Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Up on the viewing platform, Derek frowned. "What's going on with Mr. Lloyd? Why hasn't he started yet?"

Chantelle, sitting beside him, grew anxious. "I don't know. Could it be that he's completely stumped?"

Derek hesitated."I'm not sure... but it shouldn't be. After all, this is just the sixth round."

Preston and Clifford, the two elders from the Advanced Medical Institute, burst into mocking laughter. "Mr. McCormick, the young man you've put your faith in doesn't seem to be holding up very well! Look at him, standing there like a statue. It's like he's just waiting for the clock to run out so he can throw in the towel!"

Derek and Chantelle's faces instantly darkened.

Meanwhile, Aspen and Lauren clutched each other's hands tightly, their anxiety plain to

"Aspen, do you think Andrew has hit a roadblock he can't get past?"

Aspen's voice was firm, though her heart raced. "I don't know, Lauren, but we have to believe in him. No matter what, I don't think he'd fall here."

Despite being love rivals, the two women found themselves standing on the same side, and their addressing each other had taken on a noticeably warmer, more familiar tone.

Zephyr shook his head. "Regardless, making it to the sixth round is already impressive. Mr. Lloyd has earned our respect."

Jameson chuckled. "I actually think Andy looks pretty relaxed. It's almost like he's got this under control."

Tiana's eyes were sparkling with amusement as she added, "Everyone, stop worrying so much. Andrew isn't the type to lose so easily. If he embarrasses me by getting knocked out in the sixth round, I'll make sure to spank him when I see him."

The people from the Rhodes family did not find this remark strange at all, but the Stevens family members could not help but exchange puzzled glances.

Aspen and Esther both looked up at Tiana, surprise flashing in their eyes.

Aspen, in particular, felt a strange chill run down her spine. She had always had an extraordinary sense of smell, a natural talent for picking up scents that others missed.

She noticed that the scent clinging to Tiana now was the same one she had noticed on Andrew that night.

As Tiana, the graceful and charming mother of Lauren, spoke of Andrew, Aspen could not shake the strange tone she heard a mix of affection, flirtation, and unmistakable fondness.

Aspen shivered. Her own thoughts felt dirty, even to her.

Was she really linking Andrew and Lauren's mother together? The mere idea of them together was absurd. Blasphemous, even.

Shaking her head, she tried to push the idea away. It was just her exhausted mind playing tricks on her, a side effect of Andrew wearing her out the night before.

She convinced herself that she was overthinking it.

...

On the other side of the platform, Quinton let out a cold laugh. "He's done for. Andrew is dead meat."

Christina's voice was icy. "I've said it before—he's no match for the likes of Dr. Lake."

Yara snapped, "Christina, you'd better shut your mouth!"

Christina frowned. "I'm just stating the facts."

Yara shot back with a sharp laugh. "Even if it's a fact, keep it to yourself! I don't get you, Christina. You keep saying you want Andrew to come back to you, to be by your side, to love you again. But then you get all bitter and jealous the moment he shows even a hint of success. Seriously, Christina, you're the textbook definition of a two-faced bitch!"

Christina's face flushed with anger, her lips pressed into a thin line. However, she did not know how to fight back-she had never been good at this kind of verbal sparring.noveldrama

"Attention, esteemed doctors-one minute remaining! Those who make it through this sixth round will one day become renowned medical masters!

"Those who don't, well... you'd better get used to being small-town e doctors, living quiet, uneventful lives. Medicine requires true talent. Not

everyone has what it takes to be a

great healer!"

Preston and Clifford's voices echoed through the stadium as the

countdown began. Their words were dripping with condescension, showing just how little respect they had for most of the contestants.