Chapter 504

“If I wasn’t here, were you planning to spend your nights out with Andrew instead of coming home?” Tiana’s voice grew sharper with every word, each sentence harsher than the last.

Lauren looked at her calmly and asked, “What are you trying to say?”

“I want you to show some restraint,” Tiana snapped. “Remember, you’re the heiress of Rhodes Corporation, not some wild party girl with no self-respect.”

Lauren let out a cold laugh and said dismissively, “Everything I do appears wrong in your eyes. You even want to control who I date, but what I can’t tolerate is what makes you think being with Andrew means I have no self-respect?”

Tiana sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Do you think I’m blind? You’re out there shopping, holding hands, whispering sweet nothings to each other in public—I know about your every move.”

Lauren’s voice dropped, laced with accusation. “So, you let me go out, but then you spy on me?”

“I’m not spying—I’m preventing you from doing something you’ll regret,” Tiana retorted.

Lauren scoffed. “Let’s be honest–you’re just worried I’ll sleep with Andrew, aren’t you? Well, rest assured, I’m planning to jump into his bed and give myself to him completely at the first opportunity.”

This time, Tiana did not get angry but responded with a smirk. “If you do that, no one can stop Joe. Once he learns how you treated him and his family, I imagine their fury will destroy Andrew before he even knows what hit him.”

Lauren’s face paled slightly as she gritted her teeth. “You promised not to use the Driscoll family to threaten Andrew again.”

Tiana’s expression was stone cold. “And you promised not to cross the line.”

Lauren sighed wearily and said, “You must have heard about Andrew’s outstanding performance. How can such a capable man with unlimited potential not satisfy you as a son-in-law?”

Tiana gave a nonchalant shrug. “His actions have surprised me, I’ll admit. But they’re far from impressive.”

Lauren scoffed. “Since when did you become incapable of acknowledging someone’s excellence, Mom?”

Tiana stood and replied with a detached tone. “If someone is truly remarkable, they don’t need anyone’s acknowledgment. But if it’s all just a facade, no amount of praise will make it real.”

Lauren took a deep breath, meeting her mother’s gaze head-on. “Fine. Then let me ask you this—hasn’t Andrew’s performance at the company over the past two days been worthy of recognition?”

“He’s quite wealthy, managing to invest five billion to become a shareholder,” Tiana said calmly. “And he’s quite capable, making Madblade Martial Academy bow down. But aren’t these just illusions you two young people created to fool me?”

Lauren frowned, “How are they illusions? Andrew’s achievements are there for everyone to see—how could they be fake?”

Tiana let out a disdainful laugh. “Let me ask you something. How old is Andrew?”

Lauren replied, “He’s 26!”

“Then tell me, where is he from?” Tiana’s voice rose.

Lauren hesitated before saying, “He should be from Jayrodale.”

Tiana’s anger flared. “Exactly! A 26-year-old from a small, backwater town like Jayrodale—where does someone like that get five billion dollars? Where does he find the power to make Madblade Martial Academy bow down? Tell me, Lauren! Explain it!”