Rising from the Ashes BY Only For You Novel

Chapter 686 Aspen was in disbelief .

After all , she thought Gordon was supposed to have already killed Andrew .

Hence , there was no way Andrew could still be alive .

Aspens mind spiraled into chaos .

Her breathing grew ragged , and her thoughts twisted in every possible direction .

She even wondered if it were Andrews ghost , a vengeful spirit coming back from the grave .

Her trembling fingers fumbled for her phone as dread coiled tighter around her chest .

She quickly called Gordons number , only to find that his phone had been turned off .

Aspens heart skipped a beat .

She already knew it would not go through , but she kept dialing anyway again and again .

She tried more than a dozen times , and each time , she was het with the same automated response that the number was unavailable .

Frustration exploded within her , and she screamed , Gordon ! What the hell is going on ? Are you dead or alive ? Cant you give me a damn sign ? The silence that followed was deafening .

Nothing about this made sense .

Andrew , who should been rotting in the ground , was walking , talking , and answering phone calls .

Meanwhile , Gordon had vanished without a trace .

Tears of fear and helplessness pricked her eyes .

Her confidence , her bravado everything was unraveling .

As dread tightened its icy grip , one terrifying thought surfaced .

What if Andrew wasnt killed ? What if Gordon was the one who died instead ? Aspen calmed down and immediately called Zephyr Stephens , the patriarch of the Bridgefields Stevens family .

Aspen ? Well , well … what an unexpected surprise .

What brings my rebellious little daughter to call me out of the blue ? Zephyr joked .

Aspen forced herself to swallow the rising panic .

She could not just blurt out the truth .

Zephyr would lose his mind if he found out Gordon had gone missing .

After all , Gordon was the familys hidden ace , their invisible dagger in the shadows .

His disappearance would be seen as Aspens catastrophic failure .

She plastered on her best fake smile and softened her voice .

Dad , I was just thinking about you .

I had some free time and figured Id call you to see how youve been .

Zephyr laughed heartily .

Ah , Aspen , my precious girl .

As long as youre doing well in Jayrodale , Im doing just fine .

Im glad Mr.

Woods is helpful .

Aspens heart was pounding hard , but she managed to sound as calm as possible .

Of course ! You know me , Dad .

Ive laid a solid foundation here .

The Stevens family will have no problem setting a solid foundation in Jayrodale .

Zephyr praised , Thats what I like to hear .

Youve achieved so much in such a short time .

Ive always said you were the sharpest of all my children .

Still , you shouldnt let your guard down , he said , his tone sharp .

Jayrodale isnt our home turf .

I heard from Mr.

Woods that youve had a few setbacks there .

Something about a kid named Andrew Lloyd giving you trouble ? Aspen forced a cold , dismissive laugh .

Dad , hes nothing more than a nobody .

Mr.

Woods already stepped in and handled it .

Zephyr let out a snort .

Good .

No one messes with my daughter or disrespects the Stevens family .

If Bridgefields Stevens family is going to expand and establish dominance in Jayrodale , then we need to use force when 1/2 Chapter 686 necessary .

So , youre saying this Andrew is taken care of ? +25 BONUS Aspen squeezed out a stiff , hollow smile .

Yes , Dad .

Hes long gone reduced to dust .

Nothing to worry about .

Zephyr chuckled with satisfaction .

Good .

Hearing that puts me at ease .

Youve handled the familys business well , and Im proud of you .

Was there anything else , sweetheart ? If not , I need to head into a meeting soon .

Aspen swallowed hard , trying to keep her voice steady as she scrambled to come up with an excuse .

Actually , Dad its about Mr.

Woods .

Ive … temporarily lost contact with him .

She added , I was hoping you could use your authority as family head to track his location and send it to me .

Zephyr did not question her story .

That sounds like Mr.

Woods hes always been a lone wolf and hates anyone monitoring his movements .

Alright , Ill send you his location now .

But when you find him , make sure to thank him properly for his work .

I will , Dad .

Thanks .

Bye .

The moment the call ended , Aspens face twisted into a grim mask .

Everyone back in Bridgefields thought she had made incredible strides in Jayrodale and was on her way to building a bright , prosperous future for the family .

Yet , in reality , she had burned through billions of family assets .

The fortune she had brought with her had been squandered , piece by piece .

Not only that , but Gordon her so called ace in the hole was also missing without a trace , his life or death unknown .

If Zephyr or the Stevens family council ever found out the truth , it would not matter how favored she was .

The punishment would be swift and merciless .

As the head of the family , only Zephyr had the authority to track Gordons phone location .

Soon , Aspen the information .

She clenched her jaw and barked , Bruce ! Jackie ! Get ready .

Were heading out to find Mr.

Woods now .

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