Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Aspen said through gritted teeth, "I'll never submit to any men. If you try to force yourself on me, I swear I'll die before I let that happen!"

Seth's temper flared. "Even now, you're still rejecting me? Still looking down on me?"

Aspen shot him a cold glare. "Damn right I am. Seth, if you weren't part of the Haywoods, what the hell would you even be worth?"

Seth roared, "You think I'm worthless?! Then what about Andrew? That bastard- what the hell is he supposed to be?"

Aspen let out a scornful laugh. "You clearly have no idea how terrifying Andrew really is. You wanna know what he is? Let me tell you when it comes to combat, to medicine, to tactics, he's way out of your league. You're not even in the same universe."

Seth's lips twisted into a manic grin. "Yeah, yeah, he's amazing. Sure, he's got skills. But no matter how good he is, he's still just a bug to me! This is Blumedale -we play by my rules here. And I don't care if that bastard has nine lives, he's dying tonight!"

With a loud rip, he suddenly tore open Aspen's shirt, exposing the pale skin of her chest to the open air.

Seth's throat bobbed, and his eyes burned with desire. "Goddamn... you're perfect. Don't worry, sweetheart. I'm gonna enjoy every single inch of you—until your body forgets its own shape.

"At first, I thought I'd wait for Andrew to show up before wrecking you. But that mouth of yours—it just keeps running. So now, I've got no choice but to fuck you right here, right now!"

Tears burst from Aspen's eyes.

Back in Jayrodale, she had already been touched inappropriately once. Since then, she could not stand being touched by any man. Now, her worst nightmare was happening all over again, and she was powerless to stop it.

Seth sneered. "Go ahead and cry. Better yet-scream. That'll make it even more fun for me."

He licked his lips and laughed like a demon, then reached toward her chest.

Aspen squeezed her eyes shut as tears poured down her face. For the first time, she found herself wishing that Andrew-that annoying, cold bastard-would show up right this second.

Because if she really lost her body to Seth, then she swore she would take her

own life. There was no way she could live with that kind of filth inside her.

Suddenly, two of the Haywoods' enforcers were sent flying across the room. Their chests caved in, and they dropped dead on impact.

Everyone else froze in horror.

Seth whipped around, his face

darkening in an instant. "Andrew. So you finally decided to show up. Perfect. Now get your ass over here and get on your knees. Then watch real close-watch how I ruin this woman right in front of you."

Andrew said nothing, but the look on his face was ice-cold. He did not even spare Seth a glance. Instead, eyes locked straight on Aspen, who was tied up and bruised.

As their gazes met, tears streamed down Aspen's cheeks. Her eyes held a flash of hope—but more than anything, they held heartbreak, bitterness, and blame.

A strange pang of guilt shot through Andrew's chest. Soon, that guilt turned into pure, seething rage.

"You Haywood bastard—if I don't kill you all today, I swear I'm no man!" he growled.

Then, he charged forward. Like a storm unleashed, he launched

himself straight at Seth. The

remaining guards went pale as the air shifted with his sudden burst of speed. noveldrama

Seth's heart skipped a beat, and his face twisted with panic as he cursed, "What

the hell? How is he this fast? I'm so dead!"