Aveline didn't hear his words; she had already fallen asleep.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

At some point, the rain had stopped. When Aveline woke up again, was already daylight. She felt weak and sore all over and coughed a couple of times.

"Awake? Are you hungry?"

A tired, raspy voice came from beside her. Aveline turned her head and saw Russell sitting on the sofa. His short hair was a bit messy, and his eyes showed signs of fatigue. She sat up and said, "Russ, did you stay up all night?"

Russell replied, "Yes, I kept an eye on you, afraid something might happen."

He stared at her intently after speaking. Aveline paused, then looked at him gratefully. "Russ, thank you. If only we were truly family."

> Russell fell silent.

A hint of frustration flickered in his eyes. Did she really not see him in a romantic light at all?

How was he supposed to deal with this?

Russell irritably ran a hand through his hair.

Seeing this, Aveline quickly asked, "Russ, what's wrong?

With his head down, hands tangled in his hair, he muttered, "My head itches."

Aveline's lips twitched slightly.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in,"

Russell put his hand down, his expression returning to its usual nonchalance.

The door opened, and the butler appeared, looking quite anxious. "Mr. Russell, there are many people outside."

Russell raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

The butler replied, "It's Lucas Tudor!"

"Ha!" Russell scoffed.

Russell scoffed lightly and turned to Aveline. "He's probably here for you. Are you going back with him?

Aveline's brow furrowed. She knew Lucas would come looking for her eventually, but she had no

desire to see him. She just wanted a divorce.

She looked at Russell and asked, "Russ, is there another way out of your house?"

Russell responded, "You want to run again? But how long can you keep running like this?" Aveline lowered her gaze and said, "I just don't want to see him right now." "Leave it to me," Russell said, standing up and heading towards the door. As he walked out, he added, Just rest well. You don't need to worry about anything else." "But I can't just- Aveline started to say.

just-"Aveline

"Enough. Didn't you say I'm like a family to you? Then listen to me," Russell said, pausing at the doorway to look back at her.

Aveline felt immense gratitude.

Russell had helped her time and again.

She didn't know how she could ever repay him.

Debts of gratitude were the hardest to repay.

Outside the Mansion.

Several cars were parked along the road, and dozens of bodyguards in black suits had emerged from them, surrounding the mansion. Lucas sat in his car, his handsome, sharp face etched with a cold, icy expression.

Aveline had spent the night here!

A storm of violent emotions surged within him, his grip on the steering wheel tightening with each passing second.

Brian stood nearby and reported, “Mr. Tudor, no one has come out yet."

Lucas started the car and, without hesitation, rammed it into the mansion's gate.

"Bang!"

The sound was deafening as the gate!

deformed from the impact!

Inside the mansion, the servants looked on in horror at the scene.

Russell descended the stairs and, hearing the commotion, scoffed.

What a temper.