Aveline stood up to leave.

Lucas didn't stop her, and only after she had completely left the dining room did his gaze lose its intensity.

At that moment, the butler said, "Mr. Lucas, we have placed all those things in the warehouse. What do you plan to do with them?"

Lucas responded indifferently, "Leave them for now.

The butler nodded and said no more.

Aveline left the Tudor residence, which was quite remote, requiring a two-kilometer walk to the nearest bus stop.

After walking for about five minutes, she heard the roar of a car engine behind her.

“Beep!"

The sound of the horn made Aveline instinctively glance to the side, only to see Lucas' cold, stern face.

"You've been out this long and only made it this far?"

Aveline's face darkened. "Are you crazy?"

Lucas sneered, stepped on the gas, and the car sped off, leaving her in a cloud of exhaust fumes.

Fuming, Aveline stomped her foot and continued walking expressionlessly.

Just as she was about to reach the bus stop, the car returned. The door opened, and without looking at her, Lucas coldly said, "Get in.'

Aveline ignored him and kept walking. Lucas drove alongside her, quickly attracting the attention of passersby.

Aveline frowned, not wanting to become the center of attention. Glancing at the open passenger door, she instead opened the back door and got in..

"Let's go."

Her tone was cold and indifferent.

Lucas felt as though a dull knife had sliced across his heart, causing a sharp pain.

He frowned. "I'm not your driver. Sit in the front."

Aveline replied, "No, I'm more comfortable in the back"

After she spoke, Aveline closed her eyes and ceased communicating with him.

Lucas gave her a deep look, said nothing further, and started the car to move forward. At a traffic light, Lucas' phone rang. He looked at it, his expression flickering briefly before he answered, "Sophia." Hearing his call, a wave of impatience surged through Aveline.

"Alright, I'm coming over now."

Whatever Sophia had said, Lucas immediately turned around and headed for the hospital.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

"Drop me off up ahead; it's not far from the office," Aveline said.

"You haven't apologized to Sophia yet," Lucas replied coldly.

Aveline's temper flared. "Why should I apologize to her? I've said it before, I didn't kidnap her!"

"But all the evidence points to you," Lucas stated.

Aveline's fingers curled tightly, her fingertips whitening from the force. She took a couple of deep breaths and said, "Let me out. I'll find the evidence. I will prove I didn't kidnap her." Lucas remained silent.

Tears of frustration welled up in Aveline's eyes. "Lucas, you're such a jerk!"

He showed no reaction, and the car steadily came to a stop in the hospital parking lot. After turning off the engine, he looked at her. Seeing his gaze, Aveline averted her eyes, her look one of cold disdain. Lucas' expression grew colder. Suddenly, he got out of the car, opened the back door, and climbed in.

"What are you-"Aveline started, taken aback. She instinctively asked what he was doing, but he seized her chin, and a fierce, fiery kiss enveloped her.

D