Chapter 124 Like a Thief in the Night
Thirty minutes later, Ava found herself stepping into Scarlett's room, where the elder woman was deeply absorbed in her book.
"Grandma," Ava murmured, her voice soft as she crossed the threshold.
"Is Alex awake yet, Ava?" Scarlett asked, her eyes never leaving the page.
"He is, Grandma. I made him some hangover drink, and he's had it," Ava responded.
Scarlett smiled, her gaze finally shifting from her book to Ava. "You're such a good girl to him. You're like a mother to him – just be careful he doesn't start taking you for granted."
Ava shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's no trouble to make him a little soup, Grandma. Otherwise, how would it look to have him staggering around you?"
"If he's a nuisance, he can leave," Scarlett retorted, her tone blunt.
Ava moved to sit on the edge of the bed, her hands folded in her lap. "How about this? Alex and I will spend the afternoon with you and join you for dinner tonight. Does that sound good?"
She had initially planned to abscond with the documents during the day, but her plan had failed. It would have to be postponed.
She had to obtain those papers and finalize her divorce from Alexander by tomorrow at the latest. The delay was becoming unbearable.
She could no longer stand by, resigned, as her marriage crumbled while Alexander remained entangled with Isabella. After the divorce, he could do whatever he pleased – out of sight, out of mind.
Alexander had accused her of being in a hurry to divorce, and indeed, she was.
"What's gotten into you two today? Coming to keep this old lady company with such eagerness, is there something else going on?" Despite her age, Scarlett's eyes were sharp, her gaze penetrating.
"Grandma, what do you take us for?" Ava protested, "We just wanted to spend more time with you. You're here all alone, and we as the younger generation should accompany you more. You make it sound like we have ulterior motives."
She did have another agenda, and she was disgusted with her own pretense.
"Fine, if you want to keep Grandma company, I'm delighted. Then stay, and tonight there will be no alcohol for Alex."
"Thank you, Grandma," Ava said, her smile bright.
Alexander had indeed spent the afternoon with Scarlett, along with Ava, who was particularly eager to find an opportunity for Alexander to retrieve those important documents. Ava had informed Alexander where the box containing the documents was kept, urging him to seize any chance to take it. However, opportunities were scarce.
The butler held a ring of keys that included one to the box, and Ava couldn't simply ask him for them. It would have raised his suspicions, and he would undoubtedly report to the elderly lady of the house, who was quick to notice anything amiss.
Thus, the couple was forced to wait patiently.
In the evening, the old lady had the kitchen prepare an extravagant meal, accompanied by a pot of soup that was so fragrant its aroma filled the air.
Scarlett insisted that Alexander have three bowls of soup, yet she didn't encourage Ava to drink more.
Scarlett was quite happy today, as her grandson and his wife had been keeping her company all afternoon.
Ava and Alexander had their own agenda as they waited for a chance, unaware that Scarlett was also waiting for the right moment.
Late into the night, Ava found herself creeping into the butler’s office, using the flashlight feature on her phone to navigate. She carefully located the key for the box and, with delicate precision, slipped it off the key ring and into her pocket before stealthily exiting.
Heart pounding, Ava dashed back to her room.
She opened the door and blurted out, "Alex, I got the—"
Suddenly, she was enveloped in a strong embrace, pushed against the door, and kissed passionately.
