Lucas said calmly, "Your friends have arrived. You should go see what gifts they brought you.

Rebecca bit her lip in frustration, shot Aveline a venomous glare, and walked away, lifting her dress as she went.

Aveline sighed. "Lucas, I think you're setting me up to be hated."

Lucas replied, "Am I?"

Aveline said, "That little princess now holds a grudge against me. Since you brought me here, you have to ensure my safety. If anything were to happen to me, it'd be on you.

Lucas' eyes locked onto hers, and a faint smile curved his lips. "Don't worry, you won't be missing any limbs."

Aveline instinctively shrank back, not wanting to continue the topic.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

She had to admit, the rose volcano was indeed beautiful, and she couldn't help but take a few more glances.

Lucas and Aveline strolled around the garden, admiring the scenery. When they reached a pavilion, Lucas's phone rang. He checked the caller ID and said, "I need to take this call." Aveline nodded and stayed in the pavilion, not wandering off.

This was the Thompson family estate, and with Rebecca's disdain for her, getting lost could end very badly.

Lucas stepped out of the pavilion to take the call. Not far away, a servant who had been watching them reported the scene to Rebecca.

Holding a wine glass, Rebecca smirked coldly and gave the servant some instructions.

The servant nodded and went to carry them out.

Feeling bored, Aveline sat in the pavilion.

A servant soon entered, silently placing a tray of drinks and snacks on the table before leaving.

Aveline raised an eyebrow but didn't touch them.

Why was Lucas taking so long?

She stood up and saw him still talking on the phone a short distance away. Deciding to join him, she walked towards him.

To reach him, she had to pass through a flower corridor. Lucas was standing at the end of it, still on the phone.

As Avéline approached, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind her. Before she could react, a hand covered her mouth, and a pungent smell overwhelmed her senses. She didn't have time to call for help before she lost consciousness.

Two bodyguards swiftly carried Aveline away. In the dimly lit flower corridor, everything happened in silence.

Rebecca glanced at the unconscious Aveline and sneered. "Throw her to feed the dogs. Let them have a taste of human flesh."

"Yes, Miss," the bodyguards responded, carrying Aveline directly to the backyard.

The Thompson family kept several Mastiffs, known for their extremel ferocity. If Aveline was thrown in there, she would either be killed or severely injured.

A look of satisfaction flashed in Rebecca's eyes. She wanted to see how

that wretch could still seduce Lucas once she was maimed!

Lucas hung up the phone and turned around, only to find that Aveline was no longer in the pavilion.

His expression darkened as he quickly walked over. The drinks and snacks on the pavilion table remained untouched. He immediately dialed her number, but there was no answer.

Thinking of Rebecca's hostility towards Aveline, Lucas pressed his lips. into a thin line.

He turned and strode towards the villa.

Just as he reached the door, Rebecca blocked his way.

"Lucas, where are you going? The birthday cake has arrived, and I need to make a wish. Can you stay with me?" Rebecca reached out to hold his hand, pouting.

Lucas pulled his hand away, his tone turning colder. "Where is Aveline?

D