Chapter 1202

Archie knew he had no choice but to swallow his anger and live with the humiliation for the rest of his life. Unless, one day, the Hopkins family could surpass the Keller family, he would never have a shot at revenge.

But deep down, Archie understood that day would probably never come in his lifetime.

After Andrew and the Rhodes family returned home, he was ready to leave again. However, Lauren stopped him with a look full of longing.

Andrew laughed and said, “I almost forgot. There’s still something important I haven’t done yet.”

He pulled the mischievous lady into his arms, grabbing her soft waist, and before she could even squeal, he carried her straight into a room. The two of them were wrapped up in each other, kissing passionately without a care in the world.

Outside the door, Tiana called out flatly, “Alright, that’s enough. If you keep going, your mouths are gonna fall apart!”

Lauren huffed back, “Mom, can you give us a minute? We just got started!”

Tiana gritted her teeth and snapped, “You little brat! There’s plenty of time for that later! Let him come out now; I have something to talk to him about!”

Reluctantly, Lauren let go of Andrew but made sure to sneak a shameless grab at him on the way out.

Andrew chuckled and stepped outside, still not sure what Tiana wanted. Without a word, Tiana turned and said, “Follow me.”

They walked one behind the other until they reached the Rhodes family’s back garden. This place was usually quiet and empty, but Andrew was very familiar with it.

After all, this was the spot where he had sparred with Tiana last time–and not just any sparring, either.

That day, Tiana had insisted on testing his skills personally, and she ended up getting thoroughly beaten in a real hand-to-hand fight.

Tiana stopped walking and got straight to the point. “You didn’t seem too thrilled about Logan trying to buddy up with you.”

Andrew shrugged and replied, “The Keller family wants to build a relationship, but I don’t really want to get too tangled up with these big dynasties.”

Tiana smiled and said, “Sometimes getting close isn’t a bad thing. You’re still new in Blumedale and don’t have strong roots here. If you have the Keller family backing you, a lot of things will get easier.”

Andrew answered flatly, “With or without the Keller family, things will always be easy for me.”

Tiana nodded without arguing. If anyone else had said that, she would have laughed in their face, but she knew what Andrew was capable of. He truly did not need to bow to anyone, not even the mighty Keller family.

“Andrew, you and your father are cut from the same cloth–both incredibly capable men,” she said, her eyes shining with admiration.

“I hate complimenting people, especially when it’s fake, and most of the time, I won’t waste words on useless fools. But you’re different. I’m praising you from the bottom of my heart.”

Andrew stayed silent, waiting to hear what else she had to say.

Tiana huffed in annoyance. “You don’t need to look at me like that, like I’m some scheming cougar trying to eat you alive! I know what you’re thinking–you probably see me as a shameless woman, a total joke, right?”

She crossed her arms and said sharply, “Well, if that’s what you think, you’re wrong. I only lost my composure before because of the feelings I had for your father. But now I’m clearheaded."

“I only see you as my good son-in-law, Lauren’s boyfriend. Nothing more, nothing less. You get that, right?”

Hearing her say that, Andrew finally relaxed and smiled. “I understand, Mrs. Rhodes. It was just a moment of impulsiveness back then. In the end, it’s all because of my dad. So don’t worry. I’ll forget it ever happened.” Tiana’s cheeks flushed slightly, and even though she was in her 40s, she still had a charming, captivating beauty. After a beat, she suddenly asked, “Andrew, between me and Lauren, who do you think is prettier?” Without missing a beat, Andrew grinned and said, “Of course, Lauren is the prettiest. But Mrs. Rhodes, you’re still as stunning as ever!”

It was the kind of easy question he would never mess up.

Tiana smiled in satisfaction and teased, “At least you know how to talk smart. Actually, the real reason I brought you here is because I have a favor to ask.”