Rising from the Ashes

Andrew nodded. He was surprised by Bernard's unexpected insight.

Philip, behaving like an idiot, asked his father, "Dad, what's this pressure-point technique? It doesn't seem like a big deal to me."

Bernard's face darkened instantly, wishing he could slap some sense into his dimwitted son.

He hissed, "You fool, just shut up already! Haven't you embarrassed us enough? The pressure-point technique is a legendary skill in medicine. It's said that some reclusive ancient healers could even take or save lives instantly using this method, controlling a person's very life force with a single touch."

Lauren was quite knowledgeable and had seen it all. Even so, she was genuinely amazed by Andrew's skill from the moment he began as she realized this man, rumored to be Christina's boy toy, possessed genuine medical expertise. She wondered why someone so talented was mistaken for a freeloader.

The treatment did not take long. Ten minutes later, the blood transfusion was complete. Andrew bandaged Cecelia’s wound and cleaned everything up meticulously, then instructed them not to disturb the child's rest before leaving the emergency room.

Lauren hurried after him, calling, "Dr. Lloyd, please wait."

Andrew turned to face her. "Is there something else?"

Lauren was looking slightly pale from the blood transfusion, and she said earnestly, "Nothing much. I just wanted to thank the staff at Jayrodale General Hospital properly. If it weren't for you all, Cece might have been in real trouble."

She motioned to Eunice, who promptly brought forward the prepared gifts. The nurses and doctors who had assisted Andrew received their gifts with surprise. They knew it was all thanks to Andrew that the Rhodes family was being so generous.

"Ms. Rhodes, you're too kind. As doctors, we're just doing our job. There's no need for these gifts," Philip and Bernard chimed in, approaching with self-righteous expressions. Philip, in particular, wore a poorly concealed smug look as if he had been instrumental in saving the patient.

Lauren's indifferent response cut through their pretense. "I'm sorry, but I wanted to thank Dr. Lloyd and his team. It doesn't really have anything to do with you two."

Ignoring their frozen smiles, Lauren presented Andrew with a gold card. "Dr. Lloyd, this is a token of appreciation from the Rhodes family, specifically for you. Please accept it."

Before Andrew could respond, Philip rushed over, breathing heavily. His eyes locked on the card as he asked, "Ms. Rhodes, isn't that the exclusive Black Gold Card from Rhodes Corporation?"

"How can you give it to this loser? If you're giving it to anyone, it should be my dad or me. My dad's the deputy chief of this hospital, so if we're talking about credit, it should start with him…"

Lauren, unable to tolerate such shamelessness any longer, coldly commanded, "Someone get him out of here."

Two burly bodyguards immediately stepped forward, grabbing Philip by the hair and roughly dragging him away, ignoring his screams. Seeing this, Bernard did not dare direct his anger at Lauren.

Instead, he turned to Andrew with a dark expression. "Dr. Lloyd, your medical skills may be good, but remember, without the hospital, you're nothing!"

Andrew did not accept Lauren's card. He had never been in the habit of receiving gifts from patients, even though this card represented the prestigious Rhodes Corporation and would make countless people at Jayrodale green with envy.

"Miss, is this Dr. Lloyd playing hard to get?" Eunice asked with a frown. She had never seen anyone unmoved by a Rhodes Corporation's Black Gold Card, especially one personally offered by Lauren.

Lauren shook her head thoughtfully. "I don't think so. He genuinely doesn't want it… Though, if he were playing hard to get with me, that might not be so bad…"

She finished with a coy smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Eunice was left speechless by Lauren's remark, but she did not take her words seriously. The Rhodes family's heiress was a rare beauty. Few in Jayrodale could catch her eye. Though handsome and skilled, Andrew was still just a doctor after all.

As the end of the shift approached, Andrew finished his work and left Jayrodale General Hospital. Just as he reached the entrance, a pink Maserati pulled up beside him. The window rolled down, revealing a stunningly beautiful face.

"Dr. Lloyd, what a coincidence. We meet again," Lauren said with a smile.

Andrew nodded politely. "Hello, Ms. Rhodes."

Lauren's smile widened. "Cece insists on thanking you in person for saving her life. There's a fundraising gala at South City Orphanage tonight. Why don't you join us and keep Cece company?"

Andrew was about to decline, but he got into the car upon hearing it was at South City Orphanage. "In that case, thank you, Ms. Rhodes. I actually needed to visit South City Orphanage myself."

Lauren looked surprised. "Dr. Lloyd, are you also a guest tonight?"

Andrew shook his head. "I'm just a simple doctor, not important enough for an invitation. I'm just familiar with the children and staff at the orphanage, so I thought I'd drop by."

Lauren didn't press further, realizing that only Jayrodale's elite would attend the event at South City Orphanage. Such a high-society gathering would likely be out of Andrew's league.

Suddenly, two SUVs came racing toward them, sandwiching the Maserati. Lauren's expression changed, and she was about to accelerate when the SUV in front slammed on its brakes, forcing her to stop.

After that, about eight burly men jumped out of the vehicles. Their leader, a man with a scarred face, leaped onto the hood of the Maserati and grinned at Lauren.

"Ms. Rhodes, please step out of the car."

Lauren remained calm and spoke coldly, "Whose men are you? Have you considered the consequences of messing with the Rhodes family?"

The scarred man shrugged. "It's precisely because we know you're the Rhodes family's princess that we're doing this. Don't worry, Ms. Rhodes, we won't harm you, but I'm afraid you won't make it to South City Orphanage tonight."

Lauren immediately realized this was a ploy by her competitors to sabotage her. "Dr. Lloyd, Cece, hold tight. These bastards don't know what they're in for. I'm calling for help right now."

Seeing Lauren reach for her phone, the scarred man's face darkened. He waved his hand and ordered, "Break open the car door."

Two men approached with sledgehammers, clearly prepared for this. Lauren felt a surge of panic, knowing that even if she called now, her family's bodyguards would not arrive in time.

"Ms. Rhodes, don't waste your time. It's best if you cooperate with us," the scarred man sneered, looking smug.

At that moment, the locked Maserati door opened, and Andrew stepped out of the car.

"Dr. Lloyd, don't get out! It's dangerous!" Lauren cried out, forgetting about her phone call.

The scarred man burst into laughter. "Ms. Rhodes, your pretty boy here is useless. He's as timid as a mouse. My men haven't even touched him, and he's already surrendering. What a total wimp!"

Lauren sighed in resignation and put down her phone. "Fine. The Rhodes family withdraws from tonight's fundraiser at the orphanage. Just don't harm Dr. Lloyd. He's an outsider and has nothing to do with our feud."

It was then that Andrew spoke up. "The child in the car is my patient, and you've already frightened her. Now, I'm giving you ten seconds to get lost."