Sophia instinctively glanced at Aveline. However, Yvonne acted as if she hadn't noticed her expression and said, "Let's go, time to eat."Throughout the entire situation, Aveline remained silent. She simply observed everything indifferently.How could Yvonne, who managed to become the matriarch of the Tudor family, be someone without a scheming mind and intelligence? What was the meaning behind that scene just now? Was she trying to sow discord between her and Lucas, or make her jealous of Sophia?A trace of mockery flashed within Aveline.At that moment, Lucas descended the stairs. Noticing the expression on her face, his eyes darkened a bit as he approached and asked, "What's wrong?"Aveline glanced at him and said, "Nothing, it's time to eat."As she spoke, she was about to leave, but he grabbed her wrist.She looked at him in confusion.Lucas furrowed his brows and said, "Aveline, you can tell me if anything happens. You can't handle everything alone."Aveline's expression turned
Aveline had been trying to keep a low profile, so she was a bit surprised when Barbara suddenly spoke to her."Grandma, try this chicken leg, okay?" Aveline put some food on Barbara's plate."Alright, I'll try it." Barbara's attention was immediately diverted.Lucas' deep gaze fell on Aveline's face, but she only looked at Barbara, not giving him an extra glance.Yvonne said, "Since you don’t come home often, you should spend a night here. Mom has been thinking about you."Barbara nodded in agreement. "Yes, stay. You must stay tonight."Aveline paused and looked at Lucas, hoping he would refuse. Given their current relationship, it wasn't appropriate for them to stay together.But to her surprise, Lucas nodded slightly. "Alright."Her brows immediately furrowed. What did he mean? Didn't he see the look she gave him?"Barbara took Aveline's hand and said with a smile, 'Ave, you and Lucas need to work hard so I can hold my great-grandchild soon. I've had the kitchen prepare a healthy sm
Lucas seemed to have figured out what was on her mind and said, "It's just one night. What are you afraid of?"Aveline replied, "I'm not afraid. I just think that, given our current relationship, it's not appropriate for us to stay together."Hearing this, Lucas's expression darkened. "What relationship?"Aveline responded, "The relationship of a couple about to divorce."Before she finished her sentence, Lucas walked towards her, his eyes dark and cold.Aveline immediately became alert. "What are you doing?"Lucas stopped in front of her, his gaze intense. "So after all this time, after everything we've been through, you still want a divorce?"Aveline lowered her gaze slightly, her lashes fluttering. "Lucas, I've seriously thought about it. We can't go back to how we were before. Marriage should bring a sense of security and comfort, but I've never felt that way, and I believe you haven't either. So, it's better to separate. It might be the best option for both of us."She spoke since
She looked at Lucas with a sincere expression, desperately explaining as if she feared he might misunderstand her.Lucas' face remained indifferent and aloof. "I didn't think much of it."Sophia sighed in relief. "That's a relief. I was really afraid you might misunderstand me and end up having a conflict with Miss Young."She paused and added, "But I noticed that Miss Young seemed unhappy. Did you two have a fight?"Lucas didn't respond, merely looking at her coldly.Sophia realized her mistake and quickly said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't pry into your marital affairs. I was just thinking, we should consider ourselves friends now, right?"Lucas asked, "Do you have anything else to say?"His tone was detached, completely different from before.Sophia bit her lip lightly and said, "No, nothing else. I won't bother you anymore."With that, she turned and walked away. She was wearing shorts that exposed her prosthetic leg, making it quite noticeable.Lucas' gaze fell on her prosthetic leg, h
Sophia lowered her eyes, hiding her thoughts. This time, she wanted to see how Lucas could continue being with Aveline!...Aveline returned to the villa. A servant approached her and said, "Madam Aveline, the kitchen has already sent the smoothie that Madam Barbara ordered to Mr. Tudor’s bedroom. Please remember to drink it.""Alright, I know." Aveline nodded slightly. "Has Grandma gone to bed?"The servant shook her head. "Not yet."Aveline said, "Then I'll go see her."The servant led her to Barbara's room. Barbara was playing with a flower garland and looked pleasantly surprised when she saw Aveline. "Ave, are you here to keep me company?""Yes, Grandma. How about I sleep with you tonight?" Aveline walked over and sat opposite her.Barbara was about to nod but then shook her head as if she remembered something. "No, you can't sleep with me. How will I get a great-grandchild if you're with me? You need to sleep with Lucas."Aveline's lips twitched slightly. Barbara looked like a
Sophia felt a chill down her spine, but she steeled herself and said, "It... it was Aveline who asked me to come. She said she wouldn't be back tonight. Lucas, she really doesn't love you anymore. She’s willing to do this just to get a divorce. You shouldn't think about her anymore. Are you feeling uncomfortable? Let me help you, okay?"As she spoke, she bravely reached out towards Lucas.At this moment, Lucas was completely engulfed in anger! Aveline had sent Sophia to him?She dared to push him towards another woman? Fine! Excellent!Lucas' eyes were filled with icy coldness as he looked at Sophia, "You really want to help me? You won’t regret it?"Sophia immediately showed her intentions, looking at him with eyes full of admiration. "Lucas, I let go before because I thought you two were in love, and I wished you well. But after truly letting go, I felt heartbroken. I really love you, Lucas. As long as I can be with you, I'll do anything and never regret it."A cold, mocking smile
Aveline dragged Sophia to the bedroom door. Inside, a bedside lamp cast a dim, yellow light. Lucas, wearing a bathrobe, leaned against the headboard, the robe's collar open. He had a cigarette between his lips, and smoke swirled lazily around him."Continue what you were doing," Aveline said, pushing Sophia inside, her expression cold as she watched them. Her hands and feet were freezing.Ha... He couldn’t even control his lust even when they were at the Tudor family mansion?He had claimed he wouldn't marry Sophia. But now, here he was trying to sleep with her, right in front of Aveline. She had even considered whether to divorce...Did it matter? It didn't matter anymore!Lucas had never truly been her Lu; he had always intended to be responsible for Sophia. Now, he and Sophia were finally together. She should be clapping and celebrating her newfound freedom!But why? Why did it hurt so much? She had decided not to love him, so why was it still so painful?Aveline had a talen
The night was deep and dark. The sky, faintly lit by moonlight, was gradually covered by dark clouds. Raindrops began to fall, eventually turning into a torrential downpour. The rain streaked down the windows, creating a chaotic pattern of lines that cast a fragmented, shadowy light into the room.Aveline bit down hard on Lucas' shoulder, her eyes filled with hatred as she trembled and cried uncontrollably. Lucas' shoulder muscles tensed like stone, veins bulging at his temples, and his eyes were filled with cold, piercing fury."I hate you, Lucas, I hate you!" Aveline sobbed, hitting him with her fists, struggling and gasping for breath, refusing to give in.Lucas, however, was overwhelmingly forceful, as if he wanted to devour her whole. His aggression was relentless.She eventually ran out of strength, left helplessly crying. Why was he treating her this way? He was already slept with Sophia, so why did he still need to take out his frustrations on her? Why not just divorce her
One of Jolie’s long, slender legs was exposed to the cool air, and Gavin’s fingers instinctively tightened, as if they could still feel the smoothness of her thigh under his grip. His gaze darkened, though his expression only grew colder. His sharp, chiseled features gave him a distant, unapproachable aura—a man who seldom smiled and whose demeanor warned others to stay away.He was cold, almost like an ice block."Debt’s owed," he said flatly, tossing out the two words before sitting on the sofa and picking up the phone to make a call.Jolie blinked in surprise, processing what he said. Debt owed?Was that something you could even keep on hold?But thinking about it, he probably didn’t need anything right now. So, if he wanted to leave the debt hanging, so be it.Stretching lazily, Jolie sat up and said, "Have someone bring me a change of clothes."With that, she pulled the blanket aside, slowly rising from the bed despite the discomfort between her legs and headed toward the bathro
As the effects of the drug finally began to fade, Jolie lay exhausted on the bed, her body drenched in sweat. Her skin, especially across her delicate shoulder blades, bore faint marks from their encounter and her breath ragged as it brushed against her own back. Her vision was hazy, and she barely had the strength to speak."I... I’m fine now... you can stop," she murmured, her voice weak and broken from the strain of what had just happened.The madness of moments before still pulsed through her, the aftershocks of it lingering in her body. She never expected that grabbing a random man for help would lead to this, nor did she expect him to have such relentless stamina.Yet, the man behind her didn’t stop. He didn’t respond either. His large hands remained firmly gripped around her slender waist as if he were trying to squeeze the very breath from her."Stop... I told you to stop, didn’t you hear me?" Jolie’s anxiety spiked as he continued. What was wrong with him? They’d agreed he was
Gavin said nothing and simply hung up the phone, his expression darkening by the second.Behind him, Jolie’s soft, pained whimpers filled the air. She was writhing on the bed, her delicate skin flushed a faint pink.Gavin clenched his jaw, tugging at his tie. It had already loosened from when she’d pulled on it earlier, and with a rough yank, it came completely undone. Frustration simmered beneath his calm exterior.Where was Selena? She was supposed to be finding help, but she still hadn’t returned.His frown deepened as he reached for the door, ready to leave."Please… help me…"Her desperate voice, laced with a hint of a sob, echoed from behind him. The softness of it hit him like a lit match to his chest, sparking a heat he wasn’t used to feeling. "Please… I’ll pay you… I won’t take it for free…" Jolie’s voice broke as tears streamed down her face. She was sobbing now, her words dripping with helplessness and shame, as if offering him money would somehow make her request more bear
"Stop moving," Gavin growled in a low voice.But Jolie, completely under the control of the drugs, was acting purely on instinct, seeking out what her body craved most. She didn’t register his words at all. Instead of stopping, she slipped her hand inside his shirt, feeling the hard muscles of his chest."Mm..." Jolie let out a soft sound, whether from the satisfying feel of his muscles or because the touch of his skin intensified the drug’s effects, it wasn’t clear.Gavin's breathing became heavier. He couldn’t stay here any longer—this drugged and irrational woman could do anything at this point, and there was no telling what she’d attempt next.Quickly surveying his surroundings, Gavin spotted a quieter route. Without hesitation, he carried Jolie out through the back door, re-entering the villa through another entrance. He headed upstairs and slipped into the nearest empty room, laying her down on the bed.Just as he moved to leave, Jolie, still hazy and half-conscious, sensed his d
"Let… let me go!" Jolie struggled with all her might, but the drugs were quickly sapping her strength, leaving her powerless to break free.The man, too impatient to care, ignored her pleas and began dragging her toward the back exit."Hey! She told you to let her go. Are you deaf?" A sharp voice suddenly cut through the air.The man froze, startled, and looked up to see a girl standing not far away."Who the hell are you? This has nothing to do with you. Get lost!" He snapped, not recognizing Selena, his tone turning nasty.Selena’s expression grew colder as she took in Jolie’s disheveled state. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and slapped the man hard across the face, then yanked Jolie away from him."Letting yourself fall into the hands of this scum? Where’s your fight?" Selena said sharply.Jolie’s blurry consciousness flickered at the sound of her familiar voice. When she realized it was Selena, her tensed body finally relaxed, leaning heavily into her for support."Take me
Jolie watched Selena’s retreating figure and shook her head in frustration. What could she do? Selena’s emotional wounds ran deep, and no matter what Jolie tried, it seemed impossible to bridge the gap between them.Returning to the party, she glanced around at the crowd of men and women mingling with champagne flutes in hand, but her mind wasn’t on the event. She casually picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and sipped it slowly.What she didn’t notice was a man standing across the room, watching her. As she drank, his eyes darkened, and he licked his lips suggestively.After finishing about half the glass, Jolie started feeling strange. Her body was growing weak, her skin hot and feverish, and a strange itchiness spread through her veins.Her brows furrowed in confusion. What was happening? She headed toward the restroom, but as she rounded a corner, her legs gave out, and she had to grab the wall for support to keep from collapsing."Did someone drug me?" she murmu
Maria looked at the two little ones, absolutely delighted, and then turned to Aveline. "I’ve got some happy news to share as well."Selena guessed, "You're pregnant?"Maria nodded. "That’s right."Selena gave her a thumbs-up. "Wow, that was fast! You said it and made it happen."Maria smiled. "I couldn’t fall too far behind. I need to make sure my kid has the best opportunities and chances, right?" With their babies close in age to Ethan and Emma, Maria thought it would be perfect for them to grow up together, maybe even become childhood sweethearts.She looked at Selena and asked, "Weren’t you eager at first too? Why haven’t you made any moves yet?"Selena sighed. "I’m not sure. Honestly, I’m a little scared."Maria reassured her, "Take your time, no rush."Selena got up and left the room, heading outside for some fresh air. Seeing Aveline go through the struggles of pregnancy and the dangers of childbirth genuinely frightened her. On top of that, she worried she wouldn’t be a good m
At first, the twin really did look quite wrinkly and not very cute, but as time passed, they started to fill out and became more and more beautiful. The baby boy had a calm demeanor, rarely crying or fussing. He spent most of his time either eating or sleeping, with large, dark eyes like black grapes, a high nose, a tiny mouth, and chubby, round cheeks full of baby fat.The baby girl, on the other hand, was much more lively and prone to fussing, expressing her displeasure whenever things didn’t go her way. She cried the most between the two.The baby boy was born first, and the girl was the younger sister. Every time, the sister seemed determined to make her brother cry, but she never succeeded. Once fed, she would calm down.“Have you thought of any names for them yet?” Selena asked, looking at Aveline, who was slowly recovering, while playfully toying with the little ones in the stroller.Aveline replied, "We’ve chosen some temporary nicknames, but we haven’t settled on their full n
Aveline said, "Braden is probably not interested."“Huh? Why?” Selena asked, confusion spreading across her face.Aveline explained, “Baron, Braden, and Maria all have a special bond with Lucas. No matter what, they wouldn’t betray him.”She paused for a moment, her thoughts drifting to Brian, the man who had always seen it as his duty to protect Lucas. She wondered how he was faring now.Selena shrugged. “Alright, I suppose. He’s helped me a lot recently, and if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have handled everything so smoothly.”Aveline replied, “It’s all over now. Taking him with you wouldn’t really serve any purpose.”“True,” Selena agreed, nodding as she let go of the subject.She ended up staying in Larbor City for a month. One night, Aveline suddenly went into labor. The family rushed to action—though there was some initial chaos, they quickly regained control. Drivers got the car ready, calls to the hospital were made, and everything unfolded smoothly.At the hospital, Lucas h