Selena snapped, "Lucas, can you leave? Can’t you see no one here wants you around?"But Lucas ignored her, sitting on the sofa with his laptop. He wore a crisp white shirt, the top button undone, with no tie. His sharp, handsome face remained cold, his brows stern and intense. His long lashes cast shadows over his eyes, hiding the icy chill within them. His fingers tapped away at the keyboard with unwavering focus.Selena rolled her eyes, then turned to Aveline, handing her a glass of water. "He’s absolutely shameless."Aveline said quietly, "You should go home. The nurse can take care of me."Selena shook her head. "No way, I’m staying here with you."After a week, Aveline's condition had improved considerably, though she still needed to be cautious and limit her movements. Healing bones took time, and she had a long road to recovery.Just then, the door opened, and Aaron walked in."You look a lot better today than you did yesterday," Aaron remarked as he approached.Aveline’s expres
Selena was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter at Aaron's words, taking in his charming yet mischievous expression."Aaron, have you been hanging around Lucas too much? Everything you do seems to be about indulging your twisted pleasures without caring about how others feel. What is it with your circle? Is this some kind of tradition?"Aaron’s gaze darkened as he pulled her closer. "Selena, are you acting so rebellious because you’re afraid you might fall for me?""That’s impossible!" Selena instinctively retorted. "How could I ever like you?"Aaron’s expression grew more serious, but he continued, "If that’s the case, then what are you afraid of? Why are you running away? The two of us being together is just about enjoying the moment. Our bodies are in sync, our souls match—what more do we need?"Selena opened her mouth to argue but found herself momentarily at a loss for words.He wasn’t wrong.Their physical connection was undeniable, and being with him often brought her a
Her tone was cold as she struggled, trying to avoid his touch.But Lucas firmly grabbed her hand, bringing it up in front of her. "Smell for yourself—you stink."Aveline paused, actually sniffing her hand, but there was no strange odor.Her clear eyes filled with icy disdain as she glared at him. "I told you, I don’t need your help. Even if I smell, that’s my own problem."What did it have to do with him?Ignoring her protest, Lucas continued wiping her down. "Aveline, you might as well stop resisting, just like before. The result will be the same in the end."Aveline seethed with anger, her cold gaze fixed on Lucas’ face. She let out a bitter laugh. "Pathetic."With that, she closed her eyes, deciding not to fight him anymore.If he was determined to do this and she couldn’t escape, then so be it. If he wanted to humiliate himself, who was she to stop him?Lucas’ expression darkened, his sharp eyes narrowing as he looked at her for a long moment before continuing to wipe her down.He
In the blink of an eye, Aveline had been in the hospital for half a month. She could now walk but had to take it slow. Her fractured leg needed time to heal properly.That day, as she was practicing walking, with Selena by her side, the door to the hospital room suddenly opened.Both women looked up to see Judy entering the room.Selena’s brows furrowed. "What are you doing here?"Judy was dressed in the latest luxury fashion, her long, curled hair cascading over her shoulders, her makeup perfectly applied. She glanced at Aveline, who was wearing a hospital gown and looked pale and weak, and a faint smile appeared on her face."I’m here to check on Miss Young."Selena didn’t hold back. "We don’t want you here. You can leave."Lately, rumors of an impending marriage between the Tudor and Thompson families had been spreading like wildfire. Though nothing substantial had come of it, gossip like this had a way of becoming accepted as truth over time. And considering that Lucas and Aveline
"Yes, Mrs. Tudor, didn’t you know about this? None of you were aware?" Judy pressed, hearing the confusion in Yvonne’s voice.Yvonne responded, "We truly didn’t know, Judy. Don’t worry, let me look into this."Judy’s tone was sharp. "Mrs. Tudor, how could you start discussing an engagement with our family without getting your facts straight? This is incredibly irresponsible! Do you want me to be labeled as Lucas’ mistress?"Yvonne quickly tried to soothe her. "Judy, we had no such intention. Lucas did show us the divorce certificate—who could have imagined it was fake? Rest assured, we’ll get to the bottom of this and provide you with a satisfactory explanation."Judy’s tone eased a bit. "It better be, because if my father hears about this, he could very well call off the deal with the Tudor Group."Yvonne replied, "Judy, we’ll definitely sort this out. Let me find out what’s going on.""Alright."Judy hung up, a cold expression settling on her face.Lucas had played her, and the Tudor
Desmond, seeing Lucas’ calm demeanor, decided not to push further. It was clear that Lucas had anticipated this move and likely had a plan in place. With that, Desmond turned and left the office.Lucas paused in his work, his handsome, sharp features remaining as cool and indifferent as ever. But his deep, dark eyes now held a hint of something more profound.…At the hospital.Selena tossed the invitation straight into the trash can, her expression filled with disgust. "What bad luck. Why can’t Lucas ever do things properly? He hasn’t even divorced yet, and he’s already looking for his next target. It’s just so off-putting."Aveline’s expression remained neutral. "It’s not the first time he’s been this low."Selena sighed as she pulled a chair up to the bedside, her expression troubled. "I just don’t get it—why doesn’t he just agree to the divorce? There’s nothing left between you two, so what’s the point of dragging this out?"Aveline’s mind drifted for a moment.She thought of the t
Aveline nodded slightly. "Yes, he’s really crossed the line. As the heir to the Tudor family, if he refuses to follow orders, then he’s not a worthy successor."Selena frowned in confusion. "Ave, what do you mean by that?"Aveline glanced at her and said, "I mean, he deserves what’s coming to him."Selena couldn’t help but burst out laughing. "You’re absolutely right—he totally deserves it!"Russell, who had been calmly peeling an apple, finished and handed it to Aveline."Thanks," she said, taking the apple.Russell wiped the knife clean with a tissue and placed it aside, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "You know, now might be the perfect time to file for divorce. Lucas is stretched thin, so he wouldn’t have the energy to fight you. I’ll help you, and I guarantee you’ll get the divorce."Aveline took a bite of the apple, the sweet and tart juices bursting in her mouth. Her expression remained calm as she replied, "Wouldn’t the lawyer fees be expensive?"Russell’s smile widened. "
"Hmm?" Aveline looked at Selena with a puzzled expression.Selena just chuckled mischievously. "I’ll tell you later. It’s not the right time now."Aveline sighed internally, wondering what had gotten Selena so excited this time.Maria lifted the bag she had brought and handed it to Aveline. "These are some supplements to help you recover. You need to take them every day. By the time you’re discharged, you’ll be a healthy, glowing beauty."Aveline imagined herself gaining weight and winced slightly. "I... don’t really want to get fat."Maria laughed heartily. "Don’t worry, I was just teasing. You won’t get fat, but you do need to take these regularly, okay?"Aveline nodded. "Alright, I will. Thank you for looking out for me, boss."Maria playfully rolled her eyes and then asked, "When I came in, you all seemed to be having a lively conversation. What were you talking about? Share it with me so I can join in the fun."Selena spoke up, "Our Ave is filing for divorce.""Hmm?" Maria was tak
Selena continued her playful banter, even giving Lucas a pointed glare without missing a beat.Aveline stifled a laugh, listening carefully to the story Selena was recounting. After a moment of thought, she asked, "So, you stayed downstairs that long because you were planning to help out?"Selena's expression shifted to one of mild discomfort, her tone defensive. "I wasn’t going to help. If she’s getting pushed around, she deserves it!"Her words didn’t fool Aveline. She had known Selena for years and was well aware of her complex feelings toward the Quin family. While Selena often expressed her disdain for her parents, she had never spoken ill of Jolie.It was clear to Aveline that Selena cared about her sister, even if she wouldn’t admit it outright. But since Selena wasn’t ready to talk about it, Aveline decided not to press the issue."Alright, let’s eat. The food’s here.""Good idea."...Downstairs.After the man had scurried off, Jolie looked visibly more relaxed. Once she had f
"Yes, sir," replied the man across from Gavin, who was clearly his assistant, Quentin Rhett.Jolie had figured out the situation. The Southside business district project was primarily led by Cooper Enterprises, with various companies competing for the most lucrative contracts and land rights. It seemed the Lowe family’s bid had been favored so far.The arrogant man sitting across from her immediately adopted a more respectful demeanor upon recognizing Gavin. "Mr. Cooper, our bid is solid. There are no issues."Gavin, still ignoring him, continued with his meal.Jolie smirked slightly before standing up and walking directly to Gavin’s table."Hey, you—" The man started, then quickly silenced himself, nervously watching Gavin's reaction to her. If they were connected, his earlier attitude would make things extremely awkward for him.Without hesitation, Jolie called over a server, requested utensils, and casually began eating at Gavin’s table.Quentin, surprised by her boldness, spoke up,
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