Sasha stood frozen in the doorway, her face pale. "Are you all insane? This is a crime!"The men were visibly annoyed by her interruption, and one of them started toward her, intending to drag her inside as well."Perfect timing, you little witch! Come join the fun!""Ah!" Sasha screamed, drawing the attention of people in the hallway.Just then, Maria happened to come out of the nearby room. Hearing the commotion, she asked, "What’s going on?"Sasha spotted her and immediately rushed over, grabbing her hand. "Hurry, Aveline’s inside, they’re—"What?Maria’s expression changed instantly, and she bolted into the room, where she saw Aveline pinned down by several men."You bastards dare to touch someone of mine?" Maria cursed under her breath, swiftly and efficiently taking down the men holding Aveline."Hurry, call Lucas!" Maria ordered, turning to Sasha with a stern look. "This needs to be handled quietly!""I-I understand..." Sasha stammered, nodding as she shakily pulled out her phon
Sasha was startled by Aveline’s sudden outburst. "What’s wrong with you?"Maria held Aveline close, feeling the intense emotions radiating from her. It pained Maria deeply—no girl could remain calm after experiencing something so traumatic."Aveline, it’s over now. You’re safe," Maria murmured softly, trying to offer some comfort.But Aveline suddenly shoved Lucas away, her eyes still brimming with tears, but now burning with fury. "You’re going to avenge me? Don’t you find that laughable?"Lucas’ brow furrowed, his expression darkening. The violent energy that had surrounded him moments ago seemed to dissipate, leaving him unable to respond.Aveline trembled as she spoke, her voice filled with bitterness. "Last time, Sophia and Barbara teamed up against me. They tricked me into going to the hospital, drugged me, and locked me in a container by the sea. The water kept rising, and I almost drowned! And what did you do? When Sophia tried to kill me, what did you do? What did you do?"She
"I want her dead—I want her to suffer a fate worse than death!" Aveline clung to Lucas' arm, her tear-filled eyes blazing with intense hatred."Alright," Lucas agreed almost instantly, without a second thought. He then turned to Sasha. "Go bring her here."Sasha hesitated for a moment, then quickly responded, "Okay." But as she reached the door, she paused and looked back. "If she sees Aveline like this…"Lucas realized the issue and looked down at Aveline, who was trembling against him, too exhausted to speak. "I'll have someone take her out. You can watch everything from the surveillance room, okay?"Aveline, having just poured out all her emotions, was too drained to respond. She simply leaned against Lucas, her body still shaking.Lucas turned to Sasha. "Keep an eye on Sophia. Don’t let her leave too soon.""Got it." Sasha nodded before leaving the room.Maria stood up, exchanged a glance with Lucas, and then gently said to Aveline, "Let’s go home and get you changed, alright?"Av
Aveline replied, "If I don’t see her punished with my own eyes, I won’t be able to rest."Hearing this, Maria decided not to press further.The two of them set off again, returning to the Ninth Mansion, but this time they stayed in the car.Aveline dialed Lucas’s number and said, "I’m back.""Alright, I’ll send someone to get you," Lucas’ deep, magnetic voice came through the phone.Aveline didn’t say anything more and ended the call.About five minutes later, someone approached the car, tapped on the window, and respectfully asked, "Are you Miss Young?""Yes, that’s me," Aveline responded.The man said, "Miss Young, please follow me. Mr. Tudor is waiting for you."Aveline got out of the car and followed the bodyguard.Maria, still in the car, said, "I won’t go in with you."Aveline nodded. "You can head back. I’ll handle the rest."Maria suggested, "Take tomorrow off. Rest at home, don’t think about anything. It’s all behind you now."Aveline gave her a small smile. "Okay, I will."Sh
"What's the rush? You'll find out soon enough," Lucas replied coolly, his deep, magnetic voice laced with indifference.Sophia's sense of dread intensified. Suddenly, she stood up, saying, "If you two have things to discuss, I’ll just leave."She quickly headed for the door, but before she could reach it, she was met by five or six disheveled men being escorted in by the bodyguards. Each man looked filthier than the last, with some even covered in unsightly warts, making the sight revolting.The bodyguards blocked her path. "Miss Winter, the matter isn’t over yet. You can’t leave."Sophia’s face paled as she eyed the men. "What are you planning to do?"The bodyguards didn’t answer. Instead, they pushed her back into the room and shut the door behind her.Sophia stumbled, losing her balance—her prosthetic leg making it difficult to steady herself—and fell to the ground. Panic spread across her face as she looked up at Lucas, desperately asking, "Lucas, what’s going on? What are you pla
"No! Don't do this to me, Lucas! I hate you, I hate you!" Sophia's screams echoed from the room, filled with utter despair.Aveline looked at Lucas, noticing his calm demeanor. His sharp, narrow eyes remained fixed on her, unreadable. She suddenly smiled faintly. "She saved your life once, even lost a leg because of it. And now, seeing her like this—doesn’t it stir anything in you?"Lucas’ handsome, sharp features twisted into a mocking smile. "Her downfall is her own doing."He gazed intently at Aveline's unnervingly calm face and added, "I've never had any real feelings for her, Aveline. From the beginning, you’re the only one I’ve ever truly cared about."Aveline glanced away, walking toward the exit. "Then why did you want to marry her two years ago?"Lucas pulled out a cigarette, lighting it as a cloud of smoke surrounded him. His narrow eyes narrowed further as he replied, "I never intended to marry her two years ago."Aveline paused, briefly considering his words. If he never pl
Hearing Melanie's words, Riley’s expression softened slightly. He sighed and said, "Alright, you go ahead and have someone bring Sophia back.""Understood," Melanie replied, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes as she stood up and left the room.Sasha also rose and followed her mother out of the villa. As they stepped into the dark night, Melanie took Sasha’s hand, her face filled with relief. "Sasha, my dear daughter, you’ve finally helped me get rid of this major threat."Sasha smiled faintly. "She brought this on herself. How can it be my fault?"Melanie nodded approvingly and then asked, "But are you sure they won’t trace this back to you?"Sasha shook her head confidently. "Don’t worry, Mom. They won’t find anything. I’ve already sent those people out of the country. Once they’re abroad, there’s no way they can be found."Melanie nodded again, clearly pleased. "Well done. You should also try to get closer to Aveline. It’s clear Lucas is very fond of her. If we maintain a
Aveline struggled fiercely, but Lucas' arms were like iron clamps, holding her tightly, leaving her no room to break free."Let go of me, Lucas, let go of me!"Her voice was hoarse, her eyes reddening, and her entire body trembled in his embrace. Lucas only held her tighter. "Never, Aveline. I will never let you go in this lifetime. I’ll hold you like this until you’re willing to accept me again."His warm breath brushed against her neck, and tears blurred her vision. His scent was one she knew so well, one she had once depended on deeply—it was etched into her very soul, impossible to forget.At this moment, being held by him eased some of the fear in her heart, though she hated herself for feeling this way.He had been so cruel, so why did she still feel so attached to him?Her emotions gradually settled. She closed her eyes, her voice now raspier, "I'm fine now. Let go of me."Lucas slightly loosened his hold, creating some distance between them, but didn’t immediately release her.
Jolie stirred, her eyes fluttering open in the dimly lit cabin. The sharp, handsome features of the man before her were so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath. His lips, carrying his familiar scent, gently traced hers, as if torn between waking her and letting her sleep. Her breath hitched, a brief moment of confusion washing over her. Gavin noticed and, in response, pressed a firm kiss to her lips. "Did I wake you?" "You did that on purpose," Jolie replied, her voice soft and husky from sleep. "Mm." Gavin didn’t deny it, his tone unapologetic as he leaned down to kiss her again. Still groggy, Jolie found herself caught off guard, his lips capturing hers with a growing intensity. By the time she realized what was happening, he had deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing and tangling with hers in an intoxicating rhythm. Her breath quickened, and she instinctively pushed against him. Gavin pulled back, only to trail kisses along her cheek and down her neck, his
The night air was cool, a gentle breeze slipping through the car window and lifting the strands of hair framing her face. They fluttered across her vision, briefly distracting her, yet she could still clearly see his eyes. At that moment, the unease and uncertainty stirring in her chest melted away, replaced by an inexplicable sense of calm. It felt as though there was nothing he couldn’t handle. As long as he wanted to. Jolie smiled softly and said, "Alright." When they arrived at the private airstrip, the captain came forward to exchange a few words with Gavin. Standing nearby, Jolie watched and couldn’t resist asking, "How long will you be staying?" Gavin glanced at her. "How long do you want me to stay?" The overly intimate tone of his words, spoken with such casual ease, caught her off guard. Her cheeks flushed immediately—especially since there were others around to hear it. Lowering her gaze shyly, she murmured, "You can stay as long as you want." She turned he
Gavin looked at her, his gaze steady, and replied in a calm voice, "You’ve got the leverage to do it." Oh... Jolie’s heart skipped a beat, her pulse momentarily thrown off rhythm. What was this feeling? It was as if someone was spoiling her, cherishing her unconditionally. Even though it was just a simple conversation, it carried a warmth she couldn’t ignore. For a moment, she realized that what she once thought was affection and care had been nothing but an illusion. A smile unconsciously curved on her lips as her eyes lit up. "Does this mean I can walk around Larbor City like I own the place?" Gavin raised an eyebrow. "Are you a crab?" Jolie burst into laughter, her mood instantly lifted by his quick-witted remark. Her earlier irritation dissipated, replaced by lightheartedness. Whether or not he meant it, the fact that he sided with her made her happy. "I’m full. Should we head out?" she asked, her appetite long gone after everything that had happened earlier.
The girl stared in disbelief, her hands clutching her face. "You hit me?" Jolie blinked innocently at her. "Weren’t you the one insisting I hit you earlier? I just gave you another slap to match your story. You should be used to it by now." "Jolie Quin!" Ian had reached his limit, his voice full of anger as he glared at her. "Apologize to her!" Jolie glanced at him, her expression calm but icy. "Get lost." She had thought he might be reasonable, but clearly, he was blinded by infatuation. She had no patience to deal with him any longer and turned to leave. Before she could take a step, Ian grabbed her arm roughly. "Jolie, you’re not leaving without apologizing! I don’t think I’ve ever wronged you, have I? We used to get along just fine, didn’t we?" "Let go," Jolie said, her brows knitting in disgust. She hated being touched, especially by someone she considered beneath her. Ian tightened his grip, his hand digging into her arm hard enough to cause pain. "Jolie, yo
Jolie was completely baffled, a string of question marks running through her mind. But when the girl suddenly dropped to her knees, it genuinely startled her.She quickly reached out to help her up. "Get up first. We can talk properly."Before Jolie could react, the girl grabbed her hand and slapped herself hard across the face with it.Smack!The crisp sound echoed in the quiet hallway, leaving Jolie frozen in shock."Why did you hit me?" The girl, who had just been crying like an innocent damsel in distress, now clutched her face and loudly accused her. "Ian and I are the real couple! You’re the one coming between us. How could you hit me?"Jolie blinked, completely dumbfounded, as the girl’s voice rang out.A few passersby paused, glancing over to witness the commotion.Meanwhile, Ian, who had been waiting and wondering why his girlfriend hadn’t returned, came looking for her. The scene he walked into—his girlfriend on the ground, crying and accusing Jolie—made him stride forward,
The person in the hallway glanced at her briefly but quickly looked away, as though she were a stranger. Jolie’s hand, lifted halfway to wave, stalled in mid-air.What... was that? Gavin noticed her reaction and asked in a low voice, "What’s wrong?" "Nothing," Jolie replied, shaking her head and brushing it off. The man outside was Ian. Pretending not to know her was probably his way of avoiding unnecessary trouble—after all, they had already "broken up." The door to their private room shut completely, and Gavin hadn’t seen Ian or his group. He turned back to her and asked, "Do you come here often?" "Yeah," Jolie nodded. "I come here a lot with friends." So, this was one of her favorite hidden gems. The fact that she was willing to share it with him felt significant somehow. Gavin caught himself lingering on that thought and was momentarily taken aback by his own reaction. He kept his expression neutral, not letting on what had crossed his mind. The food arrived qui
The reason it wasn’t the same was simple—her plan would fall apart if she got caught.Of course, that wasn’t something she could admit.Jolie simply said, "I just don’t want any unnecessary complications. Since you’ve already arranged the flight, let’s just leave directly."Gavin’s dark eyes fixed on her for a moment, but he didn’t press the issue.It was clear she didn’t want to talk about it any further, so he let it drop.When the elevator doors opened, the two of them walked out together. A car was already waiting at the entrance. Gavin, ever the gentleman, opened the door for her.The car pulled away from Cooper Enterprises, and Gavin asked, "What do you want to eat?"Jolie, busy typing on her phone, replied, "I know a good restaurant."It was a cozy place she loved, one she often visited with her friends."Alright," Gavin replied, pulling out his phone to respond to some emails. With his work condensed into such a tight schedule, he seized every spare moment to handle it.Jolie p
Gavin suddenly recalled Wilfried's words, "That girl doesn’t even like you."Lowering his gaze slightly, Gavin pushed the thought aside without explanation, his expression remaining cool and indifferent as he watched her. After Jolie finished looking through the photos, she turned to him and asked, "Why do you have pictures of all these women?" "My father brought them over," Gavin replied. "Oh." Jolie nodded knowingly and didn’t press further. It was easy enough to figure out—the Cooper family obviously wanted him to consider an arranged marriage, so they sent over these photos for him to choose from. She could understand that. In fact, she even helped him look through them, just in case one of these women turned out to be a good match for him. After all, their relationship wasn’t meant to last forever. When he grew tired of her and she had her fun, they’d part ways, and everything would return to normal. As she neatly organized the photos and placed them back on the ta
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