Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew let out a cold chuckle. "So, Mrs. Rhodes, you really think I'm not as good as this Joe guy you admire so much?"

Tiana smirked. "Do I even need to spell it out?"

Andrew shook his head. "You're Lauren's mother, and as her elder, I don't want to be disrespectful. I understand that you're looking out for her, so there's no point in arguing with you.

"But Mrs. Rhodes, I'll tell you this-I can take care of the power struggles within the Rhodes family and stop Kenny from pressuring Mr. Jameson. But on one condition you have to let Lauren go."

Tiana's face darkened, and her voice turned sharp. "Andrew don't tell me you actually think you have the right to meddle in the Rhodes family's internal affairs?"

Andrew scoffed. "Your family's little power struggles are nothing but child's play to me. I couldn't care less. But for Lauren's sake, I got dragged into this mess and am willing to step in."

Tiana let out an angry laugh. "Fine. If you can really resolve the situation with the family head and force Kenny to back off if you can actually stabilize our position- then maybe, just maybe, we'd consider your relationship with Lauren."

Andrew caught the dismissive look in her eyes and corrected her. "I don't need you or Mr. Jameson to consider anything. You need to get that straight. I came here simply to inform you.

"Whether you approve or not, whether you support it or not, it makes no difference to me. As long as Lauren wants to be with me, there's nothing the Rhodes family- or anyone else-can do about it."

The moment he finished speaking, a cold and untamed sharpness flickered in his gaze.noveldrama

Tiana's expression twisted with rage. "What did you just say?"

Andrew did not answer. He had already turned back to his car, reversed on the spot, and sped off into the night.

Tiana stood there fuming, her anger having nowhere to go. She secretly cursed at Andrew for being arrogant and speaking to her in such an audacious tone.

Did he seriously just claim that the entire Rhodes family could not do anything to him? Even Joe would not dare speak to her like that.

Seething, she stormed back into the house.

Lauren, standing in the dimly lit hallway, had an unreadable expression. "That was Dr. Lloyd, wasn't it?"

Tiana's voice was ice-cold. "So what if it was? That arrogant fool is already doomed."

Lauren's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Haven't you said that same thing so many times now? Every time, Dr. Lloyd was supposed to be doomed. And yet, every single time, the only ones running away with their tails between their legs were the idiots who came looking for trouble."

Tiana's suppressed rage finally exploded. She growled, "Lauren, do you seriously think this is just another minor scuffle? The Golding family is making their move against Andrew. It'll be nothing short of a miracle if he manages to survive this, No-forget a miracle even if the sky itself fell, it wouldn't be enough to save him this time!"

Lauren's delicate features tensed, her expression shifting. The Golding family? The most powerful clan in the province? Are they seriously that shameless? Do they really think they can just strut into Jayrodale and throw their weight around?"

Tiana let out a scornful laugh. “Oh, now you're starting to panic? Kenny has the Golding family backing him. Of course, he's feeling untouchable.

"And let's be real-these elite families have always preyed on the weak. Do you think they care about honor? That's a privilege reserved for people who actually have a conscience."

Lauren's face filled with urgency. "No-I can't just sit back. I have to help Dr. Lloyd. He's doing all of this for me. I love him. I won't let him fight for me alone."