Chapter 3 288 ( Vouchers Aveline walked out of the stall and stood at the sink to wash her hands . At the adjacent basin , Fiona glanced over . " You haven't said a word after my long lecture . Are you for real ? You really have no feelings left for Xavier at all ? " Of course , Fiona found it hard to believe . From the moment Aveline met Xavier at eighteen , she had been utterly obsessed - practically a simp . Now , she could only look back on her past self with quiet disdain . She tore off a paper towel and began calmly drying her hands . " Yes . That half - page divorce agreement I asked you to send is no joke . " Walking over , Fiona dried her hands , too . Looking at Aveline , Fiona said , " I hope you mean it . In that case , I'll waive the legal fees for you . " " Really ? No legal fees , and you're treating me to drinks ? " Aveline smiled . " I'm so lucky . Thank you , Fiona . " Fiona and Gerald , Xavier's childhood friend , had co - founded Beacon Law Firm along with a few other partners - the same group that also opened Velvet Club . That was how Aveline had originally met Fiona - through Xavier . Unexpectedly , she and Fiona grew close . When she said she wanted a divorce and asked Fiona to represent her , Fiona didn't refuse out of deference to Xavier's power and influence . On the contrary , she offered suggestions for Aveline to claim a larger share of Xavier's assets . But Fiona's kindness was likely to be wasted . All Aveline wanted was to end this one - sided devotion as quickly as possible . She had no interest in engaging in a prolonged tug - of - war with Xavier over money and property . There wasn't a trace of reluctance in Aveline's smile , as if she had truly let go of Xavier . Seeing this , Fiona wrapped an arm around her shoulders . " Let's go back in and keep drinking . After that , I'll call over a cute guy to take us home . Trust me , you'll be pleased . " As they approached the door of their private room , the sound of a cheerful " Happy Birthday " song spilled out from the room next door . Men and women sang together , their voices bright and full of laughter , indicating a light , celebratory atmosphere . Not wanting to pick out whether Xavier's voice was among them , Aveline pushed open her own 0.00 % C 08:28 Chapter 3 door and stepped inside . Sitting down , she picked up a bottle and filled both her own and Fiona's glasses . 288 ¡ Vouchers Under Fiona's gaze , she drank deeply , one steady swallow after another . " Turns out you were just pretending before . You can actually hold your liquor pretty well , " Fiona commented . With a faint smile , Aveline took another sip . The truth was , she had always enjoyed wine . But around Xavier , she had avoided it - sticking to soft drinks or tea , convinced he disliked the scent of alcohol on women . Now , it occurred to her that Xavier frequented clubs with Josephine all the time . Whenever Josephine drank too much and leaned weakly against him , he never pushed her away . Instead , he would hold her gently , steadying her with care . He never had a problem with women who drank . He simply didn't want to be anywhere near Aveline . Clinking her glass against Aveline's , Fiona said , " The guy who's coming is actually my cousin . You mentioned wanting to start a design studio , right ? One of his company's upcoming projects needs scenic design . After you meet tonight , maybe you two can find some time to talk business properly . " Aveline smiled warmly , " First , you waive your fees , and now you bring me clients ? I don't know how to thank you . Fiona patted her shoulder . " We women have to look out for each other . Seeing you move on and build your own success makes me proud . " Aveline accepted the offer gladly because she had full confidence in her design skills . Several of her works had won international awards , and even as a student , she had taken on high- paying commissions from clients both domestic and abroad . Every one of them had been thoroughly satisfied with her work . Over the years , she had earned a lot through designing . After she moved into Winslow Heights , Xavier had given her a card , but she rarely used it- preferring to spend her own money instead . Beyond daily expenses , she often bought him clothes , shoes , and accessories , each piece carefully selected from luxury brands to match his status and refined taste as a CEO . She had been so determined to be Xavier's perfect wife , dedicating herself entirely to their life together , that she'd let her career stall . She took on very few design projects , and when her college friends proposed starting a company together , she declined , saying she only wanted a small studio . 23.20 % 08:28 Chapter 3 288 Vouchers Now , her account held less than 150,000 dollars - not even enough to buy a nice apartment on her own . It was time to focus on making her own money and finally getting her career back on track . It was nearly midnight by the time they finished their second bottle of wine . Aveline had a meeting the next day , and Fiona's cousin had just arrived at the club entrance . They decided to head out . Just as they stepped into the hallway , the door of the adjacent private room opened as well . Gerald was the first to emerge . Spotting them , he quickly glanced back into the room . Xavier followed , one arm wrapped protectively around Josephine's shoulders . Josephine half - leaned against his chest , engulfed by a strong sense of security as she looked up at him with a sweet smile . He said gently , " Eyes on the road . " Sensing something , he looked over in Aveline's direction , his gaze detached when he saw her , as if he was looking at a mere stranger . Aveline locked eyes with him for a second before saying to Fiona , " Let's go . " Then she headed toward the stairs . " Aveline . " Hearing the familiar voice , Aveline stopped in her tracks and turned around . There , standing before her , were the people who had come to celebrate Josephine's birthday tonight - Vincent Sutton and Eileen Sutton , her cousins , and Leona Beltran , Xavier's elder sister . It was Leona who had called out to her . Seeing Aveline turn , Leona frowned in disapproval . " You saw us , yet you walked away without a word ? Where are your manners ? " Josie told us you were here . We waited all night for you to come over and say hello , but you never bothered . I thought she was joking . Turns out , she wasn't . She said you were angry with Xavier , Aveline , you've only been his wife for a few days , and already you're putting on airs ? " Aveline's gaze shifted to Josephine , who was watching her with a faint , almost mocking smile . Meeting Aveline's eyes , Josephine deliberately nestled closer against Xavier's chest . Xavier's eyes remained cool and detached . He had two sisters . Brielle Beltran , just a year older than him , was relatively close to Aveline . But 48.33 % 08:28 Chapter 3 288 ¡ Vouchers Leona , three years his senior , regarded Aveline with nothing but hostility . In Leona's eyes , Aveline's devotion to Xavier was just an act - she saw Aveline as a calculating social climber , clinging to the Beltran family and leveraging that one lifesaving incident to demand repayment . Looking calmly at Leona , Aveline said in an even tone , " Good evening , Ms. Beltran . " With that , she linked her arm with Fiona's and continued down the stairs . Behind her , Leona snapped , " What kind of attitude is that ? " Fiona muttered under her breath , " She conveniently turns a blind eye to how intimate Xavier and Josephine are , yet expects you to be all polite and proper ? Talk about double standards . " Aveline , you should have just ignored her . You're being decent enough not to lash out . " Aveline smiled faintly , not bothered by Leona's reproach . In the past , she would have cared enough to offer Leona a proper explanation . After all , Leona was Xavier's sister , and she had been willing to do almost anything to win Leona's approval . But not anymore . She was exhausted and truly fed up with it all . As they stepped out of the club , Sebastian Harmon , Fiona's cousin , was leaning against a sleek black Maybach . Spotting them , he waved his hand casually . Fiona introduced the two to each other . Sebastian stood tall and upright , with a handsome bearing and noticeably warm eyes . Aveline's first impression of him was distinctly favorable . When he extended his hand , she offered hers in return with a polite smile . His palm was warm , and his handshake was firm but not overbearing - just like the first impression he gave . " Mrs. Beltran ... " Aveline turned to find Xavier's driver standing quietly behind her , " Mr. Beltran mentioned you've been drinking and shouldn't drive . He asked that you ride with him . " A sarcastic smile touched Aveline's lips . She and Xavier had locked eyes just moments earlier outside the private rooms . Why hadn't he come to tell her this himself ? 70.92 % 08:28 Chapter 3 Because he didn't want to upset Josephine , of course . 288 ( Vouchers Even though she was his wife , the one who should have been upset after watching him hold another woman in his arms . Xavier was such a hypocrite . She knew he couldn't care less whether she drove after drinking . His only concern was that , as his wife , any accident she might have while intoxicated would tarnish both his and the Beltran family's reputation . " No need , " she said . Then she slid into Sebastian's car . As she reached to close the door , her eyes caught Xavier standing at the entrance of the club , his gaze fixed in her direction , cold and unreadable . Beside him , Josephine clung to his arm as though she might collapse without his support . She looked away and closed the door . 92.00 %