Rising from the Ashes BY Only For You

Andrew's eyes turned icy as a cruel grin curled at the corner of his lips. "Ms.

Garcia, you saw it yourself. It was the Haywoods who started this mess. When I kill every last one of them, I expect you to testify to Mr. McCormick that I acted in self-defense, and I'm completely innocent."

Chantelle's face darkened. "Hold it. No one moves a muscle. Mr. Lloyd, what the hell are you talking about? Why would I testify for you when you're clearly the one provoking this fight?"

Andrew snorted. "Provoking? How am I the one looking for trouble? You saw it too. That Haywood moron brought an armed squad to corner me he started all this."

Chantelle clenched her jaw. "Yeah, I know they came here first. But they didn't touch you-you hit him first. How does that make sense?"

Andrew flashed a mocking smile and replied calmly, "Sure, I struck first. But I acted out of instinct. To put it bluntly, their presence posed a serious threat, and I couldn't control my response. I reacted on impulse, for my own safety."

He added, "Legally speaking, that qualifies as a stress-induced act of self- defense. I'm not only innocent-I might even get sympathy for it."

He spoke so seriously, so confidently, it left Aspen completely blank. She had never seen someone twist the truth so shamelessly, and still sound so righteous doing it.

the other hand, looked like he was about to explode from sheer

was

trying to play me for a fool? Or do

from losing it. This man had assaulted someone in front of witnesses, then had

wondered if Andrew was dropped on the head as

with the Haywoods-then testify afterward that I acted ine self-defense and am not guilty... Or, you make them back off

Garcia, this is between us and that piece of trash. Please don't

Live or die, we'll

full

sure this bastard dies without a grave to be buried

being humiliated again with those brutal slaps, Seth had completely lost

the two of you, I don't care. The governor's office won't get

sharply. "Seth, don't push it. I'm here under

eyes burned with venom as he stared Andrew down. Then, he turned and stormed off with his