Aveline initially thought she wouldn't be able to sleep at the Tudor residence, but she fell into a deep slumber as soon as she lay down. When she woke, it was already the next morning.

After washing up, Aveline left her room and happened to see Lucas coming out of his bedroom. Their eyes met briefly before she looked away and headed downstairs.

Lucas stared at her intently and, seeing she was about to leave, said, "Come and have breakfast."

Aveline paused and replied, "No, thanks. I'm running late for work."

Lucas remarked, "You have nothing urgent at work right now, so why rush?"

A chill crept into her clear eyes at his words. "Did you instruct Ms. Scoot to kick me off the Brighton Enterprises project team?"

Lucas's expression remained indifferent. "Yes."

After the poisoning incident, he had her important work halted, assuming she was responsible and wanting to teach her a lesson.

Aveline let out a cold laugh. "Can't you just fire me directly?"

It would spare her the daily grind of work, where colleagues constantly gave her a hard time-an exhausting routine that now seemed pointless.

Lucas looked at her coldly. "Come and eat."

The atmosphere around him instantly turned chilly again.

Aveline didn't understand why he was angry. Shouldn't she be the one upset about being removed from the project team?

She hesitated at the door for a moment before walking in. As she passed some cabinets, she instinctively glanced at them. Previously, she had seen items she had thrown away, but now they were gone. A strange feeling flickered in her mind, but she didn't dwell on it.

Sitting quietly at the dining table, she ate her breakfast. Lucas' gaze swept over her face, noticing that the swelling had subsided, but faint finger marks remained.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

After finishing her meal, Aveline looked at him and asked, "Can I leave now?"

Lucas frowned, dismayed.

Did she really not want to stay with him?

Just then, Aveline's phone rang. She pulled it out to see a call from Russell.

"Hello, Russ.

Her tone noticeably softened with Russell on the line, the coldness in her eyes replaced by warmth.

Lucas saw this and his expression turned cold.

"How are you doing now?" Russell asked.

"I'm fine, just some superficial injuries," Aveline replied.: owner of this content.

"That's good. He hasn't been giving you a hard time, as he?"

Before she could respond, her jaw tightened, and then a dominating presence enveloped her as he fiercely and angrily kissed her. "Mmph!"

Caught off guard like prey to a beast, she let out a muffled grunt.

"Aveline, what's happening?" Russell's voice came through the phone, tinged with urgency.

Lucas was close enough to clearly hear his voice and deliberately kissed her loudly.

Aveline hurriedly ended the call, awkwardly pushing him away. Lucas, still eager, was reluctantly forced to stop, his eyes dark and intense as he looked at her.

A flush of anger tinted Aveline's cheeks, adding an unintended allure. "Lucas, what are you doing?"

His reply was cool. "Isn't it obvious? Kissing you."

Aveline was speechless, her anger rendering her mute

The audacity! She was on the phone, and he deliberately kissed her!