Andrea's cheeks reddened with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. Lucas's words, though over the top, had a moving undercurrent to them. Rolling her eyes, she retorted, "Who wants to dance in a burning world?"
Lucas Anderson couldn't help himself and erupted into hearty laughter. Andrea, not amused, pursed her lips in a pout. Lucas, it seemed, was still figuring out the formula to her happiness.
Just then, Andrea's phone cut through the moment with its insistent ring. She swiftly pulled it from her purse, her eyes scanning the caller ID before she answered. "Rita, what's the matter?" she asked as soon as she picked up.
"Andrea, the Old Master of the Kent family is insisting you attend the engagement party. He says if you don't show, they'll renege on their promise," Rita's voice conveyed urgency through the speaker.
Andrea's expression turned steely. The Kent family wouldn't dare make such a brazen demand considering how much they relied on Singer Group's contracts—responsible for 60% of their construction business.
"Rita, who put them up to this?" Andrea's voice had a sharp edge.
"It's Jack Smith of the Smith family," Rita informed her, possessing the necessary insights as Andrea's personal assistant.
"The Smith family is really pushing their luck. I'll make time for them," Andrea spat out the words before abruptly ending the call. She turned to face Lucas and inquired, "Would you come with me to the Kent family's young master's engagement party?"
"Sure," Lucas responded immediately, his agreement unhesitant.
Andrea was taken aback by his readiness—an unexpected and pleasant contrast to her husband of old. The thought warmed her heart. Had this been Valentine Anderson, they would surely be in the midst of a debate.
"Why are you smiling like that? And why are you drooling?" Lucas asked, his tone laced with mock horror as if he had just witnessed something astonishing.
Andrea, caught off guard, touched her lips only to realize there was no drool. He was simply teasing her again.
His laughter filled the space once more as he collected his painting materials and the portrait he made. Andrea was about to step into the car when her phone rang again, demanding her attention.
As she glanced at the phone's screen, Andrea noticed it was a call from Runnel. She hesitated for a moment, exchanging a look with Lucas Anderson who had already settled into the car, before she answered.
"Ma'am Andrea, after a thorough investigation, I've discovered an individual with the surname Anderson, who possesses significant influence in the art world..." Runnel was saying, but his sentence was cut short. His voice spiked with alarm. "Hey, what are you— that's my car!"
Then, alarming sounds of gunfire erupted from the other end of the line.
"Runnel! Runnel, are you okay? Runnel!" Andrea's voice was tinged with panic as she clutched the phone, her face draining of color.
Silence followed, then the ominous beep of a disconnected call. Lucas had stepped out of the car, concerned by Andrea's sudden pallor. "Is something wrong?"
Andrea mustered a feeble smile. "Nothing, I'm fine," she lied, but her tight grip on the phone betrayed her.
Lucas, though sensing the lie from her tense posture and ashen face, chose not to press her. "Come on, get in. Let’s get you home before you catch a cold," he said gently, returning to the car.
Before joining him, Andrea quickly sent a text to Tony, requesting immediate backup for Runnel. She then slipped into the car, and they drove off in a heavy silence, filled with Andrea's worry and Lucas's unspoken concern.
Upon reaching home, they changed clothes in a quiet, tense atmosphere. When they were back in the car, Andrea noticed that Lucas hadn't spoken a word to her in over an hour. Her anxiety mounting, she ventured cautiously, "Are you angry with me?"
Lucas turned to her with a soft smile. "A little, yes. But a kiss might just make me forget," he teased lightly.
Without a second thought, Andrea leaned in and pressed her lips to his, catching Lucas off guard. When she pulled back, she asked with hopeful eyes, "Are you still mad at me?"
"Only a eunuch would stay mad after such a kiss, and I am certainly not one," Lucas replied with a chuckle, lightening the mood with his humor.
Their laughter mingled as they held hands, then got back into the car and drove off to Kent Manor.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by the Kent family's butler, who was careful not to show any disrespect to Andrea, especially after previous provocations.
"Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Singers, welcome to Kent Manor," the butler said with deference.
Andrea replied, her tone edged with discontent, "The Kent family excels at ingratitude, it seems."
The Kent patriarch was quick to smooth things over with flattery as he approached them. "Mrs. Singers, the inconvenience of the invitation is regrettable. Your presence is a blessing our family has earned over generations," he said sagely, his words carefully chosen.
The patriarch continued, "Mrs. Singers, please understand your attendance means the world to us. It would put us in your debt, and ensure that my son's in-laws cannot belittle us."
With such an appeal, Andrea felt her irritation ebb. Acknowledging the patriarch's request, she and Lucas followed him into the hall where the engagement party was in full swing.
As Andrea discreetly elbowed Lucas Anderson, she directed his attention to a cluster of men deep in conversation. "Isn't that Mark, your personal assistant?" she inquired with a hint of curiosity in her voice.
"That is him," Lucas Anderson replied. However, the man in question wasn’t his assistant at all; it was Valentine Anderson, his identical twin brother, not his subordinate.
Before Andrea could delve further into the mix-up, a handful of company executives approached, eager to engage in conversation. Lucas instinctively stepped back, his disdain for such interactions evident. He found the company of these moguls unbearable, viewing them as leeches who profited from the toil and suffering of others.
Just then, Smith Jack sauntered over and sneered at Lucas. "Valentine Anderson, the soft rice guy," he jeered, mistaking Lucas for his twin brother.
Choosing to ignore the jibe, Lucas remained silent. However, Smith Jack, slightly inebriated from his earlier indulgences, raised his voice and announced, "Everyone, gather around, I have something to say!"
His call quickly captured the attention of those at the engagement party. Andrea's expression soured at his words; she was all too aware of the kind of disruption Smith Jack was capable of causing.
She hurried over, just in time to hear Jack's slurred speech. "Valentine Anderson, the CEO of Val Corp, is nothing but a soft rice man who relies on a woman to..."
But before he could finish his insult, Andrea's hand struck his cheek with a fierce slap.