Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew explained, "So we can try cutting him off from whichever direction he's most likely to escape."

Duncan and the others looked completely lost. After all, this was way beyond their area of expertise.

Nevertheless, watching Andrew weaving in and out of different alleyways without hesitation, they gave up trying to make sense of it and simply followed.

Suddenly, Andrew stopped. To his left was a narrow alley, pitch black from end to end. The concrete buildings on either side stood a few stories tall, casting the path into complete darkness.

Rachel peeked in and said, "It looks like a dead end. There aren't even any lights in there."

Andrew did not respond. Instead, he told everyone to step back and clear the path.

They did not have to wait long before a figure suddenly burst out of the dark alley, sprinting like hell, moving at full speed.

Andrew struck in an instant. His arm snapped out like a steel clamp, catching the runner right at the throat.

The man, Gilbert Brock, was lean, but the power behind his sprint was explosive. He could have rammed a bull straight off its feet at that speed. Yet, Andrew's single hand caught him right at the neck just in time and with perfect control.

Gilbert let out a furious roar and tried to fight back. However, Andrew lifted and slammed down.

Gilbert's feet slipped, and just as he felt his body lift off the ground, everything flipped. With a heavy crash, he hit the pavement hard, letting out a blood-curdling scream as blood streamed from his nose and mouth.

Duncan and his men were frozen in shock, their hearts pounding wildly.

Andrew had unleashed that kind of strength without even breaking a sweat.

Duncan's eyelids twitched, and he could not help thinking back to when Andrew had put him in his place. He secretly felt relieved that he had not completely offended Andrew.

Natasha and Dylan soon caught up.

Ine

Seeing Gilbert on the ground, neither of them looked surprised. Since Andrew had personally come along, there was no way this guy could escape.

"Take him," Andrew ordered. He turned and walked straight out of Gutter's Maw.

Ten minutes later, he was sitting in the private room of Zachary's bar.

Zachary knew better than to ask questions and gave Andrew the needed space.

After shutting the door, Andrew turned to the bloodied man in front of him. "You're the one who planted the bomb in my car, right?"

Gilbert spat blood to the side,

sneered, and replied without a caret

in

the

world. "Yeah, I did it. So what

I are you gonna do about it?"

Dylan's eyes turned cold. "You bastard, let me rip off one of your arms first and see if you're still so tough!"

Gilbert sneered again. "Be my guest. I won't even grunt."

Andrew raised a hand and smiled. "He's got guts. Show a little respect and don't touch him."

Gilbert let out a twisted laugh. "You've got some sense, but I'd advise you to let me go. Otherwise, you won't live past three days."

Andrew said, "Oh? Won't live past three days? Sounds like you're pretty confident with the boss behind you."

Gilbert scoffed. "I'm telling you, evennoveldrama

three days is being generous. You

have no clue what kind of force

you've stirred up. That person could

just stomp their foot and the whole Blumedale would be turned upside down!"

Andrew nodded slowly. "Yeah, sounds real impressive. Scary, even. It almost makes me nervous."

Gilbert grinned, ready to keep bragging. Suddenly, two heavy slaps landed directly on his face, and he spurted out a mouthful of blood again.

He looked absolutely incredulous and shouted, "You still dare to hit me?"