Chapter 80 A Twist
"Understand this, Isabella," Ava declared with a steely resolve. "Regardless of his reasons for marrying me, I remain his lawful wife. Even if we were to divorce, in any country, should he remarry, it would still be a second marriage. I will forever hold the title of his first wife."
The phrase "second marriage" seemed to strike Isabella like a venomous dart, igniting a fiery rage within her eyes.
No matter how Isabella berated Ava, no matter how she proclaimed Ava unworthy, Ava remained unscathed, devoid of any semblance of shame. Such a cunning woman!
"Ava, have you considered how Alex will perceive you if you accept his money? Do you wish to be branded a gold-digger in his eyes?" Isabella retaliated, shifting her line of attack.
"Your accusations are laughable," Ava retorted, barely suppressing a chuckle. "The money was his proposal, not a demand of mine. If you doubt my words, ask him yourself. You seem to have a knack for painting others in a bad light."
"But let's revisit your earlier point," Ava continued, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Miss Harrington, you behave as though I am a pauper, looking down upon me with disdain. I was under the impression that you hailed from a prestigious family, with untold wealth. Yet, the mere sum offered in the divorce settlement has you seething with jealousy—almost as if you've never seen such an amount before."
Isabella's face flushed crimson with fury—Ava had dared to mock her family's status, the audacity!
She longed for Alex's presence. Surely, with him around, Ava wouldn't dare to belittle her in such a manner.
"Apologies for the delay," Mia announced, resuming her seat. "What seems to be the matter with Miss Harrington's eyes? Are they causing discomfort?"
"Oh, Aunt Mia, it's nothing," Isabella responded, feigning nonchalance. "Just a speck of dust in my eye. You were mentioning something about the divorce agreement?"
"The settlement proposed in this divorce document is unsuitable," Mia declared, her gaze shifting to Ava. "Ava, Alex is offering you these assets. Are you content with that?"
A flicker of confusion crossed Ava's face. Her immediate assumption was that Mia, too, considered the amount excessive—that she was siding with Isabella. Ava couldn't comprehend why.
"Mom, the divorce agreement has been nullified, remember? I never requested any money. He determined the terms. If you're displeased with his offer, you should discuss it with him."
If Mia was adamant about supporting Isabella, Ava had no choice but to stand her ground.
"I will address it with him, but what about you? What am I supposed to say to you?" Mia frowned, her tone stern, almost reprimanding.
"Mom, what are you implying about me?" Ava asked, puzzled by Mia's sudden hostility.
"You're acting foolishly," Mia scolded, her irritation evident. "You didn't even ask him for anything. You're relying on Alex to act honorably, and all he offers you is this meager sum. You've settled for less than you deserve—am I not supposed to call you out on this?"
Ava fell silent, taken aback.
What a twist! It was akin to a car racing down a highway, only to execute a sudden, daring 180-degree turn—disorienting and utterly unexpected.Isabella was equally stunned, her gaze fixed on Mia in bewilderment.
"Aunt Mia, what are you implying?"
She forced a smile, clinging to a sliver of hope, praying that the woman who might become her future mother-in-law had made a mistake.
"I'm saying the offer was far too meager. Now I understand why his dad tore up the divorce papers. I would have done the same. A house, a car, some jewelry, and cash? They believe that paltry sum is sufficient?"
Mia's irritation was palpable. "He should have offered you half of his shares. Holding a stake in SK Enterprises—that's where the real wealth lies. A mere one or two hundred million? That's just trifling."
