She then turned to Aveline, smiling gently , " Aveline , since you're here , why not come to the party tonight ? Josie's first commercial was a hit . She's having a party to celebrate . " Aveline thought , " So that's what Gerald meant by celebrating . " Aveline lowered her eyes , her lips pressing into a thin line . She let out a sigh , struck by how kind and attentive Xavier was to Josephine . If she hadn't already made up her mind to divorce and sent over the agreement , she wouldn't know how to face this now . She'd surely be drowning in pain . Valentina heard her mother's invitation but noticed Aveline hadn't responded . She took Aveline's hand and shook it lightly . " Aveline , come to the party ! Xavier mentioned there'll be plenty of delicious food , lots of fun , and even fireworks ! " Leona's son , Mason Prevost , had been staring at Aveline with obvious impatience . At Valentina's words , he snapped at her rudely , " Tina , didn't you hear what my mom said ? " Josie didn't invite her . Xavier and Josie don't even want to see her . Mom said everyone'll be unhappy if she's around . " Jasmine stared at Mason in shock . He looked only six years old , but his words were so harsh . She couldn't tell if he was just badly raised or had been taught to speak this way . The sweet - talking Valentina beside him was a year or two younger , yet so much kinder and cuter . Aveline , however , was used to Mason's hostility . Leona had never been kind to her , and Mason always picked up on that . Seeing Valentina bite her lip unhappily , Aveline stroked her hair softly . " Tina , I'm here just for work , so I can't go to the party . I wish you and your mom a good time , okay ? " Valentina was a sensible child . Hearing Aveline talk of work , she nodded . " Aveline , I haven't had your risotto for so long . When I get a holiday , I'll go to Winslow Heights . Promise me you'll cook it for me , will you ? " Aveline froze . 0.00 % 08:30 She had no idea how to tell Valentina she'd moved out of Winslow Heights , nor did she know how to explain the adult matter of divorce to a child . Brielle and Xavier would tell her eventually , so Aveline just smiled and said nothing . She then said goodbye to Brielle , took Jasmine's arm , and walked toward the hotel entrance . Leona and Brielle took the children to the presidential suite on the 18th floor . As soon as they walked in , Leona exclaimed , " Aveline's here too . Did you all know ? " Brielle knew Leona had never liked Aveline . She frowned but said nothing . Gerald and Josephine were sitting on the living room sofa . One was sipping wine , the other picking at a fruit platter . Xavier stood by the floor - to - ceiling window . Upon hearing Leona's words , he said nothing . he simply stared out the window and sipped his wine slowly . Gerald laughed , " Leona , Brielle . You ran into her , too ? Did she give you that cold stare like she did me ? " Leona snorted . " You bet . She didn't even bother greeting me . She's more arrogant than the cartoon figure from Duolingo . Josie , did you tell her about the party ? How else would she know you're having a celebration here ? " Josephine's lips curled into a barely noticeable sneer . She said in a disdainful tone , " Leona , you know how Aveline is . She's never liked me being with Xav . Why would I dare tell her ? " Valentina listened to the adults ' conversation , then pouted unhappily . " Josie , Aveline said she's here for work . Her friend said so too . " Mason hated that Valentina was contradicting his mother . He snapped at her , " She's lying . Only a fool like you would believe her . " Valentina glared at him . " Aveline would never lie . She never lies to me . " With that , she ran over to the floor - to - ceiling window and tugged at Xavier's hand . " Xavier , Aveline wasn't lying . I told her the party has good food and fireworks , and I invited her to come . But she said she's here for work . " Xavier looked down at her and smiled softly . " Really ? Alright , I get it . " He turned his gaze back to the window . Valentina was curious about what had caught Xavier's attention , so she moved closer to the 0.00 % 08:30 window to look out . Blinking in surprise , she called out , " Aveline . Aveline's down there . " Xavier , did you see her ? That's Aveline . " Xavier lowered his gaze to Aveline , who was walking out of the hotel and toward the street . His eyes were dark and unreadable as he spoke calmly , " Yeah , I see her . " Josephine had been watching Xavier closely . At his words , a faint shadow of displeasure flashed across her face . She quickly stood up , forcing a cheerful tone . " The venue for the celebration dinner must be ready . Let's head over . " *** The night market was neither too far nor exactly close by . It took Aveline and Jasmine over ten minutes to walk from the Beltran Hotel . By then , night had fallen . The night market was ablaze with lights and colorful neon signs glowing brightly . The long street stretched toward the distant Mount Ardwood , making for a beautiful sight . It wasn't yet seven , so the crowd wasn't huge , but there were still plenty of people . Men , women , children , and even foreigners . It showed the night market was quite popular . Aveline and Jasmine wandered slowly . Whenever they spotted a snack they wanted to try , or something new that piqued their curiosity , they'd buy a portion and share it . 0.00 %