Chapter 47
William was just making casual conversation and couldn't understand why she was reacting this way.
"I've seen the short videos she posted, so what?"
After James signed up, he sent videos of that yoga studio's influencer instructor to his phone - it was hard not to see them.
Ava's alarm bells were still ringing, and she got so nervous she started stuttering,
"Just tell me, do you know her or not?"
William thought her jealousy was acting up again and said irritably,
"What goes on in that head of yours all day? Am I that kind of person who has to know every woman I see?"
When he said this, Ava's anxious heart finally settled back down.
"Good, as long as you don't know her."
She murmured quietly, but William caught every word.
"Ava, I'm very picky, okay? Not just any woman can catch my eye."
His thumb brushed across those beautiful fox-like eyes. Her raven-black lashes trembled lightly against his fingertip, making his whole body tingle.
"Ava, you can only be my woman. Even if we get divorced, you can't be with anyone else. If I find out you're getting involved with some other guy, then... I won't let you off."
Thinking about how eager she was to divorce and how she kept searching the world over for a man she only knew by name, he felt as sour as if he'd swallowed a whole lemon.
Ava was amused by his possessiveness in an exasperated way.
"You don't want me, so why won't you let me find my own happiness? Am I supposed to stay single for you forever?"
"Then let's not divorce."
He roughly grabbed Ava's hand and dropped a cool black card into her palm.
Ava recognized it - the legendary unlimited black card, the ultimate status symbol in socialite circles.
She didn't return it like she did with his supplementary card last time. Instead, she gripped the card tightly.
"Can I spend whatever I want?"
She asked.
William's lips curved up, "I'm giving it to you, so naturally I'm not afraid of you using it."
Ava laughed coldly. So much for the divorce - when push came to shove, he backed out. If he wasn't going to play fair, she wouldn't hold back either.
"I can buy anything?"
"Whatever you want."
Ava put the card away, thinking to herself, 'You'd better not regret this later.'
The atmosphere in the walk-in closet wasn't as tense as before. Both had calmed down; at least on the surface, everything seemed peaceful.
Ava noticed his gaze on her had changed again, carrying a dangerous edge.
"Go take your shower."
She pushed against his chest muscles, trying to move him back. The force wasn't strong, but William cooperated and stepped back, staring blankly at the small hand on his chest.
The words sounded suggestive, like some kind of code.
William felt appeased and happily walked out of the closet with a bathrobe.
Ava leaned against the closet wall. When she heard the bathroom door close and the sound of running water, she breathed a sigh of relief. She took out the clothes she'd just packed and rushed back to the guest bedroom with them in her arms.
Locked the door.
She tossed and turned in bed for a while, unable to sleep.
Her plan had been completely disrupted by him. Now she had to find a way to get him to agree to the divorce quickly - she couldn't hide her belly much longer.
If someone looked carefully, they'd notice her waistline was already a bit bigger than usual.
She didn't have much time left to stall.
Since she couldn't sleep anyway, she opened her phone and logged into her Facebook alternate account. This account had no friends added - she'd always used it as a personal diary.
Her timeline had pregnancy journal entries, recording the baby's changes each week. Every entry here captured the joy of becoming a mother.
Only by looking at this could she temporarily forget those troublesome matters.
The next day, after Ava clocked in at work, she saw from a distance a crowd gathered around the office, including several uniformed police officers. The whole office was in chaos - something had clearly happened.
Ella saw her approaching and pointed in her direction, saying to the officer,
"That's the woman, and she still dares to show up!"
Ava had a bad feeling, and sure enough, this was about her.
Sarah sat in her leather chair with red-rimmed eyes,
"Officer, that necklace was my mother's keepsake. I never thought it would get stolen, even in the office. The Morgan Group employees aren't supposed to be so lacking in character. Thank you for your help - as long as you can get my necklace back, I'll do anything."
She broke into sobs again, her shoulders shaking pitifully.
The police offered some words of comfort. They'd already checked the office surveillance. The night before last, only Ava had returned to the office. The footage clearly showed her opening Sarah's drawer and taking out a jewelry box.
The evidence was solid.
"Miss, you're Ava Davis, right? Please come with us."
The onlookers formed a large circle, all looking at Ava with unfriendly eyes. Someone whispered,
"She looks pretty nice, but turns out she's a thief. Can't judge a book by its cover."
"How could she bite the hand that feeds her? Ms. Brown treated her so well. Sigh! To think she's this kind of person. She must have noticed what Ms. Brown kept in her drawer long ago and snuck back when we were all gone to take it. Too bad she didn't think about the surveillance cameras."
"Maybe she has some difficulties at home. Last time I was recording information, I saw in her file that she's married, but she doesn't even wear a ring. She probably married some poor guy."
"So pathetic. Her salary isn't high; her husband has no money either. After this incident, she definitely can't stay at The Morgan Group anymore."
Ava finally understood what it meant when they say rumors can kill. This group of gossip-lovers in the office could turn lies into truth.
Everyone was waiting to watch the drama unfold. Sarah wiped away more tears, adding fuel to the fire,
"I've failed my mother. She wore that necklace for fifty years and never took it off. Now it's lost in my hands."
Ella, who always loved sucking up to her, immediately grabbed some tissues to comfort her,
"Ms. Brown, don't worry. The police won't let a bad person get away. Your mother's keepsake will definitely be found."
Just as the police were about to take Ava somewhere quiet for questioning, Ava, having heard all these nasty comments, remained unusually calm.
"Officer, let's just talk here. Let everyone hear. I'll definitely admit to what I've done."
The police glanced at the pitiful victim in her seat and sighed softly,
"Alright, we'll ask here then. Ms. Davis, you returned to the office between 8 and 9 PM the night before last, correct?"
"Yes."
"You opened Sarah's drawer?"
"Yes."
"So you admit to stealing from Sarah's drawer - her mother's keepsake, that necklace?"
The dozens of people in the office instantly fell silent, waiting for the gossip. This kind of scandal might even make the news, especially since The Morgan Group wasn't just any company.
In this internet age, even eating river snails in the office could get filmed and criticized in a video, let alone something as serious as theft.
Who would dare keep personal items in the office after this?
Ava's career was probably ending right here.
Everyone was waiting for her answer.