Chapter 18 Sebastian smiled softly . " So it's her . You call her ' coquettish ' just because she's good - looking ? " Fiona glared at her cousin . " Do you think she's good - looking ? What is it with you men ? Why do you like women who seduce married men '? " Sebastian chuckled . " She's not my type . " " Then what type do you like ? " Taking another sip of wine , Sebastian merely smiled and said nothing . Just then , Xavier and Josephine walked over . Sebastian lifted his glass in greeting . " Mr. Beltran . " Xavier stepped forward , paused , and clinked his glass against Sebastian's . " Mr. Harmon . " The two men , equally tall , broad - shouldered , and striking , locked eyes , then sipped their wine almost in unison . Sebastian then curled his lips into a faint smile . " Ms. Sutton has not only remarkable design talent , but also first - rate photography skills . " Xavier gave Sebastian a long look before replying calmly , " Thanks , I'll pass your compliment on to my wife . " Josephine had been smiling softly until she heard Sebastian praise Aveline . Her fingers tightened around her wine glass . he had graduated with a design degree , but she'd always written Aveline off as untalented , ing Aveline had given un raduate school because she wasn't good enough . In Josephine's ev Even 1 was only praising Aveline to spare Xavier's feelings . otography skills " was absurd . ce seen Aveline touch a camera . ght , " This business tycoon is a master of lies . " et , Josephine found herself drawn to such aisticated and calculated charm . 0.00 % 08:31 38 vouchers She forced a warm smile and said , " My sister's always been wrapped up in household duties , groceries , and cooking . Mr. Harmon's praise would cheer her up if she heard it . It's a pity she never had much ambition for her career . " Sebastian glanced at her , then gave a faint smile and said nothing . By then , Fiona had already downed two glasses of wine . Watching Josephine put on such a fake act , and even belittle Aveline , she rolled her eyes openly . Josephine knew that the eye roll was directed at her . She seethed inwardly but pasted on a sweet smile . " Fiona , long time no see . Fiona let out a dry laugh . " Better if we never see each other again . " Josephine's bright smile froze instantly . Her attempt at friendliness had just been shot down cold . Seeing Josephine's smile slip gave Fiona a rush of satisfaction . She slipped her arm through Sebastian's . " Sebastian , I haven't wished Mr. Jenkins a happy birthday yet . Come with me ? " Sebastian gave Xavier a nod , then walked off with her . Josephine bit her lip and glanced at Xavier . He was watching them leave , his eyes unreadable , like he was lost in thought . She slid her arm through his . " Hey , that Maybach Ava got into outside the bar the other night , that was Sebastian's , right? " She'd never met Sebastian before and just assumed he was one of Fiona's friends . Xavier withdrew his eyes and said flatly , " Yeah . He's Fiona's cousin . " Josephine blinked in excessive surprise . " I didn't know her cousin was Crestmark Group's chairman and CEO . I've never even seen him before . " Wait , do you think Ava asked Fiona to introduce her to him on purpose ? " Xavier took a sip of his drink . " No idea . " He didn't care about Aveline , but she was still his wife . Seeing her getting too close to another man was humiliating , and it only made him resent her more . Josephine smiled to herself and took a sip of her drink . 0.00 % 08:31 *** 10 288 iVouchers Aveline didn't see Fiona's call until the next morning . She'd slept through it , but Fiona had left a message . " You said you were coming to Mr. Jenkins's party ? Didn't see you anywhere . BTW , Josephine showed up with Xavier . Total buzzkill . ' Aveline had been buried in work at Mount Ardwood for the past few days and had completely forgotten . Alfred was her mother's favorite painter , and she'd collected several of his pieces . Growing up around that , Aveline had come to admire him , too . He'd returned to the country last month and was hosting his 70th birthday party in Kralville . Fiona knew Aveline was a fan and offered to introduce Aveline through her family's connection . Later , back at Winslow Heights , Aveline saw the Jenkins family's invitation to Xavier . She was thrilled and asked him to take her . He agreed , but in hindsight , his response felt flat , almost dismissive . Maybe he never really meant it . Now that they were getting divorced , he'd never take her to an event like that . Aveline let out a self - mocking laugh and texted Fiona , " Totally forgot . I should've asked you to take me instead . " Fiona was still asleep , so Aveline called her after breakfast . Fiona picked up , already fired up . " Damn Xavier ! He promised to take you . Is it because you're getting divorced that he showed up with Josephine and didn't even tell you ? " " It's fine , " Aveline said coolly . " We're splitting up . He probably didn't want people finding out we're married . " Fiona sighed . " I forgot too . My family only reminded me yesterday . I thought he'd keep his word anyway . He knows how much you admire Mr. Jenkins . " Aveline gave a faint smile , not wanting to dwell on Xavier . " Was it fun last night ? " " Yeah , sure . All the big names were there . Sebastian even flew in from overseas . Fiona paused , then snorted with disgust . " Ilonestly , I think Xavier brought Josephine so she could network . She's graduating soon , right ? Last night she was all over the place , clinking glasses with 0.00 %