Lauren chuckled. "So tell me, how did you figure out that Mom felt guilty?"

Andrew smirked. "It's simple—she was furious that Howard let himself get used by Michael. Think about it. Someone as high up as Mrs. Rhodes—would she ever tolerate someone messing with her people? That's a slap to her face."

He added, "But she held herself back because someone of her status—someone who practically runs Rhodes Corporation—wouldn't lower herself to go after Michael directly. On top of that, Michael has her trust, at least on the surface.

"So, with no other option, she had to swallow her pride. She knew she was in the wrong, so she let me go without another word and just took Howard with her."

Marcus nodded thoughtfully. "That actually makes a lot of sense, Mr. Lloyd. If that's the case, then Mrs. Rhodes must be seriously displeased with Michael."

Andrew leaned back in his chair, speaking at a leisurely pace. "It's more than just 'displeased'. Think about it—Michael's incompetence is obv