Chapter 5

What did he take her for?

Her heart ached as if it were being torn apart, making it difficult for her to breathe.

Seeing the tears in her eyes, Lucas' gaze deepened, but his expression grew even colder. "I have my reasons. Not telling you was to protect you."

"Hah!"

Aveline scoffed, holding back her tears, her tone turning icy. "Let me tell you, I won't divorce you. Don't even think about it!"

She turned and walked away.

"You wouldn't want to lose this job, would you?"

Behind her, his cold voice rang out. "You're an orphan who struggled to establish yourself in this city. This job must mean a lot to you."

Aveline glared at him. "What are you trying to do?"

Lucas replied, "Sign the divorce papers. My previous offer still stands."

He was threatening her!

Aveline's hands trembled with anger. If he weren't so far away, she might have slapped him across the face!

"Lucas, you're despicable!"

How could he change so much in such a short time? Or was he always this cold, and the past year had been an act?

Lucas casually pulled out a tissue, walked over to her, and gently wiped away her tears.

Aveline slapped his hand away, her eyes filled with stubbornness. "Go ahead and fire me if you dare!"

Divorce? Not a chance!

She turned and walked out of the office, feeling her emotions gradually becoming calmer.

Lucas's hand froze in mid-air, his handsome face growing tense.

He reached for the intercom on his desk. "Notify the HR department—"

However, before he could finish, memories of Aveline patiently teaching him sign language and helping him learn to read flashed through his mind.

He couldn't bring himself to say the words.

"Mr. Tudor, what would you like us to do?" came the cautious voice of his secretary over the intercom.

"Nothing."

Lucas hung up the phone, his expression more irritated than before.

…

When colleagues asked Aveline what Lucas had said to her, she just smiled and brushed it off.

She sat at her desk, carefully thinking about what to do next.

If Lucas really tried to force her into a divorce, she could go public with their relationship, make a big scene, and let everyone know he was her husband. Wouldn't that stop him from divorcing her?

Realizing what she was thinking, Aveline suddenly froze, then smiled bitterly.

However, he had a change of heart.

He didn't love her anymore. Was there any point in doing this?

In the end, she was just unwilling to accept it. Why did he get to change his mind so easily? Would staying loyal to one woman for a lifetime kill him?

"Aveline, come here for a moment."

In the afternoon, Lucas's personal assistant, Desmond Blake, called her over.

Aveline got up and walked over. Desmond said, "These are some jewelry pieces. You have a good eye. Pick a set for me to give to a client."

Aveline was a bit surprised. Why would he ask her to do this?

There were so many stylishly dressed women in the office.

Although puzzled, she still selected a set.

Desmond smiled. "Thank you."

Then he turned and left. Aveline, feeling perplexed, went back to work.

That evening, she returned home to an empty and quiet house. She stood at the door, staring blankly for a while, her heart aching again.

Was Lucas not planning to come back?

She sat on the couch and turned on the TV. She didn't want the room to be too quiet, or her mind would start to wander.

"Our report today: Frederick Tudor’s missing third son has reappeared in public, attending a charity gala with a beautiful companion. What changes will Lucas Tudor's return bring to Cloudflare City? Stay tuned for more..."

Aveline could no longer hear what the host was saying.

She stared intently at the girl next to Lucas. The necklace around her neck was the very one Aveline had chosen earlier that day!