Ava sat quietly, her eyes downcast. “Wait, Dera. You don’t even know Ambrose. How can you hate him that much?” Dara laughed softly, her tone tinged with a hint of frustration. “It’s not about hating him, Ava. I just want the best for you. It bothers me seeing you stressed over someone who can’t even afford a $100 ticket. You deserve someone who can offer you more, someone who can make you happy and secure. Ambrose is just dragging you down.” Ava looked up, her voice firm. “Ambrose isn’t dragging me down. My mom once told me how, when they were classmates, Ambrose’s mom treated her so well and sacrificed a lot for her. So, Ambrose deserves to be treated right, whether he’s rich or poor. My mom got certain opportunities because of what Ambrose’s mom did for her.” Dara shook her head dismissively. “Forget about those things, Ava. That’s between them, not you and him. Besides, what you’ve already done for him is more than enough. You don’t need to go out of your way to repay something f
Ambrose chuckled softly and said, "I’m not much of a dancer, I don’t dance." Aurora smiled reassuringly and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll try.” Ambrose nodded, pulling her closer and wrapping his arms around her. He looked into her eyes, and Aurora’s cheeks flushed with a delicate pink. As they moved together, Aurora felt a flutter of happiness. It was the first time she had been held like this by a man, and the closeness stirred a mix of emotions in her. Ava and Dera sat at their table, drinks in hand. While Ava continued to sip her beverage, deep in thought, Dera was fully immersed in the lively atmosphere. She moved her body rhythmically to the music, swaying and enjoying the beats, but neither of them was on the dance floor. Dera looked at Ava and asked, “Ava, won’t you dance?” Ava glanced around and replied, “Dance with who?” Dera grinned and said, “There are a lot of hot guys here. Dance with one of them, of course.” Ava shook her head, saying, “No, I’d rather sit here and dr
Dera, desperate to help, kept pulling at the man’s arm and shouting for help. She even turned to the people around them, pleading for assistance. However, most were too engrossed in their own drinks and dancing to notice the escalating situation, their attention fixed on their own enjoyment. Ava’s fear grew as she felt increasingly trapped, the crowd’s indifference making her plight even more frightening. Ava, her voice trembling with fear and frustration, shouted, “Leave me alone! My husband will deal with you!” The man laughed mockingly, his grip still firm. “Husband? Are you lying to me?” “I’m not lying,” Ava insisted, her voice edged with desperation. “He’s here, and he won’t spare you.” The young man’s smile widened as he taunted Ava. “I want to see who this husband of yours is. Come on, let’s go to the center. Everyone will see us, and then we’ll see how bold your man can be to come after me.” With that, he began dragging Ava forcefully toward the center of the club, his gr
Dera, desperate to help, kept pulling at the man’s arm and shouting for help. She even turned to the people around them, pleading for assistance. However, most were too engrossed in their own drinks and dancing to notice the escalating situation, their attention fixed on their own enjoyment.Ava’s fear grew as she felt increasingly trapped, the crowd’s indifference making her plight even more frightening.Ava, her voice trembling with fear and frustration, shouted, “Leave me alone! My husband will deal with you!”The man laughed mockingly, his grip still firm. “Husband? Are you lying to me?”“I’m not lying,” Ava insisted, her voice edged with desperation. “He’s here, and he won’t spare you.”The young man’s smile widened as he taunted Ava. “I want to see who this husband of yours is. Come on, let’s go to the center. Everyone will see us, and then we’ll see how bold your man can be to come after me.”With that, he began dragging Ava forcefully toward the center of the club, his grip un
Ava, hearing her name called in a familiar voice, felt a surge of hope. Her face lit up as she quickly scanned the crowd. As she spotted Ambrose standing aside, a tear rolled down her cheek, and she called out, “A…am… Ambrose.” The relief and happiness she felt were palpable, as if his presence alone could erase her great despair. Dera, glancing at Ambrose, felt a slight frown form on her face. She was frustrated to see him show up now, feeling he was intruding at a critical moment. “Ambrose, please save me,” Ava pleaded, her pride forgotten in her desperation. Ambrose, his heart aching at the sight of his wife being forced and manipulated, felt a surge of fury. He advanced toward Felix with determination, his anger evident. The crowd began to murmur, wondering who this young man was. Felix turned and sneered, “Oh, so is he your husband you mentioned? Not bad—he’s dressed neatly and has good looks too. But who told you that even if he’s really your husband, he can save you from me
Ambrose looked at Aurora with a grateful expression and said, “Thank you.” He then gently separated from her embrace.As Ava started to walk forward shyly, wanting to thank Ambrose, she finally saw Aurora’s face. “Gasp!” Her mouth opened in shock as recognition set in. Aurora looked equally stunned as she saw Ava.“You?” Ava said, her voice trembling as she looked from Aurora to Ambrose. She remembered Aurora as the woman who had demanded a new car after their collision. The realization that Aurora knew Ambrose shocked her.“Ambrose, her?” Ava asked, glancing between Aurora and Ambrose.Ambrose, feeling the situation didn’t need further explanation, chose to ignore Ava’s question. Instead, he walked towards Dera and said, “You were the one who convinced me to bring her here, right?”Dera, a bit frightened by Ambrose’s intensity, shook her head and replied, “What do you mean?”“Don’t lie,” Ambrose said firmly. “Ava never goes to clubs. It means you brought her here. If anything happens
Aurora started driving again, but after a short while, she noticed Ambrose was unusually quiet. She pulled over slightly, tapped his arm, and said, “Ambrose.”Ambrose, jolted back to reality, looked at her and replied, “Yeah, yeah, sorry. What’s wrong?”“Your mind isn’t here,” Aurora said with concern. “Is everything fine?”Ambrose nodded and said, “I’m fine. It’s late already,” he glanced at the time, “why did you stop? Let’s go.”Aurora nodded and resumed driving. After a moment, she glanced at him and said, “Your wife…”Ambrose interrupted, “Her name is Ava.”Aurora nodded and continued, “Why were you so cold to Ava, even though you love her? I could see how much it hurt you to know she was being forced. You even wanted to hit that guy with a bottle, not caring about the consequences.”“Was I cold to her?” Ambrose asked, his face expressionless.“Yes, you were. You should have spoken to her calmly,” Aurora said. “I know she might have done something to upset you, but she’s a lady.
Aurora started driving again, but after a short while, she noticed Ambrose was unusually quiet. She pulled over slightly, tapped his arm, and said, “Ambrose.”Ambrose, jolted back to reality, looked at her and replied, “Yeah, yeah, sorry. What’s wrong?”“Your mind isn’t here,” Aurora said with concern. “Is everything fine?”Ambrose nodded and said, “I’m fine. It’s late already,” he glanced at the time, “why did you stop? Let’s go.”Aurora nodded and resumed driving. After a moment, she glanced at him and said, “Your wife…”Ambrose interrupted, “Her name is Ava.”Aurora nodded and continued, “Why were you so cold to Ava, even though you love her? I could see how much it hurt you to know she was being forced. You even wanted to hit that guy with a bottle, not caring about the consequences.”“Was I cold to her?” Ambrose asked, his face expressionless.“Yes, you were. You should have spoken to her calmly,” Aurora said. “I know she might have done something to upset you, but she’s a lady.
Ambrose nodded and smiled, watching Ava with a mix of amusement and affection. Just as he was about to say something, Ava suddenly stood up, her movements unsteady for a moment, but then, to his surprise, she began to sway to the music.Without any hesitation, she stepped out into the open space near their table and started dancing. The soft rhythm of the music filled the room, and Ava’s body seemed to flow effortlessly with it. Her movements, though tipsy, were graceful and captivating. She twirled, her arms floating through the air, and soon enough, she was dancing with such confidence that it mesmerized everyone around her.Ambrose was stunned. He had never seen this side of her. He watched in awe, not quite sure whether to laugh or join her. He glanced around, noticing other people had turned their heads to watch her as well. A few of them even started clapping in rhythm with her steps, encouraging her.Palermo, seated a few tables away, was glaring at her, his eyes narrowing with
Ambrose nodded and smiled, watching Ava with a mix of amusement and affection. Just as he was about to say something, Ava suddenly stood up, her movements unsteady for a moment, but then, to his surprise, she began to sway to the music.Without any hesitation, she stepped out into the open space near their table and started dancing. The soft rhythm of the music filled the room, and Ava’s body seemed to flow effortlessly with it. Her movements, though tipsy, were graceful and captivating. She twirled, her arms floating through the air, and soon enough, she was dancing with such confidence that it mesmerized everyone around her.Ambrose was stunned. He had never seen this side of her. He watched in awe, not quite sure whether to laugh or join her. He glanced around, noticing other people had turned their heads to watch her as well. A few of them even started clapping in rhythm with her steps, encouraging her.Palermo, seated a few tables away, was glaring at her, his eyes narrowing with
Ambrose nodded and smiled, watching Ava with a mix of amusement and affection. Just as he was about to say something, Ava suddenly stood up, her movements unsteady for a moment, but then, to his surprise, she began to sway to the music.Without any hesitation, she stepped out into the open space near their table and started dancing. The soft rhythm of the music filled the room, and Ava’s body seemed to flow effortlessly with it. Her movements, though tipsy, were graceful and captivating. She twirled, her arms floating through the air, and soon enough, she was dancing with such confidence that it mesmerized everyone around her.Ambrose was stunned. He had never seen this side of her. He watched in awe, not quite sure whether to laugh or join her. He glanced around, noticing other people had turned their heads to watch her as well. A few of them even started clapping in rhythm with her steps, encouraging her.Palermo, seated a few tables away, was glaring at her, his eyes narrowing with
Meanwhile, at the restaurant, Ambrose and Ava were still enjoying their dinner, the atmosphere lively with soft music playing in the background. Ambrose looked at Ava, smiling warmly as he reached for his glass.“You seem to be really enjoying the food,” he said, playfully nudging her.Ava smiled, taking a sip of her drink. “Well, it’s not every day I get to enjoy something this fancy.”Ambrose chuckled. “You deserve this every day, you know.”Ava looked at him with a mix of curiosity and affection. “You’re really full of surprises tonight.”Ambrose took her hand, squeezing it gently. “I’m really proud of you, Ava.”As they continued talking and eating, Ambrose suddenly picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and held it out to Ava. She blinked, momentarily shocked by his gesture."Ambrose, what are you doing?" she asked, her voice laced with surprise and shyness."Feeding you," he said with a teasing grin. "Come on, don’t be shy."Ava’s cheeks flushed, and she glanced around th
After placing their expensive orders, both Ambrose and Ava set their phones down. Ambrose turned to her and asked, "So, how's it going?""How's what going?" Ava asked."Your work. The contract for the Wei family, I mean."Ava nodded. "It's going well. It felt like a huge weight at first, but Dera's been helping little by little, so everything's going smoothly now.”"Dera," Ambrose nodded thoughtfully. "Is she staying at the manor permanently now?"Ava shook her head. "She’s planning to rent her own place soon, once she finds something. But for now, since she's helping me out, it just makes sense for her to stay at the manor.""Alright," Ambrose nodded again. He then gently took Ava’s hand, looking into her eyes without speaking."What?" Ava asked, her voice carrying a hint of shyness.Ambrose smiled softly. "I want to apologize.”"Apologize for what?" Ava asked, slightly confused."For everything," he said. "We got married against your will. Your dreams of marrying someone wealthy or.
Meanwhile, inside, Palermo was growing bolder by the second, leaning closer to Ava as he tried to charm her.Palermo reached out, attempting to lightly brush her arm. “Come on, why don’t we just enjoy the evening together, huh?”Before his hand could make contact, Ava snapped back, her voice strong and unyielding, “Touch me, and you’ll regret it.”Palermo paused, taken aback by her intensity but still trying to play it cool. “Whoa, calm down. I’m just being friendly.”“Friendly or not,” Ava shot back, her eyes narrowing, “I’m not interested, and I’m warning you—don’t try anything again.”At that moment, Ambrose re-entered the restaurant, his eyes immediately locking onto Palermo leaning too close to Ava. His face hardened as he quickened his pace. Without hesitation, Ambrose strode up to them and forcefully pushed Palermo back, making him stumble away from Ava.“Don’t touch my wife!” Ambrose’s voice was cold, his eyes burning with intensity as he squared up to Palermo, his frame tense
Immediately Ambrose reached the table and Ava saw him, she smiled warmly and said, "You're here."Ambrose nodded, his gaze briefly flicking to Palermo with a slight frown before turning back to Ava. He handed her a single rose he had been holding. "This is yours."Ava was pleasantly surprised as she took the flower, admiring how beautiful it was. "Thank you," she said, smiling.Ambrose nodded, his expression still a bit serious as he looked at Palermo and then back to Ava. "Who's he?" he asked.Ava glanced at Palermo and replied, "This man here is Palermo. He offered to pay for my drink, and I refused. But guess what? He doesn't believe I have a husband and thinks he can give me some sort of 'great treatment.'"Ambrose’s frown deepened at her words. He turned fully towards Palermo, his voice calm but firm. "Hello, she told you she has a husband, so why are you still trying to force things?"Palermo looked Ambrose up and down with a smirk. "Where's your ring? Did you just manage to get
The staff member hesitated slightly, then leaned closer to Ava. "Madam, I understand your wish to pay, but that man is a big deal around here. It would be wise to give him face. A gesture like this—"Ava cut him off, her tone calm but firm. "I said no thanks. It's $500, right? I'll pay it myself. It's simple." She handed the staff member her card and calmly gave him the password.The staff member gave her a cold look, clearly understanding that Ava wasn’t going to be swayed. He took the card and walked back to the man in the suit. "She refused your payment and offered to pay herself," he said quietly.The man smirked, his gaze trailing back toward Ava. "Alright, don't worry about it," he replied, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. He glanced toward Ava one more time.Ava, feeling the weight of his gaze, briefly locked eyes with him before she deliberately looked away and focused on her phone. She checked the time—7:00 PM. Ambrose hadn’t arrived yet, which
Ambrose walked out to the cab which was parked outside and then sat inside. Sitting inside, the driver greeted him coolly. Ambrose responded then asked him to drive quickly. Ava had just finished changing back into the outfit she wore earlier that morning, a stylish yet practical look that blended well with her professional demeanor. She glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Satisfied with her appearance, she took a deep breath and started the car.The engine roared to life, and she quickly punched the location Ambrose had given her—Le Jardin Gourmet—into the GPS. As the directions appeared on the screen, she shifted into gear and pulled out of the lot.The drive wasn’t too long, but Ava found herself thinking about the upcoming dinner, her thoughts drifting to Ambrose. She wasn't used to such gestures from him, and the fact that he had planned the evening left her with mixed emotions. Half an hour later, Ava pulled up near