Chapter 124
That evening, she returned to EastLake Villa.
She had hired two housekeepers to live there, take care of the house, and fill the yard with flowers. They made the place feel alive.
She didn't want the villa to fall into disrepair after her mom passed away. Someone needed to look after it.
The flowers in the yard were in full bloom, bursting with colors, large blossoms competing for attention.
The house had been cleaned until the windows sparkled.
When the two housekeepers saw her return, they hurried to prepare some food.
Ava had no appetite. She ate a little and went back to her room.
She held the photo she had found here last time, looking at her young mother holding a little boy. She wondered if the person secretly investigating the truth could be Joseph.
Who exactly was Joseph?
Her mom was only eighteen or nineteen at the time. This boy couldn't possibly be her child.
How could she uncover the secret about Joseph?
Ava went crazy searching online again. She felt certain that Joseph must know a lot about her mother.
William worked late at the company. After finishing the pile of documents, he stood by the floor-to-ceiling window and lit a cigarette.
James pushed the door open.
"Mr. Morgan, the media are all lined up. Is there anything else you need? If we announce your marriage at the company's new product launch, these two bombshells will make the Morgan Group's stock rise for a while. Those old guys definitely won't bother you anymore."
William exhaled a puff of smoke. "Is the custom dress for Ava ready?"
"I just called to check. They said it's done, just needs ironing. It can be delivered tomorrow. Should we have it sent to SilkGrove Estates tomorrow, or somewhere else?"
The launch was in two days. William initially wanted to send it to SilkGrove Estates, but after hesitating, he said,
"Send it to my office."
Put it in the lounge where that woman won't see it.
He'd heard that women like surprises. If it was sent to SilkGrove Estates and she saw it early, there'd be no surprise.
Howard had always been unhappy about his keeping the marriage secret, so he'd take this opportunity to go public. That would also stop that woman from causing trouble.
Pleasing people was such a hassle.
He could never say those mushy things that James said.
"Mr. Morgan, the Brown Group's stock has dropped these past few days. That mysterious big player buying it up hasn't made any moves lately and has stopped buying. Small investors can't support the stock price. Everyone who bought in earlier has lost money."
William raised an eyebrow. "Just as expected."
Anyone aggressively buying up that kind of junk stock must have some hidden agenda. That idiot Steven probably doesn't even know his company has changed hands. After dilution, his original shares probably don't make him the largest shareholder anymore.
He unconsciously curved his lips. He wasn't going to bother with Steven's mess. He'd just wait and watch the show.
On the way back to SilkGrove Estates, Sarah called.
Since Sarah got cyberbullied, his ears had been quiet for a while, which he wasn't quite used to.
William answered the phone and immediately heard Sarah crying.
"William, don't you care if I live or die? Lolly's fans are driving me crazy. They all want me dead, cursing me, hitting me, insulting me. What law did I break to deserve this collective attack?"
William was tired from the day and got a headache hearing this.
"Sarah, find another place to live. The JadeDragon Bay Residences apartment is being sold. People will come to view it this weekend, and you'll need to cooperate."
On the other end, Sarah was stunned for a few seconds. Did she hear that right? He was selling the apartment he'd lent her and kicking her out?
"William, what do you mean?"
"Don't overthink it. I mean exactly what I said. Online users have already found the JadeDragon Bay Residences address. It's not safe for you to keep living there. Move out quickly. It's better for everyone."
Sarah didn't hear most of what he said, only catching the last part about "better for everyone."
"William, so you're selling the apartment because Ava forced you to, right? She doesn't want me living there anymore. Fine, I'll move out. Can't have her upset."
Her usual fake act particularly grated on William today.
"She didn't say that. It's my idea. Start looking for a place now and move out this weekend."
Sarah sobbed quietly over the phone.
"How can you do this? Selling the apartment just like that, giving me two days' notice to move out right away. Do you know how hard it is to find a place now? Do you know how much stuff girls have?"
Her heart was shattered. He actually listened to Ava's whispers and was really kicking her out of the apartment.
The one who should leave was that woman, not her!
Sarah clenched one hand into a fist so tight that her recent manicure dug into her flesh without her noticing. She was furious.
She never imagined Ava could hold such an important place in his heart that he would kick her out of the apartment just to please his wife.
At that moment, hatred grew like weeds in her heart.
William heard her crying and softened a bit. He was indeed rushing her too much, but it was an urgent situation, and that apartment really wasn't safe to live in anymore.
The danger was real.
"Take your time packing. I'll get some workers to help you. Pack up your things these next few days and look for places on rental apps, or you could move back to your parents' place first."
Sarah felt hurt. He owned so many properties, but didn't offer to let her stay in any of them. Instead, he told her to rent a place herself.
He really didn't care about her anymore.
She could tell from how he'd handled things these past few days—ignoring her troubles, not answering her calls, not coming to check on her in person.
She was almost getting depressed from the online abuse.
"William, can you let me stay in one of your other properties? I can't find a place on such short notice. Don't worry, I won't tell Ava. If you don't say anything and I don't say anything, she won't know. I'll move out as soon as I find a place."
For a moment, William almost agreed, but remembering Howard's words, he immediately dismissed the thought.
All his other properties were empty.
He said apologetically, "Sarah, I'm sorry, that's not convenient. Why don't you buy a place in your own name? Look at some developments yourself, and if you need money, let me know."
Sarah's half-frozen heart gradually warmed up again. He still cared about her; otherwise, he wouldn't have offered to buy her a place.
"William, I understand. I'll go look at properties when I have time."
After hanging up, Sarah immediately contacted several real estate agents.
"Hello, are there any properties for sale at SilkGrove Estates?"
The agent was quite happy to receive a client with such a direct goal, saving a lot of sales pitch. "Hello, ma'am, please wait a moment. Let me check our system back at the office. SilkGrove Estates is a villa community completed five years ago, so any property available now would be second-hand. If you don't mind, I'll keep an eye out and notify you immediately if something comes up."
Sarah: "Okay, as soon as possible."