Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2558

Otto suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Conrad by the collar like a wild beast. His voice roared with fury.

"You stubborn fool, since you're so defiant, I'll tell you everything! That man you've spent your whole life admiring, Mr. Lloyd Senior, and the commander your father respected till his dying breath, Reginald… he's the real reason your father died!

"You still don't know, do you? That cursed dragon of the Lloyd family was the one who caused it all! Back then, when several empires and ten international organizations launched their joint extermination campaign, it was Reginald who ordered your father to stay behind and cover the retreat.

"In the end, I watched with my own eyes as my only son was cut to pieces while Reginald did nothing! He didn't even say a word. He never came to see the Cunningham family, never brought back your father's belongings, not even the message he left for you!"

Otto's face twisted into something dark and monstrous. "That's why, even as an old man, I swore I'd destroy the Lloyds and wipe their royal bloodline off the map! You want to kill Andrew? Fine. You have my full support. But Conrad, you're the last heir of the Cunningham family. You can't risk your life just to take him down. You should strike only when you can crush him completely, make him suffer before you end him."

Conrad froze as if lightning had struck him. His whole body went stiff. "Grandpa… W-What did you just say? Dad's death… was because of Mr. Lloyd Senior?"

Otto bellowed, "That's right! It was Reginald's order! His mistake left your father's body in pieces! I went to that organization demanding justice, but what did I get in return? A warning.

"They told me if the Cunningham family ever made a move, they'd erase us from Holtrien entirely! A threat? They think they can scare me? Do they really take the Cunningham family for a joke? There were several times I could've killed Andrew and Reginald, but every time, something got in the way. Not this time. This time, I know others will make their move. Your job is to stay in Chetvine and not go anywhere. Do you understand?"

Conrad clutched his head and dropped to the floor, curling up in pain. "How could this be? I hate Andrew, but at least I had a reason for that hate. But Mr. Lloyd Senior… he was once my father's and my benefactor. It shouldn't be like this. It just shouldn't! Why? Why did everything turn out this way?"

Otto looked down coldly. "Stay here and think about it until you finally understand."

Mateo's tone was firm. "Mr. Cunningham Senior, I've served this family since I was three years old. I've watched both Mr. Conrad and his father grow up. I won't comment on Mr. Conrad's feud with Andrew. But as for Reginald and Mr. Cunningham, you shouldn't mislead the boy. Mr. Conrad sees Reginald as his idol, as the peak of martial strength.

"But now you've shattered that belief. You've tainted something pure inside him. You and I both know the truth that Reginald didn't kill his father. His death was caused by something else. It was that…"

"Shut your mouth!" Otto roared, his voice echoing down the hall. "You fool! Who asked for your opinion? Everything I've done has one purpose: to make Conrad stronger! Who cares what Reginald did or didn't do? What matters is the fire inside Conrad, the rage that'll drive him forward! I need him to rise up and crush the Lloyd family beneath his feet!"

Mateo sighed heavily and shook his head. "Mr. Cunningham Senior, you're too ruthless. This isn't fair to Mr. Conrad. Seeing Reginald as a symbol of greatness was a good thing. W-Why destroy that?"