Chapter 929
When Andrew returned to the dining table, Jameson was completely out of it, leaning on Tiana and tumbling nonsense. “Tiana, tonight we’re going to battle it out–300 rounds! It’s either you or me!”
Tiana’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she slapped Jameson lightly on the cheek. “Shut your mouth! You’re talking nonsense!”
Andrew, Francesca, and Lauren all turned to look out the window, pretending they had not seen or heard anything.
“Wow, the moon looks beautiful tonight,” Andrew remarked.
Francesca nodded quickly. “Yes, the evening breeze is quite refreshing.”
Lauren, struggling to keep a straight face, said, “Well, Andrew, Francesca, we should probably head back now.”
Andrew handed Jameson a small bottle with a smile. “Mr. Rhodes, it’s our first meeting, so I didn’t bring much. But I think this might come in handy for you.”
Jameson, still dazed, looked up. “What’s this?”
Andrew did not answer–he just met Jameson’s eyes with a look. Jameson immediately understood and let out a drunken chuckle.
Some things did not need to be explained between men. One look said it all.
Tiana, however, did not trust it. She took the bottle and examined it thoroughly before handing it back. With that, both parties left the restaurant and went their separate ways.
As soon as Tiana got into the car, she made a call. “Follow Andrew’s car.”
After hanging up, Lauren frowned. “Why are you having them follow him?”
Tiana’s voice was calm but firm. “Earlier, your dad mentioned that Francesca and Andrew might be a little too close for comfort. I didn’t think much of it at first, but after watching them tonight, I have my doubts. So I’m having someone confirm it. If that little bastard thinks he can have it all, I’ll make sure he goes down hard.”
Lauren’s heart nearly stopped. She had not expected her parents to pick up on anything. If Francesca and Andrew got caught together, the embarrassment would be unbearable.
Glancing at the rearview mirror, she saw that Tiana and Jameson were distracted, so she quickly pulled out her phone and pretended to check her messages.
Then, at record speed, she typed out a warning to Andrew:
[My mom sent someone to follow you and Fran. You two better behave tonight–go home separately!]
Since Francesca had not been drinking, she was the one driving.
Andrew leaned back, looking relaxed, but Francesca hesitated before saying, “Hey, since you’ve had a lot to drink tonight… I think I’ll just head home instead of going to your place.”
Her hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter as she spoke, her tone uncertain.
Andrew smiled. “That’s fine. I probably smell like nothing but alcohol right now. Go home and get some rest.”
Francesca huffed, pouting slightly. ‘This clueless man doesn’t even realize what I was hinting! He’s so dense.”
As they neared Moonlit Sanctuary, Francesca suddenly blurted out, “Oh! I just remembered–I left something at your place. I should probably go grab it.”
Andrew glanced at her, smiling knowingly.
Her face turned red in an instant. “I really just need to grab my stuff, okay? Don’t go getting any ideas!”
Andrew nodded with mock seriousness. “Of course, of course. You’re just picking something up. I won’t think anything else.”
Just then, his phone dinged. Seeing Lauren’s message, his expression immediately darkened.
Tiana had actually sent people to tail him and Francesca. There was no way he could let himself get caught after sweet-talking them so much at dinner.
He turned to Francesca and said, “Fran, change of plans. Just go home tonight–forget the stuff.”
Francesca glared at him, crossing her arms. “Fine, I’ll leave. Not like I wanted to go to your place anyway. But let me tell you this–if I don’t go tonight, I’m never going again!”
Seeing how genuinely annoyed she was, Andrew quickly softened his tone. “Silly girl, what are you thinking? I’m not sending you home for no reason. It’s because Mrs. Rhodes sent someone to follow us. That woman is suspicious of us, and if we don’t keep our distance tonight, things might get messy.”