Chapter 3

Freezing her card was just meant to force her back to SilkGrove Estates. Who would've thought that Ava, usually so gentle and soft-spoken that she wouldn't even raise her voice at him, could pull something like this?

Talk about being impressed by someone's transformation.

Ten million dollars - she really dared to ask for that much!

William stood up, buttoning the bottom button of his suit jacket as he headed out. James rushed ahead to call the elevator.

William's car pulled up at the bank entrance just as Ava and Lucas were coming out, both cursing and complaining about not being able to withdraw the money.

Just as they were about to get in their car, William opened his door and strode over.

"So you're planning to take the money and run? Cut all ties with me?"

Ava was forced to step back under his powerful presence until her back pressed against the car door.

William's right eyelid kept twitching - he was furious with her. This woman was truly heartless, planning to just take the money and leave without any attachment to the family.

A woman with no heart - she probably wanted to leave ages ago, didn't she?

Ava snapped back and questioned him,

"Isn't it because you froze my card?"

"Would I have frozen your card if you hadn't run away from home? Isn't it good enough at home with everything provided? You want to come out here and suffer?"

"You still have no right to freeze my card. Every penny in there was earned by me. What gives you the right?"

William was stunned for a moment. In three years of marriage, this was the first time he'd seen her talk to him so boldly. Usually, she was as docile as a rabbit.

"What money did you earn? Out of 365 days a year, you spend 300 at jewelry exhibitions."

His implication was clear: without me, you would've starved long ago.

Lucas, standing nearby, couldn't take it anymore. "What nonsense are you talking? Our Ava is..."

"A housewife. Yes, I'm just a housewife."

Ava cut off Lucas, anger surging in her chest.

She was an internationally renowned jewelry designer who only published work under a pseudonym. He just didn't know it.

She had never deliberately hidden it. Sometimes she designed pieces at home, but he never cared about her affairs and never looked at what she drew. In his eyes, it was just her whimsical doodling.

Three years of marriage, and she had refocused on family life, only to earn his disdain. In his eyes, she was worthless except for spending his money.

Only now did Ava realize how delusional she had been.

A phone ringing broke the deathly atmosphere.

It was Howard calling.

"Ava, come back for dinner with William tonight. The lobsters just arrived from overseas. I remember you love these, so I didn't let anyone touch them - saved them all for you."

"Grandpa, I..."

Ava found it so hard to distance herself from William and have some peace. She couldn't refuse Grandpa - he was someone who loved her like his own granddaughter.

William grabbed the phone. "Grandpa, we'll be back tonight."

"Let's go. What are you standing there for?"

After hanging up, William asked impatiently.

Ava stood frozen for a few seconds before William grabbed her arm and pushed her into the car.

She had just settled in when William tossed over an exquisite little box.

Ava held the thing he'd forced on her, looking at him in confusion.

"The company's flagship piece for next quarter. It'll be released at the launch event and then sold in limited quantities. Here, play with it."

Ava opened the box, and what was inside left her speechless.

Wasn't this the gemstone pendant she had designed last month? The draft was 80% complete when it mysteriously disappeared. She'd searched the entire study and couldn't find it.

How did it transform into the Morgan Group's flagship piece for next quarter?

"Can I ask who designed this gemstone pendant?"

William was extremely satisfied with her reaction.

"Sarah designed it. She signed with the Morgan Group yesterday and became their chief designer. This necklace is her signature piece since returning to the country - it's sure to be a huge hit."

After praising Sarah, he didn't forget to put her down. "Take a look - there's quite a difference from all that messy stuff you draw."

When William talked about Sarah, his face unconsciously showed pride. He probably didn't even realize that his words were full of boasting, like he was introducing some rare treasure to others.

Ava felt her scalp tingle. Right now, only one voice echoed in her head: her work had been stolen. As for how that unfinished draft ended up in Sarah's hands, she was completely baffled.

William was a proud man who wouldn't stoop to theft, and he looked down on what she drew anyway.

And her draft had disappeared from the study at home - had it grown wings and flown to Sarah?

Ava was lost in thought, probably carsick, as waves of nausea washed over her. She covered her mouth and dry-heaved a few times.

Thanks to William, she'd had no money for lunch, and her stomach felt like it would come up, though nothing came out.

William handed her a pack of tissues and asked in confusion, "You... this month?"

Ava froze at his question. Had her period come this month?

Her mind felt foggy - she couldn't remember when her last period was. In any case, it was a long time ago.

She felt terrible. "I'm carsick."

She dry-heaved again after speaking.

She used car sickness as an excuse to brush it off. William dismissed his doubts and instructed James,

"Pull over for a bit."

James found a temporary parking spot. The car had just stopped, and Ava hadn't recovered yet when William's phone rang.

"William, I'm feeling really bad right now. Can you come over?"

The car was too quiet, and the sweet, coquettish voice echoed in all three people's ears, stabbing another knife into Ava's already wounded heart.

William glanced sideways at the woman who had just been vomiting ungracefully, then turned and instructed James,

"Drive. Go to JadeDragon Bay Residences."

The car that had just stopped turned back onto the main road, heading toward Jade Dragon Bay.

As the car started moving, Ava heaved violently again.

If she remembered correctly, William had a luxury apartment at Jade Dragon Bay that Howard had given them as a wedding gift, registered under both their names. It had sat empty for three years, and now he was using it to house his mistress.

How ridiculous.

Once the car was moving, Ava's vomiting got worse. Her eyes were moist, her brow furrowed, fine beads of sweat appeared on her nose - she looked pitiful.

For once, William felt he owed her something. He reached over to pat her back.

"Bear with it for a bit. Sarah has a heart condition - we can't delay. Or do you want to lean on me?"

Ava shifted away from him, pressing herself against the door, distant and aloof.

"Please, just let me out. I'm carsick and feeling really sick right now."

William frowned and leaned over, forcefully pulling her into his arms.

"What are you throwing a fit about? Why compete with someone who has a heart condition? That's a dangerous illness when it acts up, not just vomiting a few times."

Ava struggled hard, trying to push him away, but the difference in strength between men and women was too great - her efforts were useless.

William looked at the restless person in his arms and leaned close to her ear to ask,

"Not comfortable leaning? Or would you rather sit on my lap?"