Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Shawn finally dragged himself off the ground, his face twisted in rage as he turned to see who kicked him. To his shock, it was just a security guard-one of Moonlit Apothecary's own.

"You son of a bitch, you're just a damn doorman, and you had the balls to kick me? I swear to God, I'm gonna kill you!"

Fueled by fury, Shawn charged forward with two of the Fields family's bodyguards right behind him.

Yet, heavy thuds quickly filled the air, followed by screams of pain.

Shawn's face got pummeled so hard it was nearly unrecognizable, blood pouring down in streams. As for the two bodyguards, they were sprawled out on the ground, totally wrecked, and unable to get back up.

Shawn instantly chickened out, thinking, 'What the hell? Are all the security guards at Moonlit Apothecary this insane?'

Quinton frowned as he studied Phantom Eye, clearly taken aback by what he had just seen.

A simple guard who could fight like that? That definitely caught his attention.

"Impressive skills. Ever thought about working for me?" Quinton stepped forward with a smile.

"I'm Quinton, the eldest son of the Blumedale Wright family. If you work for me, I'll make sure you rise above everyone. You'll be living large instead of wasting your time guarding the door of some run-down clinic."

He said it confidently, convinced the guard would fall to his knees and thank him for changing his life.

Instead, Phantom Eye scoffed and said, "You're just some spoiled brat from the Wright family. Even if your damn father-the family head himself-came here, I still wouldn't work for him! Get lost. And if you ever show your face around Moonlit Apothecary again, I'll beat your ass too!"

Quinton's temper exploded on the spot. It was one thing to get humiliated by Andrew, but now, even a security guard was disrespecting him.

He growled, "Alright, you little guard-and that scrawny clinic owner of yours-just wait. You'll both regret this!"

With that vicious warning, Quinton stormed off, pissed beyond belief. He swore he'd make Andrew and everyone in Moonlite Apothecary beg for mercy once he got his revenge.

Inside Moonlit Apothecary, Phantom Eye walked over and spoke with respect. "Mr. Lloyd, I kicked that guy Shawn. But I didn't touch Quinton," he said. Andrew smirked. "Because you're worried about the Wright family's power, right?" Phantom Eye let out a cold huff. "Wouldn't say worried. I just prefer not to stir up trouble if I can help it. If I were on my own, I wouldn't care if I pissed off the Wrights. Worst case, I'd just pack up and leave Gabo Creek.

11

"But right now, I work for Moonlit Apothecary. I figured I shouldn't drag you into unnecessary problems.'

Andrew chuckled. "I appreciate the thought. But from now on, don't even hesitate. Anyone who shows up here looking for trouble-beat the crap out of them!"

Phantom Eye gave a faint, bitter smile and nodded. "Understood."noveldrama

That kind of bold talk-throwing out anyone who messed around-only Andrew could say it so casually.

Francesca and Nyla stared at Phantom Eye with wide, curious eyes.

"Andrew, is he really gonna be our new security guard?" Nyla asked, shrinking back a little. She looked kind of scared of him.

Andrew smiled. "Yep. From now on, this man's guarding the clinic."

Francesca's innocent face twitched slightly, and she gently tugged Andrew's sleeve. "Andrew, he's a semi-martial king. Isn't it kinda... overkill to make him a security guard?

Andrew shrugged. "Why not? If I could, I'd get you someone even stronger!"

Francesca giggled, clearly used to Andrew's wild ways by now. After all, with all the heavy-hitters gathering around Andrew lately, he pretty much had enough pull to control the entire Jayrodale if he wanted.

Cedric spoke up, his tone serious. "Dr. Lloyd, I knew it. With how well the Vitality Pill and Titan Essence Pill have been selling, and all the attention you're getting, jealous eyes were bound to follow."

Andrew snorted. "No need to worry, Mr. Aicker. These miracle pills may be valuable, but it all depends on whether these greedy bastards have the guts to try and take them."

No sooner had he finished talking than a chilling voice came from the front of the clinic.

"I'm Lionel Thurman, an elder of the Hidden Dragons. I'm here to pay a visit! Andrew, you little brat, get your ass out here and beg for mercy!"

"Right this way, sir!" Finley led the charge, proudly striding into Moonlit Apothecary with over a dozen elite fighters from the Hidden Dragons crew marching behind hun.

Today, Finley was in the best mood he had had in weeks. The Hidden Dragons had finally sent a heavy hitter to back him up. After being humiliated time and time again by Andrew, today was the day he would settle the score- old grudges and

new.

"If you're here for medical treatment, then please take a seat," Francesca said coldly. "But if you're here to start trouble, sorry, Moonlit Apothecary doesn't play nice."

Finley snorted and scoffed. "Francesca, cut the tough girl act! I know Andrew's basically running the underground scene in Jayrodale now, but so what? With Mr. Thurman here in person, Andrew's just a mangy mutt-he's nothing worth worrying about!"

With that, Finley gave a respectful nod to the man beside him. “Mr. Thurman, this is the place-Moonlit Apothecary. The Titan Essence Pill that my grand-uncle wants so badly? It came from this clinic's owner, Andrew, and the Aickers backing him."

Lionel, a stern-faced man with a square jaw, looked around with zero emotion. "Which one of you is Andrew? Step forward like a good boy. If you've got any sense, I might let you off easy. But if you don't... then I'll end you with a single blow."

Francesca's eyes flared with fury, ready to snap back. However, Andrew gently grabbed her hand and shook his head. "Don't act on impulse. I'll handle it."

He took two calm steps forward and met Lionel's gaze. "So the Hidden Dragons

want a piece of the Titan Essence Pill and the Vitality Pill too?"

Lionel let out a mocking chuckle,

tă

eyes filled with contempt. "So you're Andrew, huh? Just a kid with average skills, showing off like you're something special because you stumbled on two miracle formulas. I'm giving you a chance to hand over both recipes right now.

"And while you're at it, this place looks pretty nice. I'll be taking it too. Pack your

stuff, grab your people, and get out."

Finley laughed coldly. "Andrew, when

Mr. Truman tells you something, you'd better listen. You probably don't know much about the elders in

the Hidden Dragons, huh?

put it this way-all our elders are at least half-step martial king level. With one hand, he could snap your neck like a twig."

Andrew replied flatly, "Is that so? Funny, because from where I'm standing, your

entire Hidden Dragons crew looks like a bunch of useless punks."

Finley's face darkened in an instant. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Lionel let out a cold grunt. "Cedric, I'm only holding back because of the respect I have for you. But this brat clearly has no idea who he's dealing with. And what about you-are you siding with him? I'll tell you now-I came to Jayrodale under orders from our leader himself."

He continued, "And as for that Titan Essence Pill? We're taking it no matter what."

Cedric's face tightened with frustration.."Lionel, I know the Hidden Dragons are powerful, but-you can't just rob someone in broad daylight."

Lionel laughed with disdain. "In this world, the strong take what they want. That's how it's always been. Besides, Andrew has challenged the Hidden Dragons more than once. He should've been eliminated a long time ago.

"Now, hand over the formulas, and I might consider sparing his life. Otherwise,

this clinic will be painted in blood.

Cedric clenched his jaw but stayed silent. He knew how ruthless martial sects like

the Hidden Dragons could be.

Push them too far, and bloodshed was guaranteed.

At that moment, Andrew let out a sigh, clearly losing patience.

"Security," he said calmly, "throw them out."

Phantom Eye grinned. “On it, Mr. Lloyd!"

Finley and his group blinked, stunned for a second. Then, they all burst into

laughter.

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