**Chapter 789**
“We’re not being unreasonable here—just four or five hundred million will do,” Jacob proclaimed, his tone laced with a blend of arrogance and desperation that filled the room like a thick fog.
At first, he and Courtney had settled on a more modest figure of three hundred million. Jacob had planned to allocate two hundred million to settle his growing mountain of debts, while Courtney had assured him that the remaining hundred million would serve her own purposes. But as Jacob sat there, the gears of his mind began to turn. A thought slithered into his consciousness—if they were already wealthy, why not aim higher? Why not seize this moment to demand even more?
Marcus, who had been a silent observer, found himself utterly flabbergasted. The sheer audacity of Jacob’s request was beyond his comprehension. Did Jacob genuinely believe that Josephine would simply acquiesce to such a ludicrous demand?
Leona’s voice cut through the suffocating tension, her command resonating with authority. “Go find your son-in-law next door!”
Jacob’s anger flared at her words, and he shot back, “My son-in-law didn’t ruin my daughter!” The accusation hung in the air, thick with blame and resentment, as if it had taken on a life of its own.
He stormed toward the dining room, bellowing for Rupert, but the butler swiftly intervened, positioning himself like an immovable fortress, blocking Jacob’s path.
Inside the dining room, Rupert sat at the table, leisurely savoring his breakfast, seemingly unfazed by the storm brewing outside. He chewed his food with an air of calmness, as if he were in a completely different realm, far removed from the chaos that surrounded him.
Lauren, on the other hand, wore a troubled expression, her appetite evaporating under the weight of the situation. She felt the heaviness of impending disaster pressing down on her chest. Jonathan and Jason exchanged uneasy glances, their brows furrowed in concern, the tension palpable in the air.
Aunt scoffed, disbelief etched across her features. “Four or five hundred million? Are they treating us like a bunch of fools?”
Jason shot her a warning glance, urging her to keep her opinions to herself. Then, turning to Rupert, he sought guidance. “Grandpa, should I just get rid of them?”
Rupert, unruffled, took a leisurely sip of milk, his voice steady and resolute. “This is a matter for your big sister and her husband to resolve. Once you finish breakfast, you can either seek some amusement or head upstairs. Just ignore the commotion.”
Aunt and Jonathan exchanged bewildered looks, struggling to understand Rupert’s indifference. Why was he allowing this chaotic scene to unfold without intervention?
Lauren’s frustration bubbled to the surface. “Patriarch, if we don’t step in to assist Leona, she’ll be at a significant disadvantage.”
Rupert regarded her with a measured gaze, his expression unreadable. “I’ve already informed Leona that she can reach out for our help if she needs it. But she might not heed my advice anyway. Let’s allow her to attempt to resolve this on her own; that way, she won’t hold us responsible later.”
“She’s stubborn. We can’t just stand by and watch her suffer.”
Aunt hadn’t anticipated Rupert’s perspective. “And what if Leona agrees to hand over the four or five hundred million? Are we supposed to foot the bill?”
Rupert chuckled lightly, a knowing smile dancing on his lips. “Four or five hundred million… Marcus can manage that.”
His meaning was unmistakable: the family wouldn’t be paying a dime. If anyone was going to shoulder the financial burden, it would have to come from Marcus himself.
Lauren shot a disbelieving look at Aunt. “How could you even suggest that? Marcus is the one who made the blunder. Why should our family bear the burden?”
Yet, as the argument outside escalated, it became increasingly clear that Leona was resolute in her refusal to part with a single penny. Jacob, sensing his grip slipping, resorted to threats of turning the matter into a scandal that would reverberate through the city.
The butler stood firm, preventing Jacob from nearing Rupert. Josephine, sensing Rupert’s formidable presence, remained rooted in place, too intimidated to approach him.
Meanwhile, at The Blue Crest Villa, the morning sun streamed through the windows, yet no one came to rouse Xavier and Aveline from their peaceful slumber. They slept soundly, blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding outside, until their bodies stirred naturally as the day progressed.
Aveline was the first to awaken, her eyes fluttering open to find Xavier nestled against her, one hand resting possessively on her waist. A sudden surge of determination coursed through her veins, and she seized his hand, forcefully tossing it aside.
Xavier jolted awake, his eyes slowly adjusting to the light. He noticed Aveline getting out of bed, and instinctively reached out, trying to pull her back into his embrace.
“So fiery this early in the morning. Let me cool you down,” he teased, a playful glint shimmering in his eyes as he leaned in to kiss her, eager to bridge the gap that had momentarily formed between them.
In the aftermath of the tumultuous confrontation, the fragile threads of family loyalty and betrayal hung in the air like a dense fog. Jacob’s brazen demands had ignited a firestorm of emotions, revealing the deep-seated rifts within the family. Leona’s steadfast refusal to yield to her father’s threats signified not just a personal stand against injustice, but also a pivotal moment in her journey toward self-empowerment. Meanwhile, Rupert’s calm detachment and strategic indifference served as a reminder of the complexities of familial bonds, exposing the harsh truth that sometimes love is not enough to shield one from the harsh realities of betrayal and greed.
As the chapter drew to a close, the contrasting scenes of chaos and tranquility unfolded. While Jacob’s desperate cries echoed through the walls of the family home, Aveline and Xavier remained blissfully unaware, their world untouched by the storm brewing just outside. Aveline’s awakening marked a turning point, symbolizing her own emerging strength, while Xavier’s playful demeanor hinted at the possibility of reconciliation amidst turmoil. In this intricate tapestry of relationships, the emotional arc reached a crescendo, leaving the characters at a crossroads where the choices they made would ultimately shape their futures, binding them together or tearing them apart.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Jacob and Leona escalates, the stakes are about to reach a boiling point. With Jacob’s audacious demand hanging in the air, readers can expect a dramatic confrontation that will test the limits of familial loyalty and financial desperation. Will Leona stand her ground against her father’s threats, or will she buckle under the pressure of public humiliation? The dynamics within the family are shifting, and the fallout from this confrontation could change everything for them all.
Meanwhile, as Aveline and Xavier navigate the complexities of their relationship, the unexpected chaos outside their villa will undoubtedly intrude upon their morning tranquility. Will Aveline’s newfound determination lead to a confrontation of her own, or will Xavier’s charm manage to diffuse the tension between them? The intertwining stories of family conflict and romantic entanglement promise to keep readers on the edge of their seats, as loyalties are tested and secrets threaten to unravel. Prepare for revelations that could reshape their lives forever, as the drama unfolds in the next chapter.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Urging Him to Get a Divorce (Aveline and Xavier)
When is the novel ending? It’s so unnecessarily long… not a single intimacy or connection just fighting and bickering from the beginning to end...