Echoes of Vengeance: The Sweet Wife's Perfect Revenge-Chapter 42: Not Your Sunshine

Aveline’s head hung low in the car when her parents gave her an earful for being such soft-hearted when she almost lost her life.

She grimaced quietly. Her plan to use Damien had completely flopped due to Henry’s interference.

As the car entered the parking lot of Laurent Industries, she almost choked on her spit at the sight of a Rolls-Royce and that particular license plate.

One, how the hell did he know she was coming to the company?

Two, what the hell was he doing there?

Still stunned, she followed her parents into Henry’s office. And there he was, lounging like he owned the place, like he ruled the world. His green eyes locked onto her the second she walked in.

He stood lazily, his gaze flicking briefly to Henry with a nod, then back to her. "Ms. Laurent, how are you doing?" His smooth voice carried no emotion.

"Very well, thank you." She replied, plain and dry. Her eyes scanned the four others in the room, including Ezra.

Henry stepped forward and offered a handshake, "You didn’t have to take the trouble of coming here, CEO Lancaster. We already owe you for taking care of my daughter."

"It’s my duty," Alaric said simply.

Aveline and Ezra: "..."

Ezra wanted to disappear on the spot.

Aveline swore he sounded like a husband, again. But she wasn’t falling for that routine. Not again. Not when she was already paying for believing sweet words once.

Henry and Margaret exchanged glances, confused by Alaric’s stance.

Alaric continued, "... to take care of every person who steps into NexGuard."

Aveline’s lips twitched. ’Can’t he just finish a sentence without theatrics?’

Her parents smiled politely. They still felt like they owed him everything for bringing her to the hospital.

"Ah... Dad, I will get to work." Aveline said, already turning to escape.

But Henry stopped her, "Wait, Lina... " He nodded towards the other members in the room. "They are here for you."

Aveline: "..."

Ezra stepped forward and introduced them. A nutritionist, a driver, a bodyguard and an assistant who looked ready to die before letting a paper clip fall near her.

Aveline: "..."

She stared in disbelief. She couldn’t believe Alaric had set up a full surveillance system on her, disguised as a protection team.

After a long pause, Aveline finally spoke, "I don’t need an assistant. I would prefer to continue working with Assistant Wilson."

"Very well." Henry had no objection to it.

She turned to the next, "Why do I need a bodyguard? Will he fight the poison in my body?" Her sarcasm was sharp as she looked directly at Alaric.

"What if somebody attacks you, Lina?" Margaret interjected. It was her idea to hire people for Aveline’s protection.

"Mom, Walter was a housekeeper. He couldn’t afford a hitman."

Henry relented, although displeased, "Fine..."

"I can drive myself. Or Assistant Wilson will"

Henry trusted Mike Wilson. So he nodded again, "She is right."

Margaret: "..."

Aveline couldn’t find a reason fast enough. So she eyed the last in line, "I’ll keep the nutritionist."

Margaret didn’t argue. She feared stress might affect Aveline’s health.

Before any else could speak, Aveline continued, "I want to talk to CEO Lancaster." She walked out decisively.

Henry and Margaret were left blinking.

Alaric simply nodded at Henry and followed her.

When he reached, the graceful kitten had already turned fierce with claws out, "Don’t you dare take my space in the name of protection."

Completely unfazed, Alaric leaned against the glass wall and slowly turned to her. "Well..." He took his time, watching her anticipation. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

It wasn’t the first time Henry was hiring security. Whenever Aveline ventured out with the Ivy orphanage kids, his security company provided the bodyguards in casuals without alerting them. He didn’t feel the necessity to mention it.

"Your father called my secretary."

Aveline: "..."

’Did I just make a fool of myself?’

Still, she held onto the last thread of pride, "I know... Don’t use that nutritionist to keep an eye on me."

She turned to walk away but felt a sudden tug. She looked down. His long, slender fingers were clutching her blazer hem.

Before she could react, he pulled just enough force to draw her close with her back facing him.

"Aveline Laurent..." His voice dropped dangerously low as he leaned closer, "You just made this personal for Damien. Are you sure you still need your space?".

His tone left no room for illusion. This wasn’t about her comfort. This was about her survival.

Aveline frowned.

Then it hit her. Damien had married her, poisoned her, and planned to destroy Laurent Industries because of Vivienne. Considering how Henry punched him and how her parents handled the Ashfords, of course, Damien would retaliate.

Her spine stiffened. She turned around, stepping back from the sudden closeness. Alaric might know Damien better than her. So she tested waters, "I’ll file a protection complaint."

Alaric snorted, not even trying to hide it. She might have a mindblowing plan, but there was still naivety in her.

"Sunshine, how will you fight the case if you’re dead?"

Aveline opened her mouth to say ’Giselle will fight it,’ but the logic hit her. What was the point of the legal case if she was already in the grave?

He had a point. Damien could be planning something worse than she had experienced before regression. Something even her instincts might not catch in time.

Working with Alaric was the best option she could get at the moment.

She swallowed, pride fighting her every word, "I’m not Sunshine."

And who the hell gives nicknames to people they barely know?

Sure, he knew things about her now. But they weren’t close enough to be called nicknames.

Alaric’s smile faded just as fast as it had appeared. But he took her words as a win. She wasn’t fighting him anymore. That was all he needed.

"You’ll get used to it."

Aveline: "..."

Watching his retreating, she whispered to herself, "I don’t want to." Because that’s exactly how Damien got close.

But Alaric didn’t really sound soft. Rather, he was unreadable.

Before he could enter the room, she called out, "Alaric Lancaster..."

He turned around.

"Why are you going out of your way?" Her voice didn’t waver. She didn’t believe it was just because of her half-told story of theft.

She didn’t fear Alaric, but trust? She just didn’t know where to place her guard around him.