Mrs. Anderson struggled to muster the courage to reveal the truth to Andrea, knowing that Andrea deserved to know after the betrayal that had occurred in the past. However, the guilt of abandoning Lucas back then weighed heavily on her, making it impossible for her to speak up.
"Mom, is everything okay?" Andrea asked, noticing Mrs. Anderson's hesitation and the emotions playing on her face.
Forcing a smile, Mrs. Anderson replied, "Andrea, remember to love your husband, treat him well, and help heal his wounds."
Confusion clouded Andrea's expression as she tried to make sense of her cryptic words. Mrs. Anderson, unable to elaborate further, simply stood up, her sorrow evident in every step as she walked away.
Andrea observed her actions with deep thought as she prepared to depart.
"Mom, I'm heading out now," Andrea announced before rising to her feet. She considered going to her room to speak with Mrs. Anderson about what was troubling her, but she had a client waiting and needed to get going.
Leaving the Anderson mansion behind, she met with a client before returning to her office.
Feeling uncertain, she decided to call Valentine Anderson, only to find that his phone was switched off.
"Has he changed his number?" Andrea wondered, realizing she hadn't contacted him since the terror attack.
Determined to have a heart-to-heart conversation with her husband, she made up her mind to talk to him when she got home.
Upon arriving home, Andrea found Lucas Anderson absent. A few minutes later, he returned, having brought Pete back earlier in the day before leaving to meet someone.
"I spoke with your mother today," Andrea revealed as she began the conversation.
Lucas Anderson glanced at Andrea, who stood gracefully by the window in her nightie, her beauty captivating him in that moment.
Upon hearing Andrea's words, a frown appeared on her face as she turned to face Lucas Anderson, waiting for his reaction. When met with silence, she continued, "She didn't appear to be in good spirits."
"Andrea, my mother will be alright," Lucas Anderson reassured her before turning his gaze away, indicating his intention to leave.
As he began to walk away, Andrea stopped him by saying, "What happened to your phone? I tried calling but couldn't reach you."
Stopping in his tracks, Lucas Anderson turned back with a smile and replied, "I lost it. Since I've decided to step away from the business world, I didn't see the need to keep using my old number."
Lucas Anderson scrambled to come up with an excuse, while Andrea stared at him in silence for what felt like an eternity. "I bought tickets for a movie this weekend. We could go together if you're free," he finally managed to say, breaking the awkward silence.
"I'll make time for us, don't worry," Andrea replied with a forced smile as she watched Lucas leave the room.
As he departed, Andrea's gaze lingered, a sense of emptiness washing over her. Something felt amiss, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"Am I failing as a wife and mother?" Andrea whispered to herself, her heart heavy. Despite her husband's gesture of entrusting his businesses to her and taking care of their child, he had never initiated intimacy since they got married. Andrea sensed his concern for her well-being, but the lack of physical connection weighed on her.
While Andrea was lost in thought, an unexpected visitor arrived at the Anderson mansion.
After conducting a fruitless investigation into the man Andrea had married, Tony realized that the most straightforward way to uncover the truth was to meet with Mrs. Anderson.
Determined, he decided to pay a visit to the Anderson mansion.
"Good day, Sir. Allow me to inform Mrs. Anderson of your presence," the Anderson family butler said politely before heading off to notify Mrs. Anderson of Tony's arrival.
Seated in the elegant living room, Tony waited patiently. Just then, Benita returned from overseeing her supermarket.
"What are you doing here?" Benita inquired in a chilly tone.
If Tony hadn't intervened to prevent Andrea from entering the church, she wouldn't have ended up marrying Lucas Anderson.
Benita seethed with hatred towards Tony, blaming him for thwarting her plans to claim all of her deceased brother's properties.
"Hello, Benita, it's a pleasure to meet you," Tony greeted her with his best smile, unfazed by the scowl on her face as he extended his hand for a handshake.
Benita shot him a look filled with animosity, her eyes blazing with anger. She was tempted to wipe the smile off his face with a slap. "Leave. We don't welcome someone like you here," she spat.
"Benny, let's be civil to our guest," Mrs. Anderson intervened, descending the staircase to diffuse the tension.
Benita shot one last fierce glare at Tony before storming away, disregarding her mother's advice. Mrs. Anderson, who seemed to have aged prematurely due to sorrow, offered Tony an apologetic smile.
Tony observed Mrs. Anderson thoughtfully. He had conducted a discreet investigation into Mrs. Anderson and discovered her penchant for grooming herself to perfection, her love for looking beautiful. If he weren't currently in the Anderson mansion, he might have mistaken the person sitting before him for an imposter.
"Hello, are you a friend of Andrea's?" Mrs. Anderson inquired. Although she had never interacted with Tony or known his name, she had seen him around Andrea on two occasions, including the time he played the role of Andrea's father in church during the wedding.
"Mrs. Anderson, I'm Tony. You should already be aware of my purpose for being here and how significant Andrea is to me," Tony replied, his words reflecting his straightforward and concise demeanor.
"If you're here to discuss my son, please leave," Mrs. Anderson stated, signaling that she was no longer interested in entertaining Tony once she understood the reason for his visit.
Tony remained perfectly still as he spoke. "Mrs. Anderson, I can empathize with the pain of losing your son. However, Andrea is innocent. Please spare her from unwarranted suffering."
Upon hearing Tony's words, Mrs. Anderson's expression darkened. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, suggesting that her reaction could confirm Valentine Anderson's fate.
Ignoring Tony, Mrs. Anderson stood up abruptly, signaling her intention to leave. Tony watched her retreating figure and spoke up once more. "Mrs. Anderson, consider how Andrea and your grandson will feel if they learn the truth. Have you thought about the impact on them? By concealing Valentine Anderson's death and denying them the opportunity to grieve, think about the repercussions on your reputation in the eyes of others."