Aveline looked at him coldly. "It's still better than your reasons for getting close to me.""You're wrong."Lucas looked at her with amusement. "I approached you simply because I wanted to possess you. But as for him, the consequences might be more than you can handle."Aveline pressed her lips together, not saying a word. She knew well enough who treated her well and who didn't. How could she possibly judge Russell's intentions based on a few words from Lucas? Besides, she had nothing to offer; what could Russell possibly want from her?She pushed him away. "I have to go to work."Lucas, however, shut the door behind them, speaking coldly, "You need to go to the hospital first. You're sick, and you need treatment."Aveline glared at him. "You're the one who's sick!"Lucas replied, "You know better than anyone how healthy I am, don't you?"Aveline fell silent, unwilling to continue the conversation.Lucas remained firm, insisting on taking her to the hospital. Aveline resisted stro
Barbara's words hung in the air, turning the room ice-cold.Aveline, merely an outsider in this situation, found the scene before her utterly absurd. This family constantly invoked the memory of a dead man to dictate Lucas' actions. Whenever he did something that displeased them, they would use this deceased person to lecture him.How laughable...Perhaps they knew deep down that they had no other way to persuade Lucas, so they resorted to such tactics.Aveline watched coldly from the sidelines.Lucas remained composed, his deep, magnetic voice carrying a chill as he spoke, "Grandma, why don't you understand yet? It's not just that he's dead; even if he were alive and standing right in front of me, he wouldn't have the right to interfere in my affairs.""You..."Barbara began coughing violently at his words, her already wrinkled, aged face appearing even more frail.Frederick's expression grew darker. "Lucas, how can you speak to your grandmother like that? Can't you see how weak she i
Aveline suddenly found his words amusing, but the tense atmosphere in the room and her awkward position made it clear that laughing now would only make her a target. She forced herself to suppress the urge, lowering her gaze.Sensing her reaction, Lucas glanced at her. When he noticed the flicker of amusement in her eyes, his foul mood unexpectedly lifted a bit.Interesting...Dealing with these people might have its perks after all. At the very least, it could amuse her. And that, he thought, was worth it.Barbara began coughing violently, her trembling hand pointing at Lucas as if she wanted to scold him, but she was too weak to even speak. All she could do was glare at him with anger.Lucas, seemingly oblivious to her fury, gently took her hand. "Grandma, don't worry. Aveline and I will live well together, and we'll soon give you a great-grandchild to hold."Barbara yanked her hand away and turned her face away from him, clearly enraged.Frederick was equally angered by Lucas' w
Lucas glanced at her and pressed a button for a different floor.Seeing this, Aveline hesitated and asked, "Where are we going now?"In a low, cold voice, Lucas replied, "To get you checked."Aveline's expression immediately darkened. "There's nothing wrong with me, I'm not going."Lucas looked at her calmly. "We're already at the hospital. Do you really think you can avoid this?"Her face grew even more tense.The elevator quickly reached the designated floor, and as the doors opened, Lucas firmly took her hand and led her directly to the doctor's office without giving her a chance to resist.This hospital was under the Tudor family's management, and the doctors of department head rank and above all knew Lucas. Whenever they saw him, they would respectfully address him as Mr. Tudor.He pushed open the door to an office where a doctor, wearing glasses, was in the middle of a consultation with a patient. The sudden intrusion startled the patient.The doctor glanced at Lucas, clearly dis
Lucas looked at Lance with growing impatience. "What's the solution? Hurry up and tell me!"Lance remained silent for a moment before finally replying, "Take it step by step. Keep your distance for now and let her gradually get used to you."Lucas frowned. "Isn't there a faster way?"Lance responded with a mocking tone, "How did you manage before you had a wife? Now that you have one, you can't even wait a single day?""That's right, I can't wait a day," Lucas replied without the slightest hint of embarrassment.Lance was defeated by Lucas' shamelessness. He straightened his face and said, "No, there isn't a faster way."After putting his glasses back on, he added, "Now get out of here and stop holding up my patients."Lucas knew Lance wouldn't lie to him, so despite his displeased expression, he got up and left.Aveline's expression grew colder as she followed him silently. Once they were outside the hospital, she immediately turned and walked in the opposite direction.Lucas didn't s
Selena laughed and said, "Ave, I'm just an ordinary person without big ambitions. Honestly, the only reason I met Aaron is because of you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even know who he is, let alone have all these interactions. Life is short, so why not enjoy it while we can?"Aveline listened to her words, understanding that no matter how much they resisted, they couldn't stand up to these men. If they wanted to, there were hundreds of ways they could ruin their lives. Instead of struggling in vain, maybe it was better to just go along with it and enjoy the ride.Selena's way of thinking made sense.Aveline said, "As long as you've thought it through, I respect your decision."Selena laughed again. "Ave, why don't we just let loose together? These rich young men will eventually get bored. When that time comes, we'll be wealthy women, free to enjoy life anywhere in the world."Aveline smiled wryly and said, "Selena, you know we're different."Selena sighed. "If you had a personal
The birthday party was held at the Ninth Mansion.Maria and Aveline stepped into the spacious private room, only to find it buzzing with activity. The air was thick with the chatter of Cloudflare City's young elite - scions of powerful families, each face a reminder of influence and wealth. Maria's eyes darted around, acutely aware that in this sea of privilege, she was an unknown.Some recognized Aveline but didn't approach her. They were aware of her identity and also knew about her divorce from Lucas. In their eyes, Aveline was now insignificant.Maria led Aveline to a corner, her eyes gleaming as she looked at the crowd. "Ave, do you know what I see when I look at these people? Flashing dollar signs!"Aveline smiled and said, "Getting them to turn into dollar signs in your pocket won't be so simple."Maria glanced at her. "Why worry? I've got you, don't I? Just show them some of your designs, and they'll be blown away. My studio's phone will be ringing off the hook!"Aveline smile
Just then, a commotion erupted near the entrance.Aveline and Sasha both looked over to see Rina emerging, dressed in a stunning gown. A diamond tiara adorned her head, exuding confidence and beauty, her every gesture radiating the grace of a true heiress. Beside her was Sophia, while following close behind were Aaron and Lucas.Aveline's expression froze.Sasha glanced at her and said, "Rina grew up with Aaron and Lucas, given the close ties between their families. They’ve always looked out for her. As she got older, Rina developed feelings for Aaron and has been chasing him for years. I heard that the Fletcher and Johnson families are planning to arrange a marriage between them."What?Aaron was going to marry Rina?Then what about Selena?Aveline was holding a grape, and upon hearing Sasha’s words, she squeezed it too hard, crushing it instantly.Did Aaron truly have no intention of letting Selena go, nor any plans to call off his engagement?If he were to marry Rina, where did tha
Lucas responded in a calm, low voice, “You won’t get that chance in this lifetime.”Selena huffed. “You better hope so!”She lifted her chin defiantly and then playfully winked at Aveline. Aveline smiled softly, a hint of exasperation in her eyes. When would these two ever stop bickering?Once they arrived at the mall, Selena dragged Aveline into a whirlwind shopping spree. Whatever caught their eye, they bought—no hesitation, no restraint. It felt exhilarating to indulge so freely!Lucas followed quietly behind them, occasionally making a few phone calls and handling work without missing a beat.After shopping all morning, the group started to feel tired. Selena led Aveline into a restaurant across the street.“I read reviews on this place, and they say the food is amazing. They’ve got some dishes from Cloudflare City too. It’s been a while since you’ve been back—want a taste of home?” Selena asked, grinning while flipping through the menu.Aveline nodded. “Yeah, I’ve been craving it
Daisy’s expression darkened slightly at Jolie’s words, but she held back from lashing out. “That’s all in the past. What’s the point of bringing it up now? You and Selena are sisters, after all. You should reach out to her more. Convince her to come back. She’s still part of the Quin family.”In recent years, both her parents, especially her father, had become fixated on reconnecting with Selena. Despite multiple attempts, Selena had kept her distance, and even after finally making contact, she barely exchanged a few words with them before cutting off all communication again. The more they tried, the further she drifted away.Jolie remained quiet, observing Daisy. She had no right to criticize her mother—after all, it was she who had always been favored growing up. The Quin family had never done anything wrong by her.“I understand. I’ll try,” Jolie finally relented, though the thought of facing Selena’s distant and prickly demeanor again made her uneasy. Perhaps, deep down, her sist
“Got something on your mind, Dad?” Gavin asked, noticing Wilfried’s serious expression as he entered the room. His own demeanor softened a bit.Wilfried didn’t waste time, sitting down heavily on the sofa with a stern look. "What are you planning to do about what happened today?"Gavin froze for a moment, realizing that the whole situation had become an open secret within the family. His response was calm, though. "I don’t have any specific plans."At this, Wilfried’s expression darkened even further. "That won’t do. You’ve taken advantage of someone, so you need to take responsibility. I’ll have someone look into that girl’s background tomorrow, prepare the bride price, and we’ll go make the proposal immediately."Gavin blinked, his typically composed expression faltering slightly. After a brief silence, he replied, "Dad, I’m willing to take responsibility, but what if she doesn’t want to marry me?"Wilfried paused, momentarily caught off guard by this possibility. His gaze swept over
“Hmm, you’re right. I’ll talk to your brother and see what he thinks,” Wilfried said thoughtfully.Aveline nodded and went on her way....In the study, Gernard sat on the sofa, a mischievous grin plastered on his face. “Brother, why didn’t you let me finish? I was about to spill the best part.”Gavin ignored him and pulled out a document, handing it over. “Take a look at this. If everything’s in order, you’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow.”“What’s this?” Gernard blinked, taking the file and flipping it open. His eyes widened as he scanned the pages.He shot up from his seat, staring at Gavin in disbelief. “Wait, you’re serious? You’re actually sending me to South Africa? Do people live there? When did we even expand into that region?”Gavin, seated in his leather chair, remained cold and composed. “Recently.”Gernard’s face twisted in disbelief. After a long pause, he finally blurted out, “No way. I’m not going.”Gavin’s gaze flickered over to him, calm but stern. “You don’t hav
“What gossip?” Aveline's interest was instantly piqued, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Gernard.Gernard leaned in conspiratorially, about to spill the juicy details. “It’s about Brother. You won’t believe what happened today…”“Ahem!”Before he could finish, Gavin appeared, clearing his throat just loud enough to interrupt. He grabbed Gernard’s arm, pulling him away. “Let’s talk about the company,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.Gernard protested, “Brother, wait, I wasn’t finished!”Aveline, her curiosity fully ignited, took a couple of steps forward. “Hey bros, don’t leave me hanging! Finish the story first!”Without slowing down, Gavin replied, “He’s headed to South Africa soon. Work comes first.”“South Africa?” Gernard’s jaw dropped. “Wait, since when am I going to South Africa? I didn’t hear about this! What’s going on?”Aveline stopped in her tracks, equally puzzled. “South Africa? Does the Cooper family even have projects there?”Just then, Wilfried walked
"Got too much free time on your hands?" Gavin’s cold gaze fixed on Gernard.Unbothered, Gernard strolled over and patted his brother's shoulder, grinning. "So, what’s your plan now? I got a little bored and did some digging on the Quin family. Guess what? Turns out they’re Selena’s birth family. She left them ages ago to make it on her own, but the girl you were with? That’s Jolie Quin, the pampered princess of the family."With a knowing smirk, Gernard added, "Brother, I couldn’t help but notice—Jolie and Selena do look a bit alike. Could that be why you…?""Get lost," Gavin cut him off, not in the mood for Gernard’s teasing. He brushed past him, heading downstairs.Of course, that only fueled Gernard’s enthusiasm. "Hey, don’t walk away! I haven’t finished my gossip yet!" he called after him, but the conversation came to an abrupt end as they reached the main floor, where the guests were still gathered for the celebration....Aveline noticed Selena seemed a bit distracted and asked,
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