Back at Serenity Vi, Andrew asked Tiana and Jameson to have a seat and


    enjoy some tea first. He needed to focus on resolving the effects of the Enthralling Essence burning through Aspen''s body.


    However, Tiana, already fuming, shot a cold nce at Aspen and scoffed, "That''s a powerful aphrodisiac, and the only real cure is sex. Andrew, stop wasting time. If you can''t handle it, call her boyfriend or husband."


    Thatment left Andrew momentarily speechless. Meanwhile, Lauren and Francesca both looked a little awkward.


    The three women all shared one man, but that arrangement had never been officially acknowledged, especially not in front of their parents. If it got dragged out into the open now, it would be embarrassing for everyone.


    Sensing the tension, Jameson gently tugged Tiana''s sleeve and said, "Come on,


    let''s have some tea. Don''t interrupt Andy while he''s saving the girl."


    Yet, Tiana was not letting it go. "If you want tea, have it yourself. I''ve got something to say to Andrew."


    Andrew chuckled. "Mrs. Rhodes, why don''t you and Mr. Rhodes enjoy some tea first? Don''t worry. I''ll join you soon."


    Tiana sneered. "So what, she''s yours now too? Are you nning to personally ''handle'' her heat for her?"


    Andrew replied, dead serious, "Mrs. Rhodes, that''s not how it is. Aspen is my servant-my little ve. I have plenty of methods to relieve her symptoms. I don''t need to cross the line."


    Tiana scoffed. "Plenty of methods? Sure. But I bet your best method is unbuckling your belt and getting straight to it, right?"


    It was clear that his mother-inw was pissed. However, Andrew could not ignore Aspen either.


    "Mrs. Rhodes, Rafael and Mosby have taken the fragments. I believe now''s the time for us to stand united and strategize, not waste energy dragging each other through the mud."


    Tiana''s voice red. "Andrew, you really are unbelievable! Have you ever thought about how unfair this is to Lauren and Fran?"


    Andrew fell silent-that hit home. He did not know how to refute her.


    Jameson frowned. "Tiana, that''s enough. Let the young people figure it out on their own problems."


    Francesca and Lauren jumped in quickly with sheepish smiles.


    Francesca said, "It''s really okay, Mrs. Rhodes. Aspen''s like a sister to us."


    "She''s in pain—we want Andrew to help her," Lauren added.


    Tiana shot them a warning re. "Don''t defend him! I''mying it out now-Andrew better treat the three of you fairly. If you keep that little minx from the Stevens family around, then you''d better make it even.


    s?novel


    "All three of you serve him, and he better serve all three of you in return! If he dares to favor one over the others, he''ll answer to me! I can''t stand men who y favorites. It makes my skin crawl!"


    Andrew blinked, stunned. "Mrs. Rhodes, is that what you meant by fairness?"


    Tiana''s eyes gleamed with wicked amusement. "What else did you think I meant? Do you think I didn''t notice your little harem arrangement with these girls? If you''ve got the stamina and the skills, fine. Enjoy your little paradise.


    "But don''t you dare neglect Lauren or Fran! Now go. Handle it. You''ve got three hours-I''m being generous."


    Andrew''s face twitched.


    Three hours?


    This woman really wanted to kill him. Even with his stamina, three hours straight was brutal, and Aspen''s condition was not something that could be solved in under an hour.


    Francesca and Lauren were both blushing furiously, caught somewhere between embarrassment and amusement.


    Lauren, ever the thoughtful one, said quickly, "Mom, I''ll sit this one out. Let Andrew help Aspen first; then he can handle Fran. I''ll rest today."


    Francesca jumped in, waving her hands. "No, no! I don''t need anything either. Andrew''s been exhaustedtely And let''s be real who want to do that every single day ? Mrs. Rhodes, please don''t make things harder for him!"