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.

looked like he was about to explode

bastard was driving him

coldly, "Mr. Lloyd... are you trying to play me for a fool? Or do

losing it. This man had assaulted someone in front of witnesses, then had the audacity to demand she cover

wondered if Andrew was dropped on

remained composed. "I've made myself very clear, Ms. Garcia. Either you stand by as I wipe the floor with the Haywoods-then testify afterward that I acted ine self-defense and am not guilty...

between us and that piece of trash. Please

Live or die,

full

swear, I'm going to make sure this

those brutal

turned stormy. "Enough. This ends here-today! Whatever happens afterward between the two of you, I don't care. The governor's office won't get

don't push it. I'm here under direct

as he stared Andrew down. Then,