A smile instantly appeared on Sophia's face. "Thank you. As long as you don't keep her detained, that's enough. Once she returns, I'll have a serious talk with her."

"Fine," Lucas responded coldly, just as he was about to say something else, the sound of a car door closing interrupted him.

"No!" Aveline walked over briskly, her clear eyes filled with agitation as she looked at Lucas. "You can't release Gwen!"

Lucas' eyebrows furrowed. "Are you giving me orders?"

Aveline's fingers instinctively curled, and a sharp pain shot through her heart. His stern, sharp face felt completely unfamiliar to her.

Sophia spoke up, "Miss Young, my cousin acted impulsely and made a mistake. She already knows she was wrong. If you feel that's n nough, I'll apologize on her behalf."

With that, she bowed deeply to Aveline, placing herself in the lowest position possible. "Miss Young, I'm sorry!"

Lucas grasped Sophia's arm and pulled her up. "Sophia, what are you doing? This has nothing to do with you."

Tears welled in Sophia's eyes, but she forced a smile and said, "How can it not? She's my cousin. Someone has to take responsibility for her actions. I just hope Miss Young can be lenient. It's better not to burn bridges."

Lucas turned his cold gaze to Aveline, his attitude clearly saying, "They've apologized; are you still not satisfied?"

Aveline's face grew paler. She ignored Sophia and looked straight at Lucas. "You know what I went through last night, don't you?"

He knew, and he had found out that Gwen orchestrated it. But now, with Sophia pleading, he still planned to release Gwen.

He was so good to Sophia.

And what about her?

After all, they had spent the entire night together last night!

Was he going to ignore her once he put his pants back on?

A flicker of light flashed in Aveline's eyes, stubbornly refusing to show any sign of her sadness,Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Lucas' eyes were dark and deep, his voice low and icy as he spoke, "You should blame yourself for not following my orders." Aveline raised her hand to slap him.

"Smack!"

But Sophia stepped in front of Lucas just in time, taking the slap meant for him. Stumbling back, she fell into Lucas' arms.

"Sophia!"

Lucas steadied her, his eyes coldly fixating on Aveline. "Apologize to Sophia!"

Aveline sneered. "Apologize? To hell with that!"

She walked past them, her face pale but her demeanor composed and indifferent.

Having seen too much shamelessness and disappointment, this was nothing new. If they wanted to put on a show of deep affection, she wouldn't stick around for it. Behind her, she could hear Sophia's faint sobbing and Lucas' low voice comforting

her.

What a joke!

If he cared so much, why not divorce?

The truth was, he wanted to have his cake and eat it too, unwilling to let go of either.

But she was done playing his game!

Aveline stepped out of the elevator and went straight to her desk, starting to pack her things. Her colleagues watched, confused, but no one approached to ask questions.

She quickly gathered her belongings into a box and headed for the elevator.

As she waited, Desmond came down and saw her. Noticing her determined

expression, he quickly said, "Miss Young, Mr. Tudor requests that you come upstairs.

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