Aveline made herself some vegetables and roast beef . While she was eating , Jacob called her again . She glanced at the screen but once again didn't answer . He had already called her countless times over the past few days . Even though she never picked up , he kept calling . Who knew what nonsense Josephine had been spreading about her to him today ? The phone had just fallen silent when it rang again . This time , it was Aveline's grandmother , Gloria Sutton . Gloria was quite fond of her . Even though she knew it was probably Jacob who'd put her up to this , she still answered . " Hello , Grandma . " " Hello , Grandma . " Gloria's voice made it clear she was not pleased . " Aveline , what's going on ? Jacob's been calling you and texting you . Why are you ignoring him ? " Aveline said , " I know what he wants to say . I don't want to hear it . " " He's your father . Can't he reprimand you ? Besides , you are in the wrong . Of course , he should reprimand you . " Aveline fell silent , not planning on arguing . Gloria was kind to her , but she was just as kind to Josephine . After all , she and Josephine were Jacob's only children . So , if she accused Josephine of having an affair with Xavier , Gloria might not believe her . She had experienced firsthand how adept Courtney and Josephine were at twisting the facts . Besides , Jacob would undoubtedly side with Courtney and Josephine , and as Gloria's youngest son , he was also the one she doted on the most . The bitter irony was that Jacob couldn't have stood where he was today without the sacrifice of Bethany Baldwin , Aveline's mother . 0.00 % 08:29 Aveline's silence only made Gloria more furious . " Why the silence ? Are you feeling guilty ? Then come home now and talk this out with Jacob . " Home ? Was the Sutton's villa still her home ? It hadn't felt like home since Bethany had died Aveline said , " I've been busy these days . I'll come back to visit you when I'm free . " " Are you disobeying me ? " Gloria raised her voice . " Or shall I come over to invite you ? " Feeling utterly helpless , Aveline sighed , " I'll come back now . " Gloria didn't know she was now living in the studio and might very well go to Winslow Heights to look for her . After hanging up , she no longer had an appetite . She tossed the remaining food into the trash bin and put the plates in the sink , planning to wash them when she got back . Then she drove her blue Porsche to the Sutton's villa . The housekeeper , Hilda Kane , answered the door . She looked at Aveline coldly . After Courtney married Jacob , she fired the original housekeeper and hired Hilda , her distant relative . Of course , Hilda didn't like Aveline . Over the past few years , Hilda had been giving Aveline dirty looks . Ignoring Hilda's unfriendly gaze , Aveline stepped into the living room expressionlessly . Besides Gloria , Courtney and Jacob were there , too . They were on the sofa , enjoying some fruit after dinner . At the sight of Aveline , Gloria said flatly , " You're back . Come over and take a seat . " Courtney glanced at Aveline , the contempt in her eyes undisguised . Then she nudged Jacob , who was also looking at Aveline . Catching her drift , Jacob immediately speared a piece of apple with his fork and fed it to her . Although Courtney had always favored tight clothes because they accentuated her figure , today she was wearing a loose dress . Finding it strange , Aveline couldn't help but size her up for a few more seconds . Then she walked over to Gloria and sat down . " Grandma . " Gloria kept a straight face , obviously upset with her . " Am I the only one here ? Why are you addressing only me ? " 20.13 % 08:29 Chapter 7 Aveline frowned slightly . Shortly after Bethany's death , Jacob had eagerly brought Courtney and Josephine into the family . Only then did Aveline discover that he had been having an affair . Their illegitimate daughter , Josephine , had even been born on the exact same day as her . The original housekeeper , who had worked for Bethany for years , had told Aveline that on the day Bethany went into labor , no one could find Jacob . He had ignored all the calls and texts and only showed up the next day . His wife and his mistress had gone into labor on the same day , and he had chosen to be with the latter . From the day she learned the truth , she had never called him " Dad " again . All these years , Gloria had felt that what Jacob did was wrong and had never forced Aveline to call him " Dad " . So , why was Gloria scolding her for this tonight ? Before Jacob could speak , Courtney beat him to it . " Aveline stopped thinking of Jacob as her father a long time ago . Why force her ? See that sullen look on her face ? She's making sure we all see it . She's totally ruining my mood . " Jacob sighed , " Forget it . So what if she doesn't call me ' Dad " ? No matter what , we're related by blood , which means she'll always be my daughter . " Courtney pressed a hand to her chest . " But I feel so sorry for you ... " He quickly held her in his arms . " Don't get upset . It won't be good for our baby boy . " Meanwhile , Gloria glared at Aveline . " Courtney is carrying Jacob's son . And you upset her the moment you walked in ? Did you do that on purpose ? " Aveline was slightly stunned before she looked at Courtney . Courtney was pregnant ? That explains the loose dress . Courtney was pulling out all the stops - especially at forty - three . It seemed she was set on securing the Sutton family's fortune . In fact , Courtney had gotten pregnant once before but had a miscarriage . The doctor had said Jacob had a low sperm count . Aveline said coldly , " You think too much , Grandma . 45.53 % 08:29 Chapter 7 " Besides , you asked me to come back . I never wanted to . I'm leaving . " With that , she walked toward the door . 1288 Vouchers Behind her , Jacob suddenly said , " We called you back for a reason . Why have you been throwing a tantrum with Xavier ? Do you think you get to put on airs just because you're married to him ? " Aveline turned around . " Is that what Josephine told you ? " Jacob sighed , " Josie just wants what's best for you . " She couldn't help but let out a cold laugh . " Oh ? She seduced my husband and called him ' Darling ' to my face . Is that her way of wanting what's best for me ? " " I told you countless times already . Josie sees Xavier as family , and that's why she calls him that . Besides , he doesn't mind . Why should you ? " Jacob frowned . " You have to admit , Josie and Xavier get along better . Xavier prefers her personality . " Gloria chimed in , " Aveline , is it true you're about to sign an agreement with Xavier and will leave with nothing ? If so , why don't you step down so that he can be with Josie ? You don't have what it takes to keep him around , but Josie does . The Beltran Group's support is essential to Jacob's company . We can't afford to lose Xavier . " Aveline stared at Gloria in utter disbelief . Did they call her back just to humiliate her ? Through it all , Courtney looked at Aveline with a half - smile while stroking her slightly bulging lower abdomen . Aveline knew it was Courtney's power move . Now that Courtney was carrying Jacob's baby boy , Gloria totally sided with her and Josephine . Aveline chuckled softly , curving her lips into a mocking smile . " If you think Xavier is that important , be my guest , take him . I don't care . " Just then , she saw Gloria , Courtney , and Jacob look past her shoulders . She turned around . At some point , Xavier and Josephine had stepped inside . Xavier was looking at her in silence , his gaze unfathomable . Meanwhile , Josephine tugged at her lips , as if letting out a contemptuous smile . 70.35 % 08:29 Chapter 7 Aveline was all too familiar with that expression . She just wondered - had Xavier ever seen it ? But he loved Josephine so much that even if he had , he probably found it charming . Aveline had long let Xavier go , so she didn't give a damn about whether he had heard her words at all . Without a change in her expression , she walked past him , ignoring his gaze as she left the Sutton's villa . 95.02 %