Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3335

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3335

Valerie spoke up immediately. “Honey, you can’t agree to this. Charlotte is definitely up to something. There’s no way this is as simple as it sounds. We can’t fall for it.”

Nyx followed without missing a beat. “Exactly. We don’t agree. If it comes down to it, we’ll fight. I don’t believe they’d actually dare refuse.”

A cold glint flashed through Dorothy’s eyes, though her tone stayed calm. “Harmony Sect may be composed entirely of women, but if we’re pushed too far, we won’t hesitate to fight back—even if it means bloodshed.”

A chill settled in Andrew’s chest.

Dorothy was far more difficult to deal with than someone like Monty or Julius. If she had resorted to brute force from the start, he could have simply crushed her opposition. But Dorothy played a different game altogether.

Jerome leaned in and whispered, “Andrew, I strongly advise against agreeing. Everyone knows Harmony Sect’s techniques are unlike anything else—strange, unpredictable, designed to get under your skin in ways you won’t see coming. Even at your level, if they strike from an angle you don’t expect, this could spiral fast.”

Dorothy, however, appeared completely at ease. She smiled lightly. “Take all the time you need, Mr. Lloyd. If not today, then tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then next month. Harmony Sect isn’t going anywhere. And as I’ve said, cultivating with Charlotte won’t harm you. If anything, it will enhance your martial growth.”

Giovanni added with a smirk, “Mr. Lloyd, you’ve torn through every obstacle in your path without breaking a sweat. Surely you’re not intimidated by a sect full of women?”

Everyone could see the provocation for what it was.

Eric didn’t miss the opening. “You know, Elder, every other word out of your mouth is about the women of Harmony Sect. Honestly, I’m starting to wonder—are you actually a man? Maybe just prove it so we can all move on.”

Giovanni shot to his feet. “What did you just say?”

It was the second time that insult had been thrown at him in one sitting, and it burned twice as fiercely now. He was very much a man. In fact, he had spent years harboring private ambitions toward nearly every female disciple in Harmony Sect—including Dorothy and the highly sought-after Charlotte.

Those two, in particular, had always remained just out of reach, no matter how high he rose within the sect. He had cultivated with many women along the way, but Dorothy and Charlotte were different. With them, he could gain both beauty and power.

Andrew took a slow breath. He was done dragging this out. He had places to be and no patience left for endless maneuvering.

“Fine,” he said at last. “We’ll do it your way, Madam Fontaine. Bring out Elder Easterling.”

Dorothy’s face lit up. “Mr. Lloyd, are you serious?”

Andrew’s voice turned cold. “When a man gives his word, he keeps it. Of course I’m serious. But I expect you to keep yours as well. If I remain unmoved by Elder Easterling and resist her charm, then it simply means Harmony Sect and I are not aligned. At that point, you will honor your promise and defend the country.”

Dorothy smiled. “It’s a deal. However, Charlotte does not appear in public. She’s in a private chamber in the rear hall. Mr. Lloyd, you may go alone to meet her.”

Andrew shook his head. “Madam Fontaine, that doesn’t inspire confidence. If I walk in there alone and Harmony Sect has something prepared, I’d rather not discover it the hard way. I’m not accusing you of anything. I’m simply saying caution never hurts.”

Dorothy’s smile remained sweet. “Mr. Lloyd, you’re very thorough—I admire that. Don’t worry. It’s merely an herb room. The interior is open and fully visible. We will all wait outside, and your people can stand less than ten feet away. If anything happens, they can intervene immediately. Harmony Sect has neither the courage nor the desire to see harm come to you.”

Andrew gave a cold snort and rose to his feet. “Then I’ll head to the back room. Excuse me.”

Harmony Sect had insisted on this so-called dual cultivation. For most men, it might have sounded like an opportunity they would accept without hesitation.

But Andrew wasn’t the type to take what was handed to him.

This wasn’t about posturing or pretending to be above it. The entire arrangement simply didn’t sit right with him. If he and Charlotte had developed something genuine between them, that would have been different.

But being pushed into intimacy with a stranger and reducing it to nothing more than a training transaction—that was where he drew the line.

And if word ever got out, people would have plenty to say about what Harmony Sect truly represented.