Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Zephyr said, "Aspen, you've barely been in Jayrodale for any time at all, and you've already become this cowardly? So scared to take action? You've truly disappointed me. And worse, you've disgraced the entire Stevens family!"

Tears streamed down Aspen's face. Her father's words cut her deeply, filling her with shame and despair. As someone who had always been proud and arrogant, her greatest fear was disappointing her family.

Yet, more than that, she was terrified-terrified that Zephyr, blinded by anger and unaware of Jayrodale's true power dynamics, would lead the entire Stevens family to ruin.

If that happened, she would not just be a failure. She would be the greatest disgrace in the family's history.

"Dad, please, you have to listen to me!" Aspen pleaded, her voice breaking. "Andrew is the underground king of Jayrodale now. If we fight him head-on, we will lose!"

She gazed at Zephyr through her tear-filled eyes, desperate to make him understand. She had finally let go of her past grudges, no longer wanting revenge against Andrew or going against him.

After all, failure after failure had made one thing painfully clear-she and Andrew were leagues apart, and the gap between them was an abyss.

However, Zephyr refused to listen. He sneered. "Underground king? What a load of bullshit. He's nothing more than a nobody. Before coming here, I had him thoroughly investigated."

He added, "And what did I find? A worthless mongrel who dares to challenge the Stevens family! If I don't wipe him out, how will I ever hold my head high in Bridgefields?"

Aspen's blood ran cold. She dropped to her knees, crawling forward and grasping his leg. "Dad, I beg you, please listen! Please be careful! Jayrodale is not Bridgefields! Andrew isn't just the underground king—he even killed Mr. Woods! He's not someone our family can go up against!"

Zephyr froze, staring at her in silence. Hope flickered in Aspen's heart, and she wondered if he was finally listening to her and was convinced by her words.

However, the next second, Zephyr's expression twisted into a snarl. With a sharp crack, his hand struck across her face.

Aspen hit the floor hard, tasting blood in her mouth. She clutched her cheek, staring up at him in disbelief.

Zephyr's face was stormy as he

jabbed a finger at her. "Listen tonoveldrama

me-if I hear one more word of this

T

nonsense, I will beat you to death myself! Hmph! The Stevens family has sent out everything! Even if we had to face the Wellers or the Rhodes, why should we fear them?"

He continued, "Let alone some insignificant loser like Andrew! And you're telling me that Gordon died at his hands? You must be out of your mind! You've failed in Jayrodale, so now you're spewing nonsense to cover up your incompetence!"

His fury was terrifying, his presence suffocating.

Aspen trembled, barely holding back her sobs. "Dad, I swear every word I've said is true! I'm not lying to your You can't go after Andrew! If you do, our entire family-our decades of

legacy-could be des

Zephyr's patience snapped. He roared, "Guards! Take her away and lock her up!

If she dares to keep spouting cowardly nonsense, beat her to death!"

Two enforcers stepped forward immediately, grabbing Aspen by the arms. She struggled, but it was useless.

Terror clawed at her throat.

It was over. Zephyr would not listen to her, and if Andrew retaliated, the Stevens family would never leave Jayrodale alive.

That realization sent a wave of dizziness crashing over her, and for a moment, she almost fainted in sheer panic.