Chapter 23 With slick promises , Jacob had claimed he was building the company for their daughter's future , with enough money to live however she wanted and marry whoever she loved . Bethany had never dreamed of Aveline marrying someone rich and powerful . But when Jacob promised their daugh- ter a secure , comfortable life , she hadn't hesitated to back him . " And the properties ? " Fiona pressed . Aveline's jaw tightened . " The villa Jacob shares with Courtney and Josephine is in both his and my mother's names . Half of it belonged to her . There are also two other properties - one where Devin's family lives , and another in Entora . But both belong to Jacob . " " As long as Jacob's alive , you have no right to any of it , " Fiona said bluntly . " I know . " Aveline's voice dropped . " What I want are my mother's paintings . They are still in the Sutton's villa . " Bethany had been a celebrated painter . In her lifetime , her works went for at least a hundred thousand apiece . Since her death , their value had exploded tenfold . Just last year , two of her pieces had fetched 10 million dollars at auction . Fiona's eyes sharpened . " How many are left ? They must be worth a fortune . " " Besides the ones on display in the villa , there are still several in her studio , probably a dozen or more , " Aveline said . " But Jacob locked it . I can't get in . Those were the pieces she never let go of - the ones she treasured most . " Fiona gave her a hard look . " That's worth tens of millions . You should've moved them to your grandparents ' house the moment you had the chance . " Aveline let out a bitter laugh . She had never imagined Jacob would move his mistress and illegitimate daughter into the house so soon after Bethany's death . She didn't expect that Courtney would waste no time having the studio locked . " If I try to reclaim the paintings now , " Aveline asked quietly , " wouldn't half still go to Jacob ? " Fiona nodded . " Exactly . By law , Bethany's inheritance is split evenly between you and him . And if Jacob and Court- ney have already hidden some of the works , there's nothing you can do . " Aveline's face hardened , her fists curling tight . Fiona leaned in , lowering her voice . " What if I go with you , and we take them back quietly ? " Aveline's eyes flicked up to hers . " That's what I've been thinking too , while I can still get into the house . I can find a time when Jacob , Courtney , and Josephine aren't there . " " But the butler is one of Courtney's relatives . " 0.0 % 18:58 Even so , Aveline wanted to give it a try . She couldn't stomach the thought of Bethany's work ending up in Courtney's hands . The idea alone felt like a knife twisting in her chest . With this thought in mind , Aveline felt that she had to hurry up . She took out her phone and called the Sutton's villa . At this hour , Jacob should be in the company , and Josephine should be at school . If Courtney was also not at home , then Aveline could go now and take the paintings out . She had Jasmine and Fiona to help her , and Hilda couldn't stop them . As for Julian , Aveline felt that she'd better not let him get involved in this matter . After Hilda picked up the call , Aveline first asked if Jacob was at home , then Josephine , and then Courtney . The answer was that they were not at home . Aveline was lucky , feeling that it must be her mother in heaven helping her . After hanging up , she called Jasmine into her room and explained the situation . Excited , Jasmine agreed to help with- out any hesitation . Then , Aveline , Jasmine , and Fiona headed out , telling Julian that they were just having something else to do . Julian was puzzled , thinking that maybe it was the business between women , so he didn't pay much attention to it . Aveline and Fiona drove two cars . After they arrived at the Sutton's villa , the three of them walked in directly . When Hilda saw Aveline and two other women come , she instinctively felt that something was off , so she snapped and asked , " Aveline , what are you doing ? " But Aveline didn't respond . Instead , Jasmine suddenly grabbed Hilda's wrist and dragged her to the dining room . " Come on , go make some tea . This is sort of Aveline's home , right ? Now she's a bit thirsty . " Hilda had a bad feeling and immediately shouted , " Let go of me ! Aveline , what are you doing ? I'll definitely report this to Mr. Sutton ! Stop ! Don't do anything stupid ! " She struggled , wanting to break free . But she was short and weak , while Jasmine was taller and much stronger than her . In the end , she was dragged into the dining room . Meanwhile , Aveline and Fiona exchanged a glance . Then , Aveline moved first , heading to the second floor . The door of the studio was indeed still locked . Aveline and Fiona kicked it a few times , but they couldn't break it . Then , Aveline took out the hammer she had taken with her and swung it , breaking the glass window . Then , she said to Fiona , " Stay here . I'll take the paintings out . " Fiona reminded her , " Careful . Don't get yourself cut . " The opening of the glass window was relatively big , and Aveline was wearing a thick coat . She carefully entered the 46.3 % 18:58 studio through the opening . Since the studio was locked by Jacob and Courtney , Aveline hadn't come in for two years . When she missed her mother , she just stood outside the studio and took a glance inside through the glass window .