Chapter 118 Fretful Concern
Ava's heart was filled with worry, not primarily about the quantity of alcohol one could consume, but rather the inevitable harm that excessive drinking could wreak on the body. Regardless of one's tolerance, overindulgence was detrimental to all.
Moreover, Alex had barely eaten his dinner. Ava had only managed to feed him a morsel, and such a scant amount of food wouldn't counteract the large quantity of alcohol he'd already imbibed.
"Ava," Scarlett interjected, "You're fussing over him like a mother hen. Alex is an adult, and he knows his limits. If he couldn't handle it, I wouldn't let him drink."
"Grandma, please go easy on Alex," Ava implored, her protective stance for her husband evident.
"What if he gets drunk?"
"What’s the big deal about getting a little drunk? He'll sleep it off. A good night's rest is all he needs," Scarlett responded with a dismissive wave of her hand.
Scarlett was never one to coddle her grandson when it came to matters like these.
Just as Ava was about to voice further objections, she noticed Alexander setting down his wine glass. Turning her head towards the sound, she saw him polishing off his second glass of red wine.
She watched, her head spinning in sympathy, as the butler refilled his glass.
"Slow down and eat something before you finish that third glass," Ava advised, reaching for a bowl and offering him a few bites, her concern impossible to conceal.
Alexander's lips curled into a faint smile, his fingers gently encircling her wrist. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine."
Their eyes met, and to any observer, they seemed a couple deeply in love—husband comforting wife, and wife caring for husband, a sight to be envied. Even Scarlett, who had seen many a love story unfold in her lifetime, felt a sense of satisfaction at the scene, reminiscent of a cherished novel.
When he held her wrist, Ava's mind momentarily blanked, captivated by the tender look in his eyes. She almost believed that their past troubles had never existed.
That there was no Isabella in their world.
But it was just that—a fleeting illusion of wishful thinking.
Eventually, she broke eye contact and withdrew her hand.
He must be tipsy, she reasoned.
Indeed, Alexander was slightly drunk. His tolerance was high, but the lack of food and the rapid succession of drinks had sent the alcohol straight to his head, leaving his eyes somewhat glazed.
Seeing Ava look away, he gave a small smile, his hand reaching for the wine glass once more.
Ava, alarmed, reached out as if to stop him, but then something crossed her mind, and she pulled her hand back, watching helplessly as he drained the glass.
She couldn't stop him, and Grandma was determined to teach him a lesson.
With anxiety gnawing at her, Ava watched as Alexander downed an entire glass of potent red wine, setting the glass down with a pained expression.
No one, not even a seasoned drinker, should consume wine in such a manner, especially wine of that strength.
"Eat something," Ava insisted, thrusting a fork into his hand. "Eat, now."
Alexander gave a faint, suggestive smile, glancing at her briefly.
Ignoring the food, he turned to Scarlett, "Grandma, if you're still upset, I'll just finish the bottle."
He reached for the remaining wine in the bottle.
Panicked, Ava snatched the bottle from him, "No more drinking! Three glasses is enough, Grandma."
