Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

A slightly overweight man in a gray suit walked slowly toward Francesca. With a polite demeanor, he introduced himself, "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Elon Golding, the eldest son of the Golding family from Blumedale."

He paused, then added, "Ms. Aicker, if you don't mind, please come with us."

Francesca did not panic. She responded coldly, "Mr. Golding, as far as I know, the Aickers have no issues with you or your family."

Elon shook his head, his tone dripping with arrogance. "The Aickers are nothing but a minor family, hardly worth the Golding family's attention. But that boy, Andrew-I'm going to make him get down on his knees before me, begging me for mercy as I crush him like the insect that he is."

He smirked, his voice growing darker. "And you, Ms. Aicker, as one of Andrew's beloved, will be the perfect tool to break him. Once I have you, I can make that little bastard suffer however I please."

His wide grin stretched unnaturally as he spoke, almost as if his mouth had split open. Francesca shivered. For a moment, his face looked monstrous-twisted, bloodthirsty, like a beast ready to devour its prey.

The Golding family of Blumedale was no ordinary foe.

Her last thought before losing consciousness was a silent plea. 'Andrew, please be careful...'

...

Meanwhile, Andrew was speeding down the mountain road in his G-Wagon, heading straight for West End.

About 20 minutes later, he burst into the West End headquarters and immediately asked, "Is there any news on the Golding family or Kenny entering Jayrodale?"noveldrama

Dylan and Natasha were already

waiting for him. Dylan spoke first, his voice serious. "At dawn, my people spotted members of the Golding family and Kenny arriving in

Jayrodale. But after entering the city, Kenny didn't go to the Rhodes

residence. Instead, he went somewhere else immediately."

Andrew frowned. "Where?"

Dylan shook his head. "We don't know yet. The Golding family had some skilled people with them, and we lost track halfway. We're not even sure which high- ranking member of the Golding family is here."

Andrew chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "Interesting. They know Michael is in my hands, and his life hangs by a thread. Yet, Kenny and the Golding family show up in Jayrodale without a word, not even demanding a negotiation."

He glanced at his two trusted allies and asked, "What do you think they're up to?"

Dylan thought for a moment before hesitantly suggesting, "Maybe Kenny and the Golding family have other urgent matters to attend to first."

Andrew scoffed. "Nothing is more urgent than a life hanging in the balance."

Natasha chimed in, her brow furrowed. "I think Kenny and the Golding family are preparing for the negotiation. They might be trying to gather some leverage quietly before making their move. This could be their way of tipping the scales in their favor."

Andrew nodded, his expression grim. "That makes sense. The Phantom Eye's silent downfall in Jayrodale must have put Kenny on edge. He's not charging in recklessly this time. Instead, he's playing it safe, probably looking for something-or someone to use against me."

Dylan's face tightened with concern. "Mr. Lloyd, what should we do?"

Natasha added quickly, "Kenny isn't like his brother Jameson. Back when he was in Jayrodale, Jameson was known for being calm and diplomatic, but Kenny? He was ruthless and vicious. If he finds something to hold over us, this could get ugly."