Chapter 626


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    “Hey, Andrew, what’s your take on this? You know I listen to you. As long as you drop this thing with


    Aubree, I’m behind you all the way. But if you’re thinking of bailing out the Ronds with thirty billion–


    come on, think about your family. That kind of cash, even for us, it’s a stretch.”


    The Clements could cough up the money, sure, but it would definitely put a dent in their own affairs.


    And why should they? The Ronds made their move against them first, and they weren’t even tied by


    marriage yet. Why should they shell out a fortune to help those ingrates? They all yed in the same


    sandbox. They knew what’s up.


    Marissa’s expression was grim as she gave him another piece of her mind. “I want you to marry her,


    just to keep your fling with Aubree under wraps. We don’t need that kind of gossip. We didn’t even tell


    Aubree about your engagement, and she spent this Christmas alone. We took her in and did our part.


    It’s high time we find her a decent match, or your secret will be out sooner orter.”


    “Mom, Aubree’s still young.”


    “Young? If she hadn’t been on birth control all these years, who knows how many kids she’d have


    popped out by now. You can fool others, Andrew, but don’t forget who caught you two. If it weren’t for


    your dad taking pity on her, she wouldn’t be living this good life.”


    Andrew fell silent, his grip on his phone tightening.


    He had almost forgotten about the wedding discussions at tonight’s dinner. But hearing Marissa speak


    about Aubree made him ufortable.


    Sure, Aubree was Daddy’s little princess, and she didn’t have the temper of a spoilt brat–just a bit more


    fiery than most. She was obedient in the sheets and always willing to y along.


    Andrew never felt like Aubree owed the Clements anything. It was his dad’s choice to take her in, and if


    you took someone in, you were responsible for them, right?


    “Andrew, the bottom line is, are you really going to marry Tessa? If yes, are we truly going to cover this


    massive debt?”


    Andrew’s mind was a whirlwind. Catching a glimpse of Tessa’s pale face, his heart softened. “Tessa’s


    right here. We’ll talk when we get there.”


    After hanging up, he tossed his phone aside and turned to Tessa. “Did you know about the Rond’s


    debt crisis beforehand?”


    It was a rhetorical question. Tessa was the Rond’s linchpin; nothing went without her say–so. So,


    naturally, Austin’s moves to use the marriage to the Clements as a chance for a bailout were at her


    behest.


    Panic shed across Tessa’s face as she clutched his hand, “Andrew, I didn’t want this. But if the


    Ronds go under, I fear I won’t be worthy of you,” she coughed. Her body was still weak


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    from her recent illness; her face turned deathly pale.


    Andrew patted her back gently. “Tessa, I’m not ming you.”


    Tears welled up in her eyes as she buried her face in his shoulder,forted that Andrew would


    always be there for her. “Andrew, when I heard about the thirty billion going down the drain, I was


    scared. You know how this world works. It’s all about climbing up or being stepped down. If the


    Ronds fall and I cling to you, everyone will think I’m out of my league.”


    With tears streaming down her face, she continued, “I’m already frail, and without my family’s status,


    won’t I be theughingstock when we’re seen together?”


    Seeing her tears, Andrew’s heart instinctively softened, his tone gentle. “The rest of the Clements might


    take issue, but make sure you exin yourself well when we arrive. As for the debt, I’ll think of


    something.”


    A glimmer of hope shone in Tessa’s eyes, a sweet smile gracing her lips. “Thank you, Andrew. I knew


    you were the best.”


    Andrew didn’t respond, his hands steady on the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the road ahead.


    Who would have guessed that Tessa, seemingly so frail, had sent a message to Brielle just a minute


    ago?


    Attached was a photo–a ne.


    [Wasn’t this what Aubree was wearingst time? Now Andrew has given it to me. Sorry for taking your


    friend’s trinket.]


    Her message was dripping with malice.


    Tessa was still smarted from being bested by Brielle at the piano that day. Now, with a chance to get


    back at her, she wouldn’t let it slip by. Trampling on Aubree was the perfect way to twist the knife in


    Brielle’s side, to make her suffer.


    This tactic was Alivia’s brainchild, and it worked like a charm.