Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Minute by minute, time continued to pass. Zephyr sat alone in the grand hall of the Stevens Mansion, his impatience growing by the second.

He could not understand how the once-proud daughter he had raised had become so spineless. Aspen, who had always been confident and strong-willed, now sat there crying like a weak, helpless fool. It was humiliating.

The Stevens family's entire force was now in Jayrodale-a military presence strong enough to flatten anyone in their way. Taking down some nobody named Andrew should be an easy task.

Zephyr had already made up his mind. Not only would he crush Andrew, but now that he was in Jayrodale, he would also challenge the Rhodes, the Wellers, and anyone else who dared stand in his way.

Aspen had been sent to Jayrodale with a mission. Since she had failed, it was time for him, the head of the Stevens family, to take matters into his own hands.

Just then, Irene and Leroy arrived with Christina, all wearing polite smiles.

"Mr. Zephyr, welcome!" Irene greeted him warmly.

Zephyr barely glanced at her and Leroy before his sharp gaze landed on Christina.

"Christie, I should be thanking you. If it weren't for your warning, I wouldn't have known that Aspen had been so thoroughly humiliated here in Jayrodale."

His voice carried pure rage.

Christina lowered her head humbly. "You flatter me, Mr. Zephyr. I just couldn't bear to see Aspen suffering any longer, so I had no choice but to inform you."

Zephyr let out a chilling snort. "You did well. At the very least, you made me aware of this Andrew-this arrogant little rat who dared to cross the Stevens family. I won't rest until I skin him alive."

Christina remained calm as she replied, "Mr. Zephyr, Aspen wasn't wrong. Andrew has grown into a formidable force. You should proceed with caution."

Zephyr waved a dismissive hand, his face full of disdain. "Underground king? What a joke. I'll see for myself how 'powerful' he really is."

"In Jayrodale, I've heard of Tony Madden, Atlas Giordano, the Wellers, and the Rhodes family-but Andrew Lloyd? Never heard of him!"

His words dripped with scorn.

Leroy's eyes flickered with amusement. "Mr. Zephyr, so it's safe to say that Andrew is as good as dead?"

Zephyr's lips curled into a sinister grin. "Of course. I won't just kill him—I'll make sure he suffers first."

Irene chimed in, adding fuel to the fire. "Mr. Zephyr, you should have come to Jayrodale long ago to get. rid of that menace! Aspen has suffered so many humiliations under his hands. There was even a time when Andrew nearly had her assaulted by the Madblade Martial Academy!"

She let out a heavy sigh, shaking her head. "We tried to help, but unfortunately, our family wasn't strong enough. Otherwise, we would have avenged Aspen ourselves!"

Zephyr's expression grew even darker, his fury radiating off him in waves. His fingers clenched into a tight fist, the bones cracking audibly.

Behind him, the Stevens family enforcers exchanged murderous glances, their eyes gleaming with battle lust.

Christina remained silent, not adding to the conversation, but she was actually seething with bitterness.

She thought, 'Andrew, don't blame me for this. Blame yourself for not knowing when to give in, and blame yourself for being too heartless. gave you a chance, but instead of taking it, you humiliated me. Now, youll see just how ruthless a woman's revenge can be

...

As time passed, news spread like wildfire across Jayrodale. The entire Stevens family-their main branch, their top enforcers, and their strongest warriors-had all stormed into the city. noveldrama

Both the underground and corporate worlds were in an uproar. No one knew what could have possibly happened to make Zephyr personally lead an army into Jayrodale.

However, those with inside knowledge already knew Zephyr had come to Jayrodale for one reason, and that reason was Andrew.