Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Mohave scratched his head, seeming a bit confused himself. "Last night, when everyone was eating, it was very dark, so no one noticed Mr. Veyne. But I've always had sharp eyesight since I was a kid. Even in the dark, I can still see pretty well.

"Mr. Veyne didn't actually stop to relieve himself behind that boulder. He just pretended to. He kept sneaking glances back toward your group like he was checking if anyone was watching. Once he was sure no one saw him, he slipped away, heading straight into the forbidden area."

Andrew's heart skipped a beat as he pressed further, "Mohave, are you certain that he voluntarily snuck into the forbidden zone?"

Mohave nodded confidently, "Mr. Lloyd, you have to believe me. Mr. Veyne definitely ran into the forbidden area on his own. He looked panicked-tripped a few times on the way in, but didn't care. He just kept running like crazy and kept looking over his shoulder like he was terrified someone might catch him."

Andrew took a deep breath and patted the boy's head. "Mohave, go on back with Captain Buzz and the others. Thank you. I know everything I need now. If I make it out of the forbidden area alive, I'll come find you in the village. When that happens, I'll send you to school in the city."

Mohave's eyes lit up, and his voice cracked with excitement. "Mr. Lloyd, are you serious?"

Andrew chuckled. "Mohave, I couldn't be more serious. Now go. Time to head down the mountain. Oh, and when you find your dad, tell him to change that ridiculous Holtrien name of yours."

Mohave turned to go but kept glancing back. "Change my Holtrien name? Lucas Mainse... I kind of like it... It sounds cool."

Andrew looked stern. "Mohave, you've got a decent face, but you're not quite handsome enough to carry that name. Honestly, I don't want you using it. Just in case you grow up to be the type that breaks girls' hearts."

Mohave did not really get it, but he nodded and jogged off. "Alright, I'll talk to my dad about it. But Mr. Lloyd-it's just a name. What's it got to do with girls anyway?"

Andrew let out a long sigh. "Mohave, once you get to the city and start browsing the internet, you'll understand the damage that name can do. People are still trying to figure out how many girls were involved... and it's still an unsolved mystery."

He did not outright tell Mohave that Lucas Mainse was a handsome celebrity who became embroiled in a notorious leaked nude photo scandal involving multiple celebrities.noveldrama

Nearby, the sound of Kevin and Buzz arguing could be heard. Finally, Buzz snorted coldly and left the valley completely with the Patoaja warriors.

Tiana sneered. "The Wright family just lost a bunch of men, and they still don't want to leave. Human greed really knows no bounds."

Andrew shrugged. "Kevin's greed won't change just because a few bodies hit the ground. He doesn't want to leave with Buzz and his people because he wants to follow us."

Logan said coldly, "Then I'll tell them to get lost."

Andrew raised a hand. "Let them be As long as they don't get in our way, we don't need to deal with them. Alright, this is it. We're entering the ruins now-the truth is waiting."

At Andrew's command, Logan's team, Chantelle's people, and Andrew's group began moving forward, stepping into the derelict hamlet Meanwhile, Kevin and Ris remaining men followed at a distance.

Suddenly, Andrew halted and called out, "Mr. Sutton, if you would, please lead the

way and show us your legendary survival skills."

Ralph hunched his shoulders and slinked into the center of the group, his face gloomy and embarrassed.

Andrew glanced sideways at Chantelle. "Ms. Garcia, your so-called survival expert really is something else."

Chantelle's face flushed red with

face

embarrassment. As soon as they entered the abandoned village area, Andrew could not help but feel.

it-maybe it was just his

imagination, but the sunlight overhead seemed to dim..

He still had not mentioned what Mohave told him about Magnus.