Avery felt the sudden and acute pain in her heart. But she pretended she didn't care.

"I know."

Mr. Howel burst out laughing. The laughter vibrated his chest bones. Avery felt her hair stand on end.

"Even so, you still want it?"

"Yes."

"But..." Mr. Howel rests his hands on the dining table and taps the surface. This was his regular move.

"I don't need to give it to you just because you asked."

"You will give it to me."

Mr. Howel stopped laughing. He was surprised at Avery's confidence. He was curious about why she was so sure he would give it to her. Avery said.

"Everything you did last night was to break Evan and me apart. So Evan could marry Rebecca. But Rebecca was in the hospital and couldn't get married. And you know the poison inside my body would kick in after I give birth. If so, why are you in such a hurry? After three months, I won't stand between Evan and Rebecca, and Rebecca could get my cordial blood."

"Why should I trust you? What if you hurt Rebecca during the time?

"Mr. Howel, do you really have no idea of what was going on at the presidential house?" Avery couldn't believe that Mr. Howel, with his information network, had no clue of what Rebecca did to her.

Mr. Howel was silent. He heard Avery keep going.

"Of course, you can choose not to give LAD to me."

Then she showed the white jade ring in her palm. A thin needle shined coldly.

"What will happen if I prick this needle in the cordial blood?"

"Are you threatening me?"

"I'm reminding you there are too many ways that I take Rebecca to die with me. This is only one of them. After I'm gone, it doesn't matter whom Evan ends up with. The worst scenario was we perish together. But I suggest doing something nice while you're alive. Or you might be rejected by heaven and go the opposite direction."

Avery stressed "nice," and Mr. Howel's look changed.

Then he thought about what Avery said to him. She was making her condition. The first was the LAD. The second was three months of freedom. During the time, he didn't do anything to hurt her or Evan, which meant he had to let Evan go.

Mr. Howel squinted. Avery was calm, decisive, and smart. No wonder Rebecca failed.

At last, Mr. Howel seemed to make a decision. He stopped tapping the table and asked the bodyguard to bring the thing.

Avery breathed out. She knew he would give it to her. The reasons she gave him were enough.

Soon, the bodyguard returned with a wooden box. He didn't hand it over to Avery but walked to Mr. Howel.

"Just give it to her," Mr. Howel said like he was giving something casually to a beggar.

The bodyguard didn't move. He said, whispering.

"Sir, the gate security just called to see Mr. President came to ask for Avery."

Mr. Howel clenched her hands into a fist.

"Who did you just say?"

"Mr. President."

"Arlington?" Mr. Howel stood up, "isn't he... where is he?"

"They say he's back in the presidential house. He sent over the representative and asked us to release Avery."

Their voices were low. But Avery wasn't far away. She heard what they were talking about. She was in as much shock as Mr. Howel. When she left Cambola City, the mountains collided. The chance of getting was almost zero.

But the bodyguard just said he went back to the presidential house.

What about her mother? Was she taken to the presidential house too? Or she couldn't work out why Arlington sent a representative over to negotiate.

Mr. Howel's eyes were like burning torches. He gave Avery a look and waved at her.

"Give her the thing and see her out."

***

"Avery, we've unlocked the door. But we can't push it open," the maid opened the lock with the key. But she couldn't open it no matter how hard she pushed.

Avery called the bodyguards to help. And she asked them to be gentle, considering Evan was handcuffed behind the door.

So, two bodyguards had to push carefully. The door opened inch by inch. Finally, there was space big enough for Avery to walk in.

Evan was still sitting at the door. He remained handcuffed. His head was lowered. He looked decadent. However, he was still handsome.

Evan saw Avery's shoes first. Up her straight and fit lets, he gave her one more look. Then he kept his down and ignored her.

His look was so indifferent like she was a complete stranger...

Was he mad?

Avery didn't overthink. She asked the bodyguard to get the key. There was a subtle clicking when the handcuff hit the iron door. Soon the lock was opened.

"Evan..."

"What are you doing here?"

He said coldly. So he was mad. Avery handed him over the wooden box.

"I got you the LAD for Diana."

Evan didn't appreciate it at all. He raised up his hand and slapped it off far away.

"If you choose Andrew, why come here? Why do you pretend to care? Are you pitying me or treating me like a charity case?"

"Evan, last night, it was because..."

She knew she didn't go through her plan with him. He must get mad. But she couldn't tell him...

How could she explain? What could she say? Even if she did, Evan wouldn't allow it because she took her own life at risk to negotiate with Mr. Howel.

"Tinder, let's go," Evan threw the handcuff as hard as he could. It bounced off at Avery's feet and hurt her ankle. It was painful. But she had no time to attend to it. She ran over to the sofa to pick the box up and chased Evan

The noises in the hall alarmed Andrew. He opened the door and saw Avery running after Evan.

"Avery, are we free to go?" It looked like Avery decided to go without him. Was he abandoned?

Their moves seemed to prove his theory. They were already in the elevator and went downstairs. Andrew hurried over. When the elevator was left only a crack, he reached his hands in and forced the door open.

Inside the elevator was the aggressive environment. Andrew wasn't frightened at all. He walked in with ease.

Avery couldn't help getting worried for Andrew since he walked in. They were always at each other's throat. She was terrified that they would fight like the last time.

However, until after the ring of the elevator, Avery realized she thought too much.

Evan looked right ahead. He paid no attention to Andrew nor Avery.

After the door was opened, he walked out. He didn't wait for Avery.

"Evan?" Avery followed him and deliberately gasped.

Andrew came to her to hold her up.

"What's wrong?"

Avery ignored him. She looked up. Evan was far away. She couldn't see him...