Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Aaron took a deep breath, his face full of resentment. "Well, since you've already made up your mind, why bother asking for my opinion? Just let me know the time and place. Meeting you has been nothing but bad luck!"

Andrew nodded with satisfaction. "Don't worry, I won't shortchange you. Taking down Marcelo will only benefit you. No downside to that at all."

Later, Andrew brought Rachel along as they made the rounds to a few other families.

"Don't even think about it, Andrew! We're not your lackeys and won't do your dirty work!"

"Seriously, you think you can give orders to us? Who the hell do you think you are? Andrew, you're nothing but a joke!"

"Get lost! You're not worthy of ordering us around, and you sure as hell don't deserve our cooperation."

Despite facing one harsh rejection after another, Andrew maintained his cheerful smile. Then, he dropped his bombshell.

"I think it's necessary to remind everyone that Mrs. Peck, the matriarch of the Peck family, is my dear, beloved aunt! She's the one who sent me to reach out to

all of you.

"If you all want to disrespect that, that's fine. I'll just head back and let my aunt know what you said. Get ready to receive not a legal notice... but a family-wide funeral announcement instead."

In an instant, the heads of each household, those so-called decision-makers, turned pale with panic.

"Oh no, Mr. Lloyd, you're representing Mrs. Peck? Why didn't you say so earlier?" "That settles it, then. Whatever you need, we'll give you full support!"

"Say no more! Marcelo's as good as dead. Anyone who's caught Mrs. Peck's eye is screwed. She'll rip him apart!"

"Mr. Lloyd, have you eaten? Come on and join us! Let our family host you at our hotel for a grand dinner! After this, even if you wanted to storm the president's house, our family would give you our full support..." noveldrama

On the way back, Rachel's entire body trembled with excitement. Overwhelmed

by Andrew's domineering presence and authority, she felt an almost

uncontrollable urge to submit completely.

Andrew chuckled. "No need to get so worked up. I was just borrowing someone else's influence to get things done!"

Rachel flashed a seductive smile,

her voice dripping with desire. "Mr. Lloyd, I'm completely and utterly convinced by your power! If you're willing, I'd gladly offer you my body and all my assets for free!"

Andrew felt a headache coming on. "Are you being serious right now?" Rachel pushed out her chest and bit her lip provocatively. "Absolutely serious! If you trust me, I promise I'll make you feel like you're floating on cloud nine." Seeing how shamelessly seductive she looked, Andrew shook his head. "Sorry, but I'm not into walking paths that others have already walked."

Rachel giggled. "But Mr. Lloyd, every road in this world was once untraveled. It only became a path because people kept walking it."

Andrew smiled. "True enough, but I prefer carving my own road. It's smoother that way, less risk of tripping... and gives me full control, whether I move forward or pull back."

The billionaire cougar looked heartbroken. "Mr. Lloyd, I'm going to sue you for leading me on..."

Andrew looked genuinely confused. "Leading you on? Weren't we just having a serious discussion about philosophy? The more people walk a road, the smoother it gets-sure, that's logical. But don't you think forging your own path and exploring uncharted terrain brings mystery, excitement, and a fresh thrill?"

He added, "Madam Gardner, you really ought to study more philosophy. It's a deep and profound subject!"

Rachel's face darkened. "I hope when the judge questions you, Mr. Lloyd, you'll still insist we were just talking about philosophy!"