Chapter 69 Engagement
"Mom." Mia sat down next to Katya. "What brings you here?"
"What, you can come but I can't?" Katya covered her mouth and chuckled, teasing, "You're so busy with hospital work every day that you don't even worry about your own marriage. I came here today specifically to discuss your wedding with Joshua."
"Mia has always been my daughter-in-law-to-be. They're both not getting any younger. Xavier and I have been planning their engagement recently."
"Well, great minds think alike! Mia has always been our precious girl, but we feel at ease entrusting her to your family."
"Absolutely, absolutely. Rest assured, our family will always cherish this precious girl."
"Mom, Mrs. Thomas, you two really..." Mia was both shy and excited. This was definitely an unexpected surprise for her, her face flushed red as she playfully protested.
"Look at you getting all shy."
The whole room was filled with their laughter and cheerful voices. Ava's smooth brow furrowed slightly. She knew how much of this was deliberately said for her to hear. They wanted to put on a show, but she had no interest in watching. She turned to leave.
"Oh, Ms. Davis is here too." Katya deliberately called out to her, pretending as if she had just noticed her. "Perfect timing—you can give some suggestions for Mia and Joshua's engagement party. After all, you lived with Joshua for several years and know what he likes."
"Mom," Mia said helplessly, "Ms. Davis and I like different party styles. There's nothing for her to suggest. Don't make things difficult for her."
"Right, what could an ex-wife possibly suggest?" Ursa elegantly sipped her tea and snorted disdainfully. "Mia, you should stay away from her. She's scheming, and you're pure-hearted—don't let her corrupt you."
Mia pressed her lips together slightly, her expression gentle yet helpless.
"Regardless, I still hope Ms. Davis can bless Joshua and me." Mia said gently, looking at Ava with expectant eyes.
As if she really expected her blessing.
But the showing off and smugness in her eyes couldn't be hidden at all.
Ava's cold face showed no other emotion.
She let out a light laugh.
Everyone looked at her.
Finally, Ava spoke slowly, her eyes full of desolate mockery. "Grandpa is critically ill, on the edge of life and death, and you're happily planning an engagement. I sincerely wish you can hold your party with a clear conscience."
Everyone's faces stiffened.
Just as Ava was about to turn and leave, a strong arm wrapped around her waist.
Ava looked back, her eyes flickering. Due to their height difference, her slender neck tilted up involuntarily.
Joshua stood behind her, his eyes fixed on hers. Seeing her cool expression and sensing something was wrong, his brow furrowed slightly.
"What's wrong?" Joshua's lips moved slightly, his voice somewhat low.
Ava's body trembled lightly. Her starry eyes glanced at him briefly before looking away. Her lips moved, her voice consistently cold, revealing no emotion. "Nothing. I'm going to check on Grandpa."
Ava lowered her eyes, deliberately avoiding contact with Joshua, stepped aside, and walked upstairs.
"Ava." Hayden had just returned from outside. Seeing Ava walk past him, he called out to her.
Ava nodded politely.
Joshua's gaze flickered, following Ava's slender figure, his deep eyes narrowing slightly.
"Joshua, perfect timing that you're back. We're discussing your wedding. As the person involved, you need to pay attention too."
Seeing Joshua staring at Ava the whole time, ignoring everyone else, and noticing Xavier already looking somewhat displeased, Ursa quickly spoke up before Xavier could scold him.
Only then did Joshua's gaze shift to the people on the sofa. Hearing this, his brow darkened, and he roughly understood Ava's sudden mood.
He said nothing, his handsome face tense, clearly showing his anger.
In this tense atmosphere, Hayden couldn't help but laugh. "Joshua's getting married? How come I didn't know? With who? Ava? Mom, you're using the wrong term—Joshua and Ava getting married should be called remarriage."
"..."
"Who said it's with Ava?"
"There's someone else?" Hayden said playfully, "Well, I won't agree to that."
"Shut your mouth." Ursa was about to explode with anger. Things were already messy enough, and now this troublemaker Hayden was making it worse. "Is it your place to agree?"
"Mom, am I not part of the Thomas family? How am I not qualified to speak? Besides, did Joshua agree to this? Did Grandpa lying in that hospital bed agree? Grandpa said Joshua's future wife can only be Ava, no one else. Doing this, aren't you afraid of making Grandpa so angry he wakes up?"
"You shut up." Ursa was furious with embarrassment.
Hayden made a zipping motion across his lips. Anyway, he'd said what he needed to say. He stood with Joshua, leaning casually against the sofa back without a care.
"Joshua, this marriage..."
A cold, gloomy voice interrupted Ursa's words.
"No need to discuss it."
"Do as you please."
Joshua's unhurried voice continued, devoid of any warmth.