Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 1222

Naturally, Andrew refused and said, "Mr. Bates, this treasure map has been tied to your family's legacy for generations. You can't just hand over something this important to me. I can't accept it."

However, Ronan shook his head. "Mr. Lloyd, don't think of this as something you're unworthy of or need to feel guilty about taking. This partial map—rather than calling it a gift, it's more like we're transferring a curse. Only by passing it on can we hope to survive."

Still, Andrew did not take it. Instead, he asked, "So someone's already after the map, aren't they?"

Ronan's eyes filled with seething hatred as he gritted his teeth. "You're right. And the one after this partial map isn't just anyone—it's Mosby himself. People thought he kept attacking Oak Apothecary because he wanted to take over my practice.

"But that was just smoke and mirrors to distract the other big families. Mosby's real goal has always been to get his hands on our family's treasure map."

Andrew's expression darkened. "So that means… very few people know the Bates family has the map, right?"

After all, a treasure map—especially one tied to the Crimson Dynasty's Ten Great Treasures—was the kind of thing people would kill for. If it really led to one of those treasures, anyone who found it could become rich beyond imagination.

Yet somehow, the Bates family, with no real power or influence, had managed to hold onto it for this long. That could only mean one thing—very few people knew it even existed.

Ronan chuckled. "You catch on fast, Mr. Lloyd. You're absolutely right. Hardly anyone knows the Bates family is in possession of a partial treasure map.

"If it were common knowledge, those greedy elite families and power-hungry sects would've already snatched it from us. Mosby only found out by accident. It was never something we intended to reveal."