Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 1652

Aspen said, "Well, honey, Lauren, Fran, you keep chatting!"

…

Outside Serenity Villa, Andrew lay back on the grass by the artificial lake, soaking up the sun while quietly waiting for tomorrow's duel. His mind, however, was not at ease.

Lately, he had been fixated on how to completely break the seal inside his body. Although he could still handle Joe without breaking the second seal, having all that power but being unable to fully release it was incredibly frustrating.

Without realizing it, Andrew's gaze fell upon Francesca and Lauren.

Both women felt their hearts skip a beat and immediately blushed red.

Francesca said coyly, "Honey, it's the middle of the day! You can't be thinking that, can you?"

Lauren giggled softly. "If you are, then at least let's go inside. I'm not doing anything out here."

Andrew looked baffled. "What are you talking about? Can you actually read my mind just from a look?"

Francesca pouted. "Obviously! That look in your eyes just now was like you were ready to pounce!"

Lauren bit her lip, blushing. "Honey, your appetite lately seems a little intense. Are we not doing a good enough job taking care of you?"

Andrew waved it off and got serious. "That's not what I was thinking. Lauren, Fran. Have either of you ever thought about learning martial arts?"

Lauren blinked in surprise. "Martial arts? Oh no, count me out. I'm not good with pain. Besides, I'm not a teenager anymore. My mom always said if you don't start young, your body won't adapt. My bones are already set in place!"

Francesca frowned. "I actually do have a little martial arts foundation. I trained with Grandpa when I was a kid. But ever since I started med school, I let it slide. I've always wanted to be a martial artist, but it's not exactly easy."

Andrew chuckled. "Well, maybe I have a way."

Both women lit up. "What way?"

Lauren added quickly, "As long as it doesn't involve pain, sweat, or suffering, I'm in!"

Andrew flicked her forehead. "No pain, no sweat, no suffering, and you still want to be a martial artist? You wish! But… lucky for you, you've got me."

"Mr. Lloyd, we've got a crazy woman at the gate! She's asking for you by name, and she's already broken through security!"

Felix, the head of security at The Sovereign Residences, came running up in a panic.

Andrew raised a brow. "She broke in? Aren't there top-level guards at the entrance?"

Felix looked like he was about to cry. "They were useless! Totally useless! This woman's a monster! She trashed the whole guard booth and shattered the statues with one slap! The rubble even hit several of the guys in their sensitive areas! She said if you don't come out, she'll flatten the whole place!"

Andrew's face darkened. "Then let her in."

Just as he said that, a sharp, icy voice rang out.

"Andrew! I finally found you. This time, there's no escaping me!"

Andrew turned toward the voice and was utterly stunned. "Huh? What the hell are you doing here?"