Aveline looked at him calmly, raising an eyebrow. "Not continuing?"Lucas suddenly scoffed coldly and stood up, leaving the room.As she heard the door slam loudly, Aveline let out a deep breath.She was really afraid and didn’t know how she could defend herself if he continued. It was like last night; she had no way to resistBut she didn’t want this.He had feelings for Sophia, and she didn’t want to be entangled with him any further.She just hoped to get through this month safely.By then, she would definitely get a divorce!...The next day.After work, Aveline was about to leave when someone blocked her path with a smile. "Mrs. Tudor, I'm the butler of the estate. Madam Yvonne asked me to take you to the estate for dinner."Yvonne?Aveline was puzzled. "Why did Madam Yvonne suddenly invite me?"Did Lucas know about this?The butler smiled and said, "Mr. Lucas hasn’t been back for a while. Mr. Frederick and Madam Yvonne miss him very much, so they wanted to invite you over. Mr. Lu
Aveline directly grabbed Crystal's wrist, her clear eyes now tinged with coldness. "I told you, it wasn't me!"Crystal forcefully shook off her hand. "He's only seven. Could he lie? Not only are you an ill-mannered maid, but you are also cruel to harm a child!"The little boy cried his heart out.Anyone witnessing this scene would think Aveline had bullied the boy.The people around looked at Aveline with disdain and contempt.Aveline instantly became the target of everyone’s blame."What happened?"At that moment, Yvonne appeared, looking at everyone with a puzzled expression.Crystal pointed at Aveline. "Is she your maid? When I came in, I asked her to help me with my bag, but she ignored me. Then she hit my grandson. Look at him crying. She must be so cruel to bully a child!"When Yvonne heard this, she seemed surprised by the situation.She frowned and glanced sympathetically at the boy. "Don't cry, look what I have here. It's candy."She took out a lollipop and handed it to the bo
As soon as Lucas entered, his gaze landed on Aveline. Seeing the two bodyguards holding her, his expression turned icy."Let go."His tone was cold, surrounded by a powerful and chilling aura.The two bodyguards instinctively released her and looked over at Crystal.Crystal, seeing him, immediately said, "Lucas, you're just in time. This maid not only ignored my words but also hit my grandson. How are we going to resolve this?"Lucas ignored Crystal's words and went straight to Aveline, his eyes fixed on her. "Are you okay?"Aveline's heart trembled slightly. She shook her head. "I'm fine. I didn't hit him.""I know," Lucas said quickly and confidently.At that moment, Aveline's heart settled.Regardless of their past conflicts, at least for now, he was on her side.Aveline lowered her gaze, suppressing the emotions that surged within her.Crystal's brows furrowed deeply as she watched this scene.The onlookers were also quite surprised.Wasn't this woman a maid of the Tudor family?Wh
Lucas' eyes were filled with a layer of cold indifference as he glanced at Yvonne.Yvonne felt a sudden weight on her shoulders, an invisible pressure enveloping her. Her eyes flickered, and she said no more.Crystal's face was grim. "What do you want to do?"Surely, Lucas wasn't going to make her apologize to Aveline? Was he crazy? What was her status compared to Aveline's? Did Aveline deserve it?Lucas cast a cold glance at Crystal before turning his gaze to the little boy."Come here."Crystal held the boy tightly. "Lucas, what are you going to do? Are you planning to harm a child?"Lucas looked at her coolly. "Do you think I’m like you?""You!"Crystal's face turned livid.But she knew that today’s incident was her fault. She couldn't be too aggressive. She almost wished Lucas would force her to apologize to Aveline, as it would escalate the issue to a conflict between the Tudor and Ross families. That would make things harder to resolve.The little boy, cowering in Crystal's arms,
What was she thinking?Was she actually wondering if he cared about her and if he had feelings for her?She must be crazy.Lucas would do anything for Sophia. He helped her today only because he didn't want her gone so soon, leaving no one to shield Sophia.After all, it would be hard to find another fool like her.Aveline took a deep breath and then pulled her hand away.By this time, they had reached the gates of the estate.Lucas turned back to look at her, his expression unreadable.Aveline said calmly, "Thank you for today."Then she turned to leave.But Lucas grabbed her wrist, his brow furrowing. "That's it?"Aveline smiled slightly. "What else?"Lucas' lips pressed into a straight line. He pulled her wrist, bringing her close to him.They were so close that their breaths mingled on each other's faces.Aveline felt uncomfortable with the proximity. Given their current situation, it felt too intimate.She stepped back. "Lucas, what do you want from me? I'm grateful to you, but th
At that moment, Lucas suddenly turned his head slightly, causing Aveline's intended kiss on the corner of his lips to land directly on his mouth.Aveline froze and quickly sat back down, her ears turning red.Lucas' eyes darkened as he looked at her. "Is that all?"Aveline responded, "Lucas, don't push your luck."But Lucas chuckled softly. "Aveline, you're the one trying to please me right now. Are you sure you want to talk to me like that?"Aveline's gaze turned cold as she looked at him.He always used the threat of divorce against her but never followed through. What exactly did he want?Lucas watched her leisurely as if he was certain she would give in.Aveline, however, scoffed and turned her head away, ignoring him.Lucas' expression hardened.He stared at her face for a long time before finally starting the car and driving away.The car was filled with a stifling atmosphere, making it hard to breathe.Aveline lowered the car window, but within seconds, it was rolled back up.Av
Aveline made a simple meal and sat at the dining table, instinctively checking her phone.What's going on?Lucas hadn't come up yet?Where did he go?Her mind started to wander. She gripped her phone, staring at it for a while, then remembered what he said earlier. She needed to keep him appeased to get the divorce finalized. Otherwise, she'd remain trapped in this dangerous situation.Taking a deep breath, Aveline dialed Lucas' number.After three rings, the call was answered."When are you coming back?" she asked directly."You're so shameless! Lucas loves Sophia, not you. Why do you keep clinging to him? Because of you, they can't be together, and Sophia has depression!" The angry female voice on the other end wasn't Lucas.Aveline's expression turned icy. "Did you eat crap before leaving the house?"Sharon Walsh's face twisted in anger. "How dare you insult me?"Aveline sneered. "Did I insult you? I was just reminding you to brush your teeth. Even through the phone, your breath sti
Sophia's pale face showed a faint smile. "I'm fine, I was just too tired and fell asleep."Sharon retorted, "Nonsense, who falls asleep on the floor? The gas was on in the house, Sophia. Don't do anything stupid, okay?"Sophia replied, "Alright, I understand."At that moment, Lucas walked in, his eyes fixed on Sophia's pale face, his expression tense."Lucas, I'm sorry I scared you. I'm really fine. If you have something to do, you should go ahead," Sophia said, her face showing a gentle understanding.Sharon interjected, "What could he possibly be busy with? He was probably thinking about that other woman. Sophia, you shouldn't have saved him back then. You lost a leg for him, and now you almost died!""Sharon, stop talking," Sophia interrupted, then began coughing violently.Lucas stepped forward and handed her a glass of water.Sophia struggled to sit up but accidentally slipped. Lucas frowned as he saw her struggle.Sharon snapped, "What are you waiting for? Help Sophia!""I can ma
It was Jolie’s first time visiting Cooper Enterprises, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of curiosity about the place.No, to be precise, it was her first time stepping into any corporate office. The Quin family also had company, but she had never visited, nor had Daisy or Terence ever asked her to.The private elevator for the CEO was stunningly opulent, its polished surface gleaming like a mirror, perfectly reflecting their images. Jolie’s heart began to race with an inexplicable excitement.The assistant glanced at her and said with a warm smile, "Miss Quin, there’s no need to be nervous. Mr. Cooper will definitely be delighted to see you."Jolie nodded and replied, "I’m not nervous."The elevator moved swiftly, and as they neared the executive office, Jolie adjusted her cap and mask, pulling them snugly to hide her face as much as possible.Meanwhile, near the adjacent employee elevator, Rosalie was holding a stack of files, ready to head downstairs.She froze the moment she s
"I’ll wait for you to come back," Jolie said softly before hanging up the call. The phone let out a soft beep, and the beautiful girl on the screen disappeared. Gavin frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flickering across his face. She ended the call without letting him say anything. But as he replayed her soft words about waiting for him, the irritation quickly faded. When his assistant walked in, the first thing he noticed was Gavin staring at his phone, an unreadable smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The assistant froze, momentarily feeling as though he’d seen a ghost. Blinking hard, he looked again. Phew! It must have been his imagination. Gavin still wore his usual cold and impassive expression. "Mr. Cooper, these are the proposals submitted by the planning department," the assistant said as he placed the documents on Gavin’s desk. "Mm," Gavin acknowledged, immediately opening the files to review them. "Mr. Cooper, I’ve also finalized your schedule for
It sounded so much like Jolie! The thought stunned Rosalie. Jolie had a boyfriend, and she got sent abroad because of him. How could she possibly be in contact with Gavin, let alone on a video call with him? Still, an uneasy suspicion gnawed at Rosalie. If she could just take one glance at the woman in Gavin’s video call, she could put her mind at ease. Gathering her courage, Rosalie lifted her head and looked in Gavin’s direction, her gaze fixed on his phone. The next second, a figure stepped in front of her—Gavin’s assistant. With a cold stare, he blocked her view. Startled, Rosalie’s face turned pale. By now, Gavin had already entered his office. The assistant looked at Rosalie, his voice icy. “What are you trying to do?” “I-I…” Rosalie hadn’t expected to be caught so quickly. Her heart leapt into her throat as she scrambled for an excuse. “I just wanted to check if Mr. Cooper needed anything.” “That’s not your job,” the assistant replied firmly. “You may be the
Aveline held Joy in one arm and looked at Selena, asking, "What are you doing?" Selena replied, "Do you know what I just saw?" Aveline shook her head. "No idea." "Hickeys!" Selena pointed exaggeratedly to a spot on her neck, saying, "Right here. And I don’t think it’s just one spot. There’s probably a lot more below. Tsk tsk!" She clicked her tongue twice, shaking her head as she added, "Who would’ve thought Mr. Cooper could be so... ravenous." Aveline was amused and said, "Well, it makes sense. After all, he's already thirty, never had a girlfriend, and now that he finally does, of course, he’d go all out to spoil her." "Go all out to spoil her..." Selena drew out the words, mimicking her tone as she leaned in closer. "Ave, you’ve really been corrupted by Lucas, that scoundrel. You never used to talk like this." Aveline responded matter-of-factly, "I’m the mother of two now. What’s there to be embarrassed about?" "Tsk, tsk, tsk!" Selena made a playful, teasing expr
The corners of Gavin’s lips curved into a faint smile.The subordinate giving the report froze, his eyes widening in shock.What on earth?!Did he just witness that?Their notoriously serious and unsmiling boss—especially during work—had just smiled. In the middle of a meeting at his phone.Several others in the room noticed it too. Their gazes darted between each other in silent but frantic communication.What’s going on?Did Mr. Cooper just smile? At his phone? During a meeting?“Is he… dating someone?” everyone thought.“Ahem!”Gavin’s assistant cleared his throat, immediately breaking the silent chaos. First, it was a warning to the staff to rein in their imaginations, and second, it was a subtle reminder to Gavin, who was typing a reply.Even the assistant couldn’t help the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.Who would have thought?The president of Cooper Enterprises, a man known for his iron will and unshakable focus, was texting his girlfriend during a meeting… and smilin
Rosalie said, “That must be tough for you. But why did Uncle and Aunt suddenly decide to send you abroad?” Jolie’s eyes flickered. So, her parents hadn’t told their relatives the real reason? How typical.Of course, they’d be too embarrassed to admit it. Shipping their daughter abroad just to force her to break up with her boyfriend? What a humiliating thing to confess. Jolie replied calmly, “I wanted to study abroad to gain some experience. It’s for my future photography exhibition. I still have a lot to learn.” “Oh, I see,” Rosalie responded, feigning understanding. Then she added, “Where are you staying? If I get the chance, I’ll come visit you.” “There’s no need, but thanks for thinking of me,” Jolie said lightly. “I’ll only be gone for a year. I’ll be back before you know it.” Rosalie smiled on the other end. “Alright then. If you need anything, just let me know.” “Sure.” After a few more polite exchanges, the call ended. Rosalie stared at her phone, gripping it
"Beep! Unlocked!" The electronic voice of the fingerprint lock sounded unusually clear in the quiet night. As soon as Jolie stepped through the door, Gavin wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her into a warm embrace. His hot breath cascaded down onto her ear and neck, making her breath hitch instantly. She didn’t even have time to take off her shoes before she was swept up into his arms. His kisses were relentless, stealing her breath and unraveling her control as her emotions rose and fell with his every move. Before she knew it, she was seated on the entryway cabinet. Her dress had been pushed up to her waist, and her legs were forced to cling to his lean waist. His fingers trailed over her skin, leaving traces of his presence wherever they went. “Mm…” A soft whimper escaped her lips as his kisses marked her skin. Each mark, blooming like crimson flowers against her fair skin, painted a vivid contrast on her porcelain complexion. The room remained pitch dark, but
The lighting inside the cinema was dim, making it hard for Gavin to see Jolie’s face clearly. However, he could sense her stiffness. He glanced at her deeply before his gaze shifted back to the screen.The movie ended, and their hands remained intertwined the entire time. The warmth on Jolie’s cheeks had subsided as they stepped outside. Glancing at the tall, handsome man beside her, her heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.“Jolie?”At that moment, a voice called out from not far away. Jolie froze, not turning around. The voice carried a hint of uncertainty, and the person’s companion spoke in confusion, “Are you sure? Didn’t they send Jolie abroad?”The speaker was Jolie’s cousin, Rosalie Quin, from her uncle’s family.Frowning slightly, Rosalie replied, “But she really looks like her.”Her friend scoffed. “You must be seeing things. Wasn’t Jolie sent abroad? Didn’t you mention her family even cut off her cards? I still can’t believe she’d go to such lengths over a guy.”Rosalie lowe
Jolie fiddled with her phone, trying to find the perfect angle for a good photo. Less than ten minutes later, there was a knock on the private dining room door. “Come in,” Gavin said calmly. A man in a tailored suit entered, holding a professional camera in his hand. Jolie looked at him in confusion. “Who’s this?” Gavin replied, “He’s an excellent photographer, a first-place winner in an international photography competition. Let him take your photos.” “What?” Jolie blinked in disbelief, glancing between the man and Gavin. So, because she complained about his lack of photography skills, he brought in someone with top-tier skills? And not just anyone—a world champion? Oh, dear! Jolie was suddenly at a loss for words. She opened her mouth but struggled to find the right thing to say. After a moment, she stammered, “Uh… actually, it’s not necessary.” “Not taking pictures anymore?” Gavin asked. Jolie shook her head. “No, I’m not. I’m hungry.” Having someone else tak