*15 BONUS

Aveline didn't dare think too much about it. She had been disappointed too many times before.

"I don't feel safe in Arthur Town. I want to leave now," she said.

Lucas frowned at her wor leave Arthur Town?"

"Do you think you'll be safe once you

Aveline looked up at him. "I have a rough idea of who's targeting me. If I can get out of their reach, they'll have a harder time finding me."

Lucas replied, "You're being naive, Aveline. The circles of power are all about connections. You think leaving Arthur Town will make you safe, but how do you know the city you go to won't have people closely connected to those here?"

Aveline's brow furrowed as she looked at him. "What do you mean?"

Lucas' eyes stared deeply into hers. "Stay here. I'll protect you."

Aveline pressed her pale lips into a thin line. She didn't want to stay, but he was right. She couldn't ensure her safety on her own. Following him might be the best option. Yet, deep down, she was reluctant to follow through with that idea.

She had believed things couldn't get worse, but then....

A sudden thought flashed through her mind, and she glanced up at

Lucas.

Seeing that her hand had stopped bleeding, Lucas let go and noticed her gaze. "What is it?"

Reluctantly, Aveline asked, "Lucas, tell me the truth. Those two who kidnapped me, could they have been arranged by you?"

Lucas 'expression darkened immediately. He stood up, looking down at her. "Do you think I would go to such lengths to kidnap you and then play the hero just to make you stay?"Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"Isn't that the case?" she almost said but held back.

Lucas let out a cold laugh. He leaned down, gripping her chin, and examined her still-pale face closely.

"Aveline, you're not worth jeopardizing a multi-million dollar project to orchestrate such a scheme."

With that, he turned and left, a cold aura surrounding him.

Aveline let out a sharp breath, her face even paler than before.

What had she been thinking?

She had actually deluded herself into believing he would go to such lengths to make her stay.

How foolish of her.

His final words had cut through her long-guarded heart, stirring a pang of pain. She shut her eyes tightly, struggling to suppress the unfamiliar emotions.

Lucas, emanating an icy aura, walked out and headed straight for the elevator. As the doors opened, Desmond and Brian stepped out.

They ran into each other.

Desmond asked, "Mr. Tudor, how is Miss Young?"

Lucas replied coldly, "Can't you see for yourself?"

Desmond was baffled.

He couldn't make sense of it. Lucas had been so concerned earlier, but now he seemed genuinely angry.

Desmond glanced at Brian, who maintained his usual stoic expression, clearly unable to understand Lucas' sudden change in attitude. Desmond then pulled Brian aside as Lucas walked into the elevator.

"What's going on here?" Desmond muttered, then headed towards Aveline's room.

As he pushed open the door, he saw Aveline getting out of bed.

"Miss Young, you're awake?" Desmond said with a smile.

Aveline nodded and, noticing Brian following behind him, her brow furrowed immediately.