Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew's voice was cold. "Lionel, move a muscle, and I'll kill this idiot on the spot."

Lionel immediately backed off, breaking away from Phantom Eye. His eyes burned with rage as he spat, "Andrew, let Finley go, or the Hidden Dragons will never stop hunting you!"

Andrew did not respond with words. Instead, he stepped on Finley's hand-then pressed down, grinding his foot hard.

Finley yelped in pain. "Mr. Thurman, help me! Please, save ne!"

His face turned red as veins bulged across his forehead. He screamed in agony, thrashing beneath Andrew's foot.noveldrama

The Hidden Dragons members watched in horror, their scalps tingling. They all thought Andrew was brutal-no, he was downright ruthless.

Lionel's eye twitched as he roared, "Stop! Let him go! We'll back off- immediately!"

Andrew finally lifted his foot and let out a slow chuckle. "Oh? Now you're willing to talk like a reasonable man, Mr. Thurman?"

Lionel's eyes flashed with murderous intent, his teeth grinding together. "Let him go, and the Hidden Dragons will leave."

Andrew's tone remained indifferent. "Leaving Moonlit Apothecary isn't enough. I want every single one of you out of Jayrodale."

Lionel's fury erupted. "You're pushing it too far!"

Andrew's expression did not change. "If you can't do that, then I'll just kill this little mutt right here and now."

Lionel swallowed his rage and barked, "Andrew, listen up! Jayrodale is a crucial target for the Hidden Dragons. Do you really think you can hog it all to yourself? Dream on!"

Andrew shook his head, his patience wearing thin. "Guess you didn't hear me the first time. Fine-let's start with Finley's head!"

With that, he lifted his foot, ready to stomp Finley's skull into the pavement.

"Mr. Thurman, help! Save me!" Finley shrieked in terror.

If Finley got his head crushed right in front of them, they would be haunted by that sight for the rest of their lives.

Lionel let out a furious bellow. "Fine! We'll leave Jayrodale! Now let him go-right now!"

His face twisted with rage, veins bulging along his temples. He was being pushed to the edge of sanity.

Andrew smirked and kicked Finley away like a piece of trash. "Get the hell out- now."

Lionel rushed forward as his men scrambled to check Finley's condition.

Once they confirmed he was not dead, Lionel's eyes darkened with venom. "You think this is over? Finley's granduncle is our leader! Andrew, you won't be running Jayrodale forever!"

As the Hidden Dragons left Moonlit Apothecary, Lionel's face was grim, his rage simmering beneath the surface.

He had arrived in Jayrodale full of ambition and had been sent here on a mission straight from their boss. et, the moment he stepped in, he got humiliated. Worse, he nearly lost Finley.

One of his men growled, "Mr. Thitman, what now? Are we really gonna let that bastard chase us out of Jayrudale?

Lionel remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Another gang member cursed, "Hell no! Patch up Finley, and we'll come back swinging!"

Lionel snapped, "Idiot! What good will that do? Are you blind, or just stupid? Didn't you see it back there? Moonlit Apothecary has a damn semi-martial king standing guard Phantom Eye kept me busy. If we go back, you'll all just be lambs to the slaughter."

The room fell silent, and the men shivered as reality set in none of them had walked away from Andrew's attack unscathed. Thinking back on it, they were terrified.

Lionel exhaled sharply. "It's no use. That kid is already a rising powerhouse. He's taken control of Jayrodale's entire underground, and even Einley wasn't a match for him. What's worse, Phantom Eyes actually loyal to him."

Lionel's eyes narrowed as he spoke through gritted teeth. "We're pulling out of Jayrodale and returning to the Hidden Dragons. The next move isn't ours to make. We'll let the boss decide how to handle this,