Chapter 151 Disregard
Alexander's eyes momentarily flickered in the direction of William and Ava, a spark of recognition lighting up his features before he quickly refocused his attention on Isabella, resuming their lighthearted banter.
Ava was plagued by the nagging suspicion that Alexander's choice of dining venue was far from coincidental. After the tumultuous events of the day, was it too much to ask for a tranquil dinner?
In her frustration, Ava reached for a glass on the table and hastily downed her juice. The scarlet liquid sloshed over the rim, splattering her immaculate white blouse with a noticeable stain.
Without hesitation, William extended a napkin towards her.
With an apologetic smile, Ava accepted it and dabbed at the offending spot. "I'm sorry, I need to freshen up in the restroom. Let's leave after that. I don't want to remain here any longer."
"Sure," William acquiesced, nodding in agreement.
After forcing down a few more mouthfuls, just enough to give the illusion of a respectfully emptied plate, Ava wiped her lips, gracefully rose from her seat, and made her way toward the restroom.
...
The splash of cold water on her face worked wonders for Ava. With no makeup to be concerned about, she relished the refreshing clarity that swept over her.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she addressed herself firmly, "Ava, it's time to stop mourning over Alexander."
As she doused her face with cool water, she felt as if she was washing away her lingering sorrow.
Just as she was about to leave, the restroom door swung open, and a woman sidled up next to her, rummaging through her purse for a compact to touch up her makeup.
Ava patted her face dry, not bothering to glance up as she prepared to depart, only to be stopped by the woman's voice, "Hold on a moment."
Turning, Ava found herself face-to-face with Isabella, an immediate frown creasing her forehead. She attempted to sidestep Isabella without uttering a word.
However, Isabella obstructed her path at the doorway, "Why the rush? I promise I won't bite."
Ava let out a derisive laugh, "If the fragile Miss Harrington were to trip and blame me, what then?"
Isabella retorted with a feigned innocence, "Your words wound me, Ava. You paint me as a villain without reason."
Ava smirked, "Do us both a favor and step aside. I have nothing to discuss with you."
"Ava, I just wanted to inquire about those documents," Isabella said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
"Oh, the documents?" Ava responded, her smile dismissive. "They were returned to my grandma's. It seems Alex and I won’t be needing them for the time being."
Despite her own desire for a divorce, Ava wasn’t about to allow Isabella the satisfaction of victory.
Predictably, Isabella's expression darkened, "Why prolong the inevitable? You're doing this deliberately."
"Me? Deliberately?" Ava laughed, "Perhaps you should take that up with Alexander. This afternoon, I was supposed to finalize the divorce at the city hall, waiting for him, but he..."
"What happened to him?" Isabella interrupted, her brows furrowing in concern.
Ava regarded her with a blend of skepticism and pity, "Hasn't Alexander informed you? It’s quite telling if he keeps you in the dark about such significant matters."
"Ava, what underhanded tactics did you employ? The marriage isn't over yet, and I demand the full story!"
Without missing a beat, Ava replied indifferently, "If you're so curious, go ask Alexander."
"Ava, when will you accept reality?" Isabella persisted, desperation creeping into her voice. "Do you realize how much Alex wants to marry me? You're just an obstacle. If you truly cared for him, you'd divorce him and let him be happy."
"Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm over him," Ava retorted, her tone laced with biting sarcasm. "Is there anything else you'd like to discuss?"
