Chapter 28

Dave watched her with an amused expression, his lips curling into a faint smile.

He knew the truth behind that invitation, but he kept his silence, not wanting to expose her in front of her grandfather.

Ava caught his eye and shot him a warning glare, silently daring him to say anything that might undermine her story.

Gordon leaned in to examine the invitation, his face lighting up with approval.

“Excellent work, Ava. This is exactly the kind of progress I was hoping for. Keep it up, and you’ll make us all proud.”

Ava beamed, her confidence bolstered by her grandfather’s praise.

For a moment, she felt a surge of triumph, as if everything was falling into place just as she had planned.

But then Gordon looked at Dave.

“Dave, I think it would be a good idea if you became Ava’s assistant. You could help her with her work, reduce her stress, and the two of you would have more opportunities to spend time together and understand each other better.”

The suggestion hit Ava like a ton of br