Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

"Oh, and name your price just send me the number later, and I'll wire you the money."

Andrew cut straight to the point, demanding the keys. He had had enough of these so-called elite brats-each one so full of themselves. He wondered why they were barking and acting so arrogantly.noveldrama

Zachary did not waste time either. He swiftly pulled out a palm-sized velvet box and handed it to Andrew.

"Mr. Lloyd, this is Serenity Villa's jade key. It's not the most practical for daily use. Once you and Ms. Stevens move in, we'll register your fingerprints and retinal scans. After that, you won't even need a key."

Andrew casually tossed the box to Aspen and strode toward Serenity Villa's gates, muttering, "Got it."

Aspen fumbled to catch the box, her face a picture of stunned disbelief. The most exclusive villa in The Sovereign Residence had just been sold without a contract, negotiations, or even a grand handover ceremony.

She stood there, utterly bewildered.

Xavier's face darkened instantly, his voice sharp with barely contained fury. "Zachary. What the hell is this? Even jokes have their limits. The Haywoods are willing to pay ten billion—and you'd still refuse my offer?"

In a desperate move, Xavier threw out an astronomical figure, but Zachary did not even flinch. He said calmly, "Colonel Haywood, this was never about money, and no, I'm not joking. Serenity Villa was always meant for Mr. Lloyd."

He smiled faintly. "As for everyone else? They were never in consideration. The only reason it's even on the market is because Mr. Lloyd expressed interest."

Xavier's control snapped. "Then answer me this, Zachary-you'd sell to some nobody over me? Is this the Haywoods being slighted? Or is it me you're disrespecting?"

Zachary remained unfazed, his tone indifferent. The Haywoods-and you, Colonel Haywood-have never been part of my social orbit. So 'disrespect' doesn't even enter the equation. But more importantly, you're mistaken about one thing."

Xavier gritted his teeth. "Oh?"

Zachary met his gaze with an amused smile. "I'm not selling Serenity Villa to Mr. Lloyd. I'm gifting it."

The moment these words landed, the young heirs collectively sucked in sharp breaths, their minds reeling. After all, Serenity Villa was the most luxurious estate in The Sovereign Residences. Yet Zachary hadjust given it to Andrew for free

The crowd could not help but wonder just who Andrew was to receive such

treatment. Moreover, Xavier had just offered ten billion dollars.

Meanwhile, Xavier's face twitched, his composure cracking under skeer disbelief. "You're gifting it to him? Zachary... just how important is this Andrew to you? What kind of leverage does he hold?"

Zachary chuckled, replying. "For Mr. Lloyd? It's not just a villa. If he asked for my life, I'd hand it over without hesitation."

Xavier fell silent. Wave after wave of shock slammed into him, his gut churning.

Were it not for Zachary's undisputed status as a Blumedale elite—a man of formidable influence he would have wondered if the man had lost his damn mind.

As for Luna? Outwardly, she remained impassive. However, the storm in her eyes betrayed the truth: her shock ran just as deep as Xavier's.