Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2497

"How's Andrew?"

At the Lloyd family estate, Donovan stood in the back garden with a pair of shears, trimming the hedges with calm precision.

Sheena crossed her arms, scowling. "He's not dying anytime soon. That idiot pissed me off so bad. I still don't get why he wouldn't let me kill Wilder when I had the chance."

Donovan replied evenly, "As long as he's alive, that's all that matters. Everything else can be worked out. Good… Very good indeed."

The odd note in his voice made Sheena frown. "Good? What's good, Grandpa? What are you even talking about?"

Donovan chuckled, setting the shears aside. "Andrew, of course… Don't you think he's remarkable? He fought Wilder, a man at that level, and came out in one piece. That kind of power, that kind of fire… He's truly the Dragon Prince. It seems the Blood-Eyed Black Dragon in his veins has finally awakened."

Sheena's expression turned serious. "Grandpa, are you saying Andrew managed to stand toe-to-toe with Wilder because of the family totem?"

Donovan nodded slowly. "Exactly. The totem within him has already been triggered, earlier than Reginald's ever was. It seems our family's prodigies are finally rising together."

Sheena fell silent for a while before asking quietly, "Grandpa, did you and the other old-timers already know Wilder planned to kill Andrew? Did you all just turn a blind eye?"

Donovan did not even flinch. "And what if we did? There are plenty who want that boy dead, Otto being one of them. Many things are beyond my control, and Reginald is half a world away, powerless to intervene. So tell me, why not let things play out?"

Donovan's voice hardened. "Of course I know that. But what I'm doing is simply ensuring Alfredo won't take your life. You have no idea what I and Reginald, and even Andrew, have sacrificed for you."

He continued, "I won't speak for myself or for Reginald. He was your father's brother, and you know how close they were. When your father was crippled from the war, Reginald cared for you as his own child, no different from Andrew.

"In fact, he's always been harsher on Andrew, but he's never once raised his voice at you. Sheena, don't mistake the care of your elders for moral obligation. Many people without a family to protect them are already buried in the cold. But you… You're loved by all of us. The whole family adores you.

"So don't see it as a burden. See it for what it is. What you owe us isn't obedience, it's gratitude. Gratitude toward Reginald and Andrew, for everything they've done for you."