Chapter 467


    Back at the mansion, Cayden smoked continuously on the huge balcony. His gaze was fixed on the


    blooming cherry blossoms in the garden beneath him.


    The ivory-white cherry blossoms were in full bloom, their velvety petals perched at the edge of the


    branches, swaying in the gentle breeze. As they were blown to the ground, it seemed as though the


    earth had been covered in a delicate nket.


    Avery loved flowers, so as a wedding gift, Cayden presented her with a mansion full of blooming


    flowers.


    He wanted it to be a surprise, but s...


    Cayden''s eyes grew hooded as he watched the fluttering cherry blossoms. He slowly dropped the


    cigarette from his fingers, letting it fall into the ashtray beside him, extinguishing its smoldering embers.


    After that, he went to the bedroom and opened the door.


    Two middle-aged maids were taking care of Avery.


    Seeing his tall figure at the door, they quickly got up and greeted him politely, “Mr. Moore.”


    Cayden nced at Avery''s pale face as his heart clenched in agony. “How is she doing?”


    One maid reported, “An hour ago, Dr. Sotheby gave Mrs. Moore a shot, and her fever has subsided


    since then. She might be exhausted as she''s still sleeping soundly...”


    Cayden dismissed them with a wave.


    Both maids instantly exited the room and shut the door behind them carefully.


    By then, Avery and Cayden were the only ones left in the room.


    Cayden sat by the edge of the bed and reached out to stroke her cheek.


    It was two in the afternoon, so the sun was beaming radiantly, its brilliant rays cascading into the room


    and bathing her face in its warm light.


    Avery''s exquisite face was ashen, and her brows were knitted together, showing that she was in a foul


    mood.


    Avery was ustomed to putting up with whatever came her way and never retaliated. No matter how


    unjustly she was treated, she would remain silent and not fight back.


    The way she behaved made his heart ache for her.


    He felt as though his heart was being pierced with a thousand tiny needles when he remembered how


    she declined his marriage proposal at the engagement party a few hours ago.


    Despite knowing that she most probably did that against her will, he couldn''t help but feel heavy-


    hearted.


    Cayden had never wanted to marry anyone until he met her. After falling in love with her, he couldn''t


    wait to make her his wife.


    I remember how delighted she was when we decided to get engaged. What caused her to change her


    mind?


    Cayden stared at Avery fixedly as bitterness spread in his heart.


    I want to smoke again.


    He quickly dismissed that thought.


    Avery didn''t like it when he smoked. Ever since she got pregnant, she had grown to detest the pungent


    smell of cigarettes. Thus, Cayden slowly quit smoking. Despite his heavy addiction to cigarettes, he


    made the conscious effort to quit and only smoked asionally when he was stressed out from work or


    felt frustrated.


    He was determined to investigate the truth no matter what.


    His gazended on Avery, who was lying in bed, looking like a fragile doll.


    Bending down to her, he nted a tender kiss on her lips and whispered in her ear, “What made you


    change your mind and suddenly refuse to marry me? I have made up my mind to make you my wife,


    and I will never let you go.”


    He slowly deepened the kiss, carefully parting her lips with his own. His initial gentle kiss gradually


    transformed into something more passionate as the moment lingered on.


    Avery was rudely woken by his kiss.


    Forcing herself to open her eyes, she immediately spotted Cayden, bathed in the warm sunlight. He


    looked exceptionally handsome to her.


    Suddenly, Avery recalled how lost and heartbroken he looked after she rejected him cruelly back at the


    engagement party.


    Memories of the past came flooding back into her mind, and she was promptly wide awake. Anxiety


    and guilt were etched on the lines of her face.


    “I''m sorry. I''m sorry...” Avery apologized profusely, guilt and agony evident in her gaze.


    Cayden was right in front of her, but she couldn''t bring herself to look into his eyes.


    “It''s fine.” Gently, Cayden forced her to turn around to look at him and gave her a tender kiss on her


    forehead. “I''ve always been lenient with you, no matter what you''ve done wrong. I could never bring


    myself to scold you.”


    Avery looked down silently.


    “Avery,” Cayden called out her name softly as if he was trying to soothe a child who was feeling upset.


    His voice was filled with tenderness and love as he implored, “Promise me you''ll never leave my side.”


    Avery''sshes stopped trembling as she gawked at him.


    I humiliated him in public. Why isn''t he upset at all?


    Avoiding his gaze, she closed her eyes and stammered, “I-I''m sorry, but I can''t...”


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Instead of flying into a rage, Cayden ced both arms on the bed.


    Trailing kisses all over her lips, he asked softly, “Why?”


    Cayden knew he was obsessed with her.


    The world he was living in was dull and uninteresting until they met. From that moment on, his life was


    filled with more color than he had ever thought possible. He could not bear the thought of Avery leaving


    him.


    Avery curled up in his arms like an animal without a sense of security.


    A turmoil of emotions swirled in her heart as she tightened her arms around him.


    Cayden''s muffled voice rang out. “Ery, no matter what, I''ll be here. Don''t be afraid.”


    Avery nearly burst into tears upon hearing that, for she realized the impact of her rejection on him.


    After pulling out the knife that was stabbed in her heart, she steeled herself and then thrust it with all


    her strength into his chest. Despite her remorse, she saw no other path to take.


    Avery knew he was hurting, as so was she.


    The agony was so intense that she felt an overwhelming urge to writhe and cry out in agony.


    She peered out of the window, her gaze settling on the beauty of the spring season.


    Rays of sunshine illuminated thendscape as she took in the beautiful flowers and lush green leaves.


    Gripping Cayden''s arm, Avery replied weakly, “Please don''t force me, okay?”


    She couldn''t bring herself to tell him about the disk, and she didn''t want to put him in a difficult spot.


    The woman specifically reminded me to keep Cayden in the dark about the disk, warning me that if he


    were to find out, she would not hesitate to hand it over to the Department of Justice, as well as expose


    its contents to the media. If that were to happen, the consequences would be too great for us to bear.


    Cayden hugged Avery tightly. “Okay, I won''t force you. Get some rest. I''ll stay here with you.”


    His sharp brows arched unbeknownst to Avery.


    A while ago, he had ordered Xavier to look into Avery''s whereabouts for the past few days.


    If everything proceeded without any hups or disruptions, the results of the investigation would be


    avable the next day.


    At the Lambert residence, Bonnie couldn''t help but admire Nicole''s closet. It was not only muchrger


    than her bedroom, but it was also beautifully organized and furnished in an elegant fashion.


    The rows of dazzling, fashionable clothing, stylish shoes, high-end designer handbags, and beautiful


    essories overwhelmed her vision.


    “You did a good job, Bonnie.”


    Nicole observed the greed in Bonnie''s eyes.


    However, she put on a gentle and sincere look. “Avery rejected Cayden''s proposal in public and


    humiliated the Moore family. Cayden is now theughingstock of the town. Even if he insists on


    marrying her, the Moore family will not ept Avery as they value their pride and dignity. I''m ecstatic


    with the oue. As a gesture of my appreciation, you''re free to take any of my garments, handbags,


    essories, and shoes that you wish. Please, help yourself.”


    Bonnie wanted nothing more than to pounce on the items in Nicole''s wardrobe, but she held herself


    back and shed an ingratiating smile. “Nickie, are you sure?”


    Despite being part of the Bet family, she faced an unfortunate reality of oppression due to her


    illegitimate status. Her siblings and the legitimate wife of the family had always treated her harshly. Her


    allowance was pitifully small that she never had the opportunity to purchase any extravagant orvish


    items.


    Bonnie was overjoyed as Nicole graciously allowed her to choose from the selection of items in her


    wardrobe, many of which were brand new and still had the original tags attached.


    “Of course!” Nicole responded with a chuckle. Without warning, she changed her tone and curled her


    lips into a smirk. “However, I''ll need your help with something...”