Lucas looked at his empty hand and suddenly asked, "Why did you let go?"

"What?" Aveline thought she misheard him.

"Holding hands," Lucas clarified.

Aveline was speechless!

She said, "You're the heir of the Tudor family, the president of DK Group. Can you stop doing such childish things?"

Lucas finally focused on her face. His dark eyes and cold, handsome face made it impossible to guess what he was thinking. Aveline frowned, unwilling to guess, and turned to leave.

She didn't have to stay at the hospital; Russell could eat on his own.

"Come with me to a place," Lucas suddenly said.

Aveline refused without hesitation. "No."

Lucas stared at her intensely. "If you don't go, I'll come find you tonight."

Aveline stopped in her tracks, glaring at him. "Where?"

Lucas' lips curved into a slight smile as he walked toward a car parked by the roadside.

Aveline watched his tall, straight back, wishing her gaze could bore holes into it.

Once in the car, Aveline sat as far from him as possible, practically pressing herself against the door.

Lucas glanced at her and said, "Do you want to ride on the roof?"

Aveline ignored him. But soon, she felt her hand being held. She tried to pull away, but his grip was firm, so she let him hold it.

As long as he didn't do anything crazy, holding hands was tolerable.

Lucas frowned slightly. Why did it feel different? The hand was still the same, soft and smooth," comfortable to hold. Yet, something was off. Lucas' lips pressed into a tight line, and his demeanor grew colder.

Aveline noticed but didn't respond.

His mood swings were truly unpredictable. Even her own during PMS were more stable than his.

The car drove smoothly.

As familiar street scenes appeared, Aveline's heart skipped a beat.

She looked at him, "Why did you bring me here?"

At Bluewater Bay Villa.

He had previously forced her to stay here, locking her up and not allowing her to leave. Did he plan to imprison her again?

Lucas saw the wariness in her eyes and said, "Don't you think this place is beautiful and perfect for us to live in?"

"I don't think so. I don't like it, and I won't live with you!" Aveline replied bluntly.

Lucas' face darkened.

Did she hate him that much? So much that she wouldn't even hold his hand again? The atmosphere in the car grew tense, and at that moment, the car came to a stop. Aveline opened the door and got out, walking ahead without looking back.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

She wouldn't let herself get locked up again!

"Do you really think you can escape?"

Behind her, Lucas' deep, magnetic voice sounded,

Aveline paused and turned to look at him. "What exactly do you want?"

Lucas stood by the car, his fingers playing with an unlit cigarette. His gaze was fixed on her, deep and unreadable.

Aveline felt uncomfortable under his intense gaze. His eyes were so invasive that it felt like he wanted

to devour her whole.

D