Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Lauren said plainly, "We three ladies would like to have a private chat, so we won't be entertaining you."

Aspen was even more direct. She picked up her phone and started scrolling through Tik Tok. She did not even glance at Hank, treating him like air.

Hank felt slightly embarrassed, but he was not ready to back down. The three stunning women in front of him were leagues above the likes of Hannah, and if he could land even one of them, he would die a happy man.

"Ladies, I think I ought to reintroduce myself. I'm Hank Armstrong, Special Ops. You know what that is, right? We're the ones who handle high-level classified missions. You don't see us often on Holtrien soil, but when we do show up, we're always the center of attention."

He laid it on thick, trying to paint himself as someone powerful and mysterious. That tactic had worked like a charm with Hannah before, but not this time.

Lauren was already losing her patience. "Mr. Armstrong, yes, we heard you the first time. You're amazing, you're brave, and you're definitely very impressive. But if you're trying to pick someone up, maybe try somewhere else. The three of us are all married."

Aspen added calmly, "And my husband just happens to be in this bar. He's on his way over right now."noveldrama

Hank's face darkened immediately. "You three gorgeous women are already married? Now that's a surprise. Whoever married you must be one hell of a lucky guy."

There was a soft laugh, and just then, Andrew arrived with Zachary.

Hank turned and scowled. "You? Don't tell me it's you. Please! These three women obviously come from wealthy, powerful families. What could you possibly have that makes you worthy of them?"

Andrew casually took a seat between Lauren and Aspen. Then, he reached out and held Francesca's hand.

All three women blushed slightly. Public displays of affection from Andrew always flustered them, even if it made them happy.

"Whether I'm worthy or not, Hank, you're seeing it for yourself," Andrew replied with a grin.

Hank's face turned even uglier. He sneered. "Wow, Andrew, you really are something. All three of these women are married, and you're hooking up with them at the same time? All I need to do is give their husbands a call, and you'll be buried six feet under before you even know it."

Andrew smiled wider. "Go ahead then. Give them a call."

Hank was fuming at Andrew's boldness. He turned to Francesca and demanded, "Ms. Aicker, you're a married woman. So why are you hanging around with this guy? I saw you at Blumedale Hospital. You seemed so pure, so above it all."

Francesca looked bored. "You done? Then let me save you the trouble-Andrew is my husband."

Hank froze. His jaw dropped. "He's your husband? Then how can you just stand there while he messes around with other women?"

Lauren gave a faint smile. "Sorry, Mr. Armstrong, I forgot to mention that I'm Andrew's first wife."

Aspen added, aloof as ever, "And I'm the third."

Hank's scalp tingled, and the wine bottle in his hand nearly slipped. "You're telling

me... all three of you are Andrew's wives?"

The women answered in unison, "Bingo."

Hank could not stop the shiver that ran through him. He stared at Andrew like he had just witnessed the worst kind of injustice.

What kind of ridiculous luck was that?

"Sorry for interrupting," Hank muttered at last. He did not dare stick around because every second longer, he felt more humiliated.

Andrew's life honestly looked better than a king's. He had three beautiful wives doting on him like that, and it was unreal.

Hank had taken just two steps away when something suddenly hit him. He turned back around, glaring at Andrew with fury.

"You bastard!

rd! So, Chantelle's your

wife, too, right? No wonder you two

checked into a hotel room last time! Andrew do you ha any idea how

many single guys there are in this country? 200 million singleseand more than 30 million of them are lonely men! You are public enemy number one to every single guy out there! You know that?"

Andrew silently cursed Hank for being a brainless fool. He was just asking to get him into trouble. Sure enough, all three of his wives turned to glare at him, their faces anything but pleased.

"You went to a hotel with Ms. Garcia?"

"Did you cheat on us?"

"Andrew,

what bou better come clean. If

is true, we'll make

even be

you're se drained you won't able to get out of bed"