Chapter 46: Does Ava Have a Boyfriend?
Joshua was lounging on the sofa at that moment, casually sipping his drink, his eyes watching her with a hint of amusement.
Ava was startled and quickly clutched the bath towel wrapped around her chest, frowning. "You've been here the whole time?"
Joshua raised an eyebrow at her. "Yes."
Ava was furious. "You were in the room, why didn't you say anything just now?"
"Didn't hear you."
Who's he kidding?
He didn't hear that? He must be deaf.
Joshua's expression remained calm, eyebrow slightly raised, lying without batting an eye or missing a heartbeat.
"..." Ava was so angry she almost laughed. She just grabbed her clothes and went back to the bathroom, refusing to engage.
Right after, Joshua heard Ava forcefully dragging a cabinet in the bathroom to block the door, making no effort to hide the noise—warning him that she was guarding against him.
Joshua found it amusing, his fingers curling as he covered his lips and chuckled softly.
When Ava came out after changing, the movement caught Joshua's attention.
His shirt on her reached just above her knees. Below the shirt, her well-proportioned legs were slender and straight. Having just showered, Ava carried the fresh scent of body wash. Her delicate, refined face was free of any imperfections, her bright eyes cool and proud—she looked impossibly clean.
"Thanks for the shirt, I'll wash it and return it to you." As Ava spoke, she found a bag to pack her dirty clothes, preparing to leave.
Two knocks sounded at the door, followed by Mia's soft, weak voice. "Joshua, are you in there?"
Ava, who had reached the door, was quick—she directly opened the ornate double doors.
When Mia saw Ava, she was completely stunned, her expression freezing hard, something in her heart suddenly collapsing.
"Ava! You..."
Ava was clearly wearing Joshua's shirt, carrying the fresh scent of a recent shower, her long legs exposed, her perfect face still flushed.
Ava had showered in Joshua's room? Or had they done something else?
Mia couldn't control her expression at all. Tears fell as she looked utterly wronged and desperate, like a wife catching her husband with his mistress.
Ava's expression was also a bit awkward, though she really hadn't deliberately opened the door to let Mia see her and Joshua together. Her cool face turned back to glance at Joshua.
Joshua had somehow already moved behind her. In contrast, Joshua's posture was casual, showing no panic at being caught by his beloved in a room with his ex-wife, not even intending to explain. He only asked in a cold voice, "What is it?"
"Joshua, she...?" At this moment, Mia really wanted to demand loudly whether he still had feelings for this woman. She really wanted to beat this woman to death in front of him.
But she couldn't. She didn't dare.
His lips parted slightly. "Is there a problem?"
"Nothing, just a bit surprised to see Ms. Davis in your room. Joshua, you and Ms. Davis, you two..." Mia trailed off, forcing a relaxed shake of her head. "It's probably not what I'm thinking. I'm overthinking it. After all, Ms. Davis already has a boyfriend."
"I have a boyfriend?"
Ava's cool expression darkened. After thinking for a moment, she understood what Mia was trying to do. Her icy voice carried mockery. "Mia, which eye of yours saw me with a boyfriend?"
"What?" Mia covered her mouth in surprise, her tear-filled eyes full of innocence. "Ms. Davis, isn't Dr. Harvey from the hospital your boyfriend? We all saw Dr. Harvey eating with you, taking you home, and protecting you everywhere. I wouldn't believe it if you said he wasn't your boyfriend."
"Dr. Harvey?" Joshua frowned, looking at Ava, inadvertently recalling the woman leaving with that man, chatting and laughing.
It was the man he saw in the underground parking garage today.
"Yes, Joshua." Mia suppressed the emotions churning in her eyes, walked over, and linked her arm through Joshua's, clearly staking her claim. "Joshua, you know, right? Dr. Harvey is the doctor we saw today. We all think Dr. Harvey and Ms. Davis are a great match."
Ava couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Though she didn't care about these things, she wouldn't let Mia slander her or go along with her scheme.
"Mia, you're saying this just to make Joshua misunderstand me. Day after day, scheming like a monster—is that fun for you? What you value, I might not care about at all. You can rest assured and guard it well yourself."
Ava's delicate eyebrows raised slightly as she turned and left without hesitation.
Mia's expression stiffened as her intentions were exposed. She quickly looked at Joshua. Joshua's face was dark. Mia's heart panicked as she forced out a stiff, guilty smile.
Joshua looked at her deeply without saying anything.
But whether Joshua believed it or not, as long as a seed of doubt was planted, it would eventually take root and sprout.
She watched Ava's departing figure, her heart vicious.
Ava, don't think you can beat me.
...
Although Ursa disliked Ava, her concern for Victor was genuine. Victor's episode today had really frightened her, leaving her feeling uneasy.
"Barry, I came to ask if my father's condition can still improve?"
Barry sighed. "The condition has indeed caused Victor to frequently fall into unconsciousness. If this continues without improvement, at best he'll become a vegetable, at worst... if this happens again, even I would be powerless."
Ursa's hands clenched tightly. Hearing Barry's words, her whole heart lifted.
"Then what should we do, Barry?"
"If you want to save Victor, I'm afraid you'll have to find her!"
"Her? Who?"
"Cynthia. She used to be the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Astoria General Hospital—a truly admired figure. At such a young age, she's performed over a hundred surgeries without a single failure. Her surgeries drew worldwide attention. She ranks first in the medical field. I only had the chance to see her from afar once, and she was truly magnificent and extraordinary."
"But this person is extremely mysterious and protected by a powerful force. No one outside has seen her face beneath the mask." When discussing this person, Barry, who was highly respected in the medical field, showed rare admiration in his eyes.
"Someone who earns such high praise from you must be exceptional, but is Cynthia the only one who can save my father?"
"That's right. In this world, I'm afraid only she can save Victor now."
"Then I'll notify Xavier immediately to bring this Cynthia back."
"Don't rush. This person is no longer in Astoria. Her whereabouts are hard to trace. It will take some effort."
"Since she can save Victor, the Thomas family will find her even if we have to search the ends of the earth."
Ava was unwilling to give up and still wanted to see Victor, but four bodyguards were stationed at Victor's room. When they saw her, they treated her like an invading enemy, unhesitatingly pulling out their guns and pointing them at her, saying sternly, "Ms. Davis, please leave immediately, or don't blame us for being rude."
Strong helplessness welled up in Ava's eyes. It seemed absolutely impossible to see Victor today.
Ava frowned and walked toward Hayden's room, knocking on his door.
Hayden quickly opened the door. Seeing Ava's outfit, his casual eyes looked her over twice, a playful smile appearing on his carefree face. "Ava, what happened between you and Joshua?"
Ava pressed her lips together. "Stop talking nonsense. Joshua and I are already divorced. By the way, this."
Ava took out a small bottle of pills from the medicine box and handed it to Hayden. As he looked confused, she said, "If Grandpa has another episode, give him this medicine first, then call me immediately."
"What kind of medicine is this?"
"Life-saving. Did you remember what I just said?" Ava was afraid this guy would get distracted and forget.
"That amazing?" Hayden shook the pill bottle. "Don't worry, from now on I'll carry this medicine with me every day. I won't forget even if you beat me to death."
Ava looked at Hayden's handsome face transform from carefree to completely serious and solemn, finding it somewhat amusing.
"Okay, I'm leaving."
"Ava, let me take you. It's raining outside, it's not safe for a girl alone."
"No need, I drove... Hey..." Ava's neck was grabbed by a large hand.