Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 1584

Chantelle's eyes were blazing as she asked, "I wonder if I might finally have the honor of formally meeting the Dragon Prince?"

Andrew looked around and replied, "What Dragon Prince? I don't know him and have never seen him! If you're looking for someone like that, go ask someone else—it's got nothing to do with me!"

Chantelle was both exasperated and amused. "Mr. Lloyd, don't even try to deny it, I—"

Before she could finish her sentence, the underground palace suddenly shook violently.

Andrew's expression changed as he turned toward the massive bronze doors that had been pushed open. In the next instant, a flood of men in black suits, all heavily armed, stormed inside.

Two neat rows of gunmen—over 100 strong—immediately surrounded Andrew and the others.

A man in polished dress shoes stepped in with a smug grin that did not reach his eyes. "Well now, what a grand harvest."

He shouted, "Mr. Driscoll, we've come to pick you up!"

To everyone's shock, Rafael, who had been unconscious earlier, suddenly sprang to his feet. In two quick steps, he reached the protection of the black-suited guards and then spun around.

"Andrew, didn't expect this, did you? You thought you'd won, but I've got news for you. The real winner is me—it's us, the Driscolls!"

Chantelle's face had turned pale. "All of them are top-level enforcers, and we're outnumbered. Mr. Lloyd, we're no match for this."

Andrew remained calm as he looked at Rafael and asked, "What do you want?"

Rafael pointed and said coldly, "What do I want? I want you to hand over the Elixir of Immortality! Then, I kill every last one of you and walk out of here with everything."

Logan exploded in anger, shouting, "Mr. Driscoll, if you kill us, even if you get all the treasure and escape, you'll still be a dead man!"

Rafael sneered, "Logan, don't try to scare me! I'll eliminate all of you as witnesses, and when I get out, I'll just hide in the Driscoll residence!"

He added arrogantly, "Even if George, that old fool, comes asking questions, the Driscolls won't care!"

Logan's face suddenly changed as he realized Rafael was out for blood and treasure.

The Driscoll guards had been ready to shoot Andrew, and this sudden turn of events immediately disrupted their rhythm. They all raised their guns and began firing at the Night Hag above.

Seeing this, Tiana exclaimed joyfully, "Now's our chance!"

Andrew had already charged forward and shouted urgently, "Mrs. Rhodes, forget them! Let's get out of here first!"

Immediately, everyone else followed his lead and rushed toward the bronze doors.

The violent shaking worsened. Instead of just dust falling from above, huge stone blocks were now crashing down. The whole tomb was coming apart, collapsing under the force of some unknown, terrifying power.

Andrew dashed ahead at lightning speed, reached the doorway, and was just about to escape—when he abruptly spun on his heel and turned back.

He shouted over his shoulder, "Don't go through the main doors! Everyone, back this way!"

Tiana, Chantelle, and the others were confused, but they did not hesitate to follow his orders unconditionally.