Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 2696

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 2696

Corbin was already drunk on victory, completely forgetting himself. He strode into the Grand Medicinal Hall, marched straight to the director’s gold-backed chair, and sat down without a shred of shame. Then he swept his gaze across the room and shouted, “Now, show me your respect!”

Lennox was the first to rush forward, dropping to his knees as he shouted excitedly, “Dad, congratulations on seizing the seat!”

The remaining apprentices and subordinates followed, all falling to their knees and roaring in unison, “Congratulations, Mr. Corbin!”

A few elders stood off to the side—abandoned, bitter, and powerless. Among them were the two who had clashed with Andrew earlier. Corbin turned to them with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and said, “Elders, are your knees stiff, or are you refusing to bow? Or are you harboring doubts and dissatisfaction?”

The elders let out strained, miserable laughs before kneeling one after another. Their hearts were tight with bitterness and unwillingness, but they knew the truth far too well.

If they didn’t kneel—if they didn’t submit—the only path ahead was death.

The Advanced Medical Institute was already becoming Corbin’s domain, and none of them had the strength to resist that shift in power.

Preston and Clifford also sank to their knees, grief churning silently in their chests. In their hearts, they felt that handing the Institute over to Andrew would’ve been far better. Andrew, at the very least, was fair and principled.

Corbin and Lennox, on the other hand, were rotten to the core. Under their rule, the Institute would face nothing but storms.

Watching Corbin bask in triumph from the director’s seat as everyone knelt before him, Lorenzo’s eyes grew colder and sharper. Corbin had barely taken his position and was already ignoring his advice. Lorenzo had urged him to immediately pursue Andrew and his group. Even if they couldn’t kill them, they should at least force them out of the Advanced Medical Institute—only then could he feel secure.

But Corbin had brushed off his counsel entirely. Without so much as consulting him, he’d gone straight to the director’s throne and begun issuing orders. Displeasure simmered in Lorenzo’s chest.

It felt like raising a dog—one that always obeyed—only for that same dog to suddenly hunt on its own, turn wild, and transform into a wolf. A wolf that no longer saw you as its master, no longer obeyed, and did whatever it pleased.

No owner would tolerate that.

Mikayla whispered quietly, “Dad, don’t worry. I already gave Lennox the instructions. If he can’t pull it off or leaks anything, we’ll move to the backup plan.”

Lorenzo kept his expression neutral but gave a slight nod.

He stepped into the hall and clasped his hands with a smile. “Congratulations, Corbin. You’ve achieved what you always wanted.”

Corbin laughed loudly and gestured eagerly. “Lorenzo, come sit by my side. You’re a distinguished guest of the Advanced Medical Institute and one of my strongest allies. Don’t worry—I won’t mistreat a friend.”

Lorenzo smirked. Corbin was getting bold. In the past, he had always addressed him respectfully as Mr. Owens Senior. Now he tossed his name around casually. That subtle shift said everything about Corbin’s inflated ego.

He would definitely kill Corbin—not only because Corbin stood in his way, but because he dared to defy him.

Deep down, Lorenzo was intensely prideful. He believed he and Guillermo were cut from the same cloth—top-tier intelligence, unmatched in reading people, true elites. The only difference was that his skills had not yet reached Guillermo’s level.

Even so, Lorenzo felt he would catch up very soon.