Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew finally paid a visit to the Rhodes family.

"Andy, you're here! Come in, have a seat," Jameson greeted warmly, his tone unusually enthusiastic.

The way he looked at Andrew was not just the admiration of a family elder-it was the hopeful gaze of someone eyeing a perfect son-in-law.

Lauren giggled behind her hand. "Andrew, you've become quite the welcome guest around here. Everyone in the Rhodes family is thrilled you came."

Andrew glanced around casually and noticed several of the Rhodes family's core members smiling and nodding in greeting. A few girls around Lauren's age were sneaking glances his way, their cheeks tinged pink.

Cecelia, the youngest among them, blurted out, "Andrew, when are you marrying Lauren?"

Andrew laughed and replied, "Anytime works for me."

Cecelia clapped her hands excitedly. "Great! Let's do the wedding today and the honeymoon tonight!"

Jameson's eyes widened. "Cece! Stop saying nonsense!"

His youngest daughter was a wild one—always blurting things out and giving him endless headaches.

Lauren, thoroughly embarrassed, quickly added, "Andrew, please don't mind Cece. Her mouth works faster than her brain."

Andrew chuckled. "I don't mind at all. In fact, her idea about the honeymoon tonight... sounds pretty good, if you ask me."

The entire Rhodes household burst into laughter. Andrew's laid-back, approachable personality had clearly won everyone over.

Lauren, on the other hand, was flustered. She pouted playfully and said, "Andrew, you've gotten so shameless!"

Andrew smiled, then asked, "I haven't seen Mrs. Rhodes. Is she not around?"

The real reason for his visit today was, in fact, Tiana.

Jameson replied, "She's been feeling under the weather-migraine. She's resting in her room. We actually asked you here to see if you could check on her." Lauren added, "Andrew, could you please take a look at my mom? She hasn't been looking well lately, and we're worried it might be something serious."

Andrew stood and nodded. "Sure. Lauren, would you mind showing me the way?"

She shook her head. "Mom said herself that you could just go to the room in the back garden. She's waiting there."

Jameson smiled. "Yeah, Andy, just head on back. Relax-you're family now."

Andrew did not think much of it and headed toward the back wing of the estate. Now that Tiana knew who he really was, she would not dare pull anything. And if she did, Andrew was more than capable of handling her.

In the rear courtyard, nestled among blooming flowers, sat a cozy little villa. Andrew pushed open the gate and called out, "Mrs. Rhodes? It's me, Andrew."

A calm voice came from inside the house. "Come in."

He stepped through the door and found Tiana sitting by the window in a blend of red-and-white attire.

It was her, but the way she was dressed was strange. She wore a full vintage-style dress usually reserved for young women doing costume play. Her hair was elegantly styled with crystal hairpins, and he makeup was pristine.

This look might have been charming on a teenage girl, but on Tiana-a stunning woman in her early 40s-it felt oddly theatrical.

Andrew frowned slightly as he looked at the woman who had always given him trouble. He had no idea what game she was about to play this time.

Still facing the mirror and applying lipstick, Tiana set the tube down and turned with a soft smile. "Andrew, tell me do you think I'm beautiful?"

To be fair, Tiana's beauty had not faded with age. If Lauren embodied youthful charm and vitality, Tiana possessed the sultry elegance and allure of a mature

woman.

And that allure could drive men mad.

There was something dangerous about her. Her icy, untouchable demeanor gave her a divine, almost sacred aura, which only made her more irresistible to the wrong kind of man.

Especially those who craved the thrill of conquering something pure and cold.

From the side, even with her loose robes, Andrew could tell that Tiana had kept her figure remarkably well her waist was narrow, and her curves flowed in all the right places.

She was, without question, still an absolute stunner.noveldrama

However, Andrew was not some hormone-driven fool. More importantly, Tiana

was someone he had to treat with distance and respect.