A vein throbbed at Sidney's temple, and without another word, he turned and walked away.
Maria chuckled softly, watching his retreating back.
There was no need to rush.
Aveline threw herself into work, heading out the next day to inspect the plot of land Patrick owned. It was surrounded by a vineyard, making it an ideal location for a winery. Patrick's main goal was to build a resort-style winery, catering to the elite for leisure and entertainment, so he was particular about every detail.
After gaining a general understanding of the terrain and Patrick's vision, Aveline returned to the stuand began working tirelessly on the designs, sketching day and night.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWhen the first draft was ready, Myron called to inform her that the court date had been set for a week from now.
At the stime, Lucas also received the court notification.
He was dining at Club Nine with a group of business partners. After hanging up the phone, his strikingly handsface remained as impassive as ever, a cigarette held between his fingers. The people around him spoke cautiously, watching his expression. "You guys carry on. I'm leaving early," Lucas said suddenly, standing up as the cigarette burned to its end. He grabbed his coat and left the private room.
The wind outside was biting, with light snowflakes drifting down. He got into the car and instructed the driver, "To Maple Garden." "Yes, sir." As the car drove through the streets, the sky grew darker, and the snowflakes swirled in the air, mirroring the frost that seemed to settle over his mood, cold enough to seep into his bones.
Aveline had just cup from the underground parking garage when the elevator doors opened. Lucas' tall figure, cloaked in the biting cold, stepped inside.
She paused, then reached out to press the door close button.
"You got the notice, didn't you?" she asked, breaking the silence in the elevator.
""What notice?" Lucas feigned ignorance.
Aveline glanced at him and replied, "The court notice." "Oh, I didn't receive it," Lucas answered, his tone indifferent.
Aveline hesitated for a moment, then told him the court date.
Lucas stuffed his hands into the pockets of his coat, his posture relaxed and casual. "I'm not going." Aveline was speechless.
Even with the court date set, it was still up to Lucas whether he showed up or not. As long as he refused, the court session couldn't proceed. They were stuck in a deadlock once again.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAveline frowned and asked, "Lucas, are you..." swr But Lucas cut her off. "You don't need to say anything more. I've heard it all a thousand times. I'm not going, and that's final." Aveline fell silent. The elevator grew quiet.
Soon, the doors opened, and Lucas walked out. Aveline felt unsure about what to do next.
When the elevator reached her floor, to her surprise, Lucas was there, standing right outside her door.
"What do you want?" Aveline asked warily.
Lucas replied, "I've made my position clear. We can't get divorced. Whyn don't don't you just withdraw the lawsuit? Let's stay as we are. What do you say?" A coolness crept into Aveline's
expression. "I won't withdraw it. If it doesn't work once, then I'll try twide. ince !!! If twice isn't enough, then three times. I will divorce you." Her determined gaze caught Lucas off guard, a wave of bitterness swelling in his chest.
"Aveline," he called her name, his usually handsface tinged with a hint of sadness. "Do we really have to get divorced?" Aveline was about to nod, but for sreason, seeing the look on his
face, she couldn't bring herself to say the words. She felt a flicker on m frustration with herself and said, "This is pointless."