Urging Him to Get a Divorce (Aveline and Xavier) novel Chapter 5

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.

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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.

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Chapter 5

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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

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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.

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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.”