Chapter 5 Immediately realizing what she had said , Jasmine looked embarrassed . Aveline was planning to get a divorce . Why would Xavier introduce Sebastian to her ? Besides , everyone who knew Aveline was well aware of how coldly Xavier treated her . But Aveline didn't seem to care . She said flatly , " Fiona introduced us . Mr. Harmon is her cousin . " Seeing the calm look on Aveline's face , Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief and smiled , " I see . Well , we owe her a big meal , I guess . " Aveline nodded . " Of course . Let me check my emails and see if his secretary has sent me the project info . " The water was boiling . Julian stood up to make them tea . Meanwhile , Aveline turned on the computer and checked her email inbox . Sebastian's secretary had emailed her the project info ten minutes ago , so she downloaded it and printed it out . As they went through the profile , they realized the project was even bigger than they thought . The investment alone was ten figures , and according to Crestmark Group's budget proposal , the scenic design fee would be at least two million dollars . Jasmine and Julian were thrilled . Aveline , too , was determined that the studio would make its mark with this project . She was no longer content with a small studio . Instead , she aimed to start a company . Furthermore , over the years , her work on overseas orders had earned her a solid reputation abroad . She was confident their company could go international . The three spent the entire day passionately discussing their design proposal in the studio , even ordering takeout for lunch . As night fell , Jasmine and Julian left . Aveline walked into the kitchen to make herself some pasta . Just as she set the plate down on the table , her phone rang . It was her father , Jacob Sutton . Glancing at his name flashing on the screen , she chose to ignore it . It was never good news when he called . 0.00 % 08:28 Chapter 5 288 Vouchers While she was eating her pasta , Jacob called her three times in a row , but she never picked up . Then he gave up and resorted to messages . " Why didn't you pick up ? " " Come home . I need to talk to you . " She left the messages on read . After dinner , she researched the project and its competitors until she felt sleepy . She showered and went to sleep . For the next few days , she focused on preparing their bid for the project at the studio with Jasmine and Julian , hoping to impress Sebastian . She had asked Fiona for insights and also watched interviews and reports about him , which confirmed that he was a man with exceptionally high standards . Jacob called her a few more times , but she continued to ignore him , so he sent her texts to berate her . As for Xavier , there were no calls or messages . She didn't get it . She had stated clearly in the divorce agreement that she wanted nothing . Why hadn't he contacted her to finalize the divorce ? But for now , her sole priority was Crestmark Group's resort project . She intended to nail it first , and then have Fiona urge Xavier to proceed with the divorce . Finally , the only material they needed for the bid registration was the certificates from the design awards Aveline had won over the years . She turned her suitcase upside down , but still couldn't find them . After a moment's thought , she figured she must have left them at Winslow Heights . It seemed she had to go back to fetch them . The apartm Xavie with both a fingerprint scanner and a passcode . She didn't know if ngerprint access or changed the code . ack at night . If she couldn't get in , perhaps Xavier could open the door- as there to answer . fell , she drove back Out of habit , she d low Heights , skipping dinner . erground parking lot upon arrival . 08:28 Chapter 5 288 Vouchers Of the three parking spaces assigned to Xavier's unit , two were occupied by his cars . The third- the one where she used to park - was now taken by a yellow Maserati . She didn't even have to check the license plate . A glance at the familiar dangling ornament hanging from the windshield was enough for her to know it was Josephine's car . The license plate only confirmed it . In the entire year she had lived here , Josephine's car had never once appeared here . It made sense because she would never invite Josephine over . And at least Xavier had had the decency to meet her elsewhere . But now , Josephine's car was here , brazenly parked at the home Aveline had once shared with Xavier . Aveline tightened her grip on the steering wheel , drove out of the parking lot , and parked in an empty spot in the outdoor parking area . Then she entered the building . She had left her access card behind when she moved out , so she had to approach the concierge on duty on the first floor . He greeted her , " Good evening , Mrs. Beltran . " Not bothering to explain , she gave a nod and said , " Good evening . Could you please swipe me in ? " Assuming she had forgotten her access card , the concierge smiled and nodded , then walked with her to the elevator . ng at the apartment door , Aveline hesitated for a moment before pressing the doorbell . She want to give Xavier the wr Or worse , she might walk But after she waited She had alre only inter idea . nd Josephine , which would make things so awkward . to one came to open the door . rbell . If they were in the bedroom , they'd been warned , Besides , she tudy , not the bedroom . tried her fingerprint . he door unlocked . elp but freeze in surprise 08:28 Chapter 5 On second thought , perhaps Xavier had forgotten to delete her fingerprint . 288 ¡ Vouchers She pushed the door open and was about to step inside when suddenly , the sound of a door opening and a familiar woman's chuckle came from behind her . She turned around . There were two apartments on each floor . Seeking solitude , Xavier had also bought the unit across the hall , which had been vacant ever since . Xavier and Josephine were just stepping out of the opposite apartment . Josephine smiled brightly and said , " I love it . Thank you , Darling . I'll move in tonight . " Looking at her , Xavier nodded . " As you wish . " It seemed Xavier had gifted the apartment to Josephine . Xavier still had some decency , after all . Since the divorce wasn't finalized , he hadn't brought Josephine into his own home . But wanting to be near her , he'd simply given her the apartment across from his . With no one else on this entire floor , they could do whatever they wanted . Aveline watched them silently . They had already closed the door and started walking toward her when they finally noticed her standing there . Both paused in surprise . Josephine pouted and looked at Xavier , as if upset by Aveline's presence and needing his comfort . Xavier looked at Aveline , not saying a word , his expression cool and detached . Aveline said in a flat tone , " I left my certificates here , so I came to pick them up . " With that , she turned and stepped back into the apartment . The first thing that caught her eye upon entering the living room was a coat draped carelessly over the sofa . She recognized it immediately - a gift she had given to Xavier , one that had cost her tens of thousands of dollars . Back when she lived here , no clothes were ever left lying around . Every time Xavier came home , she would take his coat or jacket and hang it up properly . How pathetic . She made her way toward the study , aware that the two had also entered the apartment behind her . Then came the sound of the door closing . 64.50 % 08:28 Chapter 5 288 Vouchers In truth , she and Xavier had always maintained separate studies . On the very first day she moved in , he had made it clear that she was never allowed to enter his . So , she had bought a desk and set up her own space in a spare room , where she could read , paint , and design . The door to her study had always been left open , yet Xavier had never once stepped inside . It appeared that he respected her privacy . But the truth was , he didn't care about her . So , he had zero interest in her work and hobbies , having no desire to get to know her . She found the certificates in the bottom drawer of her desk and placed them carefully into her bag . As she stepped out , Josephine's voice drifted from the living room , sweet and eager . " Darling , you must be hungry , right ? I've been learning some new dishes lately . How about I cook for you tonight ? " Xavier replied , " That won't be necessary . Let's eat out . I hate to see you overexert yourself . " " But I wouldn't mind cooking for you . " " You hate the smell of grease , don't you ? " " Well ... That's right . " " Then it's settled . We'll eat out . "