Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 2736

The next day, the construction project kicked off in full force, and everything moved fast. Aspen, Rowan, and Natasha had changed into lightweight gear for the site, and all three wore hard hats and fitted utility pants as they directed the workers.

The crew in charge belonged to the largest construction company in Chetvine, known for its top-tier workmanship and pricing. However, the moment they arrived at the Lloyd family estate, they practically tucked their tails between their legs and smiled nonstop. They even said the price was negotiable and that if needed, they could throw in an extra unit for free.

Andrew waved a hand and asked, "Do I look like the kind of guy who extorts people?"

The foreman immediately laughed awkwardly and shook his head, apologizing over and over. It was obvious that Aspen and the other ladies were taking the house-building project extremely seriously.

At some point, Donovan strolled over to Andrew.

Andrew stood straight. "Patriarch Donovan."

Donovan nodded with a faint smile. "It's finally happening. All these years, while Reginald was gone, this place stayed abandoned. But don't worry… I already had the tech team clear out the radiation several times, so it's safe to live here."

Andrew frowned. "Why would my family's old home have radiation? Is there some kind of mine under it?"

Donovan shook his head. "No mine. When you and your father escaped Chetvine years ago, some people still refused to accept it, so they fired another missile at your ancestral home. The blast was no joke and even hit part of my territory. So, I wiped out that reckless family and everyone backing them, and one of the generals involved got his skull crushed by me on the spot."

Donovan shook his head again. "You still don't understand. Those plots were left behind by our ancestors. The estate is limited in size, and the family will only continue to grow stronger."

He continued, "Do you really think those guys can't afford homes in Chetvine? Not at all. Most of them are wealthy now, and several are even listed among Chetvine's richest. What they lack isn't money, but the right to live on ancestral land. But you… You were born for this place.

"There are emotional connections tied to this land that you can't understand yet. I'm telling you this because you need to know that a true home only exists once. When you live in the place that belongs to you, the place where your roots are, both your body and spirit can finally rest."

Andrew thought carefully about the meaning behind those words. Then, he nodded hard. "Patriarch Donovan, I understand."