Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 1633

Andrew had already left Nova Fight Club. He exited the same way he came, calm and unbothered.

No one even dared to stop him.

Liliana said angrily, "Joe, why? With your personality, there's no way you'd tolerate such an insignificant bug acting so arrogantly! You could have crushed him with a single slap!"

Joe's eyes were deep and thoughtful as he shook his head. "Liliana, none of you really understand me. Everyone thinks I'm the Driscoll family heir, a peerless genius, an untouchable golden boy!

"Maybe the old me enjoyed all that vanity and those titles. But my excellence and talent don't need other people's applause to validate them. My path in life doesn't need my family's background to prop me up so I can bully others and lord over them."

He added, "Andrew has every right to compete with me for Lauren. So I'll defeat him fair and square, openly and honestly, and tear him apart! I won't look down on him just because he's a nobody. This is the insight my recent martial arts breakthrough has given me."

When Liliana heard this, her face immediately filled with adoration, practically swooning. "Joe, you're the most amazing and charming guy I've ever met! You know what? Seeing how incredible you are makes me half proud and happy, but the other half of me feels so sad."

Joe smiled, and he looked incredibly handsome. "Why would you feel sad? You're my good friend, and I want you to be happy for me!"

Liliana bit her red lips, looking pitiful and vulnerable. "Because I like you, and seeing you suffering over Ms. Rhodes breaks my heart. I can't help but wonder if I'm really so much worse than her?"

Joe shook his head seriously. "I'm sorry, Liliana. I know how you feel about me, but Lauren is different… no, she's absolutely unique. She's the only person who has ever won my heart."

Jealousy and hatred flashed in Liliana's eyes. But in the end, she said nothing and ran downstairs with tears streaming down her face.

Gary laughed awkwardly. "Mr. Driscoll, aren't you going to go after her?"

Joe's expression remained ice-cold. "No, I'm not going after her. Running after a woman I don't love would be cruel to myself."

Liliana stopped right in front of him, face full of hatred. "Andrew, compared to Joe, you're nothing but a bug! The only reason I called out to you is to tell you not to bite off more than you can chew. He only has room in his heart for one woman—Lauren. If you dare get in their way, I will make you pay!"

Andrew did not get mad. Instead, he looked genuinely puzzled. "Liliana, are you okay? Did you hit your head or something? It's obvious you're head-over-heels for Joe. You practically worship the guy! So why are you suddenly acting like some noble peacekeeper?"

Liliana pressed her lips together, and a bitter smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

"I love him. But unfortunately, sometimes love is one-sided. To Joe, no one else matters. It's Lauren or nothing."

Andrew looked even more confused and could not help but blurt out, "A rich guy like Mr. Driscoll doesn't strike me as someone loyal. I'd be more inclined to believe he's a player who enjoys toying with women!"

Liliana scoffed. "If that's really what you think, then you're just projecting your own petty mindset onto a gentleman. Joe's excellence is perfect and flawless. Otherwise, I never could have fallen so deeply in love with him."