Chapter 22
The two of them stood on either side of the hospital bed.
Howard looked around, left and right.
"I've decided to let Ava join the Morgan Group. She studied design, so she'll start in the design department to get some experience. William, you arrange it."
William was silent for a few seconds.
"Grandpa, I'm afraid she won't be able to handle the workload in the design department. Plus, she hasn't worked in this field for years—she's probably forgotten all the professional knowledge she learned back then."
Howard snorted. "If she's forgotten, she can pick it up again. Ava is a smart girl. With you looking out for her, she definitely won't disappoint."
"Grandpa, the Morgan Group isn't an ordinary company. You know my attitude toward employees—I don't give special treatment to anyone, and I can't tolerate employees who aren't capable. Everyone who can survive at the Morgan Group is elite."
"You foolish boy! Is Ava just anyone? She's your wife!"
William was silenced by the scolding.
Ava stood nearby, quietly listening to them argue for ages before finally finding a chance to speak.
"Grandpa, William is right. I haven't worked in design since graduation. I'm afraid I won't be able to handle the job and will just cause him trouble."
She really didn't want to go. Right now, she was just hoping to get through the new season launch and then the divorce.
Howard looked at Ava with affection and gripped her hand tightly.
"Don't be afraid. Grandpa has your back. Just go ahead and do it. I know you love jewelry and design. You're only twenty-four—at this age, you should be doing what you love."
Ava looked at Howard's loving gaze and felt too guilty to say anything more.
What should she do? Howard seemed to have misunderstood—she really didn't want to stay by his side!
"That's settled then. In a few days, when I'm discharged, Ava will officially join the Morgan Group. You handle the arrangements, and don't let your wife suffer any grievances."
Howard made the final decision, just like he had decided on their marriage three years ago.
This time, William didn't argue. Ava could tell he didn't welcome her joining the Morgan Group—he was holding back.
Howard stayed in the hospital for about half a month before being discharged without fuss.
The whole family came to pick him up on discharge day. Ava happened to have a prenatal checkup that day and couldn't be there.
Inside the ultrasound room, Ava lay on the bed cooperating with the examination.
"Damn! Damn!"
Olivia exclaimed at the monitor. Ava panicked.
"Olivia, is there something wrong with my baby?"
"The baby can do magic tricks. Last time there was one, and now, not long after, it's split into two."
"Olivia, explain it clearly. I don't understand."
Olivia excitedly helped her sit up. "Your baby has become twins. Surprised?"
Ava took a moment to process this before breaking into a smile, gently stroking her belly. Thinking about two little ones following behind her, calling her "mama" in the future, all her unhappiness melted away.
"Olivia, really? You're saying there are two babies in my belly now?"
"Of course. Would I lie to you? But seriously, you really don't plan to tell him? Your belly will probably start showing in about a month."
Ava shook her head. In less than a month, she could divorce William. Then she'd find a place where no one knew her and give birth in peace.
Leaving the hospital, she wasn't in a hurry to go home. Her mood was better than usual, so she decided to walk around the streets.
Maybe it was because of the pregnancy, but walking down the street, she couldn't help wanting to go into a baby store when she saw one.
"Hello, what would you like to buy? Our store has baby essentials, toys, cribs—everything. Would you like me to show you around?"
A sales associate warmly approached her. This was a fairly well-known imported brand store, focusing on zero chemical additives and quality safety.
Naturally, Ava wanted the best for her baby. She was about to tell the sales associate she wanted to look at baby clothes when a familiar voice sounded beside her.
"Ava, what a coincidence! You're shopping at a baby store too?"
She turned to see Daniel, William's childhood friend and close buddy. She naturally recognized him.
"I... a friend is having a baby next month. I came to pick out a gift for her."
She made up an excuse.
Daniel sighed.
"I thought you two were expecting. But Ava, have you gained a little weight recently? Compared to before, you're more..."
He couldn't quite put his finger on what was different.
Ava tensed for a moment, unconsciously sucking in her stomach. "More... what?"
"Fuller, I guess. I should say you look even better."
Ava breathed a sigh of relief, almost thinking he'd seen through her.
The sales associate, listening to their conversation, chimed in. "Miss, if you're buying a gift, I recommend a gift set. We have high-end newborn clothes..."
Ava hesitated, then decided not to buy anything. Being seen by someone she knew, who knows what kind of speculation it would cause. She said goodbye to Daniel and left directly.
In the end, she bought two pure gold crosses at a jewelry store. She wanted her babies to have a peaceful and safe life.
Right after she left, Daniel called William.
"What have you been up to lately, brother? Come out for drinks!"
William had just finished arranging things for Howard and was thinking about having a drink.
Too much had happened recently. Since that day he left JadeDragon Bay Residences, he hadn't been back. Sarah called him every day, and he still had no idea how to handle the fact that he'd slept with her.
"Meet you at the usual place. Come now."
Daniel checked the time. Every time he invited him out for drinks, William was either busy with work or with women, but this time he seemed pretty eager. Had he gotten into some kind of trouble?
Watching drama unfold was his specialty. He immediately dropped what he was doing, got in his car, and headed to ImperialLux Club.
"Well, well, who do we have here? Got dumped again and drinking alone?"
Daniel walked into the private room, swinging his car keys casually, teasing the man drinking in front of him.
William smirked. "Every woman in Emerald City wants to be Mrs. Morgan."
Him getting dumped? Not a thing.
"But the real Mrs. Morgan doesn't want to be one anymore, right?"
Daniel hit the nail on the head. William's brow furrowed as he downed a glass of liquor.
"Whether she wants to be or not, what's it to me?"
"If it's nothing to you, why are you drinking alone?"
A server came over to refill his glass.
William waved his hand, signaling her to leave. With only him and Daniel in the room, he said slowly,
"I slept with Sarah."
"So what? It's just mutual pleasure between adults. You're not going to take responsibility for her, are you?"
William lifted his eyelids. "Shouldn't I take responsibility? It was her first time with me."
Daniel looked at him with frustration.
"Dude, nowadays it's all casual relationships. If you slept together, you slept together. If you really had to take responsibility, everyone would have way too many responsibilities. When you're thinking about taking responsibility for Sarah, did you ever think about taking responsibility for Ava?
Count it up—three years. How many times have you slept with her?"
William looked at him without speaking. Daniel continued his verbal assault.
"Can't count them, can you? Wasn't Ava your first time?"
Daniel couldn't help but scoff. This scumbag had probably forgotten that the day after he consummated his marriage with Ava, he came to brag about it. He still remembered how smug and punchable he looked. He really regretted not recording it.
"She never asked me to take responsibility."
Daniel was speechless. What kind of scumbag logic was this?
"I ran into Ava while shopping today. Guess where?"
William took a sip of his drink, completely uninterested. He didn't have that kind of free time to care about where women went shopping—to him, that was boring.
When he didn't ask, Daniel's desire to tell grew stronger.
"At a baby store."
William's head shot up.
"What was she doing at a baby store? Did she buy anything?"
"How would I know what Ava was doing there? She's your wife—ask her, not me. Maybe Ava is already pregnant and doesn't want to tell you because you're such a jerk."
William fell into brief contemplation.