Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew shut Rachel down without hesitation. "Keep your money. I'm not desperate enough to let you pay for this!"

Rachel insisted. "For you, I'm willing to spend that much!"

Andrew's expression darkened. "I said don't spend the money, so don't spend it. It's just finding the real culprit behind this. You really think it's worth 100 million?"

Aaron was not pleased when he heard this and scoffed. "Mr. Lloyd, since you think 100 million is too expensive, just forget what I said! I hope you think it through clearly because someone's still got their sights set on your life!

"Don't you want to find out who it is and eliminate this threat once and for all?" Andrew grinned. "Of course I do, so I still need Ronald to give me some advice!" Ronald's eyelid twitched as he said stiffly, "I don't know what you mean. I can't advise if I don't even know who the real culprit is."

Andrew's smile grew wider. "Are you sure you don't?"

Ronald's face turned ugly. "I don't. And if I did, why would I hide it? Andy, you're overthinking this, and honestly, you're giving me too much credit. Whoever's behind this clearly isn't some average thug. I'm not a damn psychic, and I can't know everything."

Andrew let out a cold chuckle. "Cut the act, will you? If you didn't know, your reaction just now wouldn't have given you away. Remember what you said earlier? That you can't get involved? What exactly are you not getting involved in?

"Sounds like whoever's behind this is someone you either can't afford to cross or don't want to betray. Or maybe... It's you. Maybe that's why you've been talking in circles and playing with smoke and mirrors."

Ronald's expression turned downright ugly because Andrew's sharp deduction had hit a nerve. Despite how careful he had been, Andrew still managed to sniff him out.

The others began catching on, too, and they all turned toward Ronald, eyes narrowing.

"Mr. Potter, do us all a favor. If you know who's behind this, just say it," Duncan said with a snort.

Rachel's face was stone cold. "Mr. Potter, the one who got attacked is our Chairman. If you stay silent, everyone in the Gabo Creek Chamber of Commerce will remember this."

Aaron chuckled. "So you do know what's going on, huh, Ronald? Let me guess, you weren't the one who made the move. Otherwise, you wouldn't have had the guts to show up here today. So, that only means someone else is pulling the strings. And that someone scares the hell out of you."

He continued, "Because if it were up to your greed and ambition, you would've jumped at the chance to bleed Andrew dry by now."

With everyone staring at him, Ronald slowly shut his eyes. When he opened them again, there was a deadly chill in his gaze.

"I do know who did it, but sorry. I'm not naming names. Andrew, you're in real deep this time. If you want answers, ask someone else. i'm not getting dragged into this mess."

He stood up, yanked his hat down low to cover his face, and turned to leave.

However, Duncan stepped sideways, blocking his path. "Mr. Potter, tell us who did it. Otherwise, you're not going anywhere."

Ronald laughed. It was low at first, then rose to a manic pitch. "Duncan, you pathetic roach... You really think you can block my way? Get lost, or tomorrow, you'll wake up to find your whole damn Irving family wiped out."

Duncan's face went pale. He was furious, but did not dare talk back.

With his status, or Rachel's and the others', Ronald did not consider them worth his attention.

Just then, a crisp clicking sound rang out.

Everyone turned toward it, only to see a sleek black pistol pressed right to Ronald's forehead.

"Say it, or I'll personally send you to meet Marcelo."noveldrama

Andrew's voice was light, almost cheerful, but no one found it pleasant to hear.

They were all frozen in shock. Even Aaron would not have dared to threaten Ronald like this.

Yet, Andrew had gone straight for Ronald's throat.