Chapter 146
When you have a clear conscience, you have nothing to fear.
Ava said calmly, "I've already said what I needed to say. I didn't touch any of those cups. If you really don't believe me, you can get professionals to check - you won't find my fingerprints on them."
After finishing, Ava left this troublesome place with her bag. Sarah cried out from behind,
"William, how can you let her go? She's the one who tried to kill our baby."
"Enough!"
William dropped that line and left, too, leaving Sarah crying and Emily standing there stunned.
In the afternoon, the yacht docked.
William urged James to speed up, and the car raced all the way to the Morgan Group building parking lot.
"Get me Ava's design draft now."
He instructed James. This matter had been weighing on his mind all morning, and he couldn't wait to uncover the truth.
Part of him hoped Lolly was her, and part of him hoped she wasn't - he felt completely conflicted.
James didn't know what William wanted it for, but he rushed to get it. Within minutes, he appeared in the CEO's office with the original draft of the design.
"Mr. Morgan, this is it."
William took the design draft and examined it carefully. Not seeing anything at first, he picked up the magnifying glass from his pen holder and held it up to the clasp of the necklace, spotting a cleverly designed "L."
During the last plagiarism incident involving Sarah, SWAN Company explained that all of Lolly's designs had a unique mark to prevent theft.
Not entirely sure, he pulled out the drawing Sarah had stolen to compare. The same "L" letter, identical handwriting.
His heart sank - it really was her!
His bedmate, the woman he'd lived with day and night for three years - he never realized she had this talent, that she was the internationally renowned designer Lolly. He couldn't process it for a moment, finding it hard to accept this fact.
Thinking back on their life together, she never hid her design work from him. She used his study, his desk, and filled the wastebasket with discarded sketches.
He would constantly tease her about her drafts messing up the study. Ava would just show a displeased expression but never argue with him.
Ava had always accommodated him. Her gentle nature made him think she had no other skills besides pleasing her husband - just a pretty face suitable for keeping at home, like a caged canary.
To him, being pretty was enough. She was just a woman, and it wasn't like he couldn't afford to support her.
He wanted her to stay home, and he didn't like her being showy or wearing heavy makeup. She went along with his wishes, spending three years focused on family life with minimal social activities.
Now it seemed that during those three years of marriage, her days with the Morgan Family were like pearls covered in dust.
He finally understood why the famous designer Lolly, who used to release one piece per month, had been releasing only two pieces per year for the last three years. This had been a source of regret in jewelry and fashion circles.
Turns out she had given all her time to him, to this cold and loveless home.
William stared at the drawings before him, his mind unsettled.
While feeling frustrated, Sarah's call came through,
"William, I found a house I like. I need money. You said last time..."
William had promised her he'd let her move out and find her own place, with financial support. He remembered his words,
"How much?"
He asked.
Hearing how straightforward he was, Sarah told him the amount directly. William transferred the money immediately.
When Ava returned to SilkGrove Estates, she ran into Sarah coming back from shopping. Sarah stuck out her belly, which didn't show yet, and said,
"I'm going to live here now. I'm not very familiar with the area. Ava, please look after me!"
Ava's heart jumped. Her first thought was that William was bringing Sarah home to care for during her pregnancy. Emotions churned in her chest. Under one roof, she couldn't bear to watch the two of them being lovey-dovey.
Sarah noticed the confusion in her eyes and explained,
"William doesn't feel comfortable with me living elsewhere, so he bought me a house in SilkGrove Estates. Don't worry, I wouldn't move into your house. I don't like having someone else disturb our family of three's life either."
Ava's determination to divorce was rock solid. She thought, this is fine - it'll help her give up completely. When the hurt is thorough, there's nothing left to hope for.
"You've got a good attitude - eat and drink as you please. Life is about enjoying the moment. Otherwise, when William discovers he's been raising someone else's bastard, who knows what hell will break loose. Oh, right, I'd advise you to save up some money on the side while you can. You know what he's capable of."
Sarah's face turned pale,
"What are you talking about? The baby in my belly is his child."
Ava scoffed,
"What's the point of promising me? He's the one who needs to believe it. You'd better pray he doesn't get suspicious and do a paternity test or something. Anyway, I'm warning you to prepare a backup plan, so you don't end up with nothing in the end."
Ava went home after saying this, leaving Sarah fuming behind her.
The divorce agreement was signed. This time, both of them were serious. When Ava got home, she first slumped into the sofa in a daze. She carefully looked at every corner of this home. After living here for three years, she did feel attached.
Reluctant as she was, she knew she really had to let go this time.
That night, William didn't come home.
Ava spent the night half-asleep, half-awake. In her dreams were her grandmother, her mother, and Joseph...
She lay there groggily until almost noon, lacking energy from the poor sleep.
She thought, William probably won't come back to this house anymore. Sarah had already moved to SilkGrove Estates. She felt disgusted - in this Emerald City, even her last sanctuary couldn't escape that pair of cheaters.
Ava decided to pack her things and move out.
She went to the walk-in closet and looked at the row of neatly hung haute couture clothes, feeling bitter. Just a few days ago, the two of them had gotten along harmoniously in this small space.
He helped her pick clothes, tied her dress strings, and cherished her like a treasure. Now they were at the point of divorce again.
Ava wiped away tears and pulled out her suitcase. She packed a few everyday clothes and underwear, and the other things she wanted to take were her jewelry collection.
After packing everything, she found the suitcase was still half empty. In three years, this was all she could take with her.
She pulled the suitcase out and, before leaving, took off the ring from her ring finger and placed it on the nightstand.
Lily was tidying up in the living room. Seeing her with the suitcase again,
"Mrs. Morgan, are you..."
Ava didn't want to make a big deal of it, so she lied,
"I'm going on a trip for a few days, then I'll be back."
Lily's expression relaxed. She went upstairs to help carry the suitcase,
"Mrs. Morgan, pack carefully and don't leave anything behind."
Ava nodded,
"I know."
After leaving, Ava drove straight to Lucas's house. She was grateful to have a close friend in Emerald City who could give her a place to stay when she had nothing.
Lucas's guest room was still kept for her, regularly cleaned. Ava moved right in.
"Lucas, I'll start looking for a place tomorrow. I'll stay with you until I find something suitable."
Lucas was busy, with a measuring tape around his neck. Seeing her show up at his door with a suitcase again, he put down his work and went upstairs with her.
"So you've really decided to divorce this time?"