The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 180

"Then I won't make it public."

Evita was left completely speechless.

Time flew, and before long, Aveline turned one. She had started babbling and calling out for her family, her favorite words being "Mama" and "Dada."

Mathis had painstakingly taught her using photographs of Bianca.

As she shed her baby fat, she grew increasingly gorgeous.

Her luminous complexion and delicate features were a mirror image of Bianca's.

Mathis would often lose himself staring at Aveline, thinking, If we had a biological child together, would she be this beautiful too?

Harriet threw Aveline an extravagant First Birthday Ritual at the Jagger Estate. Mathis forbade any outsiders from attending; it was strictly a private family affair.

Watching Aveline look more and more like Bianca every day, Rosalind couldn't stand the sight of the child.

Mathis warned her sharply, "I don't care if you like my daughter or not. But you will not breathe a single word of this to anyone outside this house."

Rosalind scoffed. "You're just trying to hide her from Cynthia, aren't you? She said you're so swamped with work that you've completely abandoned her and Lamont. Mathis, Lamont is your son too."

Mathis's face turned violently dark. "My affairs are none of your damn business. Just remember what I said—keep your mouth shut."

Embarrassed and angry, but arrogant enough to believe her brother wouldn't actually punish her, Rosalind snapped a few stealthy photos of Aveline and immediately texted them to Cynthia.

Harriet didn't miss a beat, mockingly tearing into her granddaughter. "Rosalind, when your future husband inevitably cheats on you, let's hope you remain this generous and forgiving."

Rosalind's face drained of color, but she didn't dare talk back to the formidable matriarch.

Theodore, having returned from the villa, personally officiated the First Birthday Ritual.

Surrounded by a spread of objects, a giggling Aveline reached out and grabbed the golden key—symbolizing a future as a powerful banker.

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