Chapter 141 The Retaliation
"Why are you with Isabella then? How dare you pass judgment on me? Do you not possess any shame?" The words hung in the air, a bitter accusation.
"I am with Isabella!" Alexander's voice thundered in response, a defiant roar. "I made my intentions clear before we even exchanged vows. I asked for a divorce and you agreed without a moment's hesitation. You were all too ready to sever our ties. Do not don the mantle of the victim now!"
Ava trembled, her body vibrating with a fury that threatened to consume her. This man was beyond any reasoning.
"So, you've decided not to even pretend anymore, Alexander? You've crossed the line!" Ava's voice was a harsh whisper, her words slicing through the tension-filled air.
William, protective and assertive, pulled Ava behind him, his voice a shout of indignation. "Are you even a man? How could you treat Ava in such a manner?"
"Am I a man?" Alexander's laughter was chilling, a cold echo in the room. "Ask Ava, William. She knows very well."
Ava's fists clenched tightly, her body seething with a mixture of anger and shame as he used his words to publicly humiliate her.
"Alexander, you bastard!" Enraged, William lunged forward, his hand gripping Alexander's collar as the two men engaged in a fierce tussle.
"Stop, stop it!" Isabella's scream of alarm pierced the air. "Have you lost your mind, laying hands on Alex?"
Yet, her cries were merely a background noise. She dared not intervene as the men fought viciously.
"Enough, enough, stop it!" Ava's voice was a choked sob, her body collapsing to the ground with a dull thud. "Stop fighting!"
"Ava!"
"Ava!"
The sight of Ava crumpled on the ground was enough to halt the two men in their tracks. They lunged towards her, but it was William who reached her first.
He swiftly helped Ava to her feet, his voice filled with concern. "Are you okay?"
As Ava wiped the tears from her cheeks, she noticed the bruise on William's face. A wave of guilt washed over her. "I'm so sorry, are you hurt?"
As Ava's hand shakily rose to examine the injury on his face, another hand suddenly grasped hers tightly.
She felt her body being yanked away, her stomach churning so violently she almost retched.
Ava couldn't help but laugh when she saw Alexander's furious face—she felt no pain, only the absurdity of the situation.
Alexander glared at her, his anger palpable. "What's your problem, Ava?"
He was incensed that despite both men being in distress, she seemed to only care about William.
"Alexander, don't touch her!"
William moved to intervene, but Ava had already wrenched her hand free from Alexander's grip and shouted, "Enough!" Her voice was a roar.
Then she slapped Alexander hard across the face. The force behind her palm was undeniable. The swelling on Alexander's already injured face was visible to the naked eye.
Isabella pounced like a mad woman, shielding Alexander. "Ava, have you lost your mind? How could you hit him? Your behavior is just plain rude!"
It was clear as day that Alexander had provoked William first, but Isabella turned a blind eye, now chastising Ava. It seemed those with double standards always found each other.
Alexander grabbed hold of Isabella, gently pushing her to one side. "Stay out of this."
Anxiously, Isabella piped up, "Alex, I—"
"Isabella, leave it," Alexander cut her off, his tone leaving no space for argument.
Alexander shot Isabella a withering glance. She flinched, bowing her head, too intimidated to speak any further. Inside, however, she was seething, glaring resentfully at Ava.
After Ava had struck Alexander, her hand trembled with the aftershock. She couldn't have fathomed that things would escalate to this point.
She had hit Alexander!
How absurd the situation had become? She had actually resorted to violence.
It was like a draining, ridiculous farce.
