Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3338

Andrew’s voice turned icy. “So this is what the Harmony Sect calls dual cultivation. You talk about pleasure, about making men addicted—but in the end, you’re targeting a man’s very foundation. You’d be better off doing less of this.”

He turned toward the door. “Goodbye.”

He deliberately let anger show as he strode forward.

Charlotte panicked and rushed after him. “Mr. Lloyd, please don’t go! I only spoke harshly because I was anxious. Maybe the Harmony Sect’s techniques were created to steal a man’s essence. Maybe they truly are wicked.”

Her voice trembled. “But I swear, until now, I’ve never done anything like that.”

She hurried on, afraid he wouldn’t listen. “I’m about to break through to the next level. It just so happened that you came to the Harmony Sect, so Madam Fontaine arranged this. At first, I didn’t resist. But when I saw that you were kind, that you didn’t even show lust after seeing my body, I… I started to like you.”

Her eyes shimmered. “If you’re unwilling, I’ll do whatever you say. I won’t wrong you.”

Blocking his path, she forced him to stop.

“Move aside,” Andrew said coldly. “I’ve had enough of this pointless game with Madam Fontaine. If the Harmony Sect refuses to listen to reason, I won’t mind using force.”

Tears spilled down Charlotte’s face. She half-covered her chest with one hand while raising the other in desperate appeal.

“Mr. Lloyd, don’t you believe me? Everything I said is true. I may belong to the Harmony Sect, but I never wanted to cultivate with men.”

Her voice broke. “There are many things I can’t control. My technique has reached a bottleneck. She won’t tolerate my refusal forever.”

Her legs gave out, and she dropped to her knees in front of him.

Now the tears came freely—raw, unrestrained, impossible to ignore.

Andrew let out a slow breath. “I don’t know how much of what you’re saying is true and how much isn’t. But if you truly don’t want this, you can leave. You can refuse.”

Charlotte gave a bitter smile. “You make it sound so simple. The Harmony Sect’s rules are strict. Madam Fontaine may seem warm, but she’s fierce and ruthless. If I showed even a hint of disloyalty, she wouldn’t hesitate.”

Her voice trembled again. “I’ve lived inside the Harmony Sect since I was a child. There’s nowhere else in this world that would take me.”

She looked up at him, desperation in her eyes. “Please, Mr. Lloyd. Save me just this once. From now on, I’ll devote myself to you alone. When you need me, I’ll be there. If I become a burden, I’ll leave—but please don’t abandon me.”

“Lift your head,” Andrew said.

She obeyed, eyes red and pleading.

“Are you truly afraid of Madam Fontaine?”

Charlotte nodded immediately, fear flashing across her face.

“Fine,” Andrew said at last. “I’ll help you this once.”

Overcome with relief, Charlotte leapt to her feet and threw herself at him for the third time.

“Mr. Lloyd, I’ll give myself to you,” she murmured. “Don’t worry. I won’t touch your energy. It’ll just be simple affection between a man and a woman. We’ll stay inside long enough for it to look convincing, then walk out.”

She spoke quickly, afraid he might change his mind. “Madam Fontaine doesn’t need to know what really happened. She only needs to believe I belong to you now. Once she thinks I’m yours, she won’t dare pair me with anyone else. Your name alone will protect me.”

Andrew almost laughed.

The more she spoke, the clearer it became—she was naive, cornered by circumstances she couldn’t control.

By now, he was nearly certain Charlotte was inexperienced and sincere at heart.

Even so, crossing that line was out of the question. Valerie, Nyx, and Rowan were waiting outside. There was no way he would indulge himself here.

He wrapped an arm around Charlotte’s waist.

Feeling his warmth, she closed her eyes, thinking he had finally relented.

A sharp strike landed at the back of her neck.

Her body went limp instantly.

Andrew caught her before she fell and laid her gently on the bed.

“Forgive me,” he said softly.

He waited half an hour. With the earlier commotion, nearly an hour had passed in total. The timing would look believable.

At last, Andrew picked up his sword, walked to the door, and pushed it open to step outside.