Chapter 674 Avery's Unending Hatred for Isadora 2
Avery watched Isadora, his gaze unreadable.
After a long pause, he released her slender wrist and said in a low, steady voice, "Finish your meal before you go."
Isadora met his eyes, calm but with a faint ripple beneath the surface. After a moment's thought, she sat down.
The waiter began serving the dishes.
Avery had arrived early and ordered most of the food himself. Coincidentally, they were all things Isadora liked.
She knew Avery could be domineering, but still, she couldn't help saying, "If you were meeting someone else today, she might not like these dishes."
Avery laid a white napkin across his lap, his dark eyes carrying a trace of arrogance. He gave a short, cold laugh. "Isadora, don't flatter yourself. You think I ordered these for you?"
He paused, his voice dropping lower. "It's just habit."
Isadora didn't argue. She unfolded her napkin and began to eat. The restaurant's soft blues music and warm lighting eased her mood slightly. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and took her time with the delicate food, looking perfectly at ease.
That composure irritated Avery. The past still gnawed at him, yet Isadora seemed to have buried it long ago. In the end, he thought bitterly, the only fool left holding on was him.
He let his tone sharpen. "What's this? Bigger appetite with age? I remember you used to be careful about your figure. Now that your company is doing well, you've stopped caring?"
When she didn't respond, he pushed further. "If your body's gone out of shape and you can't find a man, I can introduce a few for you. At your age, a little male attention might keep menopause from knocking early."
"What age would that be?" Isadora lifted her gaze, her tone cool. "I'm not exactly desperate, Avery. If you doubt that, I could prove right now that I still have a little charm left."
The muscles in his jaw tightened. "Isadora!"
Her eyes glistened faintly. "Avery, we ended long ago. There's no need for words meant only to wound. You can't hurt me, and I can't hurt you. We've been on separate paths for a long time. Let's just finish this meal and go live our own lives. Isn't that better?"
He glared at her.
He had started the fight, yet somehow he was the one left seething. Appetite gone, he tossed his napkin onto the table and gave a cold, dismissive smile. "You've got it all planned out, haven't you? But I don't recall saying I wanted anything to do with you again. Try not to overestimate your importance."
Isadora nodded. "You're right, Mr. Montague."
The Montague Group was a giant, and paired with the Windsor Group, crushing someone like her would be effortless. She wouldn't dare challenge Avery openly.
But she was still human.
And humans still hurt.
She lifted her glass of rum, her fingers trembling slightly, though Avery couldn't see it. He couldn't see the feelings she hid — only the anger of a man who believed he'd been deceived and abandoned.
She lowered her gaze to the glass and murmured again, "Mr. Montague, you're always right."
Avery stood and walked out.
The meal ended in silence. Two former lovers, both still single, sitting at the same table — and yet unable to truly speak, unable to bridge the distance. Once again, they let each other slip away.
After Avery left, the music still played. The singer's husky voice carried the ache of things left unsaid. Isadora sat there, tears streaking her face.
By evening, Avery was driving home.
The Montague Mansion was surrounded by roses. Though it was only early spring, the blooms were in full glory. As he stepped from his car, petals brushed his coat, leaving a faint, sweet scent.
Inside the grand hall, servants moved briskly about.
Henry and Amelia sat on the sofa. Amelia flipped through a bridal magazine, likely for Taylor's sake. Henry sipped his coffee, glancing toward the entrance every few moments. Only when he heard the car in the driveway did he relax.
"You're so invested in this," Amelia said softly. "Why didn't you just call him?"
Just then, Avery walked in, shrugging off his coat. He noticed the petals on his shoulder and frowned slightly.
A servant approached to take the coat, smiling. "The flowers are in full bloom this year — brighter and fuller than I've ever seen. Feels like the house is in for double the joy. So, Mr. Montague Avery, how was the date? Something tells me you liked her."
Henry glanced at Avery but replied to the servant, "You might be right."
The servant beamed.
Amelia found the idea plausible. After all, Avery and Isadora had history, and both were single. A meeting could easily reignite old flames.
But Avery dropped onto the sofa and said flatly, "No chance."
Henry and Amelia exchanged a look.
After a moment, Henry tried, "Then maybe we'll see about someone else. You might find someone you like."
He expected Avery to refuse, but to his surprise, Avery said, "Fine. Just let me know in advance. I'll arrange the time and place."
Henry and Amelia looked at each other again. Avery, agreeing to meet women — even suggesting it himself — was rare indeed.
They didn't know he had his own reasons.
In the weeks that followed, Isadora saw Avery on several dates — always with young, beautiful women, never the same one twice. It was as if he wanted to remind her she was past her prime.
She would glance for a few seconds, then turn away.
Only after she left would Avery sit there, watching her retreating back while the girl beside him called his name softly, "Avery."
But his eyes stayed on Isadora, dark and intent.
Most of the women left after the first meeting, which was why Isadora never saw the same face twice.
One afternoon, Isadora met with Samuel from TaySam Tech at a private business club. It was a confidential deal, so neither had brought their assistants.
And there, unsurprisingly, she ran into Avery.
He had a new date at his side, a sweet, demure young woman looking up at him with open admiration.
"Avery, why are we eating here?" she asked in a gentle voice.
The moment she finished, Avery's eyes locked with Isadora's.
Samuel leaned back, enjoying the scene. He knew about their past — the breakup had been messy — and he'd always thought Isadora was the only one who could handle Avery. Watching now, he was quietly entertained.
Avery strolled over with his date, his gaze flicking between Isadora and Samuel.
After a beat, he gave a sharp, mocking laugh. "Isadora, even Samuel is your type now?"
His eyes swept over her.
She wore a black coat with a diamond camellia brooch at the collar — understated but striking, undeniably feminine. It was clear she had dressed with care, and that stirred something sharp and jealous in him.
Isadora, however, was not easily provoked.
She glanced at the young woman beside him and returned the smirk. "Mr. Montague, bringing a date to a business club — how original. Don't tell me the Montague Group is doing so poorly you're looking to save on dinner bills? A man that stingy will have a hard time finding a wife."
Avery's eyes burned crimson, his jaw clenched so tight it was a wonder he could still speak.
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