Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

"Today we're continuing with physical conditioning training!"

The morning breeze was harsh as Andrew led his four top disciples on another day of hellish training just after 6 a.m.

Francesca and Aspen had already dropped any hint of goofing around. After two intense sessions under Andrew's ruthless command, both women finally understood what it meant to have their bodies pushed beyond their limits.

At first, they thought that by being Andrew's woman, he would go easy on them. Unexpectedly, he showed zero favoritism.

If the training called for running, they ran. If it called for holding positions, they held them.

Even at night, there was no rest. Every evening, they had to spread their legs and be tormented until the middle of the night before being allowed to sleep.

Andrew's exact words?

"Day-and-night training sharpens your martial foundation. Everything I do is for your own good."

This earned him a series of eye rolls.

"You're just a pervert; you're completely full of it!"

"Honey, are you trying to kill us in bed and on the field?"

Compared to them, Dylan and Natasha handled the abuse far better. After all, they were both from the underworld. They were used to the bleeding and suffering.noveldrama

Across the man-made lake, the figure in white appeared again, right on schedule. Like a lamp post planted in the ground, he stood and watched Andrew's training in silence.

Andrew ignored him and slapped Francesca's hand, shouting, "Hold your arms straight out at 90 degrees to your body. Focus your center of gravity in your lower abdomen, breathe into your lower energy core, and build up your energy!"

Francesca jolted like she'd been zapped and immediately fixed her posture. After standing for just half an hour, she was drenched in sweat and swaying unsteadily.

She wanted to cry, not knowing where Andrew had come up with these training methods. It was simply hellish.

Walking over to Aspen, Andrew nodded with satisfaction. "Good, your flexibility is finally acceptable. Keep this up for another week, and you'll be ready to learn the assassination technique I designed."

Aspen, meanwhile, was doing a deep inverted pose on the grass. It was something between a handstand and a full-body twist.

The only goal? Compress her body as tightly as possible.

It was exhausting and excruciating, but Aspen endured it with a different kind of mindset.

Aspen had a serious psychological issue known as Stockholm syndrome. The more Andrew tormented her and manipulated her tender body, the more excited and stimulated she became.

Dylan and Natasha's training was a completely different scene.

Andrew's requirement was simple: attack each other with lethal intent. They had to keep fighting, not

fearing injury or crippling

but they could not target vital points.

Stepping aside, Andrew yawned and began eating breakfast while his four top disciples could only stare hungrily. They could not eat a bite until training was complete.

Grabbing a bun, Andrew leisurely walked to the lakeside. Meanwhile, Joe was across from him, watching expressionlessly.

Stuffing the bun into his mouth in one bite, Andrew asked, "How did you get in here? The Sovereign Residences doesn't seem to allow random people to wander around."

Joe replied flatly, "I'm not a random person. The spot where I'm standing is the backyard of my house."

Andrew immediately understood. "Oh, so you also have property in The Sovereign Residences."

Joe looked up and said, "That Serenity Villa you're living in now? If I had wanted

it, I could have grabbed it long ago."

Andrew smiled. "So what? Even if

you had grabbed it, you'd still be alone, while Lauren is living with me now. Even if we were living in a rental apartment and eating Street food, we'd still be happy together."

Joe's face immediately flushed red as he clenched his fists. "Andrew admit you have the ability to win over her heart, but don't you think your smug attitude is a bit petty?"

Andrew shrugged with a brilliant smile. "Not at all! You clearly don't know how sweet my Lauren smells. I hold her while sleeping, and she's so soft and warm!"

Joe gritted his teeth hard. "Andrew, you're such a bastard!"

With a cold huff, he spun around and stormed off.

Andrew threw his head back and laughed out loud.