Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

"I'm not just saying you and Lauren can't be together," Tiana snapped, her voice cold as ice. "I have to kill you, then hunt down that bastard Reginald and make sure he regrets everything!"

Andrew sighed, completely speechless. "Mrs. Rhodes, come on... that's a bit much, don't you think? If you've got beef with my dad for what he did back then, fine. But take it out on him, not me—I didn't do anything."

Tiana let out a dark laugh. "You're his son. Since I can't find him, of course, I'm going to take it out on you!"

Andrew watched her cycle from smug satisfaction to explosive rage, then fall into wounded nostalgia again. He could not even stay mad anymore-there was no point.

Honestly, she was not evil. She was just a woman trapped in the past, tormented by a love that never got closure.

He asked, "Mrs. Rhodes, when you attacked me earlier, you weren't really trying to kill me, were you?"

Tiana snorted. "I said it already-you saved our family; I'm not ungrateful. I struck first for two reasons: first, I needed to test just how powerful you really are. And two, I wanted to confirm a suspicion that's been nagging at me."

Andrew thought it over. "So, when you ripped my shirt open, you already suspected I had ties to the Chetvine Lloyds?"

Tiana nodded. "That's right. Marvin, the man who raised you, used to be a butler for the Lloyds royal bloodline. You've shown incredible strength and strategic brilliance-far beyond anything normal.

"The moment you killed Aidan, I began to suspect you were one of the Lloyds. But I didn't realize... you weren't just one of them. You're actually the Dragon Prince."

She finished her explanation, but her gaze drifted again toward his chest, her eyes flickering with heat. Her cheeks pinked slightly, and no one had to guess where her thoughts were going.

Andrew felt a wave of secondhand embarrassment wash over him. The way she looked at him looked like she might devour him on the spot.

He said flatly Mrs. Rhodes, please. You really shouldn't hang onto any hope when it comes to my dad. Before the fall of the Lloyds, he disappeared completely. I can still

sense that he's alive, but where he is or what condition he's in, have no clúe."

Tiana hesitated for a moment, then nodded. believe you. Reginald was always a restless soul. No matter where he went, he couldn't sit still for long. I know he loved me back then. I'm sure of it.

"But the way he walked out without a word... it proves he was never the kind to stick around."

Andrew said softly, "Then let him go. Come on, I'll help you back. You need to rest."

Tiana tried to stand but staggered immediately. Thankfully, Andrew caught her again before she could fall.noveldrama

"Andrew," she said, looking up at him, her voice lower this time, "Everything that happened between us today-I need you to keep it to yourself. Don't tell anyone, especially Lauren."

Andrew nodded firmly. "You have my word, Mrs. Rhodes. The past is the past. I won't say a word about any of this—not even to Mr. Rhodes. It wouldn't be fair to

him."

Tiana looked at him strangely, then muttered, "Actually... Jameson does know about Reginald and me."

Andrew froze. "Wait... What?"

He felt like the shocking news kept coming-one wave after another. He blurted out, "Mrs. Rhodes, are you telling me Mr. Rhodes knows you were involved with my dad?"