Chapter 135 Thea's Welcome Banquet
"Thea, don't mind them. Those two just can't bear to push the kids. Come sit with me and chat."
Thea turned around, her pretty face now wearing a gentle and touching expression. She took Ursa's hand and sat down. "I understand."
"Thea, you're always so understanding. By the way, isn't your engagement with the King family about to be finalized? I'm looking forward to attending your wedding."
Thea froze for a moment, bit her lip, and lowered her head deeply, putting on a wronged and helpless look that immediately drew Ursa's concern.
"What's wrong?"
"Mrs. Thomas, the King family and I are preparing to call off the engagement."
"Call it off?" Ursa frowned. "What happened?"
"Yes..." Thea looked melancholy. "He... cheated before the wedding."
...
Joshua got out of the car and opened the door for Ava. As Ava stepped out, she looked at Finn and Cleo with some worry. "Finn, when I'm not around, will you take good care of Cleo?"
Finn held Cleo's hand. The two children, wearing their backpacks, listened obediently to Ava's instructions. Finn nodded. "Don't worry, Mommy. I'll definitely take good care of Cleo."
The two children walked hand in hand into the school.
Ava was still worried. After getting back in the car, she called the teacher, explained Cleo's situation, and asked the teacher to give her extra attention.
Only after doing all this did Ava breathe a sigh of relief.
"If you're worried, get Cleo a private tutor." Joshua understood Ava's concerns.
Among all the other kids, Cleo would be isolated and left out for not talking, since no one likes to play with a child who doesn't speak.
"Finn and Cleo like school." School was lively with lots of people. Both Finn and Cleo had warm and cheerful personalities. Having a tutor at home would only bore them.
Ava wanted to give them the same childhood as other kids.
"I'll pick you up after work tonight," Joshua said.
"Okay." Since she had to attend Thea's party, Ava didn't refuse.
Ava pushed the car door open and got out.
"Wait." Joshua suddenly called out to stop her.
Ava turned around. "What..."
A large hand wrapped around her neck, and cool lips pressed a kiss on hers.
"Joshua, you..."
"Aren't we dating? So what's wrong with me kissing my girlfriend?" he asked matter-of-factly.
Ava's brow twitched. Indeed, there was nothing wrong with it.
But he was being way too bold about it—right at the hospital entrance, with people everywhere, and his expensive car attracting everyone's attention.
Seeing Ava staring at him in a daze, Joshua's lips curved into a playful smile.
He found even Ava's dazed look appealing.
"Ava..."
Ava raised her hand to block his lips coming toward her again. "I have to go." Ava got out of the car as if escaping.
Joshua watched Ava's playful figure, his lips curling up with pleasure, letting out a low chuckle.
The scene in the car happened to fall into a pair of venomous eyes not far away.
Mia stared at Ava's back, grinding her teeth.
Her mother was dead, the Wilson Villa was burned down, her father had fainted from anger, and the Wilson family was in shambles—all of it was Ava's fault.
Cleo was actually still alive. After she had paid such a huge price, Cleo was still alive.
Mia couldn't swallow this no matter what.
She had to make Ava pay it back.
Mia walked toward the hospital. Just then, her phone rang. "Hello, Thea."
Thea's gentle voice came through. "Mia, we haven't seen each other in so long. Grandpa is throwing me a welcome-back party tonight. Come join us."
Mia collected the anger on her face and smiled casually. "Sure."
"By the way, Ava works at your hospital, right? I've invited her too. You're from the same hospital and the same department, so you should have plenty to talk about."
Ava would be there too? That was perfect.
Mia's lips curved into a sinister smile. "Great, Thea. I'll definitely be there tonight."
After hanging up, Thea tossed her phone aside, picked up the glass of red wine on the table, and slowly stood up. Her alluring figure walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking everything below, her lips constantly curving upward.
The Ellis family was a famous prominent family in Silverlight City. Thea's welcome-back party naturally attracted many elite families, making it a grand affair.
As night gradually fell, the entrance to the Ellis Villa was bustling with guests.
Ava sat in the car, her eyes casually watching the scene. Samuel in the driver's seat respectfully said to Ava, "Ms. Davis, something came up at the company. Mr. Thomas is handling an emergency and might be late. He said you should go in first and not wait for him."
Ava responded softly. The car door opened, and Ava let out a light sigh.
Ava wasn't someone who enjoyed crowds. She was resistant to such lively parties, but since she had already agreed, she had to come.
Ava got out of the car, and Samuel couldn't help but be impressed.
Ava, who usually preferred light-colored dresses, wore a white form-fitting gown tonight. The body-hugging design perfectly wrapped around her beautiful figure. The bold V-neck design revealed her perfect, sexy collarbones. Her soft hair was pinned up, and she held a silver clutch that complemented the look perfectly.
Her delicate features wore light makeup, making her look noble and stunning with exceptional grace—breathtakingly beautiful. She lifted her chin slightly and glanced at the magnificent and luxurious Ellis Villa before her. There was no extra emotion in her eyes as she calmly looked away.
She lifted her dress and stepped up the stairs, her presence commanding.
Thea stood inside near the entrance, gracefully chatting and laughing with arriving friends.
She wore a golden evening gown with an off-shoulder design that perfectly displayed the fair skin of her chest. The golden dress shone brilliantly under the bright crystal lights, making her look elegant and beautiful.
Seeing Ava walking over slowly, Thea was accidentally stunned by her beauty, her gaze freezing for a moment, flashing with strong disgust.
She couldn't deny that Ava's face was enough to crush all other women.
But seeing Ava come alone, Thea's lips curved into a mocking smile.
So what if she was Joshua's woman? Without family background, she was just a woman who couldn't make it into high society. At this level of party, Joshua wouldn't appear with her at all.
Ava's appearance immediately captured everyone's attention.
Thea walked up to her, her beautiful face wearing a gentle and harmless smile. "Ava, you look really beautiful tonight." Thea looked behind Ava and deliberately asked, "What, Joshua didn't come with you?"
"He has something at the company. He'll be here later," Ava answered, lifting her eyes to look at her calmly with a clear voice.
"I see." Thea smiled. "No problem. Ava, please come inside."
Ava nodded politely and graciously, walking inside. Samuel followed at a respectful distance, not too far, not too close.
Given Joshua's level of care for Ava, Samuel had completely started treating Ava as Joshua's wife.
With this outfit, Ava was absolutely the most stunning flower among the crowd. Samuel had already lost count of how many men he'd blocked from hitting on Ava.
Ava was bored. She found a place to sit down and leisurely ate the refreshments in front of her.
Seeing Samuel so tense, as if he wanted to clear out all the men within ten feet of her, Ava smiled. But with Samuel blocking them, Ava felt much more relaxed.
Ava tilted her head slightly, her eyes coldly sweeping toward a certain direction. She didn't know if it was her imagination, but from the moment she entered until now, she kept feeling like someone was watching her.
"Ms. Davis doesn't drink, sorry..." Samuel's tall figure blocked the man in front of them.
The man held a drink with a cheeky smile. "Isn't this Samuel from Joshua's side? When did the Thomas family get such a beautiful woman?"