Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Liliana declared, "I'd be willing to do anything for Joe!"

Andrew smirked. "Well, Ms. Peck, aren't you quite the romantic! Let me congratulate you in advance on winning your prince charming."

Liliana snorted coldly. "Hold on, don't rush off just yet. I'm not done yet!"

Andrew, who had been about to leave, stopped again, and his expression darkened. "Liliana, you talk way too much. I'm giving you one last chance, so speak up!"noveldrama

Liliana was secretly furious at his dismissive tone, as if he was telling her to hurry up and say her piece. Andrew really disgusted her to no end, and she found him absolutely repulsive.

"Don't get cocky, Andrew. Your lucky streak is about to end! Nobody has a chance of winning against Joe in combat, but I want you to voluntarily give up this match with him."

Now it was Andrew's turn to look confused. "And why would I do that?"

Liliana's eyes darted around as she looked Andrew up and down, then her expression turned contemptuous. "The reason, of course, is that you're not qualified to fight Joe! If it weren't for Lauren, he would never lower himself to play these childish games with you.

"He's the Driscoll family's greatest prodigy, and if word got out that he got into a brawl with a nobody like you over some woman, it would undoubtedly damage Joe's reputation. So I'm asking you to back down and surrender.

"I don't want his brilliant reputation tainted in the slightest! Even if that stain would only happen because he was forced to acknowledge a nobody like you, I'll still do everything I can to protect his image from any damage."

The more Liliana spoke, the more worked up she became, and her sense of superiority was on full display.

Andrew remained silent at first, but gradually a brilliant smile spread across his face.

Liliana frowned. "What's so funny? You're not actually thinking of refusing, are you?"

Andrew chuckled. "It's not that I'm unwilling, it's just that I can't agree to something for nothing, right?"

Liliana was stunned. Then, she laughed with disdain. "Just as I thought-you're the kind of small-time loser who never moves unless there's a reward involved."

Andrew stepped forward, towering over her as he stared at her smug face.

Liliana instinctively tensed up. "W-What are you doing?"

His smile turned icy. "Nothing. Just wanted to take a good look at you. Ms. Peck, who gave you the confidence to stand in front of me and spout nonsense like

that? You're asking me to surrender? Seriously?"

He scoffed. "Liliana, what is it? Do

you think you're royalty or something? And even if you were a damn princess, you'd still mean nothing to me. Sure, your family babies you. Your father and brother might treat you like gold at home.

"But out here? In the real world? You're just another spoiled idiot. And I can make sure you hit rock bottom any time I feel like it."

Andrew had finally had enough of her. Liliana had been bouncing around, trying to force herself into every scene, desperate for attention. And now, his patience has worn thin.

She may not have been his enemy, but she was like a buzzing fly-loud, useless, and asking to be squashed.

That cold, almost amused smile on Andrew's face made Liliana shiver. She shouted, "H-How dare you yellat me? A nobody like you dares to talk to me like that? Fine, Andrew! Just you wait! Miles is on his way right now. Didn't you say he owed you money?"

She huffed and added, "I'd love to see how he crushes you into dust!"

She was practically jumping up and down with rage, her face twisted with anger and grinding teeth. As the heiress of the Peck family, she had never encountered such a bold man in all of Blumedale who dared treat her this way. sŵnovel

Just then, a black Range Rover pulled up in front of the club.

Miles stuck his head out the window. "Liliana, didn't you say someone was causing trouble at the club? I came to see which bastard has the balls to do that!"

Liliana sneered and pointed at Andrew. "Miles, it's this punk! He insulted me, tried to grope me, and claims you owe eight million dollars! You absolutely have to destroy this brainless piece of trash!"

Miles snorted coldly and looked toward Andrew, pulling the car door handle to get out. Then, his movements froze, and his face went blank with shock and panic.

"Mr. Lloyd! I-It's actually you! If I'd known such an important person was visiting, I would have made proper arrangements ahead of time!"

He quickly scrambled out of the car with a fawning, apologetic expression that stunned Liliana.