Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 1058

Seth glared at Andrew, his face twisted with hatred. He growled, "This isn't over, Andrew. I swear, one day, you'll be the one crawling at my feet!"

He had stormed in like a king, ready to crush his enemy, only to leave humiliated and powerless. The sting of defeat burned deep in his chest.

Chantelle glanced at Andrew and said coldly, "Mr. Lloyd, favors from Mr. McCormick aren't something you can just use at will. Let me give you a piece of advice: a man needs to be strong on his own.

"If you keep hiding behind connections, always clinging to others to survive, this little streak of good fortune you're enjoying will run out fast. Mr. McCormick is upright and fair. He takes care of his people.

"But if you turn out to be a spineless liability, someone who can't stand on his own… he'll lose patience with you sooner or later."

Aspen's expression shifted. She thought, 'What was that supposed to mean? Was Ms. Garcia calling Supreme Capital Group a burden?'

Andrew, however, smiled. "I actually agree with you, Ms. Garcia. If someone really is a useless coward, then of course Mr. McCormick would kick him to the curb eventually."

Chantelle paused, caught off guard. Then, she gave a cold chuckle. "If you understand that, Mr. Lloyd, then why were you so desperate for me to come save you?"

Andrew shook his head. "That's where you're wrong, Ms. Garcia. I didn't ask Mr. McCormic for help because I needed saving. I only wanted someone to bear witness."

Chantelle did not understand what Andrew was getting at. She scoffed, "A witness? Wow, you really know how to dress up cowardice as nobility. How do you even manage that with a straight face?"

Even Aspen was confused. After all, the whole point of calling for Derek's support was supposedly to avoid this exact kind of trouble.