Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 1987

Night had fallen, and the darkness was thick as ink. A large group of black-clad figures silently infiltrated The Sovereign Residences, moving without making a sound. Their gleaming white blades flashed ominously in the darkness as they advanced.

At the main gate of The Sovereign Residences, two martial arts guards stood in the security booth. Their faces were pale, but they managed to stay relatively calm.

The black-clad assassins had completely ignored them and headed straight for the peak of The Sovereign Residences complex, so they had not been targeted for elimination.

The younger guard, Martin Burton, was trembling as he whispered, "Sir, should we send up a signal?"

The older guard, Fred Stewart, shook his head firmly. "Don't do anything stupid."

Martin looked confused. "But there are so many killers. They're obviously planning to go on a massive killing spree here at The Sovereign Residences!"

Fred watched as the group of assassins disappeared into the distance, then spoke in a much calmer tone. "If they want a massacre, let them have it. Small fry like us can't do anything when powerhouses fight."

Martin then asked, "Mr. Stewart, you sound like you know who they are."

Fred smirked. "If you can't figure it out, no wonder your martial skills are wasted on gate duty. Think…Who's the biggest shot living here right now?"

He did not wait for an answer and continued, "It's obviously Serenity Villa's Mr. Lloyd. And since Mr. Lloyd has already declared war on the Driscoll family, I'd bet my last coin these black-clad men are from the Driscolls."

Martin immediately understood and gave Fred a thumbs up, his admiration evident. "Mr. Stewart, your analysis is spot-on. But with so many of them, can Mr. Lloyd really handle it?"

Fred replied leisurely, "Don't waste your worry. Mr. Lloyd has already proven what kind of man he is. Tonight, it's anyone's guess who will walk away."

The killing intent in the air grew heavier, and the night seemed to darken further.

Inside Serenity Villa, the place was already emptied out. Everything that could be moved had been relocated, and only Lauren, Francesca, and Aspen remained. They were each hidden in different corners of the house, silently waiting for the uninvited guests to approach.

"Damn it, looks like Andrew was prepared," the leader, Dixon Burne, cursed.

Though frustrated, his professional instinct kept him calm as he ordered his men to search every corner for anyone hiding.

Lauren lay in wait on the first floor, Francesca on the second, and Aspen on the third. The first to spark a fight was Francesca. She had not been spotted at first, but her nerves got the better of her and she attacked preemptively.

Francesca, a petite beauty with formidable curves, followed a pure external cultivation, which meant she trained her muscles, bones, and physical body rather than internal energy. This approach made her fighting style incredibly direct and brutal, where she relied on raw physical strength and power.

So, when Francesca made her move, she was absolutely savage about it. She recklessly launched herself at the enemies, throwing punches and strikes without regard for defense or strategy.

Two Shadow Division operatives were caught completely off guard and let out muffled groans as they were sent flying from the second floor down to the first, their screams of pain echoing through the empty house.