Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Just then, Chantelle walked in carrying the tea, only to freeze on the spot. Her eyes widened as she blurted out, "Holy crap!"

Derek was practically draped over Andrew, his hands all over the place. Meanwhile, Andrew's shirt had been pulled open at the chest, and he kept dodging Derek's hands.

"Governor McCormick... W-w-what are you two doing?!" stared, completely stunned.

Derek scrambled upright and cleared his throat, his face slightly flushed. "Elle, it's not what it looks like!"

Then, he laughed awkwardly. "Come on, Mr. Lloyd, let's have some tea!"

His hands were shaking so badly that half the tea spilled.

Derek was still shocked that Andrew bore the legendary Blood-Eyed Black Dragon mark on his chest. Even for someone like him, who had seen all sorts of powerful figures, he still felt waves of excitement coursing through him.

The Blood-Eyed Black Dragon marking was the unique symbol that marked someone as a true heir of the Lloyds bloodline-one of the Dragon Princes.

Hence, Andrew's background was simply unfathomable.

Andrew casually pulled his shirt back on and said bluntly, "Ms. Garcia, just for the record, Governor McCormick was the one who got handsy. I behaved myself."

Chantelle glared at him. She could not believe Andrew was so merciless toward Derek.

She had only been out of the room for a few minutes, and these two men had somehow started a full-blown shirtless situation.

She was starting to believe that wherever Andrew showed up, chaos was guaranteed.

Derek shifted to serious business, his expression becoming grave. "Mr. Lloyd, there's actually another matter I wanted to discuss with you today. The southern martial arts world has been rather unsettled lately. The internal conflicts between several major organizations and martial arts families have started harming innocent people.

"Blumedale Hospital has received several victims who were caught in the crossfire, and I'm afraid we need you to take a look at them."

Andrew asked, "Aren't Dr. Goddard and Dr. Bozzeli still stationed there?"

Derek shook his head. "They're treating some of the wounded, but a few cases are beyond them. They're specifically waiting for you."

Andrew nodded. "Alright, I'll head over. But Governor McCormick, these martial arts clans bringing their grudges into the streets and dragging in innocent people? That's crossing a line.

"Even in ancient times, rogue fighters got punished for breaking the law. This is modern society, they're still pulling this kind of crap? I think you're going to have to get tough with them."

Derek let out a cold huff. "You're right, Mr. Lloyd. It's time to crack

down on them. Gabo Creek has them

three major alliances-Hidden Dragons, Crimson Alliance, and the

Onyx Serpents. In recent years,

they've all started getting bold again.

"These muscleheads always think their fists are the law. Well, I've already made arrangements. Higher-ups have also dispatched experts from special departments to handle this!"

Andrew smiled. "Special

departments? Let me guess-either

they're from the Special Ops or

Chetvine's Ironhold Division. Or

perhaps they're specialized

operatives sent by those

ovel

high-ranking elite families from Chetvine."

Derek looked shocked and exchanged glances with Chantelle. Finally, he smiled with complete admiration. "Mr. Lloyd, you got it exactly right! I never expected you to know these special departments so thoroughly!"

Andrew shrugged. "I wouldn't say I know them thoroughly, it's just that I've paid a few of them a visit before. The people from thesenoveldrama

organizations do have some skills, though, so they can't be completely written off as cannon fodder."

Cóntent

Derek was speechless.

To Andrew, elite government agents were only slightly better than cannon fodder. Then again, he got it.

Andrew was a Dragon Prince of the Lloyds royal line, and he had the authority to talk that big.

Once they were done, Andrew and Chantelle headed out together, driving toward Blumedale Hospital.

"Mr. Lloyd, were you really that impressive back in Chetvine?" Chantelle asked. Andrew grinned. "Why? Starting to admire me now?"

She snorted and clenched her jaw. "Admire you? Please, don't make me throw

up."