Ch. 451..460

Chapter 451 A chill spread from the depths of her heart as she struggled to control her emotions. Yvonne fixed the zipper and suddenly asked, "Aveline, did you see that basement?"

Aveline shook her head. "No, I came over immediately after I got out. I was afraid something might have happened to Grandma.” Yvonne replied, "It's good you didn't see it. If you had, you might have been scared."

With that, she turned and left the dressing room.

Yvonne left the bedroom directly. When Aveline walked out, her face was somewhat pale.

Lucas, sensing something was wrong, walked up and held her hand, finding it cold.

"What's wrong?"

Aveline pulled her hand away and lowered her eyes. "Let's handle Grandma's situation first. I don't want to be falsely accused."

Lucas nodded but still sensed her resistance and reluctance. She hadn't been like this before. What had changed?

Aveline turned to leave, but Lucas grabbed her and asked, "Where are you going?"

She paused and said, "I want to see Grandma."

Lucas replied, "Until things are cleared up, they won't allow you to go there."

Aveline halted, but the next second, she still tried to leave. Lucas grabbed her arm and asked in a low voice, "Are you avoiding me?"

Aveline couldn't hide anymore. With nerves on edge, she looked up at him and asked, "Did you handle Bobby's matter?"

Upon hearing this, Lucas instantly understood that Yvonne must have said something to Aveline. Otherwise, she wouldn't have suddenly asked such a question.

His handsome face matter is already wed no emotion as he coldly replied, "Aveline, this "No!"

Aveline pulled her arm away again, struggling to control her emotions. "Bobby said he was framed. He said he never took those things to sell!"

Taking a deep breath, Aveline continued, "Lucas, you have no idea how much Bobby took care of me during those years at the Looney family. Although Zane has given up on him, I still want to fight for him. What if he was framed and wronged?"

Lucas watched her agitated expression, his expression growing darker. "So, how do you plan to investigate?"

Aveline opened her mouth but was at a loss.

Yes, how should she proceed?

Could she rely solely on her momentary emotions?

She gradually calmed down.

Lucas doused her with another dose of reality. "If everything is as you say, carefully planned and executed, the other party wouldn't leave you any chance to uncover it."

Aveline's face grew even paler.

Lucas looked at her wavering figure, his tone still cold. "Aveline, you've been deceived. He convinced you with a few words simply because you stayed at his house and feel indebted to them." Aveline shook her head instinctively. "No, it's not like that..."

Lucas frowned. "He's been through so much torment, stuck between life and death. When he saw you, of course he'd use every possible trick to deceive you. Aveline, wake up, and don't let him manipulate you!"

Aveline remained silent, her eyes downcast. In her mind, Bobby's words and her past memories of him kept replaying.

She instinctively believed that Bobby wasn't someone who would do such 2/3 despicable things.

However, she had seen the evidence herself.

So... was Bobby really deceiving her?

Chapter 452 At that moment, Lucas' phone vibrated. He took it out and saw a surveillance video.

Maria had found the footage from the time of the incident.

Lucas played the video and discovered it was just as Aveline had described: someone had pushed Barbara's wheelchair.

However, due to the angle of the camera, it was impossible to see who pushed the wheelchair.

The wheelchair rolled downhill until a masked attendant stopped it. The attendant kept his head down, revealing only that he was a tall man, but his face was unclear. Lucas frowned.

He quickly composed a message and sent it out.

Looking up at Aveline, he asked, "Are you tired?"

Aveline pressed her lips together and said, "I want to leave."

Lucas responded, "It's not over yet. You can't leave."

Aveline looked at him, frowning. "What do you mean? Don't you believe me?"

Seeing her agitation, Lucas replied, "I believe you, but we can't leave until this is resolved."

Aveline still felt uneasy.

But then she thought, even though he didn't trust her, he still refused to mention divorce. Aveline just felt exhausted.

As time passed, the guests gradually left, and the large Tudor family estate quickly became quiet. Frederick saw off the last guest, and as the door closed, his expression darkened immediately.

1/3 "Go, bring Lucas and Aveline down here!"

He sat on the living room sofa, his face stern.

Yvonne sat beside him. "Frederick, don't get angry. Take care of your health."

Frederick didn't respond, but his expression grew even more grim.

Soon, footsteps echoed from the stairs as Lucas and Aveline descended, one after the other.

Lucas had already taken off his suit jacket, his shirt collar slightly open, showing his growing impatience. "Disturbing our rest so late at night-isn't that a bit much?" Frederick slapped the table and said coldly, "Who let her out? Lucas, she harmed the grandmother who loves you the most! And you just let her off so easily?" Lucas sat on the sofa, holding Aveline's hand. "You say she harmed her? Did you see it?"

Frederick responded, "Someone saw it!"

At that moment, the butler approached, followed by two servants-the same two who had first seen Barbara's wheelchair about to tip over. "They saw it. Do you still want to deny it?"

Lucas looked at the two servants and asked, "Did you see her push the wheelchair with your own eyes?"

"Yes, Mr. Lucas, I saw it with my own eyes!"

"That's right, I saw it too!"

The two servants spoke in unison.

Lucas narrowed his eyes and suddenly let out a sneering laugh. "The Tudor family really raised a bunch of useless people. If you saw it, why didn't you step in to stop it? What were you doing?"

The two servants were stunned, both feeling the powerful, chilling aura emanating from Lucas, their faces paling Frederick interjected, "They were indeed at fault, but the biggest culprit is her!"

He pointed at Aveline, his tone grim. "You will divorce her tomorrow. A woman with such a venomous heart is unworthy of being a Tudor's wife!"

Aveline's breath hitched, and she suddenly thought, if it really was her doing, would that mean Lucas would have no choice but to divorce her? BIG SALE: 3500 bonus free fou you D

Chapter 453 Lucas tightened his grip, causing Aveline to wince in pain. She looked at him, her eyes questioning what he was doing.

His narrowed eyes grew colder, and he said calmly, "I suggest you abandon those thoughts. If you really hurt Grandma just to get a smooth divorce, not only will I not divorce you, but I will also change my social status to a 'widower'.

Aveline was speechless.

How did he know what she was thinking?

Could this man read minds?

Lucas seemed to read her expression again and said nonchalantly, "Your desire for a divorce is written all over your face. Do you think I'm blind and can't see it?"

Aveline remained silent.

Their voices were low, and Lucas was very close to Aveline. To outsiders, it looked like they were flirting.

Frederick watched this scene, his blood pressure rising. He slammed the table heavily. "Lucas, are you even listening to me?"

Lucas looked at him. "I am. I won't divorce her."

Frederick's expression turned particularly ugly. "Even if this woman is after your money and will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, you still want to stay. with her?"

Lucas suddenly chuckled and looked at Aveline. "Are you after my money?"

Aveline pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

Lucas turned to Frederick. "I actually wish she was after my money. That way, she wouldn't be thinking about divorce."

What?!

Aveline wanted to divorce Lucas?

1/3 17 A look of shock crossed Frederick's face!

This was beyond his imagination!

He had thought that a girl from an ordinary background like Aveline would try every means to hold on to Lucas once she married into a wealthy family and would never consider divorce! Unexpectedly, the one wanting a divorce was her!

And the one refusing to divorce was Lucas!

Frederick felt both angry and amused, his expression still dark and grim.

"If she wants a divorce, why don't you agree? Aren't you wasting her life?"

Lucas continued to play with Aveline's hand, his handsome face showing a faint expression. "Her life is incomplete without me."

Aveline was speechless.

He was so shameless!

Frederick also thought Lucas was shameless, but he couldn't directly say it. He snorted coldly and looked at Aveline. "Do you really want a divorce?" Without hesitation, Aveline nodded. "Yes, so can you help me?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the grip on her hand tightened even more, and a chilling gaze fell directly on her. Aveline tried her best to ignore it.

If Frederick helped her, she might actually get the divorce she wanted.

Lucas sneered. "I don't agree to the divorce, Even if the president of the country appears before us and demands our divorce, I won't let you go, Aveline!

“I Aveline frowned, showing her reluctance.

At this moment, Yvonne spoke up. "Lucas, maybe Aveline truly loves someone else? You can't stand in the way of her happiness."

Lucas' expression remained cold. "She loves me. She's head over heels for me.

2/3 Aveline and Yvonne were speechless.

Frederick couldn't hold back. "How did end up with such a shameless son!"

Lucas replied, "Must be genetic."

Frederick's chest heaved with anger, wondering how he could have given birth to such a scoundrel. It was infuriating!

Lucas said icily, "Stay out of my and Aveline's business. If you don't, you'll regret it. Now, let's discuss Grandma's situation."

Chapter 454 Lucas took out a remote control and pressed a button. A screen slowly descended from the wall behind the TV. He connected his phone and started the projection.

Everyone could clearly see what happened in the garden.

Someone pushed Barbara's wheelchair, and then Aveline hurried over, all captured clearly on video.

The footage was short but clearly showed the facts.

Lucas' tone grew colder. "This incident has nothing to do with Aveline. As for who pushed the wheelchair to frame her, I'll find out. If you come forward now, I might let it go. But if I uncover the truth, you'll end up in the basement."

His deep, magnetic voice echoed through the living room, sending a chill through everyone present.

Lucas looked at Frederick. "See? This is evidence."

Frederick's face darkened further, humiliated by his son in front of everyone, He looked at Lucas with even more disdain.

Lucas scoffed and then looked at the two servants behind the butler. "Didn't you just say you saw Aveline push the wheelchair on purpose? Say it again."

The two servants were stunned when they saw the video. Now, being called out by Lucas, they turned pale and fell to their knees with a thud.

"Mr. Lucas, I was wrong! I heard Madam Barbara's cries and thought Madam Aveline had harmed her. I was wrong, and I won't do it again!"

"I was mistaken, Mr. Lucas. It was a misunderstanding. Please forgive me this once!"

They pleaded desperately, not wanting to be sent to the basement. Having delivered food there, they had seen horrific scenes that haunted their dreams for days. Lucas looked at them coldly. "Should you be apologizing to me?"

The two servants understood immediately and turned to Aveline, repeatedly 1/2 apologizing and confessing their mistakes.

Aveline's expression remained indifferent. She wasn't used to seeing people kneeling before her. However, it was these two who falsely accused her of harming Barbara, leading to her confinement.

They underestimated her because of her ordinary background, assuming she would eventually be driven out of the Tudor family.

Aveline remained silent.

The two servants didn't dare to stand up.

The atmosphere in the living room grew tense.

What started as Frederick's lead had completely shifted to Lucas's control.

His expression was cold and indifferent, yet he continued to play with Aveline's hand as if it were a cherished object, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Aveline tried to pull her hand away several times but eventually gave up.

"Is that person... could it be Leo?"

Yvonne's hesitant voice suddenly broke the silence.

Frederick immediately turned to the screen, where the footage was paused at the moment when a servant stopped the wheelchair. The image wasn't very clear, but it showed a tall man wearing a mask. "Enlarge the image!" Frederick exclaimed excitedly.

The butler stepped forward and used the remote to zoom in on the surveillance video.

However, the more they zoomed in, the blurrier the image became, making it even harder to see clearly.

Frederick, on the other hand, grew more excited.

Chapter 455 "It's him! It's definitely Leo! I would never mistake him!" Frederick exclaimed excitedly, gripping Yvonne's hand. "Leo is really alive!"

Yvonne gently patted his chest and said softly, "Frederick, calm down. The image is too blurry. We need to confirm it properly. If it really is Leo, that would be wonderful."

Frederick couldn't contain his excitement, his eyes shining brightly. "It's Leo.

I'm sure of it."

He turned to the butler and said, "Bring me the records of all the part-time staff hired today!"

"Yes, sir!" The butler nodded, equally excited.

If Leo was still alive, it would be incredible news for the entire Tudor family. Everyone loved Leo-except Lucas. Despite Leo's affection for his younger brother, Lucas had always disliked Leo, opposing everything he did, seemingly just to spite him.

The atmosphere in the living room shifted from tense to lively in an instant.

Lucas watched coldly, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

Aveline, sensing his unease, whispered, "Your brother might be alive. Aren't you happy?"

Lucas replied, "I watched him die in front of me, burned alive bit by bit."

Aveline fell silent. Witnessing a loved one's death and then being told they might be alive was unimaginable. Besides, it was just a blurry side profile with a mask, making it impossible to identify the features. How could they be so sure it was Leo?

Aveline found it hard to believe.

Suddenly, Lucas grabbed her hand and started walking upstairs.

"Where are you going? Stay and help investigate. We need to find your brother!" Frederick called after them.

Frederick saw him about to leave and called out, "Lucas!"

1/3 Lucas replied, "I'm tired. We'll talk tomorrow."

Without paying attention to Frederick's increasingly sour expression, he pulled Aveline upstairs.

Frederick clenched his fists. "We must find Leo. When we do, I won't.

acknowledge this ungrateful son anymore!"

If he had the choice, he would have kicked Lucas out of the Tudor family long ago."

Yvonne said, "Don't say things in anger. No matter what, he's still your son."

Frederick snorted and shifted his focus back to the search.

However, the entire night yielded nothing. The masked man seemed to have appeared and disappeared out of thin air.

Back in the bedroom, Lucas pinned Aveline to the bed and kissed her intensely, causing her some pain.

"Mm... what are you doing?" Aveline hadn't expected him to suddenly go wild and struggled hard.

Lucas grabbed her wrists and pressed them above her head, his eyes dangerously narrowed. "Aveline, do you think I have no temper? Trying to get him to help you divorce me-you've got some nerve!" Aveline's breath was ragged, and she glared at him with tear-filled eyes. Lucas, I don't like you anymore. I don't love you anymore. Isn't divorce better? Keeping someone who doesn't love you around-doesn't that hurt?"

IF Lucas felt a pang in his heart, but his expression grew even colder. "I don't care. As long as you're by my side, it's enough!"

With that, he kissed her again, not giving her a chance to resist. He didn't even allow her a moment of emotion, taking her forcefully.

Chapter 456 It hurt!

The sensation of having sex without any foreplay brought nothing but pain to Aveline. Her face turned pale instantly as she struggled even harder. She didn't want this!

However, Lucas' eyes grew increasingly red. He gripped her wrists and waist, ruthlessly tormenting her.

Aveline trembled in agony, tears streaming down her face. "Lucas, you're a bastard!"

Lucas bent down to kiss away her tears, but his actions were far from gentle. He seemed like a different person altogether.

After a long time...

Aveline's eyes were swollen from crying. Only then did Lucas stop, his eyes darkened as he looked at the marks on her body, especially the fingerprints on her waist. He lit a cigarette. Aveline trembled as she gasped for breath. It took her a while to calm down before she got up and headed towards the bathroom. But as she tried to stand, her legs couldn't stop shaking. Lucas watched coldly. When she entered the bathroom, he suddenly noticed the bloodstains on the sheets. His expression darkened as he got up and walked to the bathroom. Opening the door, he saw Aveline standing under the shower, her face extremely pale and pained.

"Aveline!" Lucas rushed over and held her, her body going limp. She fainted instantly!

Lucas' expression tightened, a sharp pain stabbing his heart. He quickly dressed both of them and carried her out of the Tudor family estate.

At the hospital...

The doctor examined Aveline, occasionally glancing at Lucas with a frown. Lucas stared intently at Aveline. When the doctor looked over again, Lucas 1/3 asked coldly, "What are you looking at?"

After the examination, the doctor frowned and asked, "What is your relationship?"

Lucas replied, "Does it matter?"

The doctor's expression grew darker. Just then, Aveline slowly woke up. The doctor saw this and asked, "Do you need me to call the police?"

As he spoke, he cast a wary glance at Lucas.

Lucas couldn't help but laugh in anger. "We're married!"

The doctor frowned and said, "Even between a married couple, you can't be too rough. She has severe tears and needs proper care. She can't go through such strenuous activity again!"

The doctor's tone was very serious.

Lucas pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

The doctor prescribed some medication.

Aveline remained silent the entire time, staring blankly at the ceiling. She didn't react until she felt herself being lifted. The touch of his hands filled her with fear, making her face even paler as she instinctively struggled.

"Don't move," Lucas said in a low voice. "Or you'll fall."

Aveline's eyes, still red and swollen, focused a little. She said hoarsely, "Lucas."

Lucas interrupted her, "Don't say things I don't want to hear."

Aveline bit her lip in pain and sadness. The physical pain and the emotional agony made her feel like she was about to die. Why was it so unbearable? Why wouldn't he just let her go?

Lucas brought her back to the Tudor residence, laid her on the bed, and reached to take off her pants.

"What are you doing?" Aveline screamed, her eyes filled with terror.

Lucas was startled, not expecting such a strong reaction. "You need the medication."

Aveline shook her head in defiance. "I don't need you. I can do it myself. Just give me the medicine!"

Lucas' face darkened, and he looked down at her intently.

Aveline bit her lip stubbornly, refusing to let him touch her.

They were at a standstill, neither backing down. Lucas finally said, "You can't see the wound, but I can. Aveline, be good. If you resist, you'll only hurt yourself more:" BIG SALE: 3500 bonus free fou you

Chapter 457 Aveline bit her lip hard, her swollen eyes filled with anger as she clutched the bedsheet tightly.

Lucas felt a painful tightness in his chest.

He took off his jacket and leaned over.

Despite Aveline's resistance, Lucas continued as he pleased, disregarding her feelings entirely. This made Aveline feel a deep sense of sorrow. What kind of man had she fallen in love with?

As the ointment was applied to her torn skin, Aveline's body flinched from the pain, and she gasped sharply.

Lucas' lips pressed into a tight line as he quickly finished applying the ointment. He then said, "If you feel uncomfortable, let me know."

Aveline turned her face away, refusing to look at him.

Lucas went into the bathroom to wash his hands. When he came out, he saw Aveline struggling to get out of bed, intending to leave the room.

"Where are you going?" Lucas asked in a low voice.

With her back to him, Aveline replied hoarsely, "I'm going to sleep in the guest room. I don't want to get hurt again."

Lucas strode over, picked her up, and placed her back on the bed. Seeing her struggle, he firmly held down her arms and said in a deep voice, "Do you think I'm such a beast that I'd disregard your injuries?" Aveline gave a cold laugh. "You just realize that?"

Lucas felt a surge of anger. The cold laugh and mockery in her eyes felt like a burning fire in his chest.

He said icily, "Do you think you'll be safe in the guest room? Stay here and sleep, or you'll regret it."

"You bastard!" Aveline glared at him, her chest heaving with fury.

Lucas let her go and said coldly, "Sleep."

He lifted the blanket and got into bed, forcefully pulling her into his arms, not allowing her to leave.

His clean, fresh scent enveloped her, invading every part of her senses. If she had a knife, she would have stabbed him without hesitation!

The man's breath behind her suddenly grew heavier, and his arms tightened around her. Aveline immediately closed her eyes.

Lucas' husky voice came. "Aveline, I'm sorry."

Aveline's whole body trembled.

Lucas continued, "No matter the reason, it's my fault that you got hurt. I promise it won't happen again."

At that moment, Aveline's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She bit her knuckles to keep her emotions from spilling over. What was the use of apologizing after she'd already been hurt? Lucas tightened his embrace, his breath hot on her shoulder, intense and lingering.

The night gradually quieted down.

Aveline didn't know when she fell asleep, but she woke up to an unusual sensation. She realized that Lucas was applying medication.

"Can you just apply the medicine?" she asked, unable to bear it any longer.

Lucas' fingers didn't stop. His voice was deep and husky, "I need to check if there are any internal injuries."

Aveline's eyes reddened with the stimulation, and she bit her lip.

After a long while, the application of the medication was finished. Lucas stood up, then suddenly leaned in to kiss her lips, urgently. His hand rested on her waist. "Mm!" Aveline resisted, pushing him away.

Lucas held her tightly, showering her face and ears with small kisses. He grabbed her hand and said in a deep voice, "Can you feel it?"

Chapter 458 Aveline struggled even more fiercely. "Lucas, get off me!"

But Lucas didn't move. He didn't apply much force to her hand, just held her tighter, his breath growing heavier.

Aveline's face flushed deeply as his heavy breathing near her ear stimulated her nerves. She turned her head and bit his shoulder.

Lucas grunted, his breath becoming even more erratic.

After a long while...

He carried her to the bathroom, looking at the marks on her nightgown, his eyes darkened, though his handsome face remained indifferent.

"I'm not crippled. I can wash myself," Aveline said coldly.

Lucas stared at her for a moment before turning to leave.

The moment the door closed, Aveline ripped off the nightgown and threw it straight into the trash. She finished washing up and put on a bathrobe, relieved to find Lucas was not in the bedroom when she returned.

After changing clothes, she went downstairs. The butler said, "Ma'am, breakfast is ready."

"Okay," Aveline replied, heading directly to the dining room.

When Lucas came in, he saw she had already finished eating and was grabbing her bag to leave.

Lucas frowned. "You're not fully recovered. You don't need to go to work."

Aveline responded coolly, "I haven't broken any bones or fallen into a fever. Why shouldn't I go to work? Should I stay home all day staring at your face, which hate?" Lucas's face darkened instantly.

She certainly knew how to infuriate him!

Feeling the sudden drop in temperature around her, Aveline ignored him and walked away.

1/3 The nearby butler wished he could suddenly go deaf. What had he just heard? Was the relationship between the two of them really this bad?

Lucas closed his eyes, suppressing his anger, then dialed a number. In a cold voice, he said, "Don't give her too much work. She's not feeling well."

When Aveline arrived at the studio, Maria was already there. She placed a cup of tea on Aveline's desk and asked with a smile, "You don't look too well. Are you feeling unwell?" Aveline gave a faint smile. "Just didn't sleep well."

Maria said, "Then don't overwork yourself today. Some of the drawings can be done by others."

Aveline nodded. "Okay."

She knew her own condition and didn't think it would affect her work, so she stayed busy as usual.

At noon, she went to a fast-food restaurant downstairs for lunch. Her phone/ rang, and she saw it was Selena calling.

"Hello?"

Selena cheerfully said, "Guess who I ran into?"

"Hmm?" Aveline was puzzled. "Who? Your first love?"

Selena laughed. "I wish it was my first love. This handsome guy looks really good, but unfortunately, he's not interested in me at all!"

Aveline was still confused. "What?"

Selena said, "Sidney! The handsome guy who saved you at the Grand Feast Club. Don't tell me you've forgotten him, you heartbreaker!"

Aveline's mouth twitched. "Where did you see him?"

Selena replied, "I'm out for lunch, and he's working as a waiter in the restaurant. Do you want to come over?"

Aveline frowned. Why would he be working as a waiter? The pay at the Grand 2/3 Feast Club should be quite high.

Aveline said, "Send me the location."

"Sure." Selena hung up, clearly amused at the thought of Aveline focusing her attention on another man.

BIG SALE: 3500 bonus free fou you

Chapter 459 Selena muttered to herself, "What's so great about that jerk Lucas anyway? He doesn't even like Aveline and won't agree to a divorce."

Every time she thought about him, she had to spit in disgust. "Ugh, what bad luck!"

Fifteen minutes later.

Aveline appeared at the entrance of the restaurant. Selena immediately rushed over, pulling her to a seat and pointing to a guy delivering food not far away." Look, there he is."

Aveline looked over and saw Sidney in a waiter's uniform, delivering meals.

Selena raised her hand. "Waiter!"

Sidney responded instinctively, "Yes, how can I help you?"

He turned and saw Aveline smiling at him. Sidney was startled but then smiled back as he approached. "Miss Young, when did you get here?"

Aveline replied, "I just arrived. Why are you working here as a waiter?"

Sidney's eyes flickered as he said, "I was let go, so I came here."

Aveline's brow furrowed. "What happened? Why were you dismissed?"

Selena scoffed, "It must be that bastard Lucas's doing! It's not the first time he's pulled something like this!"

Aveline's frown deepened, her expression growing serious.

Lucas targeted Sidney? Why? Was it just because she was close to Sidney? But Sidney saved her! Was she supposed to be ungrateful to her savior? Sidney said, "It has nothing to do with anyone else. It's my own issue. I must not have been good enough, so the boss didn't want to keep me." Selena slammed the table. "What do you mean you're not good enough? I'm sure Lucas is behind this!"

1/3 Aveline was silent for a moment, then looked at Sidney and asked, "Do you want to continue in architectural design?"

Sidney's eyes lit up. "I do, but... it takes time to make money in that field, and I need money now."

Aveline smiled. "Don't worry about that. If you want, come to my place. Our studio just opened not long ago, and we need fresh talent." "Really?" Sidney asked, surprised.

Aveline nodded. "But I can't guarantee you'll be hired. You'll need to show your real skills."

She then gave him the address of the studio.

Sidney took note. "I'll definitely consider it!"

"Good. Now, go back to work," Aveline said with a smile.

Sidney turned and left, while Selena rested her chin on her hand, watching him go. "Oh, my dear, you've been smiling so much since you saw him."

Aveline gave her a resigned look. "What did you order? Can we finish it all?"

Selena grinned. "I knew you were coming, so I ordered a lot of your favorite dishes. Dig in!"

Aveline didn't hesitate and picked up her utensils to start eating.

She expected Sidney to take some time to think it over, but to her surprise, he showed up at the studio in the afternoon.

Seeing her, he gave a slight smile.

Maria came out and asked, "Are you Sidney Troy?"

"Yes." Sidney handed over his resume.

Maria glanced through it and said, "You participated in many major architectural projects during college. Why did you stop later?" Sidney replied, "It was due to personal reasons."

Maria raised an eyebrow and said, "Alright, let's chat more in details."

Watching this, Aveline knew Sidney was as good as hired!

Chapter 460 Sidney would start his job tomorrow.

Before he left, Aveline walked him to the elevator.

Smiling, she said, "Congratulations!"

Sidney gave a shy smile. "I should be thanking you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have made up my mind to pursue my passion." Aveline responded, "I just gave you a choice. The outcome is all your own decision, so there's no need to thank me.

Sidney took out his phone. "Can I add you on WhatsApp? We'll be colleagues from now on, and it'll be easier to contact you."

"Sure."

Aveline nodded in agreement and took out her phone, letting him scan her QR code.

After they added each other, the elevator arrived. Sidney stepped inside and waved goodbye to her.

Aveline returned to the office, where Maria was leaning against her desk, looking at her with amusement. "What's going on?"

Aveline looked at her, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Maria pointed her chin towards the door, indicating Sidney. "You and him...?"

Aveline smiled helplessly. "You're overthinking it. He's just my friend."

Maria let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief and then said, "He does have talent. Since he's your friend, you should help guide him."

Aveline nodded. "No problem."

That was her intention anyway.

After work in the evening.

Aveline stayed late, working until 9:30 PM. By the time she left, the sky had turned completely dark.

She went to the roadside to hail a cab.

"Miss Young!"

At that moment, a familiar voice called out.

Aveline turned and saw Sidney standing not far away, smiling as he walked towards her.

"This is for you."

He handed her a delicate box, his smile bright.

Aveline was curious. "What's this?"

Sidney, a bit embarrassed, rubbed his nose and said, "You helped me a lot, and I didn't know how to repay you. I know girls like sweets, so I bought you a small cake. I hope you don't mind. When I start making money, I'll definitely treat you to a bigger and better cake!"

Aveline looked at him and smiled helplessly. "I've told you, you don't need to thank me. You earned this through your own abilities."

Sidney stubbornly held out the box. "Miss Young, it's just a small cake. You don't actually dislike it, do you?"

Seeing his insistence, Aveline couldn't refuse anymore. She took the box. " Alright, I'll accept it. But don't buy me any more cakes in the future."

"Okay!"

Sidney nodded, smiling brightly as he gazed at her.

Just then, a taxi arrived.

Aveline quickly hailed it. "I'm leaving now. You should head back too. Be safe!"

"Alright!"

Sidney watched her leave, only looking away after the car disappeared around the corner.

Unbeknownst to them, someone had taken a picture of the scene.

273 Aveline returned to the Tudor residence. As soon as she entered the living room, she sensed a different atmosphere.

A cold, oppressive air lingered, spreading a faint chill.

On the balcony, a tall man was smoking. Dressed in casual clothes, he still exuded a cool and indifferent aura.

Aveline glanced at him briefly before heading upstairs.

Moments later, she heard footsteps quickly following her.

As Aveline entered her bedroom, Lucas suddenly pinned her against the door.

The sharp scent of tobacco mixed with his fresh, clean smell overwhelmed her senses.