Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew was having the time of his life, scrolling through the internet to see just how many people were tearing into Michael. At first, he tried counting the insults, but after a while, he gave up.

There was no point because the entire comment section was a flood of mockery- so many that it was downright impossible to keep track. Turning his head, he caught a glimpse of Shiloh quietly sharing Michael's viral video.

She even added a caption. [Everyone, please do me a favor and mock him!]noveldrama

Shiloh had a million followers online. With just that one post, Michael's humiliation skyrocketed to another level.

Andrew could already picture it—-Michael would not dare step outside without covering his head with a hoodie, or better yet, wrapping his whole face in a scarf.

Well, if he ever did, there were bound to be people who would not just stop at verbal insults. Some might even beat the crap out of him on sight.

...

Meanwhile, at the Stevens mansion.

The entire Stevens family's forces had arrived in Jayrodale in full battle mode. Aspen's face drained of color the moment she saw Zephyr step into the hall. "D- Dad, you're here."

Then, when she looked past him, her stomach dropped. It was not just Zephyr; two of the family's senior grandmasters had also arrived.

Not to mention dozens of elite fighters, all armed to the teeth.

This was not just an ordinary retaliation-Bridgefields' Stevens family had sent everything they had.

Zephyr sat in the grand hall, his face dark and brooding. He did not say a word for a long time, his silence suffocating the room.

Aspen felt like she was suffocating too. She was not stupid and figured that Zephyr must have discovered something major. Otherwise, he would not have assembled the entire family's combat force and stormed into Jayrodale without a word.

However, the terrifying part was that she had sent no messages back to Bridgefields. So, how had Zephyr figured it out?

After a long silence, one of the Stevens family's top enforcers stepped forward and bowed. "Sir, we've already issued a formal demand in your name. That bastard Andrew has two choices-he either comes here, kneels before you, and accepts his fate..."

He continued, "Or, if he refuses, you will personally hunt him down and make him pay with his life!"

Zephyr's ice-cold expression finally relaxed a little after hearing this. He asked, "Are you certain about his location?"

The enforcer grinned. "Rest assured, sir. I arrived in Jayrodale ahead of time and already tracked him down. Right now, he's at Rhodes Corporation."

Zephyr waved a hand dismissively and said in a chilling tone, "Good. Then I'll wait right here for him to come and face his death. If he doesn't show up within the given

time or tries to run-then I'll show him what true despair means!"

Aspen finally realized the full picture-Zephyr was not here for some random business matter. He had come to Jayrodale specifically to kill Andrew.

She immediately panicked and exclaimed, "Dad, no! You cannot go against Andrew here in Jayrodale. If you do—"

Before she could finish, Zephyr's furious roar shook the entire hall. "Shut up, you disgraceful fool! How much longer were you planning to keep me in the dark? Huh?"

He snapped, "You dared to tell me that everything was under control in Jayrodale? And yet, you were beaten to the ground like a worthless dog and nearly defiled?! Do you even realize how much shame you have brought upon the Stevens family?"

Aspen felt her mind go blank as his words crashed down on her like a sledgehammer. She realized that it was all over for her.

The main branch of the Stevens family in Bridgefields knew everything—her failure in Jayrodale, the humiliating defeat she had desperately tried to cover up. Her once-untouchable reputation-her lifelong honor-was utterly ruined.

Zephyr sneered. "What? No excuses? Hmph. I won't deal with your incompetence right now. Once I rip Andrew apart, then I'll come back and settle things with you!"

Aspen shuddered violently, her voice trembling with desperation. "Dad, no! You cannot go after Andrew! Our family might not be able to beat him. If you insist on this fight, it could destroy us!"

Zephyr let out a cold, humorless laugh. "Aspen, you were raised by me. You were supposed to be the pride of the Stevens family. You've never disappointed me before, not once!"