Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3234

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3234

The courtyard was silent except for the ragged sound of Conrad’s breathing.

The morning sun rose slowly above the eaves of the Cunningham estate, casting long golden beams across the stone floor.

Otto stood upright despite the blood at the corner of his lips. His meridians were shattered. His internal energy was dispersing. Yet the old patriarch’s spine remained straight.

“Do it,” Otto repeated.

Conrad’s hand shook violently.

The dagger’s tip hovered inches from Otto’s chest.

“Grandpa…” His voice broke. “I never hated you. Even when you drove me away… even when you called me useless… I never hated you.”

Otto’s gaze softened.

“I know.”

Around them, elders wept openly. Some bit their sleeves to suppress their cries. Others knelt, heads pressed to the ground.

But no one dared step forward.

Because this was Otto’s will.

And because deep down, they all understood—

Andrew would not be appeased by pride.

Conrad stepped closer.

The blade touched fabric.

His entire body trembled so violently that the dagger clattered faintly against bone beneath the robe.

“I’m sorry…”

Just as he was about to thrust forward—

A calm voice echoed across the courtyard.

“Is this your answer?”

Every head snapped toward the entrance.

Andrew stood there.

Nyx at his side.

Unhurried.

Unmoved.

As if he had been watching the entire scene from the beginning.

The dagger froze.

Conrad turned, eyes bloodshot.

“You said today was the deadline!” he shouted hoarsely. “Isn’t this what you wanted? My grandfather’s life?”

Andrew walked forward slowly.

“No.”

That single word fell like a stone into a lake.

Otto’s breathing faltered.

Conrad stared in disbelief. “Then what do you want?!”

Andrew stopped several paces away.

“I wanted a decision,” he said evenly. “Not a performance.”

The elders bristled in anger, but fear sealed their lips.

Andrew’s gaze rested on Otto.

“You shattered your own meridians. That saves me some trouble. But if you think your death alone erases everything, you overestimate your importance.”

The words were sharp—but not mocking.

Otto coughed weakly. “Then tell me. What is it that you seek?”

Andrew looked at Conrad.

“Put the knife down.”

After a long hesitation, Conrad let the dagger fall. It clanged loudly against the stone, the sound echoing painfully in the quiet courtyard.

Andrew continued calmly.

“The Cunningham family plotted to seize the Lloyd royal status. You allied with others. You moved against my father.”

He paused.

“For that, someone must pay.”

Otto nodded faintly. “That someone is me.”

Andrew shook his head.

“No. That someone is the old Cunningham era.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Andrew’s voice remained steady.

“From today forward, the Cunningham family will withdraw from royal contention. All hidden forces, all external alliances—cut them off. You will remain in Chetvine under supervision.”

His eyes shifted to Conrad.

“And he will be the new patriarch.”

Shock flashed across every face.

Even Conrad froze.

Otto’s lips parted slightly.

“You… won’t destroy us?”

Andrew’s expression did not change.

“If I wanted destruction, none of you would still be standing.”

Silence swallowed the courtyard.

Andrew continued.

“Your death would be easy. Too easy. Blood creates martyrs. Submission creates order.”

He looked at Otto one final time.

“You wanted to trade your life for your grandson’s growth. I prefer to see him grow while you live to witness it.”

Otto’s body trembled—not from injury this time, but from something deeper.

Humiliation.

Relief.

Gratitude.

Defeat.

All intertwined.

Slowly—painfully—Otto bent his knees.

The once-dominant patriarch knelt before Andrew.

“I… submit.”

The words cracked in his throat.

Behind him, the entire Cunningham leadership followed suit, kneeling in waves like falling dominoes.

Conrad stood frozen for a heartbeat.

Then he, too, dropped to his knees.

Not out of fear.

But out of acknowledgment.

Andrew looked at them, sunlight outlining his figure like a rising star.

“Good,” he said softly.

“Live well.”

Then he turned and walked away with Nyx, leaving behind a family that had been spared—

Not by mercy.

But by judgment.

As the sun climbed higher over Chetvine, word began to spread.

The Cunningham family had bowed.

And Andrew’s momentum had only grown stronger.

Far beyond the city—

Orson Nieves paused mid-step on a mountain path.

He felt it.

Another pillar had fallen.

The old world was shrinking.

And soon—

It would be his turn to stand in Andrew’s path.