Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew started clapping slowly. He mocked, "Bravo. That was truly something. A full-on knight-in-shining-armor performance!"

Aspen pleaded, "Andrew, please don't get mad. I'll make him leave right now!" Andrew raised an eyebrow. "Mad? I'm not mad at all. Actually, I'm happy for you." Aspen blinked in confusion. "Happy for me? Why?"

Andrew gave her a chilling smile. "I mean, look at you-some heir to a powerful family wants to marry you, all head over heels, ready to rescue you from a so- called nightmare. That's gotta be something worth celebrating, right?"

Aspen fell silent. She could not explain it, but something about that smile of his sent shivers down her spine.

Seth tugged at his collar and looked down on Andrew with a smug grin. He said, "Kid, I know you've got a little something going on. Back in a small dump like Jayrodale, you might even pass for a big shot.

"But this is the capital. It's a battleground full of real players. This isn't some backwater town you can charm your way through. Here, if the Haywoods want you gone, you're gone—just like that. So, whether you let go of Aspen willingly or not, she will walk free."

Andrew nodded thoughtfully, his tone filled with mock fear. "Mr. Haywood, you're right. I'm just a nobody from a small place. Blumedale's filled with hidden powers scary stuff! But hey, if you're this into Aspen... sure. I'll step aside and let you have her."

'Huh?' Seth was caught off guard for a second. Then, he suddenly burst out laughing like he could not believe his luck.

He turned to Aspen, smirking. "Aspen, didn't you say this guy was terrifying? You even told me not to get involved, remember? Please. He folded the second he heard the Haywood name. Look at him! Don't worry. I said I'd rescue you, and I'm doing just that."

Before coming here, Seth had been a little anxious, unsure what kind of dangerous figure was 'enslaving' Aspen. But this? This was just some clueless punk pretending to be tough.

Seth was thrilled because this would be way easier than he thought. He could get Aspen and take control of the company assets worth billions. He could not believe his luck and felt like he had hit the jackpot.

Meanwhile, Aspen's expression was slowly growing colder by the second. She hissed, "Andrew, what the hell does that mean? You're treating me like a piece of property you can just hand over?"

Her eyes burned with fury and disbelief as she stared at him.

Andrew calmly replied, "So, you just take everything I say at face value? I was messing with that idiot. You really think someone like him could take you from me?"

Seth's smile vanished instantly. His heart dropped into a pit, and his face twisted in anger as he growled, "You got a death wish, kid? Let me remind you again that I'm a Haywood. My family-"

Before the idiot could finish his brag,

Andrew grabbed the bottle of

Celestial Reserve from the table and

smashed it over his head. Sure, it was an expensive top-shelf drink, but its bottle was just as famous for being thick and sturdy.

The glass cracked with force, and Seth's head started bleeding immediately, the scent of high-end liquor filling the air. Yet, Andrew was not done. He raised his hand and slapped Seth across the faceso hard that the man flew out of the private room.

Andrew sneered, "Who do you think you are, calling me 'kid' over and over? So what if you're a Haywood? Tonight, I'll do your parents a favor and teach you some damn manners."

With that, he sat right back down like nothing happened, picked up his utensils, and casually continued eating.

Aspen's mind went completely

blank. This was the capital, and Seth was from the Haywoods, one of The Five Apex Families. That bloodline alone was enough to terrify people. Yet, Andrew had just hit him without a second thought.

She wondered if he even had limits.

"He really is a Haywood! Are you insane? Why'd you hit him that hard?!" Aspen finally snapped, her voice rising in panic.

She continued, "Stop eating! What are you even doing? We have to get out of here now.

Andrew sighed. "What's the rush? We haven't even toasted yet. My drink's still untouched."

Aspen screamed, "To hell with your drink! We're about to die, and all you care about is alcohol?"noveldrama

She was losing it. What kind of man thinks about alcohol when a storm's about to hit? The Haywoods had muscle, and there would be no way out once their men showed up.

"Piece of trash!" came a furious roar from behind. "How dare you lay a hand on me? Today, I swear—if I don't skin you alive, I, Seth Haywood, am no longer a man!"

Seth was back, face twisted with rage as blood dripped down his cheek. Behind him, a group of men in black stormed forward.