Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Ryder's face was pure bliss, like he was floating on cloud nine.

In the bar's dim lighting, Leslie's pitiful expression vanished instantly. It transformed into a cold, triumphant smirk of someone whose scheme had succeeded perfectly.

This scene completely escaped Ryder, who was too busy embracing his beautiful catch. Little did he know, Andrew and the others upstairs had witnessed

everything crystal clear.

Francesca stared in shock. "Aspen, you really nailed it on the head. Oh my goodness, she's such a master manipulator!"

Lauren gave her a thumbs-up. "Aspen, your ability to spot a manipulative bitch is seriously impressive! You got it completely right, not even slightly off!"

Aspen felt a bit smug and was about to speak when a whistle suddenly pierced the air nearby.

The three women looked over with exasperation. "Honey, what are you whistling for?"

Andrew shrugged casually. "Breaking up the lovebirds, of course. Those two are making me sick just watching them, so they need to be separated!"

Lauren stomped her foot. "Honey, you're so mean! You're supposed to build bridges, not burn them! Don't ruin other people's relationships."

Francesca chimed in, too. "Honey, you're way happier than Ryder could ever be, so there's no need to be jealous!"

Andrew laughed in disbelief. "Me? Jealous of that idiot? Fran, you're hilarious! Besides, they're nowhere near ready for a relationship!"

The whistle had interrupted Ryder and Leslie's moment downstairs.

Leslie lifted her head from Ryder's shoulder and glared furiously at the upper level.

Andrew ignored her warning look and waved Ryder over.

The latter quickly scrambled to his feet with an apologetic smile. "Oh hey, Mr. Lloyd's here too! I'll be right up!"

He pushed Leslie aside and bounded up the stairs to find Andrew.

Leslie was fuming mad, but after thinking it over, she followed him upstairs. She did not want to face Andrew, but since her golden goose had run off, she had no choice but to chase after him.

"Mr. Lloyd, all three Mrs. Lloyds, hello there!"

Ryder was extremely courteous as he went upstairs and greeted everyone. His eyes showed clear envy at how Andrew was surrounded by three gorgeous

women.

What more could a man want?

Lauren's cheeks flushed as she waved her hand. "Please don't call us that from now on, just use our names!"

Andrew leaned back on the couch,

looking completely relaxed, then

casually offered Ryder a bit of

advice. "Out partying this late? As

the head of a major family, this isn't exactly model behavior."

Ryder nodded like a scolded schoolboy. "You're absolutely right, Mr. Lloyd. Won't happen again."

Leslie could not take it anymore. "Andrew, seriously? You're calling him out when you're here doing the same thing?"

Andrew shot her a cold glance. "And you are?"

Leslie froze. Her face flushed red, nearly bursting from anger. This jerk was clearly doing it on purpose.

"Ryder, let's go. No reason to waste time with people like him!"

She reached for Ryder's arm, ready to drag him out.

However, Ryder pulled away and frowned. "Lieutenant Terrell, if you want to leave, go ahead. But Mr. Lloyd is here, so how could I just walk off like that?"

Leslie's voice sharpened. "You're not just the Ulrich family's heir, you're still one of us in the military. If I ask you to leave, what's the problem?"

venoveldrama

Ryder had had enough. "What's the problem? The problem is, why are you dragging me into it like I'm your lapdog? You know damn well I'm a second lieutenant, not your subordinate. And Mr. Lloyd here? He's practically a second father to my family. I'm warning you-don't stir up drama. If you mess this up for me, I won't be polite about it."

After saying this, he apologized to Andrew and asked him not to take offense at a woman's behavior.

Being scolded out of nowhere made Leslie feel utterly humiliated, wanting to crawl into a hole and disappear. Especially being yelled at in front of Andrew like that!

Leslie's blood boiled, and she

snapped, "Ryder, do you even hear yourself right now? Are you leaving or not? If you don't, then there will never be anything between us!"