Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

"Zac! Do it! What are you waiting for?!" Ruth shrieked, stamping her heel in a fury. Without a word, Zachary raised his hand and slapped her across the face hard.

The force sent Ruth flying, blood trickling from the corner of her lips. Stunned, she clutched her cheek and stared at him in disbelief like she had just seen a ghost.

"Why... Why the hell did you hit me?" she stammered.

Around them, everyone froze in place. They all could not believe what had just happened, and they could not help but wonder if it was a mistake. After all, they all thought Andrew was the one who should have been hit.

Andrew stared at Zachary, shocked. Then, he let out a low, amused laugh. He certainly had not expected to see a familiar face, of all things.

Meanwhile, Zachary shuddered. From the moment Andrew had stepped into the light, he had been frozen, like some spell had locked his limbs in place.

His legs were shaking as he stammered, "C-Captain, is it really you?"

Andrew's lips curled into a cold, mocking grin. "Zac, huh? You're doing pretty well for yourself. All this trouble... just for a woman? This place is yours, and I ate your food. So tell you what—I'll stand here. Do whatever you want with me."

Zachary nearly collapsed, his face drained of all color as he shook his head violently. "N-No way, Captain! Please, stop pulling my legs. It's all just a misunderstanding, a big one..."

The sight of him trying to laugh it off-nervous and sweating-left the onlookers in stunned silence. They were stunned to watch that Zachary was actually apologizing to Andrew.

On the side, Ruth forgot about the pain on her lips. She had never seen her man like this-pale, shaking, terrified. It was like he had just come face to face with his worst nightmare.

To her, Zachary had always been untouchable in both the underground and the elite circles of the capital. He could crush empires with a phone call. Yet now, he stood there like a scolded child.noveldrama

Aspen's mind was buzzing, and she thought nothing made sense anymore.

Why was Ruth's backer, the formidable Zachary Fischer, suddenly acting like Andrew was the one in charge? He looked like he would kneel and kiss Andrew's shoes if asked.

In the middle of this surreal tension, Andrew casually said, "Well, since fate brought us back together, we might as well catch up. Let's go find somewhere quiet to talk."

Zachary did not dare hesitate. He immediately gestured respectfully and replied, "Please, this way."

Then, he turned to lead them out, spine stiff and eyes lowered. He did not even dare straighten his back.

Ruth scrambled after him, still trying to understand. "Zac, why did you—"

However, Zachary snapped without turning his head. "If you cherish your life, shut your damn mouth!"

Ruth went ghost-white and did not

say

her ser at Andrew, eyes filled r word. She looked overet

With

pure terror.

Who the hell was this man? What kind of monster could make her invincible man

look like a servant?

Aspen stayed close to Andrew, stunned and silent.

"Y-You know Mr. Fischer?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Andrew nodded with a faint smile. "Yeah, I know him."

Aspen stared. "And... what exactly is your relationship?"

Andrew paused thoughtfully and then said, "Let's just say if I told h to

Wimp off a building, he'd jum

without asking why."

bet

Aspen's perfectly made-up face twitched hard, her heart racing so fast it almost hurt.

Half a minute later, Andrew was seated at a private booth on the upper floor of the lounge bar.

Zachary did not hesitate to kick

everyone else out of the space, and none dared to complain. In fact, the

guests filed out with wide eyes and craned necks.

They all wondered who was this man that even Zachary rolled out the red carpet

for.