Aveline smoothly withdrew her hand and smiled, "We're friends, so it's only normal that I'm worried about you."
Russell's hand felt empty, and a strange emptiness filled his heart. He rubbed his fingers together before casually shoving them into his pocket. "It's fine. He can't do anything to me." Lucas had just returned to the Tudor family and had not yet entered the Tudor Group. For now, he only had the DK Group under his control, which couldn't stir up much trouble. Aveline let out a slight sigh of relief. "That's good to hear."
At that moment, Russell's phone rang. He glanced at the screen, raised his eyebrows, and said to Aveline, "I need to take this call."
"Okay." she nodded, watching him walk towards the outdoor garden.
The hotel's outdoor garden was beautiful, located only on the 7th floor, with dim lighting and a faint floral scent lingering in the air, creating a serene atmosphere. Aveline turned around and found a quiet corner to wait.
As a waiter passed by, she took a glass of champagne and looked at the bustling scene of the birthday banquet, feeling utterly bored.
Everyone was putting on a facade, making their conversations. meaningless.
Just then, a waiter approached her and said, "Miss Young, Mr. Skyler has an urgent matter and needs to see you."
Aveline was taken aback.
Russell was looking for her?
"Where is he?" she asked.
"Please follow me," the waiter replied.
Aveline put down her glass and followed the waiter to the outdoor garden.This text is property of NĂ´/velD/rama.Org.
As soon as she stepped outside, a cool breeze swept over her, bringing a refreshing feeling.
She took a deep breath, enjoying the floral fragrance in the air.
"Miss Young, Mr. Skyler is just inside. I'll leave you here," the waiter said before turning and walking away.
"Huh?" Aveline was puzzled, but thinking that Russell might really have something urgent, she proceeded inside.
Ahead was a flower pavilion corridor
As she turned a corner, a hand suddenly reached out from the darkness and grabbed her.
Aveline was startled and instinctively screamed, but the person
seemed to anticipate her reaction. Another hand covered her mouth, and in one swift motion, she was pinned against a vine-covered pillar. "Don't make a sound!"
A deep, magnetic voice accompanied by a crisp male scent enveloped.
her.
Aveline's frightened and trembling body stiffened slightly, but she quickly relaxed.
Seeing her calm down, Lucas released his hand.
"What are you doing?" Aveline frowned and asked.
In the dimly lit flower pavilion corridor, she couldn't see his expression clearly.
Lucas pressed closely against her, feeling her soft breath rising and falling gently. His eyes darkened in the gloom, but he whispered, "I brought you here to watch a show."
A hint of confusion flashed across Aveline's face.
Watch what show?
"Russ, you promised me before. Why did you bring another woman here today?"
Not far away, a girl's tearful voice sounded.
Russell's indifferent tone cut through, "Rina, this isn't the right occasion for you to be by my side."
The girl became obviously agitated. "What's so unsuitable about it? I don't care what others think. I only care about what you think!"
Russell replied, "If you care about me that much, then listen to what I say, alright?"
I