never bow to him. I'll prove to him that if he can thrive, I can do even better." Aspen parted her lips, about to say something when

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 815

    Jamie gasped and immediately shouted for his men to stop. He stepped forward, and what he saw made his scalp tingle—curled up inside the trunk was a man so battered and bloodied that his face was completely unrecognizable. The man was barely clinging to consciousness, struggling to breathe. Jamie asked, "Sir, who are you? And why are you in Mr. Lloyd's car?" He kept his weapon pointed at the man, his tone sharp. "Where's the wild boar? Mr. Lloyd said he brought one back—did you let it escape?" Michael was already half-dead, barely holding on to his sanity. During the ride, he had vomited every last drop of fluid in his stomach, nearly passing out from exhaustion. When the trunk finally opened, he had been ecstatic, thinking he was finally free. Yet, before he could even take a breath, he was met with a brutal, merciless beating—one so bad that he nearly pissed himself. His hatred for Andrew burned so deep it could have swallowed him whole. He clutched his head and let out

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 814

    Lauren assured him, "Don't worry, I'll get it done!" Andrew turned to Shiloh and asked, "As for where you'll stay… I have no idea where to put you. How about I just buy you a place?" Shiloh immediately shook her head. "No way! City housing prices are insane. I checked online, and in Jayrodale, it's over 15 grand per square foot. I'm not buying!" Andrew laughed. "Relax, I'll pay for it. You can just live there for free!" Shiloh shook her head even harder. "That's even worse! I don't like owing people!" Andrew felt a headache coming on. "Didn't you just make 20 million? Use your own money to buy a place." Shiloh's eyes burned with outrage. "Absolutely not! I just earned a fortune, and the first thing you want me to do is dump it into real estate? Mr. Lloyd, you've got capitalism running through your veins. Evil, evil, big bad energy—do you get that?" Andrew just stared at her, speechless. He had no counter for that. Meanwhile, Lauren could not hold it in anymore. She doub

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 813

    Shiloh nodded. "Fine, I'll give you some leeway. But I act based on my mood. If I'm in a bad mood, even you won't be spared." Andrew raised his hands in surrender and chuckled nervously, saying, "Whatever you say. So please, make sure to stay in a great mood!" Lauren was drowning in work, her stress levels through the roof. However, the moment she saw Andrew walk in, she immediately brightened up and was about to greet him with a kiss. Then, her gaze shifted, and she spotted Shiloh standing behind him. She asked, "Dr. Lloyd, is this the wellness guru, Ms. Shiloh Greene?" Lauren, all warmth and enthusiasm, stepped forward with a bright smile and extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Lauren Rhodes, Dr. Lloyd's girlfriend." Shiloh reached out and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Rhodes." Andrew noticed something odd—Shiloh did not seem nearly as distant with Lauren as she had with everyone else. That made him curious. "Shiloh, you seem to like Lauren, don't you?" Shiloh answe

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 812

    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

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 811

    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,

  • Rising from the Ashes   Chapter 810

    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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