Chapter 159 Since You Love Drugging, I'll Give You Some Too
"She did something she shouldn't have, but you're the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. I don't think Mr. Howard and I have any grudges, so why do you have such hostility toward me?" Ava raised an eyebrow.
"Ms. Davis, don't say that. When have I ever been hostile toward you?" Will's eyes were full of resentment as his greedy gaze locked onto Ava's beautiful face.
"Whether you have or not, I don't care. I'm just here to remind Mr. Howard of one thing—you harm me once, I'll pay you back tenfold."
"Just you?"
Ava smiled, stepped closer, her voice calm as ever.
"Try me."
Will smirked coldly, picked up his wine glass from the table, took a small sip, his eyes shooting out a chilling coldness.
Ava's gaze fell on his wine glass. She smiled lightly, then turned to look at Mia hiding to the side. "Mr. Howard, I'm really curious—how did you turn Ms. Wilson into this state? Isn't she your wife?"
"Wife? She's just a dog. If she upset Ms. Davis, feel free to take her and teach her a lesson."
Ava looked at Mia, whose eyes were full of anger but didn't dare speak, and let out a meaningful laugh. "I see..."
Will was about to stand up when his eyes turned cold, his gloomy gaze shooting straight at Ava. "What did you do to me?"
Ava's calm eyes swept toward the wine glass, and she smiled gently. "You love drugging people, don't you? I gave you a little something too."
Will felt an intense heat surge through his body, but no matter what, he couldn't move.
Rage flooded Will's eyes. "Give me the antidote, or I guarantee you won't even know how you died..."
Ava grabbed a towel and stuffed it in Will's mouth. "Shut up!"
His threats meant nothing to her. Instead, Ava turned to Mia. "Mia, do you hate him? In his eyes, you're worth less than a dog."
Mia glared at Ava, then glared at Will.
Hate!
She hated them both!
Why couldn't they just die together!
"I'll give you a chance. He can't move now. The drug I gave him will kill him unless someone becomes the antidote. If you become his antidote, he'll live."
Ava made it very clear—whether he lived or died was up to Mia!
Mia looked at Ava in disbelief. "This is the Howard family. You want to kill Mr. Howard? Are you crazy?"
"That's my business. You just decide whether to save him or not."
Mia's eyes flickered as she looked at Will, unable to move in his chair. His eyes clearly showed he wanted to kill them both.
But he was drugged now. He was going to die. The one killing him was Ava.
What did it have to do with her? She was just refusing to save him. Once he died, the Howard family wouldn't let Ava go. Two birds with one stone. She'd be free. She'd never have to be controlled by this demon again.
The opportunity was right in front of her. She already had her answer about whether to save him or not.
Mia looked at Ava, smiled, closed her eyes, and collapsed to the floor—she'd fainted!
Ava almost laughed out loud.
Good move, fainting like that.
She turned back to look at Will. His face had turned completely red, his immobile hands stiff, as if enduring extreme pain.
He glared at Ava, his eyes filled with endless rage.
This damn woman—he was going to kill her, kill her.
"Mr. Howard, enjoy yourself. I guarantee no one will disturb you all day today."
Ava waved her little hand arrogantly and slowly walked out, closing the door.
Two bodyguards stood at the entrance. Seeing Ava come out but without Will's orders, they didn't stop her.
Ava walked forward a few steps, then turned back. "Oh, by the way, Mr. Howard said he needs to rest and you're not to disturb him, or you'll be killed on the spot."
Suddenly there was a commotion inside the room.
The two bodyguards instinctively looked at the tightly closed double doors, but Ava's words still echoed in their ears.
They stared at Ava. "You said Mr. Howard was resting, so why are there sounds inside?"
"Idiots, Mia's in there. A man and woman resting together on a bed—you think there won't be noise?"
The bodyguards nodded, thinking Ava had a point.
"So remember what I said—no matter what sounds you hear, don't go in and disturb them, or you know what'll happen."
Ava warned them repeatedly.
The two bodyguards nodded continuously, thinking Ava was really a good person.
"Thanks for the warning, thanks for the warning."
If they'd gone in like that, they'd definitely be thrown to the back mountain to feed the wolves. Good thing Ava warned them and saved their lives.
Ava smiled and walked out of the Howard Villa.
The drug she gave Will wouldn't kill him, of course—it would just make him suffer. She only said that to trick Mia and also to make Will himself panic.
Ava wanted to go home and change clothes, then go to the hospital, but she didn't see Finn and Cleo. Just as Ava was getting anxious, Sabrina told her that people from the Thomas family had picked up Finn and Cleo, who were bored at home and went with them.
Ava called Victor to confirm, and only relaxed after making sure they were with him.
...
Thea sat across from Victor, watching him dote on Finn and Cleo, a dark gleam flashing in her eyes.
Finn and Cleo were obviously becoming more resistant to her. Now they wouldn't even give her a glance.
Damn it.
To gain a deep-rooted position in the Thomas family, she still needed to win these two children's affection.
Thea smiled slowly. "Grandpa, it's really troublesome that Cleo still won't speak."
When Thea brought this up, Victor couldn't help but worry about Cleo too.
Cleo was sitting nearby eating cream cake, her little eyes bright and glued to the cartoon.
Seeing Victor's concern, Thea pressed on. "Grandpa, I think Cleo still needs treatment. I just prepared a treatment plan I'd like to try with Cleo."
Victor looked at Thea. She looked completely sincere.
Thea got up and came to Cleo's side. "Cleo, want to come play a game with me?"
Cleo resisted, wiggling her little bottom toward Finn. Her little face wrinkled at being disturbed from watching cartoons.
"Cleo doesn't want treatment. Thea, don't force Cleo," Finn said protectively.
"I'm not forcing Cleo. Finn, do you want Cleo to never speak?" Thea said earnestly. "If Finn wants Cleo to get better soon, you should let Cleo accept treatment. That way your mommy can relax too, right?"
Victor thought what Thea said made sense, so he coaxed Cleo. "Cleo, be good. Let Thea take a look at you, okay?"
Victor and Thea coaxed her for a long time, and then Ursa came over too. Finally Cleo was persuaded. With a resistant expression, Cleo followed Thea into a quiet room.
Thea drew all the curtains, leaving only one lamp on. She took a pill and brought it to Cleo. "Take this pill and lie down on the recliner."
Cleo heard what Thea said, but she hugged her doll without even lifting her head, much less doing what Thea told her.
Thea took a deep breath.
"Didn't you hear me? I told you to take the pill and lie down." Thea raised her voice.
Cleo still ignored her.
"Cleo, your mom goes against me, and now you want to go against me too? I told you to lie down yourself. Don't you understand human language?"
Thea's face was full of disgust as she grabbed Cleo's shoulder and yelled.
In front of others, she had to pretend to like these two children, but now there was no need to pretend.
This was Ava's child—she wished she could strangle her.
If it weren't for these two children, how would Ava have the chance to be liked by the entire Thomas family? It was all because of these two kids.
Thea was furious. She yanked Cleo hard. "I'll tell you one more time—lie down yourself. Don't make me hit you."
Cleo's shoulder hurt from Thea's grip. She struggled hard, but she was no match for an adult woman.
Thea controlled Cleo's shoulders with both hands.
"Cleo, don't you think you're a burden? You should have died in that accident. Otherwise, you're just causing trouble for your parents by being alive. If I were your mom, I would've thrown away a burden like you who can't speak, or just let you die in the hospital room. Cleo, you better listen to me, or else..."
Thea paused, picked up a sharp pair of scissors from the nearby table, and waved them in front of Cleo.
Cleo was so scared she struggled even more violently, like a small trapped animal in painful distress.
Thea gripped tighter and threw Cleo to the floor.
Cleo was in so much pain, biting her lip hard, glaring at Thea.
That stubborn, unyielding look in her eyes was just like Ava's.
Seeing Cleo look at her with that defiant gaze made Thea even angrier.
"You're stubborn, huh? You only recognize that bitch mother of yours, right? I tried to coax you nicely, but you dare not listen. Then don't blame me for being rude."
Thea yanked Cleo up and threw her onto the chair, viciously pinching Cleo's arm. "If you give me that look again, I'll beat you to death. You hear me?"
Cleo was terrified, her body trembling. She wanted to escape from Thea, but as soon as she ran, she was pulled back by her clothes, and another sharp pain shot through her arm.
She wanted Ava, she wanted Joshua, she wanted Finn. Who could come save her?
Only after Thea vented all her anger on Cleo did she let her go, satisfied.
Seeing Cleo hide in the corner with fearful eyes, Thea's face was full of pleasure.
"This is what you get for going against me. Remember for next time? Be obedient. And if you dare say a word about what happened today..." Thea sneered. "Remember when your mommy got hurt that day? If you dare tell her, I'll send someone to kill her again."
Cleo's pupils constricted painfully, her eyes full of fear.
A series of urgent knocks on the door.
Thea glared at Cleo. "Wipe your tears clean. If anyone notices, you're done for."
Thea walked over to open the door and saw Finn standing there. She put on a pleasant face. "Finn, what's wrong?"
"Is Cleo's treatment over?" As soon as Finn finished speaking, Cleo rushed out of the room and hid behind Finn.
Thea glared at Cleo and gritted her teeth, her eyes full of warning.
Thea turned and smiled. "Yes, Cleo was very good this time. This treatment session is over. We'll continue next time, Cleo."
Finn took Cleo's hand and stepped back twice. Ava came to pick up Finn and Cleo just as she was going upstairs.
"Finn, Cleo."
"Mommy." Finn and Cleo immediately rushed into Ava's arms. Finn asked, "Mommy, did you finish your business?"
"Don't worry, everything's taken care of."
As Ava talked to Finn, her gaze fell on Cleo standing beside them with her head down.
Ava looked at Cleo with concern. "Cleo, what's wrong?"
"I just did psychological treatment with Cleo. She probably hasn't recovered yet." Thea stepped forward with a gentle, proper smile.
But Ava didn't listen to her. Seeing Cleo's reddened eyes, she knew something was wrong. Ava patiently asked again, "Cleo, what happened?"
Cleo looked up at Ava, gently shook her little head, and forced a stiff smile at Ava.
Thea breathed a sigh of relief.
Ava lifted her gaze and once again looked at Thea's face.
Thea smiled gently.
Ava left with Finn and Cleo.
By the time they got home, it was already evening. Finn and Cleo always loved being clean and had to bathe before they were willing to sleep.
But today Cleo absolutely refused to bathe. Ava looked at Cleo, puzzled. "Why, Cleo? Doesn't Cleo love being clean the most?"
Cleo shook her head and wrote on the whiteboard: I'm tired, want to sleep.
It was normal to be tired after playing all day at the Thomas Villa. Ava didn't think much of it. Seeing Cleo keeping her distance, she reached out to grab Cleo's arm, wanting to pull her closer.
As soon as Ava's hand touched Cleo's arm, Cleo's whole body shook, and her little face trembled.
"What's wrong, Cleo? Are you not feeling well?"
Ava noticed something was wrong with Cleo and became extremely anxious.
To keep Ava from finding out, Cleo dodged Ava's hand. Ava picked up Cleo, took off her shirt, and exposed her arms. Ava's heart ached terribly.
On Cleo's tender arms were patches of blue and purple bruises—a shocking sight.
Ava's pupils constricted, and a dense pain spread through her heart. "Cleo, does it hurt a lot?... Who hit you? Why didn't you tell me?"
Cleo pressed her little lips together. Her nose immediately turned red, and tears fell down. Like she'd suffered a huge grievance that she'd been holding in for a long time, once exposed, she instantly broke down crying.
At the Thomas family, Victor, Ursa, Xavier, and Hayden all loved Finn and Cleo dearly. They couldn't possibly have beaten Cleo like this. The only other person at the Thomas family today besides Thea was no one else.
Ava's pupils instantly filled with overwhelming coldness.
Seeing Cleo beaten like this, Finn felt both heartbroken and guilty. Cleo had been with him all day. The only person who'd been alone with Cleo was Thea.
Finn immediately realized something too.
Ava helped Cleo get dressed, took out her phone, and called Thea.
Ava took a deep breath. "Ms. Ellis, where are you?"
"Ava, what's wrong? I'm still at Grandpa's."
Ava suppressed her anger and responded, then hung up directly.
Ava took Finn and Cleo straight to the Thomas Villa.
Thea was sitting with Victor and Ursa, chatting and laughing. She knew that to marry into the Thomas family, the elders were key.
Only by pleasing them would her chances be greater.
Thea was shocked to see Ava return. Seeing Ava's expression, she froze.
"Ava, why did you come back? Is there something else?" Thea glanced at Cleo, her gaze examining the three of them, as if trying to judge their current emotions from their expressions.
Ava sat down on the sofa with Finn and Cleo, coldly watching Thea. "Yes, there is."
Victor also noticed the emotion in Ava's voice and frowned slightly, asking with concern, "Ava, what's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Grandpa, this is between me and Ms. Ellis."
Ava's gaze fell on Thea once again. Thea's hands resting on her knees tightened. "Ava, what is it?"
Ava's voice remained calm and even. "Come here."