"I don't know," Aveline said softly, her voice filled with confusion.

She had no idea why Russell had done something like that.

Selena watched her closely and asked, "Now that you know, what are you going to do?"

Aveline closed her eyes for a moment. "What can I do? He's helped me so many times before. Even though he's done this and I now understand his feelings, I can't do anything about it."

Selena gently patted her shoulder, letting out a sigh. "Then maybe it's best to do nothing... Pretend like you never knew him."

Aveline didn't respond, but the pain in her eyes was unmistakable. Her face had turned pale, and the weight of the situation clearly burdened her.

Selena, feeling a deep sympathy for her friend, wasn't sure what else to say.

"I don't really understand," Selena continued. "If he liked you, why didn't he just confess and compete fairly? Instead, he married Rina. I have no idea what he's thinking."

Aveline suddenly recalled something Aaron had once told her-Russell had married Rina to solidify his control over the Skyler family...

"Forget it. Let's not think about it anymore," Aveline said, her voice weary. "Like you said, let's just act as if we never knew him."

Selena nodded and didn't press further.

...

emerged, but the bullet had been dangerously close to his heart. Though the surgery was successful, he was still not out of danger and

ICU doors. "Yes, we need to tell her. She should

nodded and pulled out his phone to call

email. The message contained a detailed list of Lucas's subordinates and their territories. Aveline frowned, unsure

name were Brian, Baron,

furrowed as she scrolled through Maria's

was the same Maria

been working

she had been in Aveline's life for

her, considered her a

it was

had been nothing but a deception. It wasn't hard to figure out why Lucas had placed her there she

realization sank in. His promise echoed in her mind, the one where he swore he'd never deceive her again. She could still

But now?

hidden such a huge lie

told her? Did he intend to keep Maria around to monitor her

of pain spread through her chest, and her hand instinctively rested on her stomach. Though still flat, she knew there was a

"Baby, your daddy lied to

course, the tiny life within her offered no answer, and the room fell

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