Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Scarlett struck at the most vicious moment, right when Andrew's hands were bound. Her hatred for him had not faded one bit, and no warning from Henry could override her blood-deep need to kill him.

To her, this bastard had become a real threat that had to be eliminated.

However, just as her claws came down, Eric shouted and moved like lightning, stepping in front of Andrew. Then, a strange ripple of patterns appeared in his eyes, hypnotic and dangerous.

Scarlett's hand froze mid-air, suspended just inches from Andrew's skull. For a brief second, her gaze turned vacant, though she snapped back quickly. Nonetheless, it was too late.

Eric had already drawn a dagger and pressed it to her neck. He hissed, "Scarlett, you'd better get it straight. Andrew belongs to someone else now. You're not the one calling the shots this time, and frankly, you don't qualify."noveldrama

He added, "Mr. Fischer is the one running this operation. If you try anything again, I won't hesitate to take you out first."

Scarlett's face turned pale as she clenched her teeth. "Fine, I won't kill him! Now get rid of that Phantom Mirage trick of yours!"

Only then did the ripples in Eric's eyes fade.

He signaled Alex and the other martial king, and they dragged Andrew out of the main hall.

They shoved him into a black SUV and drove off.

Scarlett stormed out of the hall, her face still burning with frustration.

"That Eric... his Phantom Mirage is terrifying."

"Henry really pulled a power move getting him on his side."

Scarlett was actually stronger than Eric in raw combat power.

However, with that Phantom Mirage ability, he could easily manipulate his opponent's mind mid-fight. That was exactly how he got her just now, and the worst part was, there was no known counter for it.

"Ms. Driscoll, with Andrew being taken away, he's as good as dead. If you ask me, we really don't need to waste more energy on him," one of her subordinates said carefully.

Scarlett scoffed. "Idiot. What do you know? Can't you see? Mr. Fischer is keeping him alive because he wants to use him. Damn it... We didn't kill Jerome, which is already a massive problem, and now we probably won't get the Union seat for the Driscoll family either. In the end, all the powerful players are getting

scooped up by Mr. Fischer."

Scarlett hated to admit it, but she had to: they had lost badly.

It was a total waste.

Andrew sat in the backseat of the moving SUV, tightly pinned between Alex and another martial king. Eric sat silently up front in the passenger seat, his face still pale.

Andrew glanced over and asked, "So, where exactly are you taking me?"

Eric replied flatly, "Even if you ask, I won't tell you. If I were you, I'd shut up and behave."

Andrew smirked, completely ignoring the advice. "Eric, you don't seem to hate Mr. Thornton as much as you claim. In that last moment, you could've killed him-but you didn't. You hesitated, didn't you?"

Eric suddenly turned, his face fierce. "Shut your mouth! Andrew, you think you understand me? You treated Dad once, and we've barely even spoken. How dare you assume anything about me!"

Andrew shrugged. "Relax, I was just asking. Your reaction's kind of over the top, though. One last question: now that Mr. Thornton's escaped, do you want him alive or dead?"

Eric snorted and said nothing. He clearly did not want to engage anymore.

Andrew did not mind and kept his tone casual. "You sure do listen to Henry a lot. What'd he offer you that was worth turning your back on Mr. Thornton?"

Eric replied coldly, "I didn't betray. anyone. I've been waiting for this day a long time. I want him dead. That's

it. And Mr. Fischer just happens to be the one who can make it happen. Why wouldn't I take the chance?"

Andrew chuckled. "You hate him because of Hunter?"