After the CEO Divorced Me, He Wants Me Back (Aveline and Lucas)

"What kind of deal did Miss Powell offer you?" Maria asked leisurely.

Sidney froze, surprise flashing in his eyes as he looked at her.

"Don't look so shocked," Maria said, flipping her hair with a casual grin. "I've got some connections in Cloudflare City now. The circle isn't that big. I hear things when something stirs." Though his initial surprise faded, Sidney's expression remained cold. "That's none of your business."

"Oh?" Maria raised an eyebrow, her gaze drifting from his face to admire her freshly manicured nails. "She wants a fake marriage to avoid an arranged one, right?"

Sidney's face grew even colder. The idea that his private matters were so easily known left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Sidney, are you really going to agree? You already don't know what to do with me. How do you think you'll handle the Powell family?"

She took a step closer, reaching up to touch his face.

Sidney quickly pulled away from her hand, his voice even frostier. "I told you, this has nothing to do with you."

Maria smiled, her lips curling mischievously. "Just a friendly reminder-don't meddle in Powell family affairs. You're not equipped to deal with them."

With that, she suddenly stood on her toes and planted a quick kiss on his lips, the smirk on her face widening as she walked away, leaving Sidney standing there with furrowed brows. He turned to watch her retreating figure, his gaze lowering as he stood still, lost in thought.

Later that night, Maria arrived home and received a phone call.

"Still awake at this hour?" she asked as she kicked off her shoes. Aveline's voice came through the line. "I know about what happened."

"Oh... are you here to settle the score? You've got the wrong person if you're looking to blame me. You should go after Lucas. It was his idea, Maria said, her eyes flashing with amusement. NôvelDrama.Org content.

"You're quick to sell him out," Aveline remarked dryly.

Maria chuckled. "He's exactly the type you sell out in moments like these."

Aveline sighed. "I'm not here to start a fight. I actually wanted to apologize. You went through so much because of me."

Today, Aveline found out that Lucas

had sent Maria to seduce Sidney hoping to keep him away from her. The sheer absurdity of it left her speechless.

Who would do something like that?

Then again, she thought, Lucas had never exactly been the most rational person.

"He's never done anything remotely human!" Aveline fumed. "He's not stepping foot in the master bedroom tonight!"

After kicking Lucas out, she mulled things over and decided to call Maria.

Hearing Aveline's frustration, Maria settled into her sofa and said, "You don't need to feel bad. Honestly, I was kind of enjoying it." Aveline was a bit confused. To Maria, this was just an assignment-how could she have enjoyed it?

Maria continued, "Aveline, I think I might have fallen for Sidney."

Aveline instinctively held her breath.

"But..." Maria sighed softly. "I approached him with ulterior motives from the start. Now, he doesn't want anything to do with me. He probably... even hates me."

Her voice carried a hint of sadness as she finished speaking.

Given the complicated dynamic between her and Aveline, Maria should probably feel some resentment toward her-but she didn't.

Something about Aveline's gentle, soothing voice made Maria want to open up, almost without thinking.