Though Tiana claimed she wanted to see if Andrew was as exceptional as Lauren described, she inwardly dismissed the possibility. In her mind, Jayrodale was just a backwater pond full of small fish—no hidden talent could emerge from such a place.

…

Meanwhile, today was Andrew's appointment with Ernest. He had to get his hands on the Aurora Lotus, and since Ernest had been unreasonable and thrown his weight around, Andrew decided he would not be polite either.

Andrew, the prince of the Lloyd dynasty who survived until today, was never a pushover. Sometimes, it took a villain to deal with another villain.

Driving his G-Wagon to Natasha's place in West End, Andrew was surprised to find Ernest already there. He had brought two bodyguards—a man, and a woman.

"Hey kid, didn't you say I'd be fatally ill and dying today?" Ernest taunted with disdain, puffing on his cigar with his feet propped up on the table in a show of dominance. "But look at me now—aren't I alive and kicking?"

Er