Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Joe's face darkened for the first time, cold as ice. He said flatly, "Andrew, I never

wanted to lay a hand on you. Because if I did, Lauren would think less of me.

She'd think I'm a bully, that I'm using my power to crush an outsider like you."

He continued, "But Andrew, you really don't know your place. In all of Gabo Creek

and the southern region of Holtrien, there aren't more than people who would dare

to stand up to me like this. And you? You're nowhere near that level."

Andrew slowly rose to his feet, calm and unfazed. "Whether I'm qualified or not,

Mr. Driscoll, why don't you enlighten me?:

He was not interested in playing games anymore. The tension between the two

men snapped like a rubber band. They were like two raging lions on the plains,

both dominant and ready to kill for their pride and their woman.

Andrew was more than ready to throw down, no tricks, no nonsense. He was

eager for a clean, brutal fight.

However, Liliana finally lost it. She jabbed a finger toward Andrew and yelled, "You

really don't know your place, do you? Joe comes from one of the Three Titans

families and has been in the spotlight since childhood.

"Now he's recognized as a powerhouse on Holtrien's Titan List, and he's the

future leader of the Driscoll family, for crying out loud! He's got everything, yet he

still lowered himself to reason with you!

"And you? You ungrateful idiot, you disrespected him over and over again! Do you

even realize you're digging your own grave? You're playing with fire!"

Leon completely lost his temper. "Mr. Driscoll! Ms. Peck! Why waste words with

this clown? Let me put a bullet in his thick skull! This piece of trash thinks he can

steal Mr. Driscoll's woman? Hell no! I'll send him straight to hell!"

A flash of gold streaked through the air, moving faster than the eye could follow.

Joe barked, "Leon! Get out of the way!"

However, Leon just stood there, confused, still holding the gun. A heartbeat later,

searing pain shot through his gun hand as a golden needle pierced straight

through his palm.

The sudden agony made him drop his revolver, and it clattered to the floor. He

screamed in pain, "My hand! Mr. Driscoll, save me, please save me!"

Joe moved like lightning, grabbing Leon's wounded hand and pushing upward

with tremendous force. His powerful energy blast forced the golden needle out

through the air, sending it flying away from the wound.

Andrew shrugged casually, a

mocking smile on his face. "Well,

well, Mr. Driscoll's speed and power

are truly impressive! Too bad I

coated that needle with arsenic, and

this foul-mouthed little punk has

about 30 seconds left to live."

Leon's face instantly turned white as

a sheet. Looking at Andrew, all his

earlier arrogance vanished, replaced

by pure terror and desperatenoveldrama

pleading. The other people in the

room backed away in fear, shocked

by Andrew's decisive and ruthless

action.

With her hands on her hips, Liliana shouted, "Andrew, give him the antidote right

now!"

Andrew glanced at her dismissively. "Arsenic kills instantly, and death is certain.

An antidote? Liliana, are you that dumb? When have you ever heard of an

antidote for this stuff?"

Liliana choked on her words. Her vision went dark for a second.

Joe suddenly turned around, eyes locked on Andrew like a predator. "Save him.

Whatever issues we have, don't drag others into it."

Andrew's tone turned ice-cold.

"You've got it wrong. I didn't drag

anyone in. But that dumbass kept

pointing a gun at my face, and that

pissed me off. I made a promise a

long time ago that never again

would I let anyone aim a gun at my

head."

Joe's mouth twitched. "Isn't that last line from an old movie?"

Andrew laughed. "Yup. I borrowed it just to sound badass."

He walked up to Leon, eyes chillingly sharp. "Give me one good reason why I

should save your life."

Leon sobbed. "Andrew, I never did anything to you! Why are you trying to kill me?

This is murder!"