Chapter 17
William stared intently at the docile woman in his arms, desire rising in his eyes. His large hand gently slid across Sarah's cheek.
"You're not pushing me to get divorced anymore?"
Sarah was confused for a few seconds, then realized he thought she was Ava.
That bitch!
She had thought William was finally ready to truly accept her, to want to possess her like a grown man wants the woman he likes. Her heart had been filled with joy, and she was already prepared. But just as she was getting aroused, reality threw cold water over her head.
She felt hurt for a moment, then calmed down.
William cupped her face and kissed her lightly, on and off. After a few kisses, he noticed the woman in his arms had no reaction at all, just staring at him with hurt in her eyes.
He instantly lost interest.
"Three years, and you're still like a dead fish."
He complained with disgust.
Sarah helped him back to the master bedroom.
The room was quiet, with only a dim floor lamp glowing.
The person beside her had already fallen into a deep sleep.
Sarah gripped the sheets tightly. He and she must have done it in this bed, right?
William's phone rang. The caller was Ava.
Sarah's red lips pressed together slightly. That woman shouldn't have it easy either.
She tiptoed out barefoot to answer the call in the living room.
Ava didn't really have anything urgent. Howard saw she was bored staying at the Morgan Mansion, keeping him company every day. Knowing William was back from his business trip, he urged her to call and get him to come back. His intention was to let the young couple spend more time together and give him a great-grandchild soon.
Howard sat there supervising her, so Ava reluctantly made the call.
As soon as the call connected, a woman's moaning came from the other end.
"William, be gentle..."
"William, you're so bad... ah..."
Ava's nerves suddenly tensed up. The phone slipped from her hand and rolled to the floor. Her face instantly turned as pale as paper.
Howard asked with concern, "What did William say?"
Ava's lips trembled. She didn't dare tell Howard what she heard, and for a moment her oxygen-deprived brain couldn't even come up with a lie.
Howard picked up the phone from the floor and pressed the speaker button.
Those obscene sounds echoed throughout his study. Howard was so angry that he struck his cane hard on the floor several times.
"This is sinful. How did the old Morgan family produce such a thing? Ava, the Morgan family has wronged you, wronged your grandmother's trust. I have no face left."
The kind-hearted Howard couldn't help but feel some regret. Three years ago, he had forced William to marry Ava. He couldn't help wondering if he had made a mistake. He wanted to take care of this child and give her a home, but now he had harmed her instead.
Ava collected herself and came over to comfort Howard.
"Grandpa, I'm fine. Don't be angry, watch your blood pressure."
Just as she finished speaking, Howard passed out.
The Morgan family was in chaos that night. The whole family rushed Howard to the hospital.
Outside the cold metal doors, the family waited anxiously. Finally, the doctor came out. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the doctor to speak.
"Howard has been resuscitated, but he's not out of danger yet. We need to observe him for twenty-four hours. Family members, please come with me to the office."
William's father, Andrew Morgan, and Michael followed. The others stayed outside the emergency room.
Emily glared viciously at Ava.
"What did you say to Grandpa? You must have provoked him to trigger his acute heart attack. I think you just don't want our family to be well."
Ava was still immersed in worry and sadness.
"Emily, Grandpa is still in the emergency room. I don't want to argue with you."
Emily had no intention of backing down and was clearly looking for a fight.
"Ava, Grandpa was angered by you. You bitch, how much more are you going to harm our Morgan family?"
Ava glanced at Isabella standing to the side. She stood there silently, as if she hadn't heard her daughter's rude words. This permissive attitude had created Emily's arrogant and rude character.
Although Isabella was usually friendly to her, Ava's impression of her now dropped significantly.
Emily's behavior, to put it seriously, showed a lack of upbringing—not what you'd expect from a wealthy family's young lady.
Ava's eyes swept over several people, and a faint mocking smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
Emily felt offended. She was clearly scolding her, so what was this bitch's attitude? "What are you smiling at?"
Ava couldn't be bothered with her. She pointed at the "No Noise" sign on the wall.
"Be quiet. This is a hospital. Don't make us a laughingstock."
"You..."
Emily had been provoking for so long, but was completely ignored. She was furious, while Ava acted as if nothing had happened.
She raised her hand and slapped Ava across the face.
Ava wasn't prepared and took the slap full on. One side of her face instantly burned.
At this point, Isabella said sternly, "Emily, how can you hit people? Apologize quickly!"
Emily had been spoiled and pampered. Except for Howard and William, no one could control her. She raised her hand to slap Ava again.
This time, Ava easily caught Emily's wrist before the slap landed and returned a crisp slap to Emily's face.
"Emily, Grandpa is still inside. I don't want to provoke you. You're the one who keeps coming after me again and again. I can't just stand here and let you hit me. Do you think I'm easy to bully?"
Ava was a head taller than Emily, and her height gave her an advantage. Emily struggled a few more times, wanting to hit back, but her hand was controlled by Ava, and she couldn't move. From a distance, it looked like the two were wrestling.
Isabella stood helplessly to the side, gently trying to break up the fight.
At this moment, Andrew and Michael came out of the doctor's office and walked toward them.
Ava released her control over Emily. The next second, Emily lunged at her again, determined to settle this once and for all.
Ava felt embarrassed and kept dodging.
Andrew and Michael saw this scene frame by frame. From a distance, it looked like Emily was chasing and hitting Ava, while Ava kept backing down.
"Howard is still inside. What kind of behavior is this?"
Andrew was clearly angry. Only then did Emily calm down, pouting.
"Dad, she hit me."
Andrew snapped, "Shut up!"
Ava straightened her clothes that Emily had torn, feeling a hot gaze from above. She looked up and met Michael's eyes.
"Michael."
Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, she called out "Michael" to ease the awkwardness.
Michael walked over to her with long strides.
"Ava, come with me for a moment."
"Where to?"
She asked doubtfully. Michael didn't answer and walked toward the elevator on his own. Ava silently followed.
In the elevator, there were only the two of them.
Ava stole a glance in the elevator mirror and was caught by Michael.
"If she hits you, can't you hit back? Why are you so easy to bully?"
Ava replied quietly, "I did hit back."