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Aveline's brows furrowed.

Aaron's words were dripping with disdain! He was practically calling Russell out as an illegitimate child, saying he didn't belong to the Skyler family.

He was being too harsh!

Russell's delicate and handsome face maintained its smile as he responded, "It's true you can't choose your birth, but you can choose your path in life. Who says an illegitimate child can't pursue what they want? Whether it's power or love, it's all worth pursuing."

As he spoke, his eyes lingered on Aveline, brimming with a warm smile and a hint of deeper emotions beneath the surface.

The others might not notice, but Lucas clearly saw the possessiveness and ambition in Russell's gaze towards Aveline.

He wanted to take Aveline away!

"Well said!" Selena chimed in, giving Russell a thumbs up. "Way to go, Russ. Status doesn't matter. Some people have legitimate status but do despicable things. What's the point in that?" Aaron glared at her, biting his tongue.

This woman! Just last night, they had been intimate, and now she was acting so cold!

He had underestimated her!

Selena didn't care about his glare and even glared back before turning to smile sweetly at Russell, making Aaron's face darken even more!

Selena looked at Aveline. "Darling, wasn't Russ right?"

Aveline nodded. "At least Russ has a status now. I'm just an orphan with no parents."

Lucas' expression grew even darker.

Aaron hadn't meant to hurt Aveline, and he regretted his words, so he kept quiet.

Russell, however, said, "From now on, I'll be your family, Aveline. I'll always be on your side.".

Aveline looked up and met his gentle and determined gaze, smiling back at him, "Then I'll toast to you!"

Being chosen so firmly made her heart warm.

She picked up her beer to drink, but a hand suddenly reached out and snatched it away!

Aveline turned to see who it was, her eyes flickering with surprise. She didn't say anything, just grabbed another bottle.

It was only beer. If he wanted it, he could have it.

Aveline opened another can and tried to toast with Russell again.

But once more, the beer was snatched away before they could clink glasses.

Aveline turned to Lucas. "What are you doing?"

Lucas now had two beers in front of him, his eyes cold. "Feeling such a bond? Why don't you get married to him right here and now?" Aveline's eyes widened. "Then why don't you finalize our divorce first?"

"Hah!" Lucas let out a cold laugh. "Dream on. If you marry him, you'll be committing bigamy, and you'll end up in jail."

Aveline stared at him in disbelief.

Was this man crazy?

Russell, holding his beer casually, said, "Aveline, I know a great lawyer who specializes in divorce cases. Want me to introduce you?" Selena's eyes lit up at this. "That sounds perfect! You should definitely introduce him to Aveline. She's been so worried about this..." Before Selena could finish her sentence, Aaron suddenly covered her mouth, picked her up, and carried her towards the bedroom. "Mmph!"

What the hell was he doing, covering her mouth?

She struggled and kicked, but she was no match for Aaron. He carried her as if she were a baby chick.

Once the bedroom door was closed, he threw her onto the bed.

"What are you doing?" Selena sat up, glaring at him.

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