"Rina."

At that moment, Russell's voice came through. "Tonight is your grandfather's birthday banquet. There are many guests. It's not

unusual for some of them to come out here to get some fresh air. Don't go over there."

Rina glanced toward the flower pavilion corridor, hesitated for a moment, but then followed Russell's advice and returned.

"Russ, who is that woman? Why did she come with you?" Rina's voice grew more distant.

Aveline's body quickly relaxed. She pushed Lucas away and ran back towards the banquet hall.

As her figure disappeared into the light, Lucas glanced down at his fingers, noticing the lingering moisture.

His eyes darkened, and his Adam's apple bobbed. He cast a look back in the direction of Rina and Russell before striding away.

Aveline went straight to the restroom and splashed her face with cold. water to calm down. The thought of what had just happened filled her with anger, making her want to hit Lucas.

But she couldn't win him.

That man was truly infuriating!

When Aveline came out, Wilbert had already come downstairs. The guests gathered around, and the Johnson family began offering birthday greetings.

Aveline stood in a corner, trying to make herself inconspicuous.

At that moment, Russell approached her, his eyes scanning her. He

then asked, "Where will you be heading after this?"

The banquet was ending soon.

"I'll go home," Aveline replied.

Russell nodded slightly. "Alright, I'll driveExclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

u home."

Aveline initially wanted to refuse but remembering that the dress she was wearing was a gift from him, she said, "Russ, I'll wash the dress and return it to you." Russell gave her a half-smile. "Who would I give it to if you return it?"

Aveline was taken aback.

Russell added, "I have no interest in wearing women's clothing, SO keep it. The dress suits you perfectly."

Aveline replied, "That won't do. Why don't you tell me how much it costs, and I'll earn the money to pay you back."

Russell sighed helplessly. "You really don't have to be so formal with me."

Aveline still felt uneasy, knowing the dress was undoubtedly expensive.

Russell continued, "Enough about the dress. It's just a piece of clothing with no inherent meaning. It's you who gives it meaning by wearing it, so it belongs to you." Aveline couldn't refuse any longer. To insist on paying would be ungrateful.

"Thank you," she said, raising her champagne glass to toast him.

Russell smiled and clinked his glass with hers, and they both took a sip.

Not far away, Lucas watched them from a distance, his cold eyes fixed on the corner where they were happily chatting. His grip tightened on his glass, nearly shattering it. She had just shared such an intimate moment with him in the garden,

and now she was chatting so cheerfully with another man!

Hah! Aveline, you're something else!

The banquet ended late.

As they exited the hotel, Russell led Aveline towards the car. "Aveline-"

Just then, a deep, pleasant voice sounded from nearby.

OIS BONUS

Aveline turned and saw Lucas' tall, upright figure approaching. With the light behind him, he appeared almost radiant, exuding an aura of nobility.

D