Chapter 369

Donald nodded vigorously, "Yes, it was Aspen. If she hadn't slandered you, Mr. Lloyd, I would never have made that move."

Andrew waved his hand dismissively. "Very well, I believe you know how to handle the situation moving forward."

Donald’s face turned sinister. “Rest assured, Mr. Lloyd. That bitch nearly got me killed. She won’t get away with this.”

Andrew remarked with a knowing smile, "Yet I heard from Mr. Thatcher that you wanted to sleep with her."

"That was just my hormones talking, Mr. Lloyd!" Donald quickly exclaimed. "I've come to my senses now—I just want to cut all ties with that woman and teach her a lesson."

After Donald’s submissive departure, Lauren smiled. “Dr. Lloyd, I’m relieved you’re okay. I should head home while Fran and the others leave too.”

"Ms. Rhodes, is everything alright with the Rhodes family lately?" Andrew asked with surprise. "You seem unusually busy."

Lauren avoided his gaze, smiling. "Just some minor matters. I’ll come to see you once things settle down."

“Wait a moment, Ms. Rhodes. I have something for you,” Andrew said, presenting her with the security case containing the Blood Phoenix Cicada.

Lauren’s eyes widened in shock. She firmly refused it, knowing how precious the item was. “Dr. Lloyd, this is far too valuable. I can’t accept it.”

Andrew smiled, “Please take it. I already gave Fran a Royal Violet Crystal, and when I first acquired this Blood Phoenix Cicada at the auction, you were the first person I thought of.”

Lauren’s beautiful face flushed red, her heart racing. “Dr. Lloyd, y–you really thought of me first?”

Andrew suddenly realized his words had sounded quite intimate and laughed awkwardly, “I just thought its beauty would complement your elegance. If you don’t want it, I could always give it to someone else.”

Lauren quickly grabbed the case, pouting. “In that case, I’ll accept! I wouldn’t want you giving it to anyone else!”

“Do you like it?” Andrew asked softly.

Lauren glanced up at him before quickly looking down again. “I–I love it! I’d cherish anything you gave me, even if it were just a blank piece of paper.”

She hurried out with the case, fleeing from the intensity she had seen in Andrew’s eyes.

Andrew felt a twinge of regret at missing out on the lovely sight of her bashful expression.

“Andrew, since everyone’s okay, should we head back?” Francesca entered, wondering what had transpired between Andrew and Lauren to make her best friend’s face so flushed.

“You, Mr. Aicker, and Ms. Santana go ahead,” Andrew replied thoughtfully. “I need to discuss some things with Dylan and Natasha.”

“Alright then,” Francesca said with slight disappointment. “But Andrew, you should keep your distance from Natasha.”