Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) novel Chapter 1059

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.

Seth, on the other hand, looked like he was about to explode from sheer fury. This was beyond insulting—it was outright mockery.

This bastard was driving him insane.

Chantelle stared at Andrew, stunned by his words. She asked coldly, "Mr. Lloyd… are you trying to play me for a fool? Or do you just think I am a fool by default?"

She was seconds away from losing it. This man had assaulted someone in front of witnesses, then had the audacity to demand she cover for him?