Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Aspen had no say in how Andrew would treat her or what he planned to do with her. She could not run, nor did she dare harbor even the slightest thought of rebellion against him.

As long as the Stevens family in Bridgefields still existed, she had no choice but to bow her head. Otherwise, any reckless move on her part could spark Andrew's wrath, and with just one command, her entire family would be wiped out.

Not long after, Natasha returned. She noticed Aspen standing there, her face flushed with frustration, and asked in surprise, "Aspen, why are you just standing there? Sit down and rest for a bit."

She added, "Like it or not, you're kinda one of us now. Even though I have to keep an eye on you so you don't steal my man, I can't help but feel a little bad for you."

Aspen clenched her jaw and stiffly replied, "No need!"

She would have loved to sit down, but a certain petty bastard clearly did not see her as human.

Natasha glanced at Aspen, noting the barely contained anger on her face, then turned to Andrew, who remained calm and indifferent.

Something clicked in her mind, and she asked, "Darling, are you leaving Aspen with me for now?"

Andrew scoffed in disgust. "That's why you're smarter than this clueless new slave. I still don't get why I let Zephyr and the others walk free, only to be stuck with this useless burden."

Hearing that, Aspen could no longer hold back. "Andrew, don't forget-you already promised not to go after the Stevens family anymore! I know you hate me and look down on me. But you made a promise, and your word should mean something!"

Andrew waved her off. "Relax. As dumb and irrationally confident as you are, I don't go back on my word. I'll just chalk this up as a business deal where I took a loss."

Aspen let out a cold laugh. "This is

the first time've ever heard of

someone from the prestigious

Stevens family being reduced to act

servant and still getting rejected! But don't worry. I won't be useless. You'll see I'll make sure your so-called 'loss' turns into a profit."

Andrew raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That so? Then tell me what exactly can you offer?"

Aspen snapped, "Haven't you already seen what I'm capable of? Whether it's my looks, combat skills, business sense, or any other quality, I'm not inferior to any of the women around you!"

Andrew smirked. "Oh, I've seen what

you're capable of, alright. That's exactly why I'm sitting while you're standing If I tell you to get on your knees, you'll kneel. If I tell you to strip you will. Your so-called 'capabilities' mean nothing to me. Get it?"

Andrew's cruel words cut through Aspen like a blade, and her eyes instantly turned red with anger and humiliation. "Andrew, I swear I will escape from you one day. And when I do, I make you pay for every bit of humiliation you've put me through!"

Her tears welled up, but she refused to let them fall. She glared at Andrew, gritting her teeth, determined not to break down.

Andrew sneered. "You can't even guarantee your own survival, and you're still dreaming about revenge? Do you not realize that I could make your life a living hell with a single word?"

Aspen lifted her chin stubbornly, her voice filled with hatred. "Then do it. Kill me if you dare. Because if you don't, as long as I'm alive, I'll always have a chance."

Natasha clicked her tongue in amusement. "I have to hand it to you, Aspen. You've got guts."

Andrew rolled his eyes. "Guts? My ass. Aspen, I'm ordering you to take off your clothes. All of them. Then, I'll decide whether or not I should gift you to my West End boys for some fun."

Aspen's arrogance vanished in an instant, her face draining of color. She trembled and stuttered, "A-Are you really going to humiliate me like this? You would strip me of my last shred of dignity?"noveldrama