Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

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 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 us! You should be giving us half of everything you have. If it weren't for Christie and the Stevens family giving you a chance, do you really think you'd be where you are today?" Andrew let out a mocking laugh. "Give you half? You've got some nerve to say that! What exactly did the Stevens family give me? The only thing you two ever did was stick your hands out for money!" Irene was livid. "I don't care! If you dare refuse, Andrew, I swear I'll make your life a living hell!" Andrew did not even bother responding. This greedy, money-hungry woman meant nothing to him now. In fact, the entire Stevens family was insignificant. If he wanted, he could make them disappear from Jayrodale with just a single order, and no one would even know how it happened.

At that moment, Christina and Aspen stepped into the hall. One wore an icy expression, while the other looked amused and taunting.

"Andrew, you've got some guts," Aspen sneered, crossing her arms. "Instead of hiding, you're out here strutting around. Aren't you afraid Mr. Woods will find you and make you regret it?"

Andrew's face remained expressionless. "I'm here for one reason. Where is that old bastard Gordon?" Aspen's face twisted with anger. "Andrew, do you have a death wish? You're actually looking for Mr. Woods? You must be tired of living!"

Andrew's eyes narrowed. "I'll ask one more time-where is Gordon?"

Aspen smirked. "You want to find Mr. Woods? Too bad, I'm not telling you. What are you going to do about

it?"

A mocking grin played at Andrew's lips. "Aspen, you really shouldn't test my patience-especially when I'm already boiling with rage."

He took a single step forward,

moving like a streak of lightning.

Before Aspen could even react, she felt a gust of wind by her ear. If the next instant, his hand was wrapped around her throat.

"Let... go... of me!" she choked out, struggling desperately. "Andrew... if you lay a finger on me... I swear I'll kill you!"

Her face turned red as she gasped for breath, but Andrew's grip was unyielding. For the first time, fear gripped her.

She was not weak-far from it. She was a junior grandmaster in her own right, unlike Christina, who was just a helpless woman.

And yet, in Andrew's hands, she could not even put up a fight. He had taken her down effortlessly.

She wondered how strong Andrew actually was. The realization sent a chill down her spine. After all, not even Gordon could subdue her from several feet away with such ease.

"Talk," Andrew's voice was icy. "Where is Gordon? This is your last chance. If I don't get the answer I want, the Stevens family will be holding a funeral tomorrow."

His tone was not loud or aggressive, but to Aspen, it sounded like the whisper of the devil himself. Faced with the possibility of death, Aspen finally caved.

She gasped, "Mr. Woods is at the... Northside... the Bamboo Hill Estate!"

Andrew scoffed and shoved her away before turning to leave. He had moved so fast that the Stevens family was still frozen in shock.

Christina finally snapped out of it and rushed forward, blocking his path. She yelled, "Stop right there! You think you can just walk away after attacking someone? Andrew, you're completely out of control! How could you do this?"

Andrew's voice was devoid of emotion. "Move."

"I won't! What are you gonna do-hit me? Kill me?"

Andrew smirked. "If you want to talk about killing, maybe you should ask Aspen what she's been up to. You're lucky my people are unharmed, so I'll let this slide today. But if anything happens to them, Aspen won't be walking out of Jayrodale alive."