Chapter 222: Unwanted Pursuit

Chapter 222: Unwanted Pursuit

A predatory glint burned brightly in Noah's leering eyes.

Ava gently patted Isabella's shoulder, "I'm going to the restroom, I'll be right back. Don't wander off, wait for me here, got it?"

Isabella seemed a bit tipsy, nodding with half-closed eyes, "Okay, go ahead. Don't worry, I definitely won't wander off."

Ava shook her head helplessly, asked a waiter to keep an eye on Isabella, and took away all of Isabella's drinks before leaving.

Noah's gaze followed Ava's figure as she moved. His eyes were full of desire, and he muttered to himself, "If I could have her, I'd die happy."

With that, he downed his drink in one gulp, immediately stood up and followed after her.

Ava came out of the restroom.

Suddenly, someone pressed against her from behind. Ava's eyes instantly turned cold, and she bent her elbows and struck hard at the man behind her.

The man gasped and immediately let go of Ava in pain.

Ava quickly distanced herself from the man and turned around to see a familiar face.

It was Noah—the man who had been staring at her in Victor's hospital room during the day, Joshua's cousin.

"You hit hard," Noah said, rubbing his chest where Ava had struck him, but still wearing a disgusting smile on his face.

"What are you trying to do, Noah?"

Ava's voice was full of coldness.

"Don't be nervous, I just wanted to come over and get closer to you." Noah shamelessly moved closer, "You came to a bar alone at night to drink—did you fight with Joshua? Come talk to me about it, let's chat."

As he spoke, his hand reached toward Ava.

Ava dodged to the side, avoiding his hand, her eyes showing no warmth, "Show some respect."

Ava turned and walked toward the crowded area.

Noah had no intention of letting this opportunity slip away. When he saw her in Victor's hospital room, he thought she was incredibly beautiful.

He had never seen such a beautiful woman.

At that moment, he had a thousand thoughts about making her his.

Noah hurried after her, grabbing Ava's wrist, but she shook him off hard. Instead of getting angry, he laughed, "You look so good even when you're angry, you've completely captivated me."

"Leave me alone."

Ava found this man utterly disgusting.

"Ava, don't be so cold and distant. What's so great about Joshua? He's nothing but a cold, unfeeling man. Can you really stand being with him? Why don't you be with me instead? Whatever he can give you, I can give you too. How about it?"

Joshua had money, and he had plenty of money too. Whatever Joshua could give her, he could give her the same. He was extremely confident.

Noah shamelessly pressed closer again, "Ava, think about it. I can give you even more than he can."

"Where does your arrogance come from?" Ava stepped back, her tone fierce. "Back off, or you will end up just like your mother."Noah moved closer to Ava and grabbed her hand, "Ava, don't be so stubborn. What do you like about Joshua—his power? His status? I'm telling you, all of that will be mine eventually. Being with me now is the smart choice. How am I worse than him?"

At that moment at the Thomas Villa, Joshua had just returned home and searched the entire house without finding any trace of Ava.

She wasn't back yet?

A strong, familiar feeling suddenly surged in his heart, just like that time when she left without a word.

He had spoken too harshly today. He had made her angry. Had she left?

The intense feeling of loss made him rush to Finn and Cleo's room.

The moment the door was pushed open, Finn and Cleo, who were sitting on the floor playing with toys, looked up and saw Joshua's anxious face. They blinked, a bit confused, "Daddy, what's wrong?"

Thank goodness!

Finn and Cleo were still here. Even if she left him, she wouldn't leave without Finn and Cleo.

As soon as this thought emerged, Joshua smiled self-mockingly.

"Where is she?"

"You don't even know where Mommy is?"

Finn raised his watch to check the time, then switched to their shared location tracker and looked at it before raising his head to tell Joshua, "Isabella is unhappy, so Mommy went with Isabella. They're at a bar now. Daddy, go pick up Mommy."

Joshua paused, furrowed his brow, nodded, and immediately turned to leave.

"Stay away from me." Ava raised her leg to kick Noah in the crotch, but he dodged it.

Noah smiled shamelessly, "Ava, if you don't want to leave Joshua, that's fine. I don't mind if we have an affair—that would be even more exciting. You and me for one night..."

Ava raised her hand and slapped him hard across his shameless face to wake him up.

He disgusted Ava beyond words.

"What are you? You're comparing yourself to Joshua? Get a mirror and take a good look at yourself. See where you measure up to even half of Joshua. Every word you say makes me sick."

"You!" Noah raised his hand and pointed at Ava viciously, "You bitch!"

Before Noah could finish, Ava grabbed the finger he was pointing at her.

Noah froze. He tried to grab Ava's hand.

The next second, a sharp crack echoed through the corridor. His finger was broken.



Before he could react, Ava twisted and leaned back, executing a fluid over-the-shoulder throw.

Noah crashed heavily onto the floor.

Dazed and overwhelmed by agony, he let out a howl, writhing on the ground like a wounded animal.

Ava dusted off her hands and stared down at him with icy contempt.