Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Chantelle could not lash out, so she gritted her teeth and quickly followed behind. Inwardly, she made a mental note to report this arrogant clown to Derek later. To her, Andrew was reckless, so full of hot air, and completely unworthy of trust- nothing but a showboating jester.

...

Inside the main hall of the Keller residence, the place was packed with people coming and going. A group of specialists and renowned doctors stood gathered, their brows furrowed as they exchanged anxious whispers.

One commented, "Mr. Keller Senior's condition is strange-truly bizarre!"

"Exactly. His entire face is paralyzed. Even his tongue won't move. He can't swallow even a spoonful of medicine!"

Another chimed in, "And the worst part? No one can get within three feet of him. The second anyone tries, they get attacked-some left with cracked skulls, others... well, some didn't make it."

"Jeez! That serious? Who would dare try to treat him now? No matter how much the Keller family is offering, it's not worth your life!"noveldrama

Hearing all that chatter, Andrew's eyes glinted with amusement, and a mysterious smile curved across his lips.

Chantelle frowned. "What are you smiling at?"

Andrew replied, "I'm smiling because I think I've already figured out the nature of Mr. Keller Senior's condition."

Chantelle's expression turned even colder. "Andrew, it's one thing to spout nonsense in public, but to run your mouth in someone else's house? I'm warning you-don't act like a fool. It's humiliating."

He had not even examined the patient and was already claiming he knew the diagnosis? It was completely hopeless.

Andrew narrowed his eyes. "Chantelle, your attitude is starting to piss me off. You've got no idea how long I've been tolerating you."

Without caring about the storm brewing on her face, Andrew snorted coldly and added, "I've decided that once I cure Mr. Keller Senior, my request is that you strip for me."

Chantelle's always-composed face turned beet red in an instant. Her eyes shot daggers. "What did you just say?"

Andrew met her gaze with a smirk full of menace. "I said, when I win our bet, you owe me a favor, and I've decided I want you to strip down right in front of me."

Chantelle was furious. She had not expected this bastard to actually lust after her body.

But before she could explode, a middle-aged man from the Keller family approached with a stiff smile. "Ms. Garcia, you're here."

Chantelle shot Andrew a vicious glare before nodding to the man. "Mr. McCormick asked me to check on Mr. Keller Senior. Mr. Keller, how is he doing?"

The man, Logan Keller-the Keller

family's eldest son-looked grimet

"My father's condition is

deteriorating fast. If this keeps up... we fear the worst."

Chantelle opened her mouth, ready to offer a few polite words of comfort.

However, Andrew jumped in, asking, "How long has it been since the symptoms started?"

Logan blinked, clearly confused by this unfamiliar face. Still, he answered, "Almost three days now."

Andrew nodded. "During those three days, has he been unable to sleep, and his eyes bloodshot? Maybe even murmuring to himself now and then?"

Logan's eyes widened. "Yes... That's exactly right."

Andrew continued, "And I'm guessing the most alarming partús that he suddenly flies into violent rages, his body stiffens, and he starts attacking anyone nearby, right?"

Logan's expression darkened as his guard instantly went up. "How do you know that?"

The fact that George had gone into violent fits had not been disclosed outside the family—they had kept that under wraps.

Publicly, the Keller family only admitted that George was seriously ill. After all, if word got out that he had gone berserk and injured people, it would be a stain on the family's prestige.

Chantelle snapped, "Andrew, you're out of line! Who gave you the right to eavesdrop on private matters?"

Andrew replied flatly, "I wasn't eavesdropping. I simply picked up on some clues from the discussions happening just now."

Logan stared, dumbfounded. "You deduced my father's symptoms... from that?"

He could not believe it, and his face clearly said, "Is this guy for real?"