Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Chantelle was behind the wheel while Andrew rode along in the passenger seat as they headed out to treat Derek's old friend, George Keller.

The atmosphere inside the car was tense, with Chantelle's resting expression as frosty and detached as ever, her face practically carved from ice.

Andrew was not the kind of guy to throw warmth at a wall of cold, so he simply stayed quiet, staring out the window at the passing streets. After holding back for a while, Chantelle finally could not resist and let out a mocking laugh.

"Mr. Lloyd, what a clever move-create your own mess, then try to get Mr. McCormick to step in and clean it up for you. Don't you think you're playing with fire?"

Andrew smiled. "Playing with fire? Nah, I don't see it that way. At this point, I'm pretty much one of Mr. McCormick's trusted men. So if the little guy's getting targeted, doesn't it make perfect sense for the boss to step in and fix it?"

Chantelle was momentarily stunned before letting out a scoff. "Andrew, do you have any idea how many people in Blumedale line up just to get a minute of Mr. McCormick's time?

"It's a line long enough to stretch all the way to Jayrodale. And in that line, there are plenty who are smarter, more capable, and many times more respectable than you."

She paused, then turned slightly to glance at him with narrowed eyes before continuing. "The only reason Mr. McCormick picked you was because of his respect for Mr. Thatcher from Jayrodale. And let's be honest-you got lucky and caught a break.

"But luck only lasts so long. If you don't have the strength to back it up, you'll get tossed aside when things cool off. That's your fate."

Andrew shrugged. "I'm doing work for Mr. McCormick. So when I run into roadblocks, asking for help isn't exactly outrageous, is it? And besides, I'm not showing up empty-handed. I already agreed to treat his old friend-if that's not pulling my weight, I don't know what is."noveldrama

Chantelle blinked, and then her smirk grew even more mocking. "You don't seriously believe Mr. McCormick expects you to actually heal Mr. Keller Senior, do you? He's just doing what's expected of him. His hands are tied.

"Every renowned doctor in Blumedale has already visited the Keller residence, and not a single one had any solutions. So what makes you think you're any different?"

Andrew smiled. "So what I'm hearing is-you don't think much of my medical skills, Ms. Garcia?"

Chantelle let out a cold snort, saying nothing, but her expression made her opinion crystal clear. Medicine and martial arts were considered twin pillars of prestige in today's world.

Sure, Andrew might know a thing or two, but in a city like Blumedale, where elite physicians gathered from across the nation, his level of skill was hardly worth a second glance.

Andrew's voice turned casual. "Well then, how about a wager? If I cure Mr. Keller Senior, you owe me one request any request."

Chantelle narrowed her eyes and replied icily, "And if you fail, you'll withdraw from the project Mr. McCormick granted your company, and you'll vanish from his world entirely-no more asking for favors. Can you deliver on that?"

Andrew grinned. "Deal. You've got yourself a bet."

Chantelle was momentarily stunned. That condition was not some minor forfeit-it

had real consequences. Yet, he agreed so easily.

As she wondered if Andrew might actually be capable of curing

George, she shook her head, brushing the thought aside. She concluded that she was overthinking it. After all, the best doctors in Blumedale, legends like Mosby, had already visited the Keller residence. If there had been any cure, they would have acted by now.

Meanwhile, what did Andrew have other than a big mouth?

Soon, the car pulled up at the gates of the Keller residence.

Chantelle stepped out and offered a sharp warning. "Listen-this is the Keller family. Among the Five Apex Families, they're the most discreet, but also the most deeply rooted.

"Mr. Keller Senior is one of Mr. McCormick's closest confidants. Our visit today is mainly out of respect, just to offer well wishes. Do not act out of turn and embarrass Mr. McCormick."

Andrew replied calmly, "This visit is about treating a patient, and when it comes to treatment, I call the shots. So from this point forward, you take your orders from me."

With that, he did not even wait to see Chantelle's furrowed brow or her jaw practically locking with frustration. Andrew simply strode forward and

stepped confidently into the Keller residence.