Chapter 114 Simply Stunning
Ava paused for two seconds, let out a soft sigh, feeling an indescribable complexity in her heart.
Thora saw Ava and immediately waved at her. Ava walked toward Thora.
As Ava moved, many eyes that had been on her followed along, unwilling to look away even for a moment.
Mia clenched her fists tightly, watching as people who had been fawning over her now turned their gazes toward Ava. She was seething with anger.
Why was it that wherever Ava appeared, her own spotlight was completely overshadowed?
When two beautiful women wearing the same color and similar style dresses appear at the same party, people naturally compare them with scrutinizing looks.
Everyone's eyes fell on Mia again. No matter what they compared, Ava completely outshone Mia.
The key wasn't the dress—it was the person wearing it. Ava's dress tonight wouldn't look as stunning on anyone else as it did on her.
The gorgeous red dress complemented the large patches of red roses in the middle of the venue.
Breathtakingly beautiful, radiantly dazzling—even these words weren't enough to describe how stunning she was.
But that bright red dress of hers...
Everyone knew this was someone else's birthday party, and guests generally wouldn't choose to wear bright red, otherwise wouldn't that be stealing the spotlight?
Everyone understood this unspoken rule, and their gazes at Ava changed somewhat. They frowned slightly—no matter what, her outfit was inappropriate.
"Ava, you look so beautiful today." Thora felt that if she were a man, she would definitely fall in love with Ava.
Confident, beautiful, capable, and radiant—who wouldn't love a woman like that?
"Stop flattering me, I'll get embarrassed." Ava laughed lightly.
"By the way, what's going on today? We all thought we went to the wrong place. We had to ask the waiters several times before confirming your birthday party was really here. You're so rich! I could totally believe you're some princess from some country experiencing ordinary life."
Several colleagues nearby agreed. Ava pressed her lips together, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "It's a long story. I'll explain it to you all later."
"Alright then. You're the star tonight, you must be very busy. Don't worry about us, go do what you need to do." Thora said. Ava would definitely be busy tonight.
Ava wanted to find a quiet place to call Joshua, but as she looked up, she saw Hayden walking toward her.
Hayden's usually mischievous face clearly showed a flash of amazement at Ava's outfit. "Ava, you're so beautiful. You're the most beautiful person in the world."
"Oh, stop it." Ava picked up a wine glass nearby and took an elegant sip. Then, thinking of something, she turned her head and stared at Hayden.
Caught off guard by her stare, Hayden looked confused and asked, "...Ava, why are you looking at me like that?"
Ava chuckled lightly. "Tell me, what exactly is Joshua trying to do?"
What was Joshua trying to do?
"Turn over a new leaf!"
Almost the second Ava asked the question, Hayden immediately gave a serious answer.
"Turn over a new leaf?"
"Ava, you don't really think Joshua put together a party of this scale in one afternoon, do you?"
Ava raised her eyebrows slightly, signaling Hayden to continue.
Hayden's usually carefree expression became a bit more serious. "Joshua started preparing for your birthday a long time ago. The original setup wasn't like this. Joshua wanted to surprise you and spend it alone with you, but then you said you wanted to invite your colleagues. Joshua wanted to give you enough freedom, so he had to reluctantly share you with others.
At noon today, somehow word got out that Joshua was throwing a big birthday party here. These people thought Joshua would come, so they followed. No one expected so many people to show up. And look over there..."
Ava's gaze followed where Hayden was pointing. Gifts in boxes both large and small, all in fancy packaging, were piled up like a mountain. Hotel staff were still busy moving the gifts into spare private rooms.
Ava was shocked for two seconds.
Hayden said helplessly, "These people really spent a fortune to come to this party. If Joshua doesn't show up, they'll probably cry."
Hayden hadn't expected it to be this crazy either. This party was just as grand as Victor's seventieth birthday party.
Ava paused slightly. It would be a lie to say she wasn't surprised. Though her face didn't show much emotion, the complexity in her eyes was clear.
"Do you think Joshua likes me?"
Hayden was caught completely off guard!
Ava took a sip of the red wine in her glass. Hayden took this opportunity to think for two seconds, but since he couldn't be sure, he only answered, "You'll have to ask Joshua that yourself."
"Okay."
Ava was just asking. She didn't expect him to know anyway.
After all, even she couldn't figure out what Joshua was trying to do.
Ava put down her wine glass and looked at the woman slowly approaching. She curved her lips. "Here comes trouble."
Following Ava's gaze, Hayden noticed Mia in her bright red dress. He couldn't help but frown.
"Ms. Davis." Mia wore a somewhat fake smile on her face, greeting Ava gently in a way that made Ava feel disgusted.
Ava wasn't particularly surprised that Mia showed up here.
That outfit of hers... anyone could see what her intentions were. Although Ava didn't want to deal with any of this.
But Mia kept coming up to her and being annoying. Ava found it really irritating.
"Ms. Davis..." Mia's face stiffened, her fake expression becoming more awkward.
Ava's eyes swept over her with extreme coldness, then she coldly ignored her and walked away.
Hayden raised his eyebrows slightly, gave Mia a casual glance, laughed a couple times, and followed Ava.
Hayden's contemptuous laugh instantly pierced Mia's heart. Ava's dismissal was even worse. A strong sense of humiliation surged up. She bit down hard and gave Lyra a look.
Lyra found the right moment, held up her wine glass, and caught up with Ava directly. "Ms. Davis, no matter what misunderstandings we had before, I still hope we can bury the hatchet."
"After all, we all work at the same hospital. It's not good to always be at odds like this, right? Ms. Davis, come on, let me toast to you. Let's let bygones be bygones."