At Ravenshire Manor,
The mansion carried the elegance of old money, grand yet never trying too hard to impress. Surrounded by tall trees that glowed in the soft hues of spring, the mansion was a symbol of wealth passed down through generations.
Aveline drove her car through the long, circular driveway, passing perfectly trimmed hedges. The gardens were carefully maintained, with classic fountains and shaped bushes adding to their charm.
Aveline stopped her car at the staircases that led to the entrance. She took a deep breath to relax. After dropping Scarlett, she had debated far too long on whether to come here or return to Sterling Villa.
Her gut screamed at her to retreat, to go back before she stirred waters she wasn't ready to swim in. But she couldn't afford to waste time. She had to set things in motion to gain control over her life.
For that, she needed to enter the Laurent Industries without raising suspicions.
Steeling herself, Aveline stepped out of the car. The sight of the mansion brought a flicker of warmth. This had been home until she left for the Ivy League. Now her parents resided in the city, but her grandmother, Celese Laurent, remained, unwilling to part with the home and its memories.
Aveline's gaze softened when she spotted her grandmother standing at the grand doors, her presence regal as ever.
Celeste Laurent was in her eighties, yet she had managed to look like she was in her sixties.
"Grandma…" Aveline sprinted to her grandmother.
Laughter and full warmth greeted Aveline as Celeste opened her arms, embracing her tightly.
Aveline's eyes stung when she recalled the last time she had seen her grandmother.
Before she regressed, her grandmother had fallen ill upon hearing of Aveline's hospitalization due to an unknown illness. Thereafter, Celeste's health deteriorated rapidly, and when she passed, yammering Aveline's name, Aveline's parents blamed her.
The weight of that grief had distanced her from Laurent, and they stopped visiting Aveline in the hospital.
"Oh, my Darling!" Celeste held Aveline at arm's length, her sharp gaze scanning Aveline's face. "You made time to visit me."
Aveline let out a soft giggle, her voice light. "Grandma, we should start another tradition—dinners every month." Their only family traditions were Thanksgiving and Celeste's birthday. "Twice a year is nowhere near enough."
Celeste looped her arm through Aveline's, chuckling. "I completely agree."
They settled into the living room that was bathed in the soft golden glow of the afternoon sun. Celeste leaned back on the couch, her voice laced with wisdom, "But Aveline, modern life is too fast. Time waits for no one." Meetings, parties, social gatherings, and emergencies keep everyone busy.
Aveline shrugged, her tone playful yet sincere, "Then I will stop my time for you, grandma." Then, pouting dramatically, she sighed, "I wish I could live here with you."
Celeste lightly smacked Aveline's arm, "Don't you dare wish for that. Wish for a blissful life with your husband." She prayed for Aveline.
The moment the words left Celeste's lips, Aveline's expression faltered. The mention of Damien was like ice against her skin. But she composed quickly.
Since her grandmother picked the topic of her husband, she carefully shifted the conversation. "Grandma… Though Damien said he'd support me with Bloom and Grace, I have noticed how much he admires women like Safra Catz, Mary Barra, and Melinda French Gates." The women CEOs of different companies.
Celeste listened intently, watching Aveline's face glow as she spoke of Damien.
"So, I was thinking…" Aveline hesitated, "If I want to build something of my own, I first need to gain some experience and make some connections." She carefully looked at Celeste to make sure she wasn't misunderstanding. "I want to work at Laurent Industries."
The room fell silent. Aveline softly nodded at the housekeeper, who quietly placed tea and refreshments before leaving.
Celeste finally broke the silence, her words careful and deliberate, "And what if you end up liking the job at Laurent Industries?"
Dreams change.
Aveline didn't take the question lightly. She seriously thought about it before responding, "Then I will aim to become the general manager of the Fashion department."
Celeste clicked her tongue before pulling Aveline's ear. "I'm asking about you, and you are thinking about your brother." Her brother, Charles Laurent, struggles to understand the upscale fashion industry, and Aveline chose that.
Aveline cried dramatically and feigned pain, "Then I will compete with my brother and become the CEO." It was a joke.
But Celeste's expression didn't hold the amusement. She said, "You should."
Aveline: "..."
She grew up listening to her parents and grandparents saying Charles would inherit the company. They allowed her to follow her passion but never encouraged her to lead.
Yes, she did get all the love and care from parents and grandparents, but she always stood second when it came to career, company, and passion.
Celeste's voice was gentle, yet firm, "I never spoke to you because you were so passionate about flowers and showed interest in arranging events." She held Aveline's hands and continued, "Darling, your brother knows how to do business, but he doesn't understand the roots and essence of Laurent's the way you do. Why take a back seat when you can stand on the stage and shine bright?"
Aveline opened her mouth, but no words came out. She had never considered it before. From a young age, they never let her have a dream of heading Laurents Industries or being part of it. She ended up finding her passion somewhere else.
On top of that, Aveline had no energy to spend on looking through new passions. She wanted to save the Laurents from the clutches of the devil.
Before Aveline could gather her thoughts, Celeste waved her hand dismissively. She didn't let Aveline find excuses. "I will speak to your father. Go to the headquarters tomorrow."
She held Aveline's shoulders and looked her in the eye. "Even if they have to create a new position for you, Darling, don't be embarrassed. Your work will shut everyone's mouth."
Aveline blinked in surprise. She never knew her grandmother was confident about her, but her parents? "Grandma, Mom, and Dad will–"
Celeste cut her off, "Forget them." She lifted her teacup, completely unbothered. "If they disagree, I will order them to agree."
Aveline burst into laughter, nodding her head. "Grandma, you are amazing."
….
The sun had begun to set, casting a warm golden hue over the mansion's garden as they walked, enjoying the slow life. Aveline felt light and free after years.
They were returning to the mansion when a sleek black Bugatti rolled through the estate gates.
Aveline froze. Her heart dropped.
Celeste, unaware of Aveline's reaction, smiled, "I invited him for dinner." She didn't notice Aveline wasn't walking beside her anymore.
Aveline felt her heart pounding against her ribs. Just speaking to Damien over the phone had been a battle; facing Damien?
Her stomach churned, nausea creeping in.
Damien stepped out of the car in his signature tailored suit, his sharp eyes zeroing in on her.
Aveline's nails dug into her palm. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but her feet refused to move. Her body went rigid, and her face paralyzed as her eyes fixed on the man.
Anger, betrayal, pain, and fear coursed in Aveline's veins all at once, wrecking her emotions and body. She wasn't ready to face him.
Damien lowered, grabbing an overcoat from the car before he straightened. He met Celeste first, his demeanor effortlessly charming, before turning his full attention to Aveline.
She saw it. His eyes glinted dangerously dark before his practiced smile masked it. Her breath hitched as his long legs smoothly closed the distance between them.
His hand lifted, and Aveline flinched, prepared for a strike, but he draped his overcoat over her shoulder.
He flashed a slow and practiced smile as though he didn't notice her shrink. "Hello, Mrs. Ashford."
Aveline felt it in her bones.
A silent reminder that she was married to him, and she shouldn't go just anywhere she liked.
But it didn't break her. Instead, it fueled her determination.
"Hello, Mr. Ashford." Her sweet voice sounded like a flirt, "I'm surprised you were able to make time." She added smoothly.
Damien, however, took a step back and watched her carefully.
Aveline's mind raced with questions.
Did she overdo something?
Her toes curled, afraid that her expression might say it all.
"You seem… different." Damien was brutal without holding back.
Aveline: "..."
'Look confused when you can't say anything.' Scarlett's words rang in her mind.
Aveline tilted her head in feigned confusion.
Damien smirked, "You look refreshing… Like a new flower is blooming."
Aveline wasn't a fool. Damien had caught the change. But he was smoothly inflicting fear in her.
Nevertheless, Aveline giggled, her petite face radiating under the rays of the setting sun. With a light voice. "You're such a tease." She would keep up the act until he believed her.
Damien pulled her into his embrace. His eyes, however, darkened. Aveline had dropped him a message about her visit to Ravenshire. Although it irked him AGAIN, he said nothing after making sure nobody else was meeting Aveline.
Then he got a call from Celeste. She demanded that he go to the Ravenshire mansion for dinner.
'The Audacity of Laurents.'
Damien clenched his jaws, craving for the day Aveline won't be able to step out of the Sterling villa - Her luxurious prison.