Chapter 37 The Unwilling Bottom Line
Hearing this, Clio's temper flared up again. She couldn't help but slam the table, "If that's the case, finding evidence would be even harder. Why do I feel like the law is protecting cheaters?"
I sighed helplessly, "Don't say things like that."
"But even if Ava and Tyler haven't done anything that crazy in public, they're still pretty intimate, right? Doesn't that count as cheating?"
I shook my head, "No, at most it can only raise suspicion that their relationship is too close, but it's nowhere near enough to prove cheating."
Clio held back her anger, "So Sophia, you really don't plan to hire a private investigator? In wealthy families, hiring private investigators is completely normal. You should know that better than I do."
Of course I knew that, but I'd been hesitating. If I really relied on a private investigator to find evidence, how would I use it in court afterwards?
Just then, Clio lowered her voice, "Sophia, they're done eating and getting up."
I turned to look and saw Ava thoughtfully helping Jasper put on his coat, gently holding his little hand, while Tyler stood to the side holding Ava's coat.
Since the barbecue restaurant was large and every seat was full, they didn't notice us even like this.
I saw Isla looking at Ava with satisfaction. Although it was noisy around us, I could still hear what Isla said as they walked this way.
"Ava looks just like Jasper's mom. The three of you standing together - now that's what a family looks like."
That sentence made my expression freeze instantly. I never imagined Isla could be shameless enough to say such things to a child not even six years old.
And then Ava added, "Thank you, Mom. I'll definitely be a good mother to Jasper from now on. I'll give all my love to Jasper."
At those words, my shoulders heaved violently. I suddenly stood up, turned around, and blocked their path.
Clio also stood up and moved to my side to be my shield.
When the group of people saw me, their expressions were more dramatic than the next.
Tyler's eyes clearly showed a flash of panic.
Isla's eyes went wide, and she actually questioned me, "What are you doing here?"
Ava still had that carefree look, even raising her head proudly in front of me, as if saying, "See, I have what it takes. What can you do about it?"
When Jasper saw me, he immediately let go of Ava's hand and threw himself into my arms, happily saying, "Mommy!"
At that moment, I saw Ava's expression clearly turn sour.
I stroked Jasper's head, holding back the tears in my eyes, then looked at Tyler, "So this is what you meant by taking Jasper out to eat."
Although Tyler was still trying to act calm, his expression couldn't fool anyone. Before he could explain, Ava spoke first, "Sophia, we ran into each other at the mall entrance. I have a commercial performance here these days and was just meeting with the person in charge about a collaboration. Since we bumped into each other, we just had a meal together. I'm really sorry, Tyler and Mom and Dad didn't mean to not invite you."
I ignored Ava and kept staring into Tyler's eyes.
Tyler stepped forward and reached out to take my hand. I stepped back.
Clio was furious, "Caught red-handed, huh? Let's see what you can explain now. What's the meaning of this? You have a wife, but you're out with another woman acting like a family? What? Ava, you like being someone's mistress that much? Aren't you ashamed?"
Instantly, Ava's face turned very ugly, but because everyone was around, she put on a pitiful act, "We really just ran into each other. What are you talking about?"
"Stop your nonsense. We're all women here. You think I don't know what you're doing? Bitch."
Tyler frowned, "Sophia, this is our family matter. Your friend shouldn't get involved."
I said expressionlessly, "You know it's our family matter, so why are you letting Ava get involved?"
Then I looked at Isla, my eyes full of coldness, "I heard what you just said. So now you're looking for another woman to be my child's mother."
Perhaps because our group was really outstanding and blocking the hallway, most people in the barbecue restaurant looked over at us.
And people around heard what I just said.
Instantly, the people around us looked incredulous.
"Did I hear that right? This woman is taking her grandson out to eat with another woman behind her daughter-in-law's back?"
"Isn't the husband right there?"
"What kind of person does something so heartless?"
Seeing this, Clio's mind worked fast. She cleared her throat and raised her voice a notch. She clapped her hands, "Everyone, look! This mother is going too far, and this husband is no good either. Behind his wife's back, he's taking his child and parents out to eat with a mistress. This 'good mother' even said the mistress will be the child's mother in the future. Is this something a human being does?"
Instantly, that sentence ignited the atmosphere. People looked at each other, their eyes full of shock and confusion.
Ava completely panicked. She instinctively pulled a beret from her bag and put it on, keeping her head very low, afraid to show her face.
Isla and Gray's faces turned red, not knowing how to handle this for a moment.
A few seconds later, Gray hastily said, "You handle this yourselves," and then left hurriedly with his head down.
Tyler grabbed my hand to take me away. I forcefully pulled free. This scene also scared Jasper into crying. He hugged my leg, "Mommy... Mommy... what's wrong with you and Daddy?"
My heart ached. I crouched down and hugged Jasper, "Mommy and Daddy are fine. Don't be scared, Jasper."
People eating around us were talking and pointing at us. Isla's lips went dry, embarrassed and not knowing what to do.
"Sophia, don't talk here. You're making this a big deal!" Tyler lowered his voice, his face full of anger.
I signaled Clio to take Jasper out first, but Clio was worried about me, "I'm afraid they'll bully you."
I gave her a reassuring look, "They won't. There's an ice cream shop next door. Take Jasper there and wait for me."
Then I said to Jasper, "Jasper, go get ice cream with Clio, okay? I'll come find you in a bit."
Jasper loved ice cream the most. Hearing me say this, he instantly stopped crying and broke into a smile.
After Clio left with Jasper, my breathing became tight, as if I'd been holding back again and again.
"Isla, I have the right to hold you accountable."