Chapter 405 You Said It Yourself
"Is this the extent of her culinary preferences? Surely they serve something I would enjoy?" Mia's voice held a tinge of jealousy.
Alexander, lifting his gaze, responded, "I am not privy to your gastronomic inclinations. You have never shared them with me, and our meals together are few and far between."
His gaze shifted to his mother, his face a mask of neutrality.
A hint of rigidity crept into Mia's features.
Unfazed by the tension, Alexander continued to share his meal with Ava.
Ava, in turn, studied Alexander's stern profile, a pang of sorrow coursing through her.
Could he be schizophrenic? His actions were a paradox, hurting her while simultaneously showing her kindness.
"Please excuse me, I need to visit the ladies' room." Ava set down her cutlery, rose, and exited the dining area.
"Alexander, why do you maintain such a close relationship with your former wife?" Mia's question was laced with insinuation.
"Has she not also been of assistance to me? Is it not merely polite to share my meal with her?" His justification lacked conviction.
"She has assisted you?" Mia queried. "Are you referring to the night she spent pouring over the Wisdom Future Group's data with me?"
Alexander's brow furrowed at his mother's knowing smile. "The SK Group managed to evade the fallout from the Wisdom Future Group, and I profited handsomely from shorting the latter. Does that not constitute a significant favor?"
"Indeed," Mia conceded, "that is a substantial favor, however..."
"However, what?" Alexander pressed.
Mia arched an eyebrow. "It's nothing. I merely believe you to be a coward, incapable of honesty, and consistently causing Mia distress."
With a clatter, Alexander set down his cutlery, his voice icy. "Did Ava impart this to you?"
Mia held up two fingers, pointing at her eyes. "I saw it myself. Who else would she be so consistently upset over? A dog, perhaps?"
George, seated quietly to one side, felt somewhat adrift in their conversation but dared not interject.
Moments later, Alexander abruptly rose and exited the dining area.
George, plate in hand, followed Alexander's departure with his gaze. Just as he was about to inquire about Alexander's abrupt departure, Mia sharply pinched his thigh.
George yelped in surprise, turning to his wife in shock.
"Silence!" Mia's words were a clear warning.
George, cowed, lowered his gaze in silence.
Ava had barely opened the restroom door when a tall figure loomed before her, pushing her back and slamming the door shut.
By the time Ava registered what was happening, she found herself pinned against the cold wall.
"What is the meaning of this?" Ava demanded, anger flaring.
"My mom said you were sad and distressed because of me. Is that true? Don't you love me? Why are you still upset?"
At times, Ava's thoughts were a mystery to him.
He could sense a lingering affection between them, and it was clear Ava wasn't entirely devoid of feelings for him. Yet, her swift agreement to divorce, their ensuing conflicts, and her candid expression of discontent in their marriage suggested she didn't love him.
If that were true, she should have been relieved by their divorce. Why then, did her demeanor suggest otherwise?
Ava, unaware of Mia's revelations, felt a wave of panic. Hastily, she responded, "Your mom's words are her own, not mine. She must have misunderstood."
"Is that so? Then tell me, you have no feelings for me, you have never loved me, not even a little. I want to hear it from you."
