Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew had no idea that Leslie's words had actually done him a huge favor.

Ryder, pushed to his limits and humiliated repeatedly, had made up his mind that he would take over as head of the Ulrich family to prove his worth. When the time came, he would make sure Leslie paid for it, hard.

The late autumn wind was cold and biting as it swept across the lawn behind the Serenity Villa.

Training continued as usual, but today there was a new face among them— Lauren.

Since she had just recovered, Andrew did not have the heart to throw her into intense drills. Instead, he had her jog around to get her blood flowing and her energy circulating again.

Tiana dropped by, clearly pleased with what she saw.

"I really like your training methods. Honestly, Andy, I admire it," she said with a sly smile.

Her voice dipped into that usual flirtatious tone. "You're just as capable as your dad was back in the day."

Andrew's face darkened slightly, unable to tell whether this unpredictable mother- in-law was being suggestive or serious.

Tiana continued, "You currently have three women by your side. Among them, Lauren has the weakest physique and abilities. Train her well; trust me, you'll be surprised someday."

Andrew frowned again, unsure what "surprise" Tiana meant.

Then, Tiana got straight to the point, smirking, "Victoria asked me to set up a meeting between you two."

Andrew frowned. "Who's Victoria? I don't know her."

Tiana let out a cold chuckle. "Sure, you don't. But I've told you about her before. The matriarch of the Peck family. The number one bitch in Blumedale."

That jogged Andrew's memory. The matriarch of the Peck family was none other than Liliana's mother, Calvin's wife.

She was also Tiana's old enemy and her biggest rival in love; another one of Reginald's 'special lady' back in Gabo Creek.

The web of messy, tangled relationships gave Andrew a headache.

"I'm not meeting her. Absolutely not," he said flatly, waving it off.

Tiana gritted her teeth. "Andy, I gave her a firm no, too! But this bitch is extremely aggressive. If you don't go meet her, she's threatening to level your Serenity Villa! So you'd better go and meet with this old hag!"

Andrew was surprised. He rarely saw Tiana submit to anyone, which could only mean that the matriarch of the Peck family was quite a formidable character.

Tiana said, "Don't worry, she doesn't

know your father is Reginald Lloyd. Ever since the Peck family suffered losses at your hands last time, Victoria has been quiet. It means

BUT

she doesn't hold much of a grudge against you, at least not openly. So, bring a few nice gifts, be polite, act humble, and you'll probably walk out just fine."

Andrew scoffed. "I'm not scared of her. And even if she did find out I'm Reginald's son, so what?"

Tiana sighed. "You stubborn boy, you're exactly like your father! Listen to me... when it comes to her, you really do have to humble yourself. This lunatic only got scarier with age, and her martial skills are second to none."

She added, "Rumor is, Victoria has already reached the level of martial saint. She commands the entire Peck family now. Even George, a darenoveldrama

seasoned powerhouse, doesn'net

get cocky around her. The Three Titans of Blumedale-the Driscoll family, the Phelan family, and the Fischer family-all tread carefully around the Peck family, because of this bitch Victoria."

Andrew was genuinely surprised by this revelation. "The Peck family actually has a martial saint protecting them? That's quite rare. And she's the family matriarch,

not even a blood member of the Peck family. Mrs. Peck is truly a remarkable woman!"

Tiana's eyebrows shot up angrily as she cursed, "The hell she is! Back then, if I hadn't been blinded by love and hadn't been as ruthless as her! My current strength wouldn't be any weaker than hers. Listen upedon't you dare praise this woman in front of me!"

Andrew gave a wry smile. He had no idea how to deal with this.

Tiana warned him again. "Remember not to let her find out you're Reginald's son. Otherwise, you won't make it out of the Peck residence alive. That crazy woman will definitely kill you!"

Andrew snorted coldly. "What's the reasoning behind that? Last time I spared the Peck family and didn't wipe them out!"