Chapter 360 Extremely Frustrated
With his eyes clenched shut, Alexander wrestled to contain the tempest of his anger. "Stop laughing," he demanded, his voice a low growl. His frustration was palpable, a tangible entity that seemed to fill the room.
Mia, in response, cleared her throat and attempted to suppress her amusement. "Very well, I'll refrain from laughing," she conceded. "I can't fathom why Ava has chosen to block you, but perhaps we can rectify this situation. I've previously mentioned to Ava my desire for her to accompany me when we meet. This could be the perfect opportunity."
Alexander hesitated, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Let's arrange to meet this evening then," he proposed, "and ensure Ava is invited."
"I'll reach out to her later to confirm her availability," Mia offered.
"She's available," Alexander interjected, his tone dismissive. "She's currently unemployed, thus she has an abundance of free time. If she claims to be busy, it's merely an excuse. Don't let her manipulate the situation."
Mia's brow furrowed at Alexander's chauvinistic statement. "No wonder she blocked you," she mused aloud.
Alexander's brows knitted together in confusion. "Do you know why?" he queried.
Mia sighed, a note of exasperation in her voice. "Alexander, there are times when you can be... quite infuriating."
Alexander was rendered speechless. This was a first, someone speaking so candidly to him, and it was his own mother no less.
"Do you not understand?" Mia continued. "You assume that because Ava is currently unemployed, she's at your beck and call. Your arrogance is astounding. You believe that your time is more valuable than hers. You're aware she's not working a traditional job, but how can you be certain of what she's doing in her spare time? If you hadn't witnessed her activities the night before last, you'd assume she was idle all day."
Mia's voice was steady, her tone devoid of any reprimand. Yet, it was this calm demeanor that rendered Alexander unusually silent. She waited patiently, not rushing him, sensing his confusion even from a distance through the phone. She found it intriguing.
After a prolonged silence, Alexander finally spoke, his voice heavy with remorse. "I didn't mean it like that."
"Is that so?" Mia queried, skepticism lacing her words. "Are you sure there were no ulterior motives?"
"I said there weren't, so there weren't," Alexander retorted, his tone rising slightly, whether from guilt or frustration at being misunderstood. "Let's not belabor this point."
"Very well," Mia conceded, choosing not to press the issue further. "I'll check with Ava regarding her availability and contact you later."
"Please do," Alexander urged.
"Consider it done," Mia agreed, preparing to end the call when a thought struck her. "Oh, there's something else..."
"What is it?" Alexander asked, curiosity piqued.
Mia hesitated, considering her next words carefully. Revealing this to Alexander could potentially incite his wrath. "I believe Ava is incredibly intelligent. In the future, I could offer her some guidance. If she expresses an interest in banking, I would be more than willing to mentor her," she proposed.
Alexander agreed, "You'll need to take the initiative, or she may seek employment elsewhere."
