Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Before Ryder could respond, Andrew feigned surprise. "Ryder, is there seriously something going on between you and her?"

Ryder gave an awkward laugh. "To be honest with you, Mr. Lloyd, I did pursue Leslie for a bit. But now, I've pretty much lost interest in her! Just now, she was clinging to me, so I had no choice but to humor her for a bit! Otherwise, I couldn't be bothered to deal with her!"

Leslie was incensed when she heard this. "Ryder, you son of a—"

She pointed at Ryder, about to unleash a furious tirade.

However, Andrew cut in first. "Ryder, a real man never has to worry about finding a woman, especially someone with your family background. There's no need to settle for second-rate goods!"

Ryder lit up, his face full of respect. "Oh? I'm all ears, Mr. Lloyd."

Andrew chuckled. "Well, these are just some thoughts from experience. You've seen the women around Mr. Lloyd, right? Each one of them is one-of-a-kind, out of this world, jaw-droppingly gorgeous. And it's not just their looks.

"Their class, their charm, their brains, the way they carry themselves... It's all on another level. Do you have any idea how many men would line up just to get a glimpse of my women? They could have suitors stretching from Blumedale all the way to Chetvine!"

Lauren, Francesca, and Aspen grew increasingly uncomfortable the more Andrew spoke.

By the end, they were utterly embarrassed, wishing they could run up and slap a hand over his mouth.

They had seen bragging before, but never anything quite like this. Even though he was praising them, it was still too much to bear. This ridiculous man of theirs was absolutely insufferable when he got going.

Meanwhile, Ryder listened with attention, nodding enthusiastically. "Yes, you're absolutely right, Mr. Lloyd! If my future wife could be even one ten-thousandth as beautiful and virtuous as your wives, I'd die happy!"

Andrew spoke earnestly. "I'm the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, so I'm technically your superior! What I just said comes straight from the heart! The bottom line is that you need to handle this yourself!

"When it comes to women, you really can't choose the type who's obviously fake and manipulative! Otherwise, she'll ruin you sooner or later and drag the entire Ulrich family down!"

Ryder nodded in complete agreement. "Mr. Lloyd, you're right."

Leslie's expression had already turned grim. She growled, "Andrew, you're slandering me, you shameless, despicable bastard..."

She completely exploded.

Andrew did not even look at her as he said to Ryder. "See that? Not only is she fake, she's also a complete madwoman! Ryder, you're about my age and have at least one percent of my good looks! If you end up with a lunatic like that, I won't even want to associate with you anymore!"noveldrama

Ryder gave an awkward laugh. "Mr. Lloyd, I understand exactly what you're saying. I'll take my leave now!"

With that, he dragged the raging Leslie downstairs. They did not linger and headed straight out of the bar!

Lauren, Francesca, and Aspen stared at Andrew in absolute amazement.

Andrew shrugged. "What are you all looking at me for?"

Aspen was the first to crack, bursting into laughter. "Honey, that was incredible! Leslie is probably traumatized from that!"

Francesca chuckled. "Exactly! Honey, I had no idea you could be so ruthless with your words!"

Lauren giggled sweetly. "After you sabotaged things like that, Leslie's grand scheme is completely ruined!"

Andrew smirked. "The Ulrich family is an important member of the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce, and Leslie thinking she could get

something for nothing was puoline

fantasy! Besides, I've been fed up with that woman for ages, and she brought this on herself!"

Outside, Ryder immediately shook off Leslie's hand once they left the bar.

Leslie asked in disbelief, "You're picking a fight with me over Andrew?"

Ryder sneered coldly. "Fight? Leslie, you think way too highly of yourself! In the past, you couldn't care less about me! But sorry to break it to you... Now, you're not even in my league!"

A black stretch Maybach pulled up and stopped. Then, a bodyguard jogged over and opened the door. "Sir, please get in!"

Ryder gave a satisfied smile, straightened his collar, and slid into the back seat. The door shut, and the car drove off without another word.

Leslie stood frozen in place, her face slowly twisting in disbelief. "Ryder, you dumbass! If it weren't for your damn luck getting named successor to the Ulrich family, do you really think I'd ever look at you? You clueless idiot!"

After screaming into the night, her thoughts turned back to Andrew. "That bastard ruined everything. This isn't over! He can play whatever tricks he wants, but he's nothing but an insect in front of General Phelan. Just wait!"

Though she worked under Luna, Leslie knew her own martial arts skills were limited. She had no future in that world and could already see the ceiling. However, if she could lock down Ryder, she would become the wife of a high-born family, set for life. śwnovel

Leslie was smart and had planned her path out long ago. While she could still bask in Luna's spotlight, she needed to act fast because when the day came that she lost her place by Luna's side, nobody would even remember her name.

Her strategy had been solid. She had Ryder wrapped around her finger, step by step. However, after tonight's chaos with Andrew, everything had unraveled.

Leslie knew that any lingering attachment Ryder had for her was now completely shattered. Winning him back would be nearly impossible because she no longer measured up.

That realization only made her more desperate to get revenge on Andrew.