Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 1940

Andrew said, "Victoria, would you believe me if I said I didn't do anything?"

Standing in front of this sharp yet quietly elegant woman, he did not dare play games.

Victoria wore simple loungewear as she walked to the coffee table and smiled softly. "Silly boy, you're young and full of energy. Romance, passion, even going at it ten times in one night, would be perfectly normal for you. I won't judge."

She brewed a cup of tea and handed it to Andrew. "Here, drink this. It'll help with the alcohol and clear your head too!"

Andrew did not hesitate to take the cup and drink it in one go. Then, he turned serious as he looked her over. From the slight pallor in her complexion, it was clear that she was injured, and not lightly.

She raised a hand before he could speak, as if she already knew what he was going to say. "It's nothing major. I just need some time to rest and recover."

Andrew shook his head. "No, Victoria. Let me check your pulse. I won't feel right unless I examine you myself."

Victoria gave a soft laugh, her expression blooming like a rare orchid. "Alright, go ahead. But Andrew, do you know something about women? We can't handle too much kindness. If you treat us too well, we'll start thinking you're into us. And then? Either we'll start playing games… or testing you."

She added, "And the really cunning women will use your feelings to string you along, keeping you hooked but never letting you have what you want!"

Andrew's face darkened. "I have zero interest in women like that!"

Victoria arched her brow. "So, you're the impatient kind. Either you want everything right now, or you walk away. No patience, no effort… Am I right?"

She made it sound casual, but Andrew knew it was not that simple.

He paused for a moment, then said, "Victoria, maybe I can help. Right now. I might be able to weaken or even expel that Pale Specter energy."

Victoria immediately shook her head. "Don't. If you try, it'll backfire on you. You should know that the Pale Specter energy is buried deep inside my meridians. In my case, it's not just in the meridians. It's already invaded my energy core."

She continued, "Getting rid of it? That's impossible in this lifetime. The only way is to overpower it, keep it suppressed, and never let it flare up."

Andrew gave a bitter smile. "That sounds exactly like something you'd say, treating the symptoms, not the root problem. But still, let me try. I really do have an idea that might work."