Andrew held Lauren's delicate hand tightly and said with conviction, "Now, I've found someone I truly care about. Everything in the past is behind me—it's gone for good."

Lauren's cheeks flushed red in an instant. With Francesca still present, she felt shy and tried to pull her hand away.

But Andrew tightened his grip and gave a gentle tug, pulling Lauren toward him.

"Ah!" Lauren exclaimed softly, falling into Andrew's arms. Before she could react, he wrapped an arm around her slender waist, holding her close.

A shiver ran through Lauren's body like an electric current, leaving her feeling weak and her ears burning red. She stammered softly, "Dr. Lloyd, y-you… don't do this. Fran is still here. Let go!"

Andrew chuckled. "No, I don't want to."

Francesca, sitting nearby, felt a pang of discomfort as she watched the two of them so intimately close. Her heart felt hollow and uneasy.

Yet at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a wave of embarrassment.

She no