Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3235

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3235

The atmosphere in the courtyard tightened once more.

Philip’s words had barely settled when a quiet pressure swept in from the entrance.

Footsteps.

Unhurried.

Measured.

Andrew and Nyx stepped across the threshold.

No fanfare.

No guards announcing their arrival.

Yet the entire Cunningham estate seemed to shrink around them.

Otto’s pupils contracted.

Conrad’s throat tightened.

Luna instinctively stepped aside.

Philip folded his hands behind his back and snorted lightly. “You’re slow.”

Andrew glanced at him. “You’re noisy.”

The exchange was calm—but beneath it flowed an unspoken understanding.

Philip had not come to protect the Cunninghams.

He had come to protect Conrad.

Andrew’s gaze moved past him and landed on the dagger lying on the stone floor.

Then on Otto, pale and bleeding.

Then on Conrad.

“So,” Andrew said evenly, “you were about to stain your hands.”

Conrad lowered his head immediately. “I… I thought it was the only way.”

“The only way?” Andrew repeated softly.

Otto forced himself upright despite his shattered meridians. “It was my decision. Don’t blame him.”

Andrew looked at Otto without expression.

“You misunderstand something.”

Silence.

“I did not come here for your life.”

The words landed heavily.

Otto’s breathing faltered.

Philip gave a faint grunt, as if to say finally.

Andrew continued, voice steady.

“If I wanted you dead, you wouldn’t have had the chance to break your own meridians.”

A chill swept through the elders.

They believed him.

Otto clenched his jaw. “Then what do you want?”

Andrew stepped forward, stopping in the center of the courtyard.

“I want the Cunningham family to choose.”

“Choose what?” an elder demanded hoarsely.

Andrew’s eyes sharpened slightly.

“Whether you continue clinging to a dying era… or step into the new one.”

Philip nodded faintly.

Otto let out a strained laugh. “New era? And you are that era?”

Andrew did not answer directly.

Instead, he said, “Your hidden forces. Your secret alliances. Your ambition to seize the Lloyd royal position. End it.”

The courtyard fell into suffocating silence.

Conrad looked up in disbelief.

“That’s… all?”

Andrew glanced at him. “All?”

His tone was light—but carried weight.

“Your grandfather already crippled himself. Your family’s spirit is fractured. If I erase you now, what does that prove?”

He turned back to Otto.

“You mistook vengeance for resolve. You mistook pride for strength.”

Otto’s breathing grew uneven.

“And you think submission is strength?” Otto shot back weakly.

Andrew shook his head.

“No. Survival is.”

The simplicity of it stunned them.

Philip exhaled through his nose. “He’s right. Otto, you’ve played this wrong from the beginning.”

Otto glared at him. “Stay out of this!”

Philip’s eyes hardened. “You already dragged your grandson into it. I won’t stay out.”

Conrad suddenly dropped to his knees again—but this time facing Andrew.

“I’m willing,” he said hoarsely. “Whatever conditions you set, I’ll accept them.”

Otto turned sharply. “Conrad!”

Conrad’s voice trembled, but he did not look back.

“I don’t want the Cunningham name erased. I don’t want more blood.”

Andrew studied him for a long moment.

Then—

“From today forward, you are the acting head of the Cunningham family.”

Gasps erupted.

Otto’s eyes widened.

“Impossible—”

Andrew cut him off calmly.

“You will withdraw from all royal competition. Disband external armed forces. Publicly acknowledge the Lloyd royal family’s position.”

He paused.

“And Conrad will personally oversee the transition.”

Otto’s face twisted.

“You’re stripping us of everything!”

Andrew’s reply was immediate.

“I’m leaving you something.”

Silence.

“Your future.”

The words struck deeper than any blade.

Otto swayed slightly.

Philip stepped forward just enough to steady Conrad when he nearly collapsed from emotional overload.

“You hear that?” Philip muttered. “You idiot. This is the best outcome you could’ve hoped for.”

Conrad’s vision blurred with tears.

“Thank you… Andrew.”

Andrew’s expression remained composed.

“Don’t thank me. Prove it.”

He turned slightly toward Otto.

“You wanted him hardened through pain. Fine. Let him rebuild your family from humility instead of hatred.”

Otto’s shoulders trembled.

For the first time in decades, the old patriarch felt completely defeated—not by force…

But by clarity.

Slowly, painfully, Otto lowered himself to his knees.

“I… accept.”

Behind him, the Cunningham elders followed one by one.

Philip clicked his tongue. “About time.”

Nyx remained silent throughout, her gaze scanning the courtyard as if memorizing every face.

Andrew turned to leave.

As he reached the gate, he paused without looking back.

“Oh. And Otto.”

The old man stiffened.

“Be grateful your grandson met better teachers than you.”

With that, Andrew stepped out of the Cunningham estate.

The sun had fully risen.

Inside the courtyard, Conrad remained kneeling—this time not in despair…

But at the beginning of something new.

And beyond Chetvine’s borders—

A white-haired figure walking along a mountain path slowly opened his eyes.

Orson Nieves had felt it.

Another family had bowed.

The balance of Holtrien was tilting faster than expected.

And soon—

There would be no more intermediaries.

Only him.

And Andrew.