Ch. 311..320

Chapter 311 A man like that was trouble, plain and simple. The sooner they steered clear, the better. Russell made a mental note: once this mess outside was sorted, he would need to have a serious talk with Aveline.

Stepping outside the mansion, he saw Lucas' car ramming the gate once more. This time, the gate couldn't withstand the impact and was forced open. The car screeched to a halt just thirty centimeters from Russell, drawing gasps from onlookers.

Russell's devilishly handsome face remained impassive. "Lucas, you're quite rude."

Lucas opened the car door, a chilling aura surrounding him, and walked up to Russell.

"Where's Aveline?" he demanded coldly.

Russell replied, "I have no idea."

Lucas' expression darkened, and he started towards the mansion. But Russell extended his arm to block him.

A mocking smile appeared on Russell's face as he looked at Lucas. "Mr. Tudor, first you damage my gate, and now you want to trespass. What exactly are you planning to do?" Lucas' cold gaze fixed on Russell's face, his eyes filled with icy hostility. "Hand over Aveline, and I won't pursue any other matters."

Russell sneered. "And what if I don't?"

Lucas' indifferent stare bore into him. "It seems you've been living quite leisurely. I wonder how your relatives will react when they learn about your current activities."

The carefree smile on Russell's face faded slightly. "Lucas, are you threatening me?"

Lucas replied, "Bring Aveline out.

Russell pressed his tongue against his cheek as his smile returned. "I'm afraid that's not possible. She doesn't want to see you right now, and I need to respect her wishes." The coldness in Lucas' eyes intensified.

Russell suddenly spoke, "Lucas, she married you because she once loved you, but you betrayed her. Now you regret it and don't want a divorce? Haven't you heard the saying, 'Belated affection isn't worth a thing"?"

Bang!

Lucas punched Russell in the face!

Russell staggered back several steps from the blow. Before he could react, Lucas advanced again, grabbing his collar and hitting him repeatedly.

Aveline heard the commotion outside.

Feeling uneasy, she forced her weak body to move and came out, only to witness the violent scene.

1/2 She widened her eyes and hurried downstairs, shouting, "Lucas, what are you doing? Let him go!"

Lucas paused mid-strike.

Taking advantage of the moment, Russell punched Lucas in the abdomen. A flash of anger crossed Lucas' face as he retaliated, hitting Russell again.

It was clear that Russell was no match for Lucas.

He was repeatedly beaten back until Lucas's final kick sent him sprawling heavily to the floor.

"Russ!" Aveline screamed, rushing over to check on him.

Russell's delicate and handsome face was bruised and swollen, with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He coughed painfully, struggling to get up from the floor. Aveline's face turned pale with fear. "Call an ambulance, quickly!"

The butler finally reacted and hurriedly called for an ambulance.

Lucas, radiating icy anger, strode over and grabbed Aveline's wrist, dragging her outside.

"Let go of me! Let me go!"

Chapter 312 Aveline struggled with all her might, but his grip was too strong as if he intended to crush her wrist. The pain made her face turn pale. In desperation, she bent down and bit his arm hard.

Lucas' movements halted, but he didn't let go, simply watching her bite him. The taste of blood filled her mouth, and Aveline, out of breath, looked at him with reddened eyes. "Lucas, what madness are you on about? I don't want to see you. Let me go!

"Have you forgotten your place, Aveline?" Lucas tightened his grip, pulling her closer and grabbing her by the neck, his eyes flashing with cold fury. "I told you, I won't agree to a divorce. You will remain mine forever. Moving into another man's house before our divorce is finalized? Are you asking for trouble?"

Aveline struggled with all her strength but having just recovered from a fever and not eaten, she had little energy left. Her face turned red with frustration.

"Lucas, I am not your prisoner! We may not be divorced yet, but you have no right to control me!"

"No right?" Lucas sneered. 'I'll show you exactly what rights I have!"

He forcefully pulled her into his arms and marched outside.

"Lucas... cough, cough..."

Russell, having recovered somewhat, saw Aveline being dragged away and immediately got up to chase after them.

"Russ!"

Seeing him, Aveline's eyes filled with guilt and tears.

It was all her fault.

If she had left earlier, Russell wouldn't have been beaten by Lucas.

Hearing her call out to Russell, Lucas' expression darkened even more.

Were they really so attached to each other?

Russell turned to the butler. "Get people to stop them!"

The butler looked very worried. "Mr. Russell, your condition is serious. You should go to the hospital."

"Do as I say!"

Russell coughed violently, spitting out blood, his face becoming even paler.

"Yes, yes..."

Seeing his condition, the butler dared not disobey and quickly called the mansion's bodyguards to block Lucas.

A flash of disdain crossed Lucas' dark eyes.

Struggling to stand, Russell looked at Aveline and said, "Don't worry, no one can force you to do anything you don't want to..."

He started coughing again.

Aveline's tears flowed uncontrollably as she pounded on Lucas. 'Let go, let me go...

Lucas gripped her wrist tightly. "Let you go? So, you can run back to him? Aveline, I won't kill you, but i won't hesitate to kill him!"

Aveline shivered in fear.

Seeing Lucas' cold and stern face, a sudden chill swept over her.

She was almost certain that he would follow through on his threat. She had already caused enough trouble for Russell; she couldn't drag him down further.

Biting her lip, she looked at Russell and said, "Russ, thank you, but I have to go."

Russell frowned, looking at her. "Aveline, I'll be fine. He won't dare kill anyone. I won't let him take you."

But Aveline couldn't take that risk. She shook her head and said, "Russ, go to the hospital and get a thorough check-up. This is my fault, and I will make it up to you someday."

She then averted her gaze, unable to look at Russell any longer. He had gotten seriously injured trying to protect her. She felt unworthy of such treatment.

P

Chapter 313

Lucas' cold, mocking laughter echoed in her ears as he gripped her chin, forcing her to look into his

eyes

"So, concerned about him? How about I just kill him, and you can cry your heart out once and for all?" Aveline trembled with anger. "Lucas, I already said I'd go with you. What more do you want?"

Lucas' voice was chilling. "Seeing you cry for him infuriates me. What should I do about that, hmm?"

Aveline closed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down.

"That's better," Lucas said with a satisfied smirk.

Seeing her stop crying, he pulled her into his arms and left the mansion.

Russell watched them leave, his eyes bloodshot and his jaw clenched tightly.

Soon after, the ambulance arrived, and the butler helped him onto it. Just as they got on, the butler received a phone call, his face turning grim.

"Mr. Russell, the people from the main house somehow got wind of this and have snatched the investor you've been dealing with." Despite the pain, Russell sneered. "They move fast."

The butler added, "Mr. Russell, you've been working on that project for a long time. I can't believe someone would do such a thing." Russell replied, "That 'someone' just left our house, crashed our gate, and sent me to the hospital."

The butler was at a loss for words.

Russell closed his eyes, a flicker of coldness in them.

Lucas shoved Aveline into the car, started the engine, and drove off.

Feeling dizzy and disoriented, Aveline closed her eyes and said, "Lucas, let's get a divorce."

"Say one more word, and I'll make sure you can never speak again!" Lucas' voice was dark and menacing.

His eyes still burned with barely restrained fury.

Aveline shivered with fear but still looked at him and said, "You've already slept with Miss Winter. Why won't you let me go?" Lucas stared coldly ahead as if he hadn't heard her. Aveline closed her eyes again, feeling cold from the inside out.

Was this his way of torturing her?

 

Keeping a facade of a stable home while having affairs outside?

Disgusting! What a scumbag!

She didn't know how much time had passed before the car finally stopped. Aveline opened her eyes to find herself in front of an unfamiliar standalone villa. She had never been here before. The car door opened, and Lucas stood beside it, looking at her indifferently. "Get out."

Aveline stepped out, confusion was evident on her face.

"Where is this place?" she asked.

Lucas didn't respond, walking straight toward the villa. A sense of foreboding washed over Aveline. She didn't follow him but instead called out, "Lucas, where are we? What are you planning?"

His face remained dark as he turned back toward her, then abruptly picked her up and slung her over his shoulder, heading into the villa.

"Let me go! Lucas, you madman, let me go!" Aveline struggled, feeling dizzy and nauseous.

Chapter 314 Slap!

Lucas struck her on the backside, his voice cold. Behave yourself!"

Aveline was both ashamed and furious, her eyes filled with hatred for him.

Once inside the villa, Lucas placed her in a bedroom on the second floor. Seeing the emotions in her eyes, his gaze remained icy.

"Aveline, I was too lenient with you before, which gave you the courage to scheme against me. This time, you'll stay here until you realize your mistake and give up on the idea of divorce. Then I'll let you go." Aveline's eyes widened in shock. "You intend to imprison me?"

Lucas looked at her pale, frail form and said coldly, "Think of it that way if you want, but you brought this on yourself!"

With that, he turned to leave.

Panicked, Aveline got off the bed. "No, you can't do this! I have no idea what you're talking about!"

She tried to run out, but Lucas grabbed her back.

"Aveline, my patience has limits. Don't test me!" Lucas glared at her, the thought of her sending Sophia to him filled him with rage, making him want to strangle her.

This damned woman!

Yet, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

A flash of pain crossed Aveline's face, but she persisted, "You can't do this. You can't imprison me, Lucas. I didn't plot against you!"

But Lucas didn't believe her.

If she hadn't done it, how could she have been so calm seeing Sophia run out of his room?

How could she have immediately talked about divorce?

It was clearly premeditated!

He should never have trusted her! She wasn't worthy of his trust!

Releasing her, Lucas said coldly, "Reflect on your actions here."

With that, he left the room.

Aveline started coughing violently, her head spinning, her body weak and in pain.

But his misunderstanding and his words hurt even more.

She opened the door, desperate to leave.

However, when Aveline reached the villa's entrance, two bodyguards in black suits blocked her path. Madam Aveline, Mr. Lucas has ordered that you cannot leave." "Get out of my way!"

Aveline tried to push past them, but her strength was no match for theirs. Just then, two maids came over and pulled her back.

"Madam, please don't make this difficult for us. We cannot disobey Mr. Lucas' orders!"

The two maids forcibly dragged her back to the room and locked the door behind her.

"Let me out! You have no right to do this! Let me out!"

Aveline pounded on the door, her eyes growing red with frustration. How could Lucas do this to her? What right did he have to imprison her? She had done nothing wrong! Just having woken up recently and not having eaten, her body was weak.

The stress and exertion quickly took their toll.

After banging on the door a few times, her vision went black, and she fainted.

The two maids outside exchanged worried glances.

Amber Hall asked, "Why did it suddenly go quiet?"

Bonnie Stevens replied, "Let's not worry about it. Just follow Mr. Lucas' orders."

Amber hesitated. "What if something happened to her? She didn't look well."

A hint of disdain flickered in Bonnie's eyes. "Maybe it's just a tactic to get Mr. Lucas' attention. Let's 1. go. We shouldn't do anything beyond our duties, or Lucas might get upset."

After thinking it over, Amber agreed and left with Bonnie to continue their work downstairs.

D

Chapter 315 Lucas sat in the car, a cigarette in hand. Smoke swirled around him, obscuring the cold emotions in his eyes.

Thinking back on how he had been emotionally moved by her recently, he now felt only contempt.

In her heart, there was no place for him.

She even tried to send another woman to his bed.

How could she be so despicable?

Taking a deep drag on his cigarette, Lucas pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Where are you?"

Aaron's voice sounded tired. "In Stonefall City. What's up?"

"Why did you go so far?"

Aaron replied, "I'm here to keep an eye on Selena for you. What's going on over there?"

"You don't need to watch over her anymore. I've decided not to let go."

"Huh?" Aaron was surprised. "Aveline looks like she wants a divorce from you. Aren't you afraid she'll hate you if you don't let her go?"

Lucas let out a cold laugh. "She crossed me. Do you think I'll let her get what she wants?"

Feeling curious, Aaron eagerly asked, "What happened? Tell me so I can enjoy some gossip."

"Get lost."

Lucas cut him off curtly, then added, "Hurry back to Cloudflare City. I need a drink."

He hung up without waiting for a reply.

"Tsk, what a temper," Aaron muttered, looking at the disconnected call. He then headed into the hospital room.

Selena was eating fruit. The gunshot wound on her shoulder was slowly healing, but any movement still made her grimace in pain.

Seeing Aaron enter, she handed him the fruit pit. Throw this away for me, thanks."

Aaron's face darkened. "Do you think I'm your servant?"

Selena looked at him with wide, innocent eyes. "But-the trash can is so far away."

Seeing her innocent look and remembering her unwavering affection for him, Aaron sighed helplessly. He took the pit and tossed it in the trash.

"I'm heading back to Cloudflare City," he announced.

Selena asked, "Why so suddenly?"

Aaron looked at the confusion on Selena's face and sighed Inwardly.

1/2 What could he do?

Knowing he was leaving, she seemed so anxious.

Did she not want him to go?

But no matter how much she might not want him to leave, he wasn't hers.

"I'd need to go back once I've settled everything here. Do you plan to stay here to recover, or will you go back to Cloudflare City?" Aaron asked, looking at her. She seemed so pitiful; maybe he should take her back with him.

After all, she did take a bullet for him.

Even if he couldn't return her feelings, he could make sure she was cared for until she was discharged.

Selena asked, "Did Ave go back already?"

Aaron replied, "Yes, she did."

Selena said, "Then I won't go back yet. I'll wait until my injury heals."

Although Cloudflare City was large and the chances of running into Aveline were slim, she didn't want to risk it and make Aveline worry.

Aaron nodded slightly. "Alright, I'll arrange for a caregiver to look after you call me."

If you need anything, Selena looked at him suspiciously. "Mr. Fletcher, why do I feel like you've changed?"

Aaron raised an eyebrow.

Huh? What did she mean by that? Did she think he had become more handsome? Did she like him even more now?

Tsk tsk...

What could he do?

He felt moved by her intense affection for him.

Chapter 316 "No."

He couldn't waver.

His body and mind belonged only to Snow.

Aaron's expression quickly turned cold as he said, "Selena, I'm grateful that you took a bullet for me, and I promise you, if you ever need my help in the future, I'll be there. But don't read more into this. My gratitude has limits,"

"Huh?" Selena tilted her head slightly, looking at him with a confused expression.

What was he saying?

Aaron stood up. "Get some rest. I'm leaving."

With that, he left the ward immediately.

Selena lay on the bed, completely baffled, unable to make sense of what had just occurred. Had this man lost his mind?

Just then, her phone vibrated with an incoming message. She picked it up, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the screen. It was a notification from her alternate WhatsApp account. The sender's name caught her attention: "Foolish Aaron" - a nickname she had chosen for his contact in her phone.

Foolish Aaron texted, "What have you been busy with lately? You stopped contacting me. Aren't you afraid someone might steal me away?

Foolish Aaron continued, "There's been a woman clinging to me recently. She helped me a lot, and L promised her a favor. But she seems to have fallen in love with me.

Foolish Aaron added, "Snow, don't you think that's troublesome?"

Snow replied, "Since Aaron is so great, it's completely normal for someone to like you!"

Foolish Aaron asked, "What about you?"

Snow replied with a blushing emoji, "Aaron, please stop joking. We're from different worlds. I need to work hard to earn tuition fees, my brother is sick, and I have to make money for his medical bills. I don't have time to think about anything else."

Foolish Aaron replied, "Your brother is sick? When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?"

Foolish Aaron transferred ten thousand dollars.

Foolish Aaron replied, "A sick family member isn't something to brush off. Don't refuse. Take it and pay for the medical bills."

Snow responded, "Aaron, you're really too good to me. I don't even know how to thank you for this."

Foolish Aaron replied, "Once your brother gets better, I'll tell you how you can thank me."

Snow answered, "Alright."

Selena sent a shy emoji expressionlessly and accepted the transfer.

She felt so great to receive another ten thousand dollars just like that.

this way, shou If things were to continue soon achieve financial freedom.

Selena logged out of her alternate WhatsApp account and logged into her main account. However, she couldn't help but think about Aaron's strange attitude and the words he had said. In the end, she concluded that this man had a mental illness.

Yes.

And it wasn't a mild one!

She moved slightly, feeling the pain from the wound on her shoulder. She gasped and didn't dare to move again.

Selene began to wonder when she would fully recover.

She still wanted to meet up with Aveline!

Aaron left the hospital and got into his car. Thinking about how he had just helped Snow, he felt very satisfied.

When this matter was over, he should talk about meeting up.

After chatting for so long, Snow seemed to be a gentle, kind, beautiful, and sensible girl. He admired such a girl!

He thought that once they met, he would definitely like her!

As for Selena's intense affection for him, he was destined to let her down.

Sigh...

Aveline drifted into consciousness, her mind hazy and disoriented. Waves of heat and chills washed over her in alternating surges. Her lips felt parched and split, and a bone-deep exhaustion permeated her body, leaving her barely able to move.

Chapter 317 Her head throbbed as if it were about to explode!

Looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, she remembered that Lucas had imprisoned her. She reached out to knock on the door, but her hand fell halfway up, and she started coughing violently. Struggling to get up, she leaned against the door After a moment, she found her phone and dialed Lucas' number. She couldn't stay trapped here. She hadn't done anything wrong.

“Beep..... beep..... beep..."

The busy signal sounded three times before the call was disconnected. Aveline tried again, but Lucas kept hanging up until he eventually turned off his phone.

Aveline coughed a few more times, feeling utterly miserable.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Bonnie's voice called out, "Ma'am, lunch is ready. I'm bringing it in."

Without waiting for a response, Bonnie opened the door.

"Ah!"

Aveline yelped in pain as the door suddenly opened, crushing her fingers that were still resting on the floor. The unexpected impact sent a jolt of agony through her hand. Bonnie gasped, "Ma'am, why are you sitting on the floor?"

Aveline withdrew her hand, looking at the blood on her fingers. She frowned and said, "I need to see Lucas.

Bonnie replied, "Ma'am, Mr. Tudor is busy."

Aveline used the wall to stand up. "Then let me out. I'll go find him."

Bonnie pushed her back. "No, Mr. Tudor instructed that you can't leave."

Already feeling lightheaded, Aveline staggered and fell from the push.

Bonnie, seeing this, said, "Ma'am, I'll leave the food on the table. Remember to eat."

With that, she left the room.

Aveline's head spun, and her vision blurred. She reached out to grab her phone, but darkness enveloped her again, and she fainted once more. Night fell.

The villa was illuminated with lights.

Lucas, dressed in a black suit and radiating a chilling aura, walked in and asked in a low voice, "Did she admit her mistake?"

1/2 Bonnie replied, "Ma'am hasn't come out all day. She didn't eat the food I brought in either."

"Heh!"

Lucas let out a cold laugh.

Was Aveline trying to protest by starving herself? Did she think that would make him feel sorry for her?

His handsome face darkened as he headed upstairs. Opening the bedroom door, he found it pitch black inside. Standing at the doorway, he didn't turn on the light but said coldly, "Aveline, you better behave and not do anything to upset me. Otherwise, I'll make your life a living hell."

When there was no response, his face grew even darker. "Aveline, have you gone mute?"

Having adjusted to the darkness, he walked inside, but the bed was empty. His eyes narrowed, a cold fury surging through him.

He turned on the light, expecting to find that she had run away, but instead, he saw her collapsed near the edge of the sofa!

Lucas felt his heart clench tightly. He rushed over and lifted her up.

"Aveline? Aveline?"

He patted her face, but she didn't respond. Her body temperature was abnormal.

She had fainted!

Lucas pressed his lips into a thin line as he picked her up and rushed out, heading straight to the hospital.

Chapter 318 Amber turned pale at the sight and gasped, "Bonnie, I told you something was wrong with Ma'am. She seems to have fainted. What should we do? Will Mr. Tudor blame us?"

Bonnie was also worried, her palms sweating. She swallowed and said, "No, it won't be our fault. She refused to admit she was sick and wouldn't admit her mistake. Mr. Tudor will only blame her for not taking care of herself!"

Amber remained anxious. "But I'm scared..."

Bonnie looked at her and said firmly, "Just do as I say, and we'll be fine!"

Amber shrank back, her timid nature succumbing to Bonnie's stern words, and she nodded. "Alright, I understand."

At the hospital, the doctor examined Aveline and started an IV. Her fever had already exceeded 104 degrees Fahrenheit; if they had arrived any later, it might have been too late to save her!

Lucas sat in a chair, coldly watching the unconscious Aveline, his heart a mix of irritation and suffocating emotions.

If she felt so terrible, why didn't she say anything?

Time passed slowly.

Around midnight, Aveline finally woke up.

She coughed twice and instinctively tried to lift her hand.

"Don't move!"

FOL Someone held her hands down..

She turned her head to see Lucas sitting by her bedside, looking at her with a cold expression.

Aveline frowned slightly.

Finally seeing him, she took a deep breath and said urgently, "Lucas, I..."

"Aveline, do you think making yourself sick and starving will make me overlook what happened before?"

Lucas' cold voice interrupted her. His gaze was unusually icy. "I'm telling you, even if you tried to kill yourself, I wouldn't let you go. You better give up that idea!"

Aveline's face was deathly pale, her eyes red as she looked at him. "Lucas, you're a bastard!"

Her curses were weak, and she started coughing violently right after.

Lucas watched her, his face darkening with concern. She was coughing so violently it seemed her lungs might burst. Without delay, he called for a doctor to examine her. Aveline looked at him and said with difficulty, "Hypocrite!"

The doctor examined Aveline and advised her to avoid getting too worked up, as it would hinder her recovery.

After a bout of coughing, she finally calmed down.

She had lost weight, looking frail and pitiful.

Lucas pressed his lips into a thin line.

He hadn't expected her illness to be so severe.

She hadn't eaten all day.

With a cold expression, Lucas walked out of the room.

Without him in the room, Aveline relaxed a bit.

She was genuinely afraid he might go crazy at any moment.

The feeling of hunger was unbearable, and she wanted to use her phone to order some food. However, her phone was left at the villa.

Aveline closed her eyes in exhaustion. She seriously suspected Lucas was trying to starve her as a form of punishment.

The thought made her angry! What had she done wrong to deserve such treatment from him?

After a while, the door to the ward opened, and Lucas walked back in, his face still cold, surrounded by an icy aura.

Chapter 319 Aveline blinked weakly and decided to ask for clarification, her tone becoming more even. "Lucas, you say I schemed against you. What exactly did I do to make you think that?"

"You still have the nerve to ask?" Lucas' expression darkened further at her question.

Aveline said, "I did nothing wrong, and yet you're nexplicably accusing me. I need to understand why."

Pausing, she added, "Don't beat around the bush. If you have something to say, say it clearly."

Lucas was so infuriated he laughed.

She had the audacity to lecture him?

His eyes were cold as he stared at her. "Wasn't it you who sent Sophia to my room last night? Aveline, You met with Sophia in the garden, and then she showed up in my room. Don't tell me that was just a coincidence."

I checked the Aveline finally understood.

So that was it.

She had no idea why Sophia went to see Lucas, but Sophia must have said something to make Lucas misunderstand and think she sent her over.

That woman just didn't get it.

The real issue wasn't with her but with Lucas!

As long as Lucas agreed to the divorce, she would sign immediately and never appear before them again.

Seeing the mocking smile on Aveline's face, Lucas asked coldly, "Why are you smiling? Did I hit the mark? What more excuses do you have?"

Aveline looked at him. "Lucas, I do want a divorce, but I don't think catching you in an affair will make you let go. I know how despicable you are. Even if I had evidence of you committing murder, you wouldn't care to divorce me unless you wanted to She coughed twice and continued, "This is ultimately about you not trusting me. I don't know what Sophia told you, but you believed her so easily. Lucas, if you don't trust me, why keep me around? Wouldn't it be better for us to get divorced?"

Hearing this, Lucas narrowed his eyes, looking at her reddened eyes. "You didn't send her to find me? Then what about that smoothie?"

Aveline replied, "It was sent by Grandma. Her goal is to have a great-grandchild. You heard her yourself."

She suddenly felt very bitter.

He knew Babara's intentions, knew the smoothie was sent by her, and yet he believed Sophia's vague words so easily, punishing and Imprisoning her.

What was the point?

She was truly exhausted.

Lucas' face remained cold, not believing her.

Seeing Sophia come out of his room, her reaction was so calm.

He asked directly, "If it wasn't you, why weren't you surprised when you saw Sophia?"

Aveline's eyelashes trembled. "I was surprised. I could have gone hysterical, but then what? Lucas, I want a divorce. At that moment, I thought it was good that you were with her, so it would lead to a smooth divorce. But who would have thought you'd act like a madman? Wasn't Sophia enough for you?"

Her eyes reddened as she spoke.

He had clearly slept with Sophia, so why did he have to torment her like this?

Chapter 320 She felt disgusted!

Lucas' face darkened. "We didn't do anything!"

Aveline's breath caught in her throat.

Lucas looked away, his throat dry. "Nothing happened between us. I was just angry that you let another woman get into my bed. I had to teach you a lesson."

Aveline gazed at his chiseled profile, a sense of absurdity washing over her.

Of all people, she thought bitterly, she was the one who had suffered the most injustice.

As she thought about it, tears started falling.

She bit her lip, trying to hold back, but she couldn't and ended up crying openly.

Lucas felt his heart clench with a sour, painful sensation. He immediately stepped forward. "Aveline..."

"Get out!"

Aveline looked at him with tear-filled eyes, her voice hoarse.

Lucas tensed, the realization of his mistake settling heavily upon him. The truth had come to light, exposing his grave misunderstanding. He now saw clearly how unjustly he had treated her. Her anger and frustration, he realized, were entirely warranted.

He didn't leave.

Instead, he stepped closer and said, "Aveline, if you want to vent, hit me."

Aveline really did hit him.

However, being sick, she had little strength, and her blows were weak.

Lucas grasped her hand. "I'm sorry."

With her emotions vented, Aveline didn't feel as awful. She pulled her hand away, her voice muffled." Lucas, I want a divorce."

She didn't want to have any relationship with him anymore.

She didn't want to live such a humillating life.

At her words, the remorse on Lucas' face evaporated. His eyes narrowed, darkening with renewed anger. He opened his mouth, poised to retort, when a knock on the hospital room door interrupted him. Desmond entered carrying a takeout container, Immediately sensing the tension in the room. He set down the food and hastily excused himself.

Lucas pressed his lips into a thin line, setting up the small table. He opened the food container and arranged the dishes on the table one by one.

He looked at Aveline and said, "Eat something first."

Aveline didn't look at him.

Lucas said, "If you don't eat, I'll find a way to make you eat. You don't want that, do you?"

Aveline glared at him fiercely but eventually got up and started eating.

She was really hungry. She finished a bowl of chicken soup and ate some side dishes.

After eating, she felt much better, Throughout the meal, Lucas watched her. When she set down her utensils, he said, "I'll have Sophia apologize to you."

Aveline's expression hardened. "I want a divorce.

Lucas seemed to be suppressing his temper, his voice growing colder. "Aveline, stop thinking about impossible things and focus on getting better, okay?"

Aveline clenched her fists, glaring at him with resentment. "If you don't trust me, why won't you agree to a divorce?"

Lucas looked at her indifferently. "Are those two things even related?"

"You!"

Aveline felt she might die of frustration because of him. She turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

Lucas stared at her profile for a long moment before he got up and sat by the bed, eating the leftover food.

Aveline frowned at the sight but held her tongue. If he was determined to risk infection, so be it. A grim thought crossed her mind: perhaps the illness would consume him, sparing her the need for divorce- widowhood might solve her problem instead.