Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Chantelle said with a smirk. "The moment he found out something happened to you, the look on his face could've scared someone to death."

Aspen froze for a second, her heart thumping wildly as she glanced at Andrew walking just ahead. She could not help but wonder if Andrew actually cared whether she lived or died.

Chantelle gave a half-smile, half-sigh. "Mr. Lloyd sure seems emotionally invested in you, Ms. Stevens. But, if you don't mind me overstepping-there's something off in your head."

Aspen blinked. "Excuse me? Ms. Garcia, what do you mean by that?"

Chantelle chuckled softly. "I majored in psychology, both undergrad and grad school. Even with just a little observation, I'd say you're showing classic signs of Stockholm syndrome."

Aspen's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

Chantelle studied her with a piercing gaze. "And I can tell you're an intelligent woman. You know you're getting deeper and deeper emotionally involved. But deep down... you don't actually want to get out, do you?"

Aspen's body gave a subtle shiver. "I'm sorry, Ms. Garcia, I don't know what you're talking about."

With a flustered tone, she threw out the line and quickly caught up to Andrew.

As the two of them walked off, Chantelle crossed her arms and murmured with a mocking snort, "Like a little bunny hopping straight into the wolf's mouth... Andrew, you surely are a womanizer.

"But too many women around a man? That's never a good sign. Let's see if you're strong enough to handle the storm they'll bring."

...

Back at Serenity Villa, Andrew treated the wounds on Aspen's face. Then, with his

usual commanding tone, he said, "Take off your clothes. All of them."

Aspen flared with anger. "What the hell are you trying to do? No way!"

Andrew sighed impatiently. "I need to check for any other injuries. If you've got more, I'll treat them all at once. Now, hurry up."

Aspen crossed her arms over her chest and shot him a frosty glare. "I'm fine, thank you very much. It's just my face-he slapped me a few times that's all. But if you'd shown up a minute later, you might've found a corpse instead."

Andrew chuckled. "So, what, you're blaming me for being late?"

Aspen turned her head away. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just saying... my life's pathetic. I escaped one

yelm

monster only to almost get violated by another."

Andrew's voice turned serious. "That was my oversight. As compensation, this entire villa is now yours."

Aspen stared at him, completely stunned. "Are you serious?"

This place was an ultra-exclusive villa in one of Blumedale's most expensive neighborhoods, and he was just giving it away.

Was he made of money?

However, what really caught her off guard was that the devil himself had actually admitted he was wrong. She did not know how to process that.

Andrew gave a firm nod. "I'm absolutely serious. And once things settle down here

in Blumedale, you'll be free to go."

That time, Aspen did not just look surprised-she was shaken. "You're not messing with me, are you?"noveldrama

Her eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Andrew's face was stone-cold. "I don't joke. Once the company's up and running, your contract ends. You'll be free."

The she realized he actually

meant

strange emotion bubbled

in berbest Instead of joy, what she

felt was a quiet kind of emptiness.

"Got it," she said softly before turning to head back to her room.

Chantelle's words echoed through Aspen's mind. She thought, 'Stockholm syndrome... Am I really... that pathetic?'