Chapter 44: Victor's Illness is Because of Her
Ursa frowned after hearing this. She looked at Mia, her expression shifting slightly, full of concern. She walked over, took Mia's hand, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mia. I was too anxious just now."
Mia bit her lower lip and shook her head. "It's okay. Grandpa is what matters."
"Barry, Mia, it's raining so hard. Why don't you both stay at the Thomas Villa tonight? Father is getting old, and he had another episode tonight. Who knows if it'll happen again? I'm counting on you both."
Mia's eyes flickered. Hearing this, she immediately looked eagerly at Joshua beside her, her eyes lighting up. Staying overnight at the Thomas Villa was exactly what she wanted.
"As for you, Ava, why don't you get lost? Are you planning to stick around our house? You achieved your goal of marrying into the Thomas family back then. What's your purpose now?"
"I want to treat Grandpa." That was Ava's only purpose.
"Get lost. Father doesn't need your treatment."
Ava insisted. She wouldn't leave today until she finished examining Victor.
"Fine, someone come!" Ursa's face darkened. "Throw her out and teach this shameless woman a lesson."
"Yes." Two burly bodyguards at the door immediately stepped forward, grabbing Ava from both sides.
"Back off." Hayden angrily kicked the bodyguards away, his brows furrowed tightly. He had called Ava here, and he would make sure she was safe.
But there was one thing he never understood. Ursa was his mother, usually gentle, calm, and well-mannered. Why did she become so hostile when she saw Ava, like a completely different person?
How Ava had treated the entire Thomas family before was simply beyond reproach.
Hayden, as a member of the Thomas family, had grown up proud, indulgent, and arrogant. Being a spoiled and heartless playboy was in his bones. But why did he respect Ava? Because he truly admired her from the bottom of his heart.
Because Ava really had what it took to be Joshua's wife. Joshua needed this capable woman who got things done cleanly and thoroughly.
The year Ava married into the Thomas family, they faced a major crisis. His grandmother died suddenly, Victor couldn't accept it and fell ill, company directors took advantage of the chaos to seize power and profit, and rival companies attacked them. Internal and external troubles everywhere. After Victor fell ill, he directly put Joshua in charge as president. Joshua worked overtime at the company, turning things around, too busy to take care of home.
The Thomas family was in complete chaos. His grandmother's funeral had to be held, and Victor's illness couldn't be delayed. Just when everyone was losing their heads, it was Ava who single-handedly arranged his grandmother's funeral, took care of Victor, comforted everyone and stabilized people's hearts. She did everything thoroughly and methodically, supporting the Thomas family behind Joshua. She was only 20 years old that year.
Thinking of all this, Hayden found Ursa's current behavior especially excessive.
He couldn't help but speak up. "Mom, why are you so hostile toward her? Have you forgotten how Ava treated you back then, how she treated this family?"
Ursa's face showed no emotion. Instead, she got even angrier.
"What did she do five years ago? Have you forgotten? She left without a word, made Joshua search through the entire Silverlight City for her, made your grandfather worry about her night after night. Your grandfather's illness was because of her!"
Suddenly, Ava's heart trembled violently. She looked up at Ursa in shock.
"What did you say?"
"What did I say? Can't you hear? I said my son searched through the entire Silverlight City just to find a trace of you. Three months, a whole three months, he led people to search for you through every street and alley.
Father couldn't sleep night after night worrying about you. The moment he opened his eyes, he'd ask about you. He worried and feared for you until he got sick. Ava, it's all because of you, because of you that our family had no peace. Do you have a heart? Think about how Grandpa treated you back then. You left without a word, you just disappeared. Ask yourself, how can you face him?"
"Ava, what right do you have to show up here again? Don't you deserve to be taught a lesson?"
Ava suddenly felt like a huge stone was pressing on her heart, so heavy she couldn't breathe. Her whole body was shaking violently.
Joshua had searched through the entire Silverlight City for her!
Victor's illness was triggered by worrying about her!
Victor's illness was all because of her?
Ava took a deep breath. Even breathing felt like being stabbed with a knife.
Her heart hurt so much!
Ava clutched her chest, wrapped in endless guilt.
"Someone come!"
"Stop." A cold command.
Joshua spoke with a dark expression. His icy voice made the approaching bodyguards immediately freeze.
In front of Joshua, whose methods were extremely powerful, no one dared to disobey his orders.
Ava's trembling body suddenly felt a weight on her shoulders. The suit jacket still carried Joshua's warmth. Her cold body was suddenly wrapped in a wave of warmth.