Aveline frowned, stepping back to put sdistance between them. "Wasn't he the one planning to design the wedding house?" Lucas responded coolly, "This is my property." Aveline paused. Well, that explained it—she had been tricked.
She turned on her heel to leave. "Find another designer. I'm not interested." But Lucas' deep voice halted her in her tracks. "But you've already signed a contract with me. Have you checked the penalty for breaking it?" Aveline froze for a moment, then turned back to him.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLucas continued, "If you break the contract and refuse to design my house or fail to design one that satisfies me- the penalty is 20 million." Aveline stared at him. "Why don't you just rob a bank?" Lucas smirked. "Why would I? 20 million is nothing to me. Don't tellyou can't afford it?" Aveline fought the urge to slap him. For him, 20 million might be pocket change, but for her, it was an impossible sum. She had her savings for the future-no way could she give that up to him! Realizing she had no choice, Aveline swallowed her frustration and walked back over, pulling out her pen and notebook. "What style do you want? What kind of design are you looking for?" Lucas casually strolled further into the empty plot, hands in his pockets, as if he were taking a leisurely walk through his own private garden.
Aveline followed him, but after a while, he still hadn't said a word.
Feeling irritated, she asked coldly, "Did you lose your voice?" Lucas turned to look at her. "I'm your client now, your god. Is this how you treat your clients?" Aveline rolled her eyes. "Alright, client, god-what kind of villa style do you want?" Even through his sunglasses, she could feel the coldness in his gaze.
Aveline fought the urge to roll her eyes and said, "Lucas, since we've signed the contract, let's just focus on getting this project done. That way, you get the villa you want, and I get paid-a win-win." But Lucas replied, "I want it to be a wedding house." Aveline began taking notes, pen in hand.
"The garden needs a courtyard, a pool, and a stream with a bridge none of that can be left out. But it can't look like any other place; the villa shouldn't have any foreign designs," Lucas added.
Aveline noted everything down meticulously.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAs she concentrated, Lucas moved closer to her and suddenly asked, "Do you have any ideas?" His sudden proximity startled Aveline, causing her to take a step back. She frowned and said, "If you want to talk, just talk-why do you need to stand so close?"
If Judy found out, she'd be in deep trouble! The last thing she wanted was to get mixed up in his mess. It was all too much hassle.
She continued, "Lucas, you shouldn't be asking me. You should ask the future lady of this wedding house what she wants." Lucas' lips tightened slightly. "Aveline, are you heartless?" Aveline responded calmly, "I am not." Lucas gave a soft, derisive laugh. "No, you don't. If you did, you wouldn't be so indifferent aboutgetting engaged." Aveline found it laughable. "Why should I care about your engagement? Lucas, we're divorced."
The sunlight poured over them, casting a stark contrast against the wide, open open space. Despite the openness, the atmosphere between them grew tense and stifling. X