Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

"So, it was you two who laid hands on my people from the Fields family?" Tony demanded, glaring at Andrew and Francesca.

Andrew answered calmly, "Yeah, I'm the one who hit them. And you're Tony Fields, right? The head of the Fields family?"

Tony narrowed his eyes. "That's right. And who the hell are you supposed to be?"

Andrew's tone stayed icy. "I already told you. My name's Andrew Lloyd-head of Moonlit Apothecary. I didn't come here to cause a scene. I came for one reason only. Tell your son Shawn to lay low from now on and stay the hell out of my sight. Otherwise, I'll wipe out your entire family."

Tony's face twisted in rage. He scoffed, "You've got some nerve. You say you're Andrew and expect me to just believe that? Even if you are the head of Moonlit Apothecary, the Fields family won't bow to some power-crazy punk."

Andrew remained composed. "I just shut down the Goth family. So, Tony, I suggest you be a little smarter than they were. I'm not here to negotiate. If you ignore this warning, your family will end up just like theirs-finished."

With that, Andrew grabbed Francesca's hand and turned to leave.

Tony gritted his teeth and growled, "You think you can just walk away after attacking my men? Not a chance."

He raised his hand, ready to give the order for his guards to take them down.

"Tony, stop! Absolutely not!" Just then, a middle-aged man-Oliver Fields-came running from a car, his voice panicked.

Tony frowned. "Oliver, what the hell are you doing?"noveldrama

"Do you even know what that guy just did? He assaulted our family's men!"

Oliver, Tony's younger brother, looked shaken. "Tony, are you out of your mind? You almost dragged our entire family into disaster! Do you even know who those two are?"

Tony sneered. "The guy claims he's the head of Moonlit Apothecary. Please- what a joke."

Oliver snapped, "No, you're the joke, and a damn dangerous one. I'm

telling you that is Andrew Lloyd. He really is the head of Moonlit Apothecary. And more than that, he's the underground king of Jayrodale!"

swnovel

Tony's expression drained of color as he stammered, "Wait... What? You're saying... he was telling the truth?"

Oliver's eyes were bloodshot with fear. "Dead serious. I just came from the Goth family's banquet. Nyla was officially promoted, and it was all because of Andrew. I couldn't even get close enough to offer him a toast-he was that respected. swnovel

"Tony, do you realize you almost dragged our family into the same hell the Goths barely crawled out of?"

As he spoke, he saw Andrew's black sports car already revving to leave. The window rolled down, and Andrew shot a cold look at the Fields brothers.

"Tell Shawn to disappear. I don't want to see his face again. And a

Velmet

for your two gate mutts... their

mouths run a little too wild. I might

be time for some basic training." swnovel

Oliver bowed repeatedly and forced a smile. "Of course, Mr. Lloyd. Don't worry- we'll fully cooperate with whatever you need."

Tony swallowed hard and bowed, too. "Dr. Lloyd, I apologize. I was out of line earlier-please forgive my ignorance."

Andrew did not even bother replying. Instead, he hit the gas and sped off. When his car disappeared down the road, Tony and Oliver exhaled a long, shaky breath.

Oliver gave him a smug look and asked, "Didn't you say you weren't scared? Then what's with all the sweat pouring down your face?"

Tony wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and gave a sheepish grin. "Saying I wasn't scared? Yeah... that was just me talking tough."