Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2184

That night, Harold and Elijah could not sleep.

"Dad, is Hugo really dead?" Elijah asked, his face somewhat pale.

Harold's expression darkened. "Most likely, yes. You saw Hakeem's reaction yourself. It was like losing his own arm. Hugo was his twin brother, and now he's gone. Looks like Andrew isn't someone we can underestimate."

"But Hakeem and Hugo were the Chetvine Cunningham family's top killers," Elijah muttered, unable to accept it. "Those two were once feared everywhere as the Twin Assassins of Holtrien."

Harold nodded slightly. "They're formidable, no doubt. But there's always someone stronger out there. Andrew is the King of Gabo Creek, and that's not just an empty title. We should be thankful the Knowles family didn't go head-to-head with him from the start, or the outcome could've been disastrous."

Elijah snorted. "But this is Terror Town, not his home turf in Gabo Creek. If it comes down to a real fight, the Knowles family won't back down."

Harold shook his head. "You're still too young. Our family's strength lies in wealth. In times of peace, that means we eat well, live well, and treat nobles and officials like lapdogs.

"But there are people who don't play by the rules. You have money, but they have strength, martial skill, and the art of killing. That's why brutes who rely on force always make life difficult. After this, our family must change direction. Making money isn't enough… We also need to develop real martial power."

Elijah frowned. "Trinity went with Hugo… What if something happened to her?"

Harold's face stayed indifferent. "Whether she lives or dies has nothing to do with us. She's just a servant sent by the Aguilar family of Eastonia. Do you think I'd care?"

Elijah gave a dry laugh. "Still, her beauty is top tier. What draws me even more is her skill and her gentleness. Dad, if I could win her over and bring her to serve the Knowles family, wouldn't that be a good thing?"

Harold shot him a glance. "Go wash up and sleep, it's late. You're not thinking about the family; you just want her body. Don't even think about it."

Elijah chuckled awkwardly and slipped out, closing the door behind him.

Under the lamplight, Harold's expression shifted between shadow and light, but he ultimately decided it was nothing serious.

Hakeem was still alive, and with Chetvine and the rest of the Cunningham giants behind them, there was nothing to fear.

Deep into the night, Trinity landed lightly on the roof of the Knowles estate like a wisp of smoke. She looked back but saw nothing behind her.

The thought lingered as she boarded a midnight plane back to her homeland of Eastonia.

Meanwhile, Andrew had made his way to the house where Hakeem was staying.

As soon as he got close, Hakeem's calm voice came from inside. "Since you're here, don't lurk around sneakily, come in!"

The door opened soundlessly, and Andrew strolled in without hesitation.

The room was dark, yet both men could see each other clearly.

"The stench of blood on you is heavy," Hakeem said, calm and firm as he sat on the couch. "That means you're the one who killed Hugo and the others."

Andrew studied him and saw the resemblance.