Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3221

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3221

Andrew nodded calmly.

“Mr. Reyes Senior, whether you stand with me or not, I’ll still win. And if the Reyes family chooses neutrality, I won’t hold it against you.”

He paused slightly.

“The reason, of course, is Valerie.”

Finnegan snorted. “Is that all? Don’t you think you’re being a little too arrogant? I was once famous for my arrogance. But you—” he narrowed his eyes, “—you’re even worse. Is that appropriate?”

Andrew burst into easy laughter.

“You misunderstand me. Your arrogance back then was just that—arrogance. Mine isn’t.”

His gaze was steady.

“I have the capability. I’m simply stating facts. That’s not arrogance.”

He added lightly, “If I truly wanted to be arrogant, I wouldn’t have come to the Reyes residence at all. I’d just announce to all of Holtrien that I’m taking down Guillermo alone—no alliances, no negotiations, no complications.”

Finnegan went silent.

After a long moment, he clapped his hands and gave a wry smile.

“Alright, kid. You’ve convinced me. You’re not arrogant.”

His eyes sharpened.

“You’re far more dangerous than an arrogant man.”

He leaned back slowly.

“If this were you from two years ago, I wouldn’t have spared you a second glance. But now… I can’t see through you.”

A pause.

“Though perhaps I don’t need to. Guillermo’s reaction tells me enough. The fact that you’ve pushed our all-powerful National Advisor to the brink—that alone proves how terrifying you’ve become.”

Andrew asked evenly, “So Guillermo already approached the Reyes family?”

Finnegan nodded. “He offered generous terms. He wants us on his side.”

“And you refused?”

“I did,” Finnegan replied. “Neutrality has always been our stance. But this time…” He looked at Andrew carefully. “You’ve shown me something different.”

Andrew tilted his head slightly. “And what would that be?”

“Hope.”

Finnegan’s tone grew deliberate.

“The hope that Holtrien is about to enter a new era. Guillermo’s time is ending. From now on…” he smiled faintly, “this country may very well belong to you.”

Andrew neither agreed nor denied it.

He knew exactly what Finnegan was doing.

He was fishing—waiting for Andrew to declare some grand ambition. To speak of ruling Holtrien. Of reshaping the nation. Of dominance.

If Andrew took the bait, Finnegan could bind the Reyes family’s future to his rise—using Valerie as the bridge to elevate their status even further.

Simply put, Finnegan wanted to ride Andrew’s momentum.

But Andrew had no intention of becoming anyone’s ladder.

He only wanted to settle his old score with Guillermo.

And beyond that, he was preparing for something far larger—the coming conflict between East and West.

Finnegan smiled amiably. “Valerie is waiting for you in the back. Since you’re here, go see her.”

Andrew nodded and left with Aspen and Nyx.

—

After they were gone, Elaine stared at Finnegan in disbelief.

“What did you just say? That Holtrien will be Andrew’s world in the future? How is that even possible?”

Finnegan chuckled softly.

“You see? You act shallow, yet you refuse to admit it.”

He glanced at her.

“Do you have any idea how powerful Andrew is now? Others might not sense the pressure he carries—but I’m not blind.”

Elaine thought for a moment.

Then she smiled sweetly.

“No matter how powerful he is, could he really compare to you?”

Her tone was light, almost teasing.

“It seems Valerie has told you quite a bit about Andrew. And not just a little, either. Am I wrong?”