After the CEO Divorced Me, He Wants Me Back (Aveline and Lucas)

"Aaron, how can you speak to your sister like that?" Nathalie appeared just in time to hear the exchange, her face darkening instantly.

"She's happy to see you and just wants to be close to you. How could you talk to her like that? Is that any way for a brother to talk to his sister?" Nathalie shielded Lila behind her, glaring at Aaron with disapproval. Aaron let out a cold laugh. "She's not my real sister, and I'm married now. Shouldn't she understand something as simple as that?"

Nathalie shot a vicious look at Selena before responding, "Even so, you shouldn't speak to her that way. Why come back and act like enemies? You never acted like this before you got married." Clearly, Nathalie was putting all the blame on Selena.

Selena, completely bewildered, stood there in silence.

"Wait, what? I haven't said a single word since walking in here-how is this my fault?" she thought, feeling utterly speechless and unfairly targeted.

Aaron chuckled darkly. "Yes, of course, let's keep things peaceful."

Nathalie pretended not to notice his sarcastic tone and simply said, "Alright, let's go inside."

With that, she led Lila toward the dining room. Aaron glanced at Selena, who shrugged, clearly exasperated by the whole situation.

Aaron squeezed her hand gently, reassuring her that she'd have her moment to vent. Together, they followed into the dining room.

Once everyone was seated, the servants began setting the table with the evening meal. Aaron cast a pointed glance at the butler, raising his hand slightly.

The butler, an older man named Adrien Warren, who had served the Fletcher family for nearly thirty years, immediately approached. "Mr. Aaron, what can I do for you?"

Aaron, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, said, "Adrien, you've been around a long time. Are you really telling me you don't know what I want?"

The butler froze for a moment, bowing his head even lower. "Please tell me, sir."

Aaron leaned back in his chair. "I want some soup."

Adrien quickly moved to ladle soup into a bowl and brought it to Aaron, carefully handing it over. But just as Aaron reached for it, the bowl slipped from his hands, spilling hot soup all over him. The room froze.

Aaron suddenly stood up, his face darkened with anger. "Adrien, what's going on? You can't even handle such a small task?"

The butler froze, clearly caught off guard by the sudden turn of events. He had seen it clearly-Aaron had intentionally let the soup bowl slip.

"Sir, I—" Adrien began, but Aaron cut him off sharply.

"Enough! I don't want to hear your excuses. You've been with this family for thirty years, yet you can't manage something so basic. What if a more serious mistake happens in the future? Who's going to take responsibility? You're fired!" Aaron's voice was calm, but the decision was final.

Adrien stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend the sudden dismissal.

Nathalie quickly stepped in, her brows furrowed. "Aaron, what are you doing? Adrien has worked for this family for three decades. He watched you grow up! You know his capabilities. Are you really firing him over a spilled bowl of soup?"

Turning to Adrien, Nathalie added more softly, "It's alright, I know things have been difficult for you at home lately. You haven't been resting well. Just go home for now. We'll deduct this from your pay."

Adrien bowed his head. “Yes, ma'am...”

Aaron let out a cold laugh, drawing all eyes back to him. "Oh, really? So, I don't even have the authority to dismiss a servant anymore?"

Nathalie's face hardened at his words. "Aaron, what is this about? It's not that serious!"

Aaron's voice turned icy. "Then tell me, what counts as serious in your eyes? As one of the heads of this family, if I can't even fire a servant, then maybe I shouldn't come back at all. What do you think people will say if word gets out? That the Fletchers have let their servants run the household?"