Chapter 505
Faced with Tiana’s fierce demeanor, Lauren responded in disbelief, “Are you really going to deny everything Andrew has done? How can you be so self-deceptive and blind?”
Tiana’s tone calmed, but her disdain was evident. “I’m not denying it. I’m just looking at the bigger picture from a wiser perspective. This boy is all show and no substance–everything he’s shown you is borrowed from Marvin’s influence and power.”
She continued, “His money comes from Marvin, his influence stems from being tied to Jayrodale’s wealthiest man, and even his life has been protected by Marvin. Otherwise, with the enemies he’s made, he wouldn’t have survived this long.”
Tiana’s relentless questioning completely dismissed all of Andrew’s contributions to Rhodes Corporation.
Lauren, enraged, responded, “You can criticize me all you want, but what Andrew has done for me and the company are undeniable facts. I absolutely won’t let you insult him or someone who’s devoted himself to helping me.”
Lauren, who had always appeared submissive before Tiana, now stood with tears welling up in her reddened eyes, glaring at her mother with fury.
Seeing her daughter look at her with such cold hatred, Tiana froze. For a moment, she was caught off guard.
“Lauren–” Tiana began, but Lauren cut her off as tears streamed down her face.
“He’s the only man I’ve ever loved,” she declared firmly, without hesitation or fear. “But no matter what he does, he can’t win your approval or the family’s acceptance. Since you’re being so unreasonable and pushy, I have nothing more to say except this - I won’t marry anyone but Andrew.”
Tiana’s momentary guilt and hesitation vanished, replaced by a cold smirk. “How foolish. You’re completely duped, and yet you’re still defending him. Lauren, where’s your intelligence? Where’s your pride as the Rhodes Corporation heiress?”
She added, “If you’re so determined to stay blind, then I’ll give you the truth, no sugarcoating.”
Her expression turned frighteningly grim as she raised her voice. “Listen carefully—Andrew is nothing more than Marvin’s pawn, a piece in his game to trap the Rhodes family. Do you get it?”
Tiana explained, “Marvin is a criminal fugitive from Chetvine. He offended someone so powerful that he can never recover and is trapped in this backwater town of Jayrodale. That’s why he groomed Andrew as his puppet, his pawn, to lure in you, Francesca from the legendary Aicker family, and even Christina from the Stevens family.”
Under Lauren’s incredulous gaze, Tiana smirked contemptuously. “Others might not be able to uncover his background, but the Rhodes family can. In just over ten days since arriving in Jayrodale, I’ve thoroughly investigated this boy’s past.”
“Let me tell you–Andrew has no verifiable identity in Jayrodale. He appeared out of nowhere,” Tiana revealed. “Given Marvin’s fugitive status, what else could Andrew be but Marvin’s puppet, his pawn in a larger game?”
“But that’s not how things are at all,” Lauren protested in disbelief.