"We'll tag-team you and drain you dry!" Francesca teased with a smirk.

Andrew waved her off, signaling it was time to get serious. "Lauren and her parents headed back to Blumedale, right?"

Francesca nodded. "Yeah, they left early this morning to attend Michael's funeral."

She hesitated before asking, "Andrew, was Michael's death really your doing?"

Andrew could read her like a book. She was softening, clearly having second thoughts.

However, Andrew was not the type to show mercy—not to