Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew paused for half a second before finally catching on He chuckled and said, "Twenty million in Holtrien dollars. As for Meurico dollars, well, we'll see about that later.

"Since Master Shiloh hasn't endorsed my product yet-I can't just throw numbers around blindly, can I?"

Shiloh nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. Then let me ask one last question-do you pay upfront, or do I get paid only after I endorse your product?"

Andrew smiled. "You don't have to worry about that, Master Shiloh. With your reputation, I'd naturally pay in advance."

Shiloh responded with a soft hum, offering no further comment. However, anyone with half a brain could see it- she was clearly tempted by Andrew's offer.

In an instant, Harvey, Christina, and Aspen became visibly unsettled.

"Master Shiloh, you are a revered sage, a woman who has renounced worldly desires! There's no way you'd let this lowly man's money sway you!"

"Exactly! Master Shiloh, if you truly needed money, all you'd have to do is say the word. Stevens Corporation wouldn't hesitate to offer 50 million, let alone 20!"noveldrama

"Master, you must be joking with us, right? This is just a test of our sincerity, isn't it?"

"Yes, I understand now! You must be testing us to see if we truly respect you from the bottom of our hearts."

"Andrew is insulting you by reducing everything to money, but we would never degrade you like that. We would never try to measure your purity and virtue with material wealth!"

Christina and Aspen were all righteous indignation, avoiding the topic of money entirely. Instead, they went on and on about fine art, rare collectibles, and sophisticated pleasures, as if refusing to acknowledge that Shiloh could ever care about something as mundane as cash.

To them, Andrew was just makin a spectacle of himself-disrespecting Shiloh and embarrassing himself.

Soon enough, they expected Shiloh to be so offended that she would throw Andrew straight out of The Southern Highlands.

Michael, panicked, leaned toward Andrew and pleaded, "Andrew, I'm begging you, stop talking about money! Can't you use your brain for once? Do you really think someone like Master Shiloh cares about wealth? What she values is peace, wisdom, and spiritual fulfillment!"

Andrew scoffed. "Peace and

wisdom? Can that fill an empty stomach respect the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, but if your material needs aren't met, then talking about 'higher meaning is just empty nonsense.

Aspen and Christina were about to lash out when, suddenly, Shiloh chuckled behind the curtain.

She said, "Mr. Lloyd makes a good point. Spiritual pursuits do require material support. I appreciate straightforward people, and I like Mr. Lloyd's honesty. That being the case, I will go with Mr. Lloyd to Rhodes Corporation and take a look,"

Aspen and Christina felt like their minds had gone blank as if someone had struck them over the head. They could not believe that Shiloh was agreeing to join Andrew so easily.

Harvey looked just as stunned, his face filled with disbelief. He blurted out, "Master Shiloh, you are a transcendent figure, beyond the desires of the mortal world How... How could you be moved by something as

petty as 20 million?

"The Wellers have offered you freedom-to live as you please, to practice without constraints. If anything, you should be coming with us!"

Shiloh stood up, her tall and graceful figure becoming more distinct through the sheer fabric. Her voice was cool and composed.

She replied, "First of all, 20 million is not a small sum-it's enough for me to accomplish many things. Second, the Wellers have done nothing but make empty promises, offering me nothing but vague ideals. Som sorry, but I don't need whatever you're offering."

Harvey's body stiffened as if he had been punched in the gut. His face went pale

as he stammered, "Then... what is it you need?"

Shiloh seemed to smile as she replied, "I need real money. The kind that heals the sick, shelters the homeless, and reveals the true nature of humanity. Enlightenment must be grounded in reality."