Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 688

Aspen did not say a word. Her lips trembled as she crouched down, reaching toward the skeleton. Her fingers found the metal ring resting on the bony remains of a hand. She pulled it free, her breath catching in her throat.

It was a signet ring—made of reinforced alloy, untouched by the decay around it. Etched into the surface was a single word: Woods.

Aspen's mind went blank for a moment before a wave of dread crashed over her. She mumbled, "Mr. Woods… is dead."

Her heart pounded erratically as the truth she had tried so hard to deny solidified into cold, undeniable reality. That ring was Gordon's—a personal item he never went anywhere without. Yet, here it was, buried with this broken, rotting corpse.

The implications were crystal clear.

Jackie stumbled back, his face deathly pale. "W-Who the hell did this? Who the hell in Jayrodale is capable of taking him down?"

Bruce sucked in a sharp breath. "Miss, t-this has to be Mr. Woods. There's no mistake. We need to inform the family immediately. Mr. Woods was Bridgefields' Stevens family's strongest asset. Mr. Stevens needs to know about this."

Aspen's head snapped up. Her bloodshot eyes burned into Bruce's. "No! We can't report this to Bridgefields."

Bruce's mouth fell open. "What? Miss, this is Mr. Woods we're talking about. He was the family's pillar of strength. We have to tell Mr. Stevens!"

Aspen's jaw tightened. She snarled through gritted teeth, "Listen here—we can't let Dad or our family in Bridgefields know about this! Absolutely not!"