Echoes of Vengeance: The Sweet Wife's Perfect Revenge-Chapter 94: Condition Apply

Aveline was still working when her phone rang, displaying her grandmother’s name. She answered it casually and heard, [Lina, come home. There’s a lot to do.]

"Huh?" She was confused before her eyes widened. Right, the dinner!

"May I skip dinner?" she asked sheepishly.

[You ungrateful brat, be here in less than an hour.] Celeste growled at her and ended the call.

And Aveline was at the Laurent mansion in less than an hour. She had to quickly change into lounge wear and help her grandmother choose the crockery, tablecloth, wine, and every other detail.

Other than family, Celeste was hosting dinner for the first time in decades. So she needed assurance and perfection in every detail. Aveline let her be excited since she hardly meets other people.

At last, she was assigned floral arrangements for the whole mansion, including the gazebo. "Free labor is against the law," Aveline cried, looking at the rows of vases and flowers.

"Get to work," her grandmother instructed, and went to check on the kitchen.

The maid giggled at Aveline’s speechless expression. She was responsible for placing the vases wherever Aveline instructed her to.

An hour passed as Aveline began making her fifteenth arrangement. Cracking her stiff neck, she picked blush roses and blue and purple grape hyacinths to play with colors.

When Alaric arrived at the door, he saw her sitting on the rug, flowers scattered all around her, a masterpiece taking shape in her hands. But what caught his attention was the rose stem between her lips and the blush rose beside her rosy cheeks.

It was his first time seeing her so carefree, with her hair tied in a messy bun and strands kissing her shoulders. Her off-shoulder, full-sleeve top let her move freely while her shorts showed slender legs that looked more delicate than the flowers around her. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

When the young maid returned to the living hall, she paused midway at the sight of him. She debated whether to inform Aveline or Celeste, announce his arrival, or just admire the man.

Alaric looked away when the maid appeared. He stepped inside and knelt before the woman, who snapped out of her world and looked up at him.

Aveline blinked, meeting those deep green eyes. A soft blush crept up her cheeks as she shifted to sit like an elegant lady and corrected her posture.

He reached out and gently held the stem of the rose before she could remove it, then smiled with unexpected warmth.

Celeste returned to the living room, not like any excited host, but as the madam of the Laurent household. "Looks like my helper forgot the time," she said, breaking the tension in the room.

Alaric glanced at the aged but elegant lady. He held Aveline’s hand when she tried to stand, and they rose together. "Grandmother, this is Alaric Lancaster, Founder and CEO of NexGuard and Sentinel Solutions."

Celeste studied the young man before her. He wore a blue sweater over a white collared shirt, paired with dark trousers and white sneakers. He looked casual yet classy, effortlessly chic.

"Mr. Lancaster, I’m sorry about the not-so-welcoming sight." She gestured at the flower-strewn floor. "Give us just a moment, and I’ll get it cleaned." Her composure was unmatchable.

For Alaric, the sight couldn’t have been better. "What’s a home without a hint of beautiful chaos?" he replied warmly.

Aveline turned to him, impressed. He was actually talking instead of giving the single-word responses or nods he offered others.

Celeste smiled gently and signaled the maid to clean up. "Lina... freshen up."

Aveline snapped out of her daze, not missing the small smirk at the corner of his lips. "Grandma, I’ll keep this arrangement and go."

As she bent to pick up the vase, Alaric effortlessly scooped it into his hands. "Let me help you."

She couldn’t help but glance at Celeste, who nodded for her to let him assist. So she led him upstairs.

Celeste watched Alaric quietly following Aveline. Though she had invited both Alaric and Giselle to learn their motives behind helping Aveline, she didn’t need to wait anymore.

He could have rejected the dinner invitation, could have sat like a prince, and ignored Aveline. She could see that Alaric wasn’t waging war against Aveline or the Laurents, he was following his heart.

...

Upstairs, Alaric couldn’t help but admire the flowers arranged throughout the hallway leading to the sunroom. He placed the small vase on the side table where she pointed and turned to face her.

Aveline knew she had to break the silence between them, or she would feel uncomfortable every time they met.

"I thought you weren’t going to see my face again," she said quietly. Because that’s how he had left the hotel room.

Alaric had thought he needed to keep his distance if she was troubled, if everyone questioned her character. But if her parents believed in her, why should he care about other people’s opinions?

Aveline smiled before he could respond. "You were right. None of this would have happened if he hadn’t played his games." She had stopped blaming her choices that same night. "I’m not him. I could never be Damien."

"Let’s go," she said, turning around.

Before she could take another step, his arm wrapped around her shoulders as he stepped closer. She stilled when he stood so close she could feel his warmth. His other hand gently smoothed over her hair.

She wasn’t sure if this was supposed to be romantic, because his gentle touch on her head was more soothing than any embrace. She stopped her mind from wandering as her heart eased and her shoulders relaxed.

"That’s enough," his voice was tender. "Your father and I will take care of the rest."

Henry was eliminating Damien’s backup while Alaric prepared to take down Damien himself. He just hoped she could step back and take care of herself.

He was still confident in her abilities, but waiting for her to exit Ashford Holdings safely was unbearable. He didn’t want her living with Damien, not because he couldn’t bear seeing her with another man, but because every minute around Damien was dangerous.

She understood he was worried about her now, especially when Damien was losing control. She had been scared too when she saw Damien struggling with his fury, when she heard him destroying things in his office.

But she couldn’t leave halfway through her plan. Especially when she was about to dismantle Damien’s empire completely.

She shook her head firmly. "Three weeks." She knew everyone worried when she stubbornly returned to face Damien again and again.

So she could only reassure him. "I need three weeks to make sure he can never harm my family."

Alaric gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him. He almost reached up to cup her face, but barely managed to stop himself. Yet she stood there, looking directly into his eyes, neither stepping away nor leaning into his almost-touch.

He lowered his hand and heard her soft voice. "I’ll be careful."

Alaric, however, made a snarky remark. "If you want me to skin him alive and rip him into pieces, put yourself in danger."

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "But don’t make me prove it. I don’t want to save you, Sunshine. I want you safe."

And Aveline smiled.

She believed him, but she smiled because she realized what she liked about him. His sarcasm that suppresses his feelings and emotions.

Alaric paused when he caught that smile, the way her eyes sparkled, and her face glowed with genuine warmth. He took his time to admire her.

Without thinking, she said, "I like you better this way." The one who doesn’t hide behind silence. The one who lets her see the real him.

Before she could fully process her words, his hand reached for her head while the other grabbed her waist. In the blink of an eye, the room spun, and she found herself pinned against the couch.

Aveline swallowed hard as his breath brushed against her skin. Concern, sarcasm, and now this... a slow, simmering closeness.

His low, husky voice sounded near her ear. "You were saying something..."

She clutched his shoulders before realizing her hands were gripping him. She smiled softly and shrugged. "Maybe dominant with double asterisks... Conditions apply."

Alaric wasn’t expecting that response. He had expected her to panic, but her playful comeback caught him completely off guard.

He tried to bite back his smile but ended up laughing with her, the sound rich and genuine in the quiet sunroom.

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