Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 2741

The house was still under construction. Even though it was progressing at record speed, it would definitely not be completed in just a few days.

Nonetheless, since Aspen and the others were around, Andrew had nothing to worry about.

…

Brielle unexpectedly showed up at Medicine God's Covenant to look for Andrew.

He smiled at the elegant, veiled woman and said, "Madam Baxter, please sit."

Brielle sat down, glanced around, and sighed. "Mr. Lloyd, the Medicine God's Covenant grew fast. I just took a quick look and saw customers and staff everywhere. I also heard that you brought back a whole group of alchemists from the Advanced Medical Institute. Is that true?"

Andrew did not bother hiding it. "It's true, but it's not a huge group. It's only about 28 people."

Brielle's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him, speechless. 28 alchemists were priceless, and in all of Chetvine, only Sovereign's Apothecary had that kind of power; even the old elite families or the royal clans could not pull that off.

"You really kept surprising me," Brielle said with a helpless smile. "I'm sure you already know why I'm here."

Andrew chuckled. "More or less. Titus and Theon are getting restless, aren't they?"

Brielle nodded. "You guessed right. They used to treat Medicine God's Covenant like some street-side stand, too small to matter, but you've brought back so many alchemists that Titus is feeling the pressure over at Sovereign's Apothecary."

Andrew shrugged. "What's the pressure? The alchemy market is huge, and there's no way Sovereign's Apothecary can dominate all of it. If they share a bit with Medicine God's Covenant, everyone wins."

Andrew gestured for her to continue. "Madam Baxter, go ahead."

Brielle hesitated before saying bitterly, "I'm leaving Chetvine."

Andrew frowned. "Did Julius force you to go back to the Divine Alchemists?"

Brielle shook her head. "No. He's always been trying to push me back, but since I already walked away from them, there's no way I'm letting him control me again. I'm heading out into the world to search for my child."

Andrew stared at her in shock. "Madam Baxter, you had a child?"

Brielle shot him a glare. "Of course I did. What, did you think someone my age was still some untouched maiden?"