Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

"If you called me here just to ask something this ridiculous, Mrs. Rhodes, then I'll be going now," Andrew said flatly as he turned toward the door.

He did not dare stay a second longer, worried Tiana might start acting crazy like she did last time. If things spiraled out of control and someone like Jameson walked in on them, not even a hundred confessions could clear his name.

"Stop right there!" Tiana snapped, her brows raised in defiance. "What's the matter? Are you that scared of being alone with me?"

Andrew paused and looked back, his brows still tightly furrowed. "Mrs. Rhodes, you and I both know this isn't appropriate."

Tiana stepped forward with a graceful sway, a trace of perfume trailing in her wake as she stopped right beside him. Her lips curled in a playful smile. "What's not appropriate? Can't a mother-in-law spend a little one-on-one time with her future son-in-law?"

Andrew fell silent, exasperated. "You said you weren't feeling well. If you need help, I'll take a look. But if not, I'm going to find Lauren."

Tiana's eyes sparkled as she stared directly at him. "Always thinking about my precious daughter the moment you walk in, huh? Tell me, Andrew-between me and Lauren, which one do you like more?"

Andrew's tone dropped. "Mrs. Rhodes, that's enough. Don't you think this kind of question is beneath you?"

Tiana scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Boring. You're way too uptight. You're nothing like your father was back in the day. When he wanted to make me smile, he'd lay on the sweet talk like a pro. That's why I gave myself to him; to this day, I don't regret it."

Andrew replied coolly, "If you enjoy hearing sweet words, that's your thing. But I'm not my father."

Suddenly, Tiana lunged forward with one hand, trying to tug at his shirt.

"Take it off," she said boldly. "I want to see that Black Dragon tattoo of yours." Andrew grabbed her wrist mid-motion, gripping it with enough force to make her wince. "Sorry, Mrs. Rhodes. If you want a peek, go find my dad. I'm not in the mood to humor you."

Tiana's face twisted with pain, her voice sharp. "Let go! Are you seriously hurting me right now? Do you want me to scream and get everyone's attention?"

Andrew let go, his jaw tightening. For a moment, he genuinely wanted to slam her to the floor and end this madness.

Tiana smirked through the discomfort. "I bet you'd love to be rid of me, huh? But Andrew, you're the prestigious heir of the Lloyds your status is beyond anything I could ever dream of.

"But here's the thing-both you and your father owe me. That's why I'm not afraid of you. Controlling you? That's easy."

She stepped in closer, her breath brushing against his skin as she stared up at him, completely unbothered. Her eyes dared him to do something-anything.

Andrew narrowed his gaze. "If my father owes you, I get it. But me? You're reaching, Mrs. Rhodes."

She snapped, "You owe me everything. You want to take my daughter away from me—that's the most precious thing I have. And now you want to act like that doesn't count as a debt?"

Andrew could not find words fast enough. He inhaled deeply, trying to calm the anger boiling in his chest.

"What is it you want, exactly?" he asked, voice clipped. "I'm not my father. If you miss him that much and want to rekindle whatever

twisted thing you had, go find

him.

But don't waste my time dragging me into it." noveldrama

Tiana gave a soft laugh, her face suddenly flushed with warmth. "No one even knows if he's dead or alive. Even if I wanted to find him, I'd have to search the ends of the earth. But you? You're right here.

"Andrew, if can't have him, then you'll do. You and I don't share a drop of blood-there's no law stopping us. The only thing in the way is society's judgment, and I've never cared about that.

"I've always lived by my own rules. So why should I care now? And really, you should be flattered. A mother-daughter duo? Do you know how many men would kill for that kind of fantasy?"

Her voice softened into a whisper, her gaze seductive, her whole demeanor dripping with temptation. She was all but oozing desire.

Andrew took a breath, his voice cold as steel. "You need help, Mrs. Rhodes. You're sick."

Then, without warning, he slapped her clean across the face.