Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 828

Zephyr said, "Aspen, you've barely been in Jayrodale for any time at all, and you've already become this cowardly? So scared to take action? You've truly disappointed me. And worse, you've disgraced the entire Stevens family!"

Tears streamed down Aspen's face. Her father's words cut her deeply, filling her with shame and despair. As someone who had always been proud and arrogant, her greatest fear was disappointing her family.

Yet, more than that, she was terrified—terrified that Zephyr, blinded by anger and unaware of Jayrodale's true power dynamics, would lead the entire Stevens family to ruin.

If that happened, she would not just be a failure. She would be the greatest disgrace in the family's history.

"Dad, please, you have to listen to me!" Aspen pleaded, her voice breaking. "Andrew is the underground king of Jayrodale now. If we fight him head-on, we will lose!"

She gazed at Zephyr through her tear-filled eyes, desperate to make him understand. She had finally let go of her past grudges, no longer wanting revenge against Andrew or going against him.

After all, failure after failure had made one thing painfully clear—she and Andrew were leagues apart, and the gap between them was an abyss.

However, Zephyr refused to listen. He sneered. "Underground king? What a load of bullshit. He's nothing more than a nobody. Before coming here, I had him thoroughly investigated."

He added, "And what did I find? A worthless mongrel who dares to challenge the Stevens family! If I don't wipe him out, how will I ever hold my head high in Bridgefields?"

Aspen's blood ran cold. She dropped to her knees, crawling forward and grasping his leg. "Dad, I beg you, please listen! Please be careful! Jayrodale is not Bridgefields! Andrew isn't just the underground king—he even killed Mr. Woods! He's not someone our family can go up against!"

Zephyr froze, staring at her in silence. Hope flickered in Aspen's heart, and she wondered if he was finally listening to her and was convinced by her words.