Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

In a private estate on the outskirts of the city, a thunderous roar shook the walls.

"The Wrights will pay for this with a fate worse than death!"

The voice, full of fury and murderous rage, came from a man with a bare, muscular torso. Coiled around his body was a massive snake-he was none other than Grand Viper, ranked third on the Underground Index and infamous for his brutality.

At his feet lay White Viper's corpse, already cold.

Near him, two men sat in tense silence-Rafael and Mosby, looking tense.

Meanwhile, standing beside them was a young man dressed in black from head to toe, with long, dreadlocked hair tied back. He had a black snake tattooed across his face.

This was Black Viper, Grand Viper's other most trusted enforcer. He and White Viper had been Grand Viper's fangs until now. Now, one of those fangs lay dead before him.

"Sir, please... You have to avenge White Viper and slaughter everyone connected to the Wrights-burn their whole damn legacy to the ground!" Black Viper hissed, his voice hoarse with grief as he knelt beside the corpse, cradling her body.

Mosby's eyelid twitched violently, thinking, "Is this guy seriously groping a dead woman?'

He saw it clearly-Black Viper's hands were fondling White Viper's breasts, and not subtly. He could not help but think Black Viper was a creep.

Rafael cleared his throat and spoke grimly. "Grand Viper, this situation... doesn't add up. To me, it doesn't look like the Wrights were behind White Viper's death."noveldrama

Grand Viper's eyes burned as he growled, "Not them? Then why were the Wrights' security team dead at the scene?"

Black Viper raised his head, venom in his eyes. "Exactly! And White Viper had wounds all over her body-wounds left by them! We've never had beef with the Wrights in Blumedale!

"She went out to hunt down Andrew, not to start a damn war! So there's only one explanation—those Wrights bastards must've attacked first, and White Viper fought back."

He clenched his jaw, his voice thick with rage. However, his hands were still busy holding her backside.

Mosby could not take it anymore. "Black Viper, can you stop? She's dead-show some respect!"

Black Viper glanced at him, completely unfazed. "I just wanna get in one last round before she goes fully cold. If you can't handle it, look away. I didn't ask you to watch."

Mosby's temple throbbed. He gave up trying to argue, but his eyes could not help wandering back, both horrified and weirdly curious to see what kind of monstrosity this pervert would try next.

Rafael gritted his teeth. "Damn it. Not only did we fail to retrieve the map fragment, but we also lost one of our top fighters. Grand Viper, I need you to send someone else. That piece of the treasure map must be secured."

Grand Viper stroked the snake curled around his wrist, his yellow eyes gleaming with malice. "Don't worry, Mr. Driscoll. I gave you my word, and I always keep my word. I'll crush that clown Andrew like a bug. But first, the Wrights need to be taught a little lesson for White

Viper's death."

Rafael frowned. "Grand Viper, if I may speak honestly... I don't think it's wise to provoke the Wrights right now."

Grand Viper let out a vicious snort.

"You think I'm scared of the Five Apex Families? So what if they're powerful? Since they dared to kill my people I'm going to make them bleed. If I let this slide, what would

people say about me, the

third-ranked martial artist on the Underground Index? They'd think I'm

a joke!"

Rafael clenched his fists, feeling a growing storm in his chest. This whole mission was supposed to be simple: take Andrew down and get the map. However, everything ended up a mess.

Not only did they lose the map, but they also ended up going to war with the Wrights. He could not help but wonder if this entire disaster was orchestrated by Andrew.

After thinking it through, he dismissed the thought. After all, Andrew was already

up to his neck in trouble. There was no way he had the brains or the pull to set all

this up.

"Black Viper, it's your move now.

You've got two missions. First, finish

what White Viper started. Bring back

the map fragment-do not screw this up Second, take that punk Andrew off the board. If White Viper's dead, he needs to die with her." '

Grand Viper's voice turned icy as he added, "And the Wrights... they don't get to walk away scott-free. That bastard Kevin actually thinks he can mess with me? I'm going to make him regret this."

Black Viper dropped to both knees and sneered with bloodlust. "Sir, leave it all to me. I'll get it done. Whatever White Viper failed to do, I'll handle it flawlessly."