Rising from the Ashes

Andrew's voice was calm, showing no sign of arrogance. Meanwhile, the scarred man and his thugs were stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Ha! Did this pretty boy just tell me, Scarface, to get lost?"

"Idiot, you've been watching too many superhero movies. Trying to play the knight in shining armor, huh?"

"Boss, why waste time talking? Let's just take him out!" Another thug swung a steel pipe viciously at Andrew's head.

Lauren sighed inwardly, thinking she would have to step in to protect this brave but foolish man. Suddenly, she heard a piercing scream. The thug who had attacked first was on the ground, clutching his stomach.

Somehow, Andrew had taken the steel pipe from him. Then, in a blur of motion, Andrew swung the pipe. A series of thuds followed as the attackers fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

Yet, no one could see how he moved as he was moving too fast.

Scarface roared in anger, leaping at Andrew with a vicious kick. At the same time, Andrew tossed aside the now-bent pipe and, without even looking, launched a kick of his own.

Soon, Scarface's cry could be heard, and his body curled as he flew backward, slamming into the SUV with a sickening thud. Blood spewed from his mouth as he struggled to move.

He looked up at Andrew in terror, stuttering, "Y-You…"

Andrew ignored him, turning back to Lauren as if nothing had happened. "Let's go, Ms. Rhodes."

Lauren's eyes were still wide with shock. Andrew, who had seemed so gentle and refined, turned out to be incredibly fierce in a fight. She thought someone like him was highly unlikely to be just a boy toy. With his medical skills and fighting prowess, he was more like a hidden gem.

Lauren felt a rush of excitement at the thought that she had stumbled upon a real gem. She smiled seductively as she started the car and drove toward South City.

"Dr. Lloyd, first you saved Cece, and now you've saved me. I don't know how to thank you enough," Lauren said with a smile as she drove, her interest in Andrew growing by the minute.

Andrew replied politely, "I really didn't do much. But Ms. Rhodes, you should be careful. These men might be connected to the ones who poisoned Cece earlier."

Lauren's expression hardened. "I have a pretty good idea who's behind this. They'll learn that the Rhodes family isn't to be trifled with, and I'll make sure they pay for this tenfold!"

From the back seat, Cecelia chimed in sweetly, "Lauren, Dr. Lloyd has helped us so many times. Shouldn't we give him some kind of reward?"

Lauren nodded in agreement. "You're right. We should definitely thank Dr. Lloyd properly."

Cecelia's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Lauren, I have a suggestion."

"What's that?"

"Well, since he didn't want our family's Black Gold Card, why don't you reward him… personally?"

"Oh, you little brat! What are you saying? I ought to wash your mouth out with soap…"

Andrew felt uncomfortable listening to the sisters' banter. Lauren's face flushed, but she maintained her composure as she turned to Andrew.

"Dr. Lloyd, please don't mind my sister. She doesn't think before she speaks sometimes."

Andrew smiled awkwardly, trying to show understanding.

However, Lauren suddenly added, "Though I wouldn't mind what Cece suggested if that's what you want."

Andrew was at a loss for words. Undeniably, Lauren was an incredibly alluring woman. Born into a prestigious family, she carried herself with grace and had a face that could launch a thousand ships. Moreover, her figure was really curvaceous.

Unlike Christina's cold, unapproachable beauty, Lauren was the other extreme—passionate and fiery, with full lips and curves that could make a man weak at the knees.

Andrew had seen his fair share of beautiful women, but Lauren's charm was almost overwhelming. Catching a glimpse of Andrew's slightly embarrassed expression in the rearview mirror, Lauren giggled.

She had not expected Andrew to be someone who would actually feel shy, and she was amused. Countless men of all types had pursued her, but Lauren had never met someone quite as intriguing as Andrew. Maybe, she thought, it was worth giving him a try.

South City Orphanage was located on the southern outskirts of Jayrodale, on a sizeable piece of undeveloped land. Jayrodale's business community had long coveted this prime real estate.

The fundraising gala that night was organized to facilitate the orphanage's relocation, attracting Jayrodale's most influential families and business groups.

As night fell and the lights came on, South City Orphanage's courtyard was transformed. A red carpet welcomed Jayrodale's elite, who arrived with their glamorous dates for an evening of socializing.

"Ms. Rhodes, welcome!" The orphanage director personally greeted Lauren.

However, as he adjusted his reading glasses, his eyes lit up at the sight of her companion. "Dr. Lloyd, you're here too? Oh my, the children and I have been eagerly waiting for you!"

A group of orphans excitedly swarmed around Andrew, repeatedly calling, "Andy!"

Lauren was surprised to see Andrew chatting with the director, realizing that this humble doctor's popularity overshadowed her status as the Rhodes Corporation heiress.

Soon, a few VIP guests approached to greet Lauren. She smiled, thinking she had finally regained some of the spotlight.

"Dr. Lloyd, let me introduce you to some CEOs," Lauren said, ready to show off her connections.

To her astonishment, the guests recognized Andrew before she could make introductions.

"Oh, isn't this Dr. Lloyd from Jayrodale General Hospital? Hello, hello! I'm James Campbell. It's thanks to your miraculous treatment that I can walk again!"

"Dr. Lloyd, what an honor to meet you again! Remember me? I had problems with my pregnancy. Thanks to you, we now have a one-year-old. Our family line is secured!"

"Hey, Dr. Lloyd! I owe you a drink tonight. If it weren't for you, I would've been out of the game at 60. Now I'm still going strong!"

Lauren was dumbfounded. She watched as these VIPs eagerly approached Andrew, showering him with warm greetings. This guy's connections were clearly extraordinary—far beyond what one would expect from a simple doctor.

After finally bidding farewell to the guests, Andrew turned to Lauren with an apologetic shrug. "Sorry about that, Ms. Rhodes. They were all former patients of mine. To be honest, I can barely remember them."

Lauren smirked. "Dr. Lloyd, you're quite the dark horse, aren't you?"

Little did she know, Andrew truly could not recall these Jayrodale bigwigs despite their status.