Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2709

Andrew sheathed his sword and plopped down beside Mikayla. Then, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and grinned.

He said, "That's the only way. Otherwise, that old mutt Lorenzo would already be dead."

Jerome smirked and glanced at Mikayla, who lay beside Andrew with a face full of rage and despair. He did not say a word as he quietly walked off to the side, ready in case Lorenzo circled back. He was a seasoned veteran who always planned for everything, even the things others ignored.

Andrew felt at ease with Jerome nearby because having a martial artist like him around meant Andrew barely needed to worry. One Jerome was worth a few hundred trained martial artists.

Eric walked over, shrugging as he said, "Koda took a direct palm strike from Lorenzo and somehow didn't die. That's pretty damn impressive."

Andrew glanced toward the distance where Koda was being lifted off the ground by his men. He was still laughing like a madman, completely ignoring the blood dripping off him.

"The Advanced Medical Institute is finally mine," Koda cackled, and his men cheered along with him.

Andrew did not care either way. Koda had earned a moment of happiness, but only for a moment. Because soon enough, he would show Koda who actually ran the Advanced Medical Institute.

Andrew's strategy mirrored Lorenzo's perfectly. Support the internal faction, let them think they won, and then take the throne from right under them. The only difference was that Andrew won, while Lorenzo ended up failing miserably, losing everything he thought he had already secured.

"Andrew, my dad, the Owens family, and Mr. Vazquez will never let you walk away from this," Mikayla cried, clutching her stomach as pain twisted her face.

Mikayla's entire body shook as the color drained from her face. "Y-You wouldn't dare…"

Andrew lifted a hand, and Eric immediately pulled him to his feet. Andrew dusted off his pants, picked up Godslayer, and walked toward Koda and his ecstatic crew. "She's yours. You guys worked hard. You deserve to enjoy yourself."

Koda's men immediately turned toward Mikayla like starving wolves, their eyes full of hunger. Killing her was not nearly as appealing as what they had in mind first.

"No, Andrew, come back! Get back here!" Mikayla screamed, her voice cracking. "No! No, please!"

Real fear finally hit her as she began scrambling backward, sobbing uncontrollably.