Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 969

Quinton muttered, "Christina's a tough one. She's still on guard and clearly doesn't trust me fully yet. So before I can truly get her under my thumb, I need to hit her with something big—something she won't see coming."

Harvey chuckled coldly. "Fine, Quinton. I'll play along. I've been itching to make a move on the Stevens family anyway."

Quinton nodded. "Good. Then wait for my signal, and act when the moment's right."

…

Meanwhile, over at Moonlit Apothecary, closing time had arrived.

"Dr. Aicker, Dr. Lloyd, I'm heading home for the night!" Nyla said cheerfully.

It was as if Camilla stealing her paycheck had never happened. Andrew smiled warmly. "Alright, Nyla. Get home safe."

Nyla gave him a bright smile and walked out with her bag swinging gently by her side.

Francesca watched her go and scoffed. "I can't believe how naive that girl is. She's being walked all over and doesn't even make a sound. Honestly, I don't get her."

Andrew spoke softly, "Nyla's a kind girl. She clearly doesn't want to burden us by sharing too much—she's probably thinking of her family."

Francesca snorted. "Thinking of them? Please. I'm telling you, her father—Dominic, head of the Goth family—is one of the worst people I've ever met. In our social circle, no one takes him seriously. He's a total joke.

"I really don't know how that girl manages to live with a vile stepmother and a father like that, especially without a biological mom around."

"But in the end, that spoiled prince from Blumedale became the laughingstock of the night. No one gave a damn. I even told him off straight to his face and dropped a 'fuck you' on my way out."

Andrew laughed. "That sounds like you—no filter, no mercy."

Natasha gritted her teeth. "That bastard wanted to use us to take you down. He seriously needs to look in the mirror. Does he look like someone who's in our league?"

Andrew's eyes turned cold. "Besides you and our people, did anyone else agree to be his pawn? Anyone willing to die for him?"

Natasha let out a dry laugh. "Not a single one. Raymond practically ran off mid-meeting, looking like he was about to wet himself. Even Harvey—that slippery little weasel—turned him down flat. He's too scared to mess with you again."

Then, in a teasing voice, she added, "Darling, you don't even realize—around here, you're like a walking nightmare. No one dares come at you. Quinton offered up billions in investment deals, and not one person gave a damn."