Andrew spoke calmly. "Mrs. Rhodes, if I resolve the Rhodes family''s crisis, will you stop forcing Lauren into this?"


    Tiana let out a mockingugh. "You? Solving the Rhodes family''s crisis? Andrew, you''re too young, too impulsive, and you think way too highly of yourself. Remember, don''t ever bring up such ridiculous ideas in front of me again.


    "I was just starting to see you differently, but now, I''m reminded why I had no respect for you in the first ce! In short, you and Lauren are impossible! You can''t protect her and you can''t give her what she needs!"


    Her tone was dripping with scorn and dismissal, but Andrew''s expression remainedposed. From the very beginning, he had never taken the Rhodes family-or even the so-called powerful Driscoll and Golding families in Blumedale- seriously.


    Just then, the door swung open, and Lauren rushed in, her face pale. She said weakly, "Dr. Lloyd, let''s go. I have nothing left to say to this cruel woman. If she insists on being reckless and stubborn, then let her be. From now on, I''ll never care what happens to her again!"


    She grabbed Andrew''s arm and pulled him toward the door


    Andrew sighed. In truth, Tiana had been secretly protecting Lauren all this time. No matter what she said or did, he could not bring himself to hate her or even be angry with her.


    "Andrew, remember what I told you," Tiana warned as she watched them leave. "If you''re a real man, think about Lauren''s future instead of selfishly dragging her into danger. Do you really want her to end up destroyed because of you?"


    Andrew did not respond, nor did he look back. He simply walked out with Lauren. Once they returned to the office, he gently pressed her shoulders down, making her sit.


    He said, "You should rest a little longer. You''re still too weak."


    Lauren''s eyes were red and swollen, and she lookedpletely lost and broken.


    "I always thought she didn''t love me, that she resented me as her daughter," she murmured. “But I never imagined she''d be this heartless-choosing Michael over me without hesitation."


    Her voice cracked, and before she could finish, tears spilled down her face. She buried herself against Andrew''s shoulder and sobbed uncontrobly.


    Andrew gently stroked her back, his voice soft with reassurance. "Lauren, have you ever considered that


    yetoget


    maybe Mrs. Rhodes does love you? She just has her own way of


    showing it... a way that''s buried under a lot of pain."


    Lauren sniffled, shaking her head. "It doesn''t matter. I won''t forgive her this time, Dr. Lloyd, I have no one


    now... only you. Don''t leave me. Take me away from here, please?


    en


    Q.UMS


    Andrew let out a quiet sigh and tightened his arms around her. "Silly girl, don''t worry. I won''t ever let go of your hand-I''ll always be here for you."


    There was deep love between Tiana and Lauren, but the walls between them were thick, built over years of misunderstandings and painful choices.


    Andrew wanted to bridge that gap, but there were some things he could not bring himself to say. If he told Lauren that her father was barely holding on in Blumedale, she would undoubtedly drop everything and rush to save him.


    Yet, with the crisis the Rhodes family faced there, how could a single woman like Lauren possibly turn things around?


    As Lauren cried, soaking the fabric of his shirt, Francesca stepped forward with concern. "Andrew, I think Lauren should get some rest. She''s been through too much today.