Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew said it without even blinking.

Sure enough, Victoria burst out laughing. "Really? You really think I'm not old?"

Andrew nodded and replied, "Not at all. You're incredibly young and beautiful."

With a bashful smile, Victoria let out a playful hum. "You smooth talker... but I have to admit, I love hearing it! Andrew, how about I marry Liliana off to you? Don't worry, it's not to trap you into anything. It's a reward!"

Andrew quickly waved his hands. "I can't accept that. I really can't. First of all, your daughter and I already have some misunderstandings. And second, I'm taken."

Victoria gave a cold little laugh. "Oh, I know you're taken. I just don't care. You're the heir of the Lloyds, a future power player in one of the biggest dynasties! It'll be more unusual if you don't have a few women around you."

Andrew opened his mouth to protest again, but Victoria raised a hand to silence him.

"Don't be so uptight, acting like a shy little boy. Learn a thing or two from Reggie back in the day-he'd sleep with me in the morning, wear out Tiana by the afternoon, and still find time to seduce that tramp from the Phelan family at night. Three times a day, not missing a beat."

It was the first time Andrew had ever heard about Reginald's scandalous past, and it honestly made his scalp tingle. He mumbled, "My dad... was really that much of a player?"

Victoria scoffed. "A useless man fooling around? That's trash behavior. But Reggie? He was a genius, just like you. He carried the same Blood-Eyed Black Dragon mark and held the legacy of the Lloyds! So no, that wasn't being a player. That was charm and power."

She added, "That's why, even when he made us furious, even when we gritted our teeth, we still couldn't help but love him and never walk away."

Andrew had nothing to say to that. Clearly, both Victoria and Tiana had loved Reginald in a way that bordered on obsession.

But now, Reignald had disappeared without a trace, and no one knew what had become of him.

Victoria suddenly asked, "Also, I could sense something... deep inside your energy core. There's a strong force pushing back; something's suppressing your power. What is it?"

Andrew smiled. "Victoria, you really are sharp. You're right. There are three martial seals inside my body. Two of them still haven't been broken."

Victoria gave a thoughtful nod. "I won't even ask who placed them on you. The kind of person who can do that must be a supreme-level master someone even I can't ha just yet. But Andrew, I want to help you break your second seal." Cóntent

Andrew's eyes lit up. "Do you have a way?"

Victoria hesitated, biting down on her red lips. Well... It's not exactly difficult, but it's a bit awkward. I'd but it'noveldrama

need to transfer my energy to you directly and forcefully strike the seal. It's the fastest and most effective method.

"But... it would require our bodies to be in contact, a full mind and body alignment. Would you be okay with that?"

Andrew's face went stiff. He asked, "Whether I'm okay with it or not, shouldn't I be asking you if you're okay with it?"

Victoria gave a bashful smile. "I'm fine with it. I'll just treat you like my own son. And honestly, don't laugh... but part of me really wants to see you as Reggie."

Andrew immediately shut it down. "Yeah, no. I'll figure out how to deal with the second seal on my own. Thanks, Victoria, but I should get going. I'll visit you another time!"

Then, he turned and bolted. He was scared that Victoria might end up doing the

same kind of things Tiana had once done.