Chapter 77 Began Chatting
Isabella delicately lifted a pristine napkin from the table, dabbing at her face with an air of triumph.
The mere notion of being Alexander's one true love, on the precipice of his divorce from Ava, filled her with a sense of victory. Ava, she mused, was nothing more than the soon-to-be discarded wife.
Ava, however, had no intention of wasting her breath on Isabella. Engaging in a petty argument in such a public setting was beneath her dignity, and she could feel the curious eyes of onlookers.
She reached for her purse, preparing to rise and make her exit, when a hand suddenly pressed down on her shoulder.
"I'm here," came a familiar voice.
Mia appeared, a calming presence between the two women. She gently eased Ava back into her seat, offering an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry I'm late. I hope I didn't force you two into an awkward one-on-one."
Her gaze fell upon the wet streaks on Isabella's face, and her brows furrowed in concern. "Miss Harrington, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, thank you for asking," Isabella replied, her tone shifting dramatically.
The woman who had been looking down her nose at others with a fierce gaze just moments ago now resembled a meek kitten in Mia's presence.
Isabella was a chameleon, always adapting her demeanor to suit her audience.
"Mom, I think I should leave," Ava interjected, lifting her gaze to meet Mia's.
"Leave?" Mia responded, settling into a nearby chair and signaling a waiter with a casual wave of her hand. "Now that we're all here, let's order."
The waiter promptly presented three menus. Ava, her appetite nonexistent, spoke up. "Mom, if there's something you want to say, just say it." She had anticipated a simple meal with her mother-in-law, not a tense encounter with Isabella.
"I just wanted to share a meal and chat with you two. That's all," Mia replied, her tone casual. "Indulge me this favor for the sake of your mother-in-law, okay?"
Ava cast a cool glance at Isabella, trying to suppress her rising anger. Isabella wasn't worth it. She selected an item at random from the menu and handed it back to the waiter.
Once everyone had placed their orders, Mia turned her attention to Isabella. "Miss Harrington, I'm terribly sorry to have you come all this way. I hear you've been feeling unwell."
"It's no trouble at all," Isabella replied with practiced politeness. "I'd come anytime you asked, and I'm so pleased to see you."
"Miss Harrington is ever so gracious," Mia remarked, a rare smile gracing her usually reserved features, making her appear notably more approachable.
Ava found this odd. Mia seemed rather fond of Isabella. Could she too have been charmed by Isabella's sweet facade?
"That's how it should be. You're my elder, but you take such good care of yourself. I'd almost mistake you for his sister," Isabella cooed.
"Look at you, sweet-talking as ever," Mia chuckled, clearly delighted by the compliment about her youthful appearance.
Ava watched, puzzled, as the conversation took a more casual turn. They had actually begun chatting.
"I apologize for Ava. She shouldn't have splashed water on your face, that was out of line," Mia initiated, her tone serious.
Ava frowned at Mia's words. "Mom, I don't need to apologize. Didn't you hear what she said? If it were you..."
"Enough," Mia interjected, cutting her off with a stern look. "No matter what she said, you shouldn't splash water in public. It's a good thing it wasn't boiling or the consequences could be unthinkable."
Ava felt a wave of irritation but knew better than to argue when Mia had made up her mind. Still, she harbored no regrets about dousing Isabella — she deserved it.
Of course, Ava was well aware that the water wasn't boiling hot. It was barely warm enough for a shower, let alone to cause any harm to Isabella. If it had been boiling, she would never have thrown it.
