Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

There was only one day left until Andrew's showdown with Joe.

Liliana had come to find Andrew again. She said, "I hope you won't go through with this fight against Joe!"

Andrew chuckled. "It's not me picking a fight with him. He's the one picking a fight with me. Besides, what you hope for is your business, so why should I care what you want?"

Liliana was furious, grinding her teeth in anger. However, her eyes were red with tears, and she did not dare act as brazenly as she had before. After Miles had warned her last time, she had not been convinced and had run back to the Peck family, asking her father, who doted on her, to stand up for her.

Yet, what she got in return was a brutal tongue-lashing. Her father, Calvin Peck, had sternly ordered her that whenever she encountered Andrew in the future, she should either stay far away or greet him respectfully.

Liliana had finally broken down completely, sobbing hysterically and declaring that she would rather die than bow her head to Andrew. She insisted that Andrew was trash and did not deserve any respect from a young lady of the Five Apex Families.

However, what she got in return was a slap across the face from Calvin.

Liliana had covered her cheek in disbelief. "Dad, you actually hit me? You've never laid a hand on me since I was little. This is the first time!"

Calvin had roared in anger and raised his hand to slap her again. He told her that if necessary, he could provide her with unlimited slaps whenever she needed them.

After that, Liliana had become obedient and no longer dared to think of herself as some untouchable Peck family princess. Even so, she still did not want Andrew to face off against Joe.

It was not that she did not trust Joe. She just felt Andrew was not worthy of such an opponent. Doing so would only diminish the noble image of her prince charming.

"Andrew, fine. Tell me what do you want in return for backing out of the match?" Liliana asked through gritted teeth, her voice dripping with resentment.

Andrew looked her over slowly, a mocking grin spreading across his face. "You really want me to back off? That can be arranged. It all depends on what you're willing to give up."

Liliana felt a chill run down her spine. Her skin crawled as she covered her chest and snapped, "Forget it! Don't even dream of it. I'm not that kind of girl! Even if I were, I'd never stoop low enough for you!"

Andrew sneered. "So, which is it? Are you the type or not?"

"That's none of your business!" Liliana fired back, outraged.

Andrew shrugged. "Then we've got nothing to talk about. In that case, Ms. Peck, I'll have to ask you to leave."

Liliana did not budge. Her face burned with shame and rage. "Andrew, are you seriously saying that if I sleep with you, you'll throw the match with Joe?"

Andrew laughed. "You think your body's worth that much?"

Liliana's composure crumbled. "Then what do you want from me?! What's it gonna take for you to back down and call off the fight?"

Andrew tilted his head, smiled, and said, "Nothing. It doesn't matter what you do. Even if you stripped

right here and pulled some crazy tricks, I still wouldn't give a damn about your opinion."

Her eyes widened in shock. "So you were just messing with me?"

Andrew shrugged again. "Yeah, and what if was? What are you going to do about it? In my eyes, you're nothing but just another spoited brat with no real weight." noveldrama

Liliana screamed, "Andrew, I swear I'll kill you!"

He gave her a cold smile. "Then go ahead. Why are your hands shaking? Why

are your knees buckling?"

Liliana burst into tears as she ran out of the room.

Halfway out the door, she spun around and shouted, "Fine! You're digging your own grave. When Joe takes you down, you'll see! He's the pride of the Driscoll family, the top

Prodigy in Gabo Creek, and a

Titan List elite! You? You're nobody! You're going to destroy yourself because you don't know your place!"

Andrew acted like he did not hear a word, still smiling. "Say one more thing, and

I'll force Miles to pay me back every cent he owes immediately."

Liliana instantly shut up and stormed off, fuming.

"Honey, who was that woman?" Francesca asked, raising a brow.

Andrew shrugged. "Liliana Peck, a delusional socialite from the Blumedale Peck family."

Lauren chimed in, "I've heard of her, but weren't you a bit too harsh just now? What if this turns into a bigger problem?"

Andrew's gaze turned icy. "Oh, it will turn into a problem. Just not for me."

Aspen chuckled. "I'm meeting up with Ms. Freya. Her entertainment company's got serious investment potential."