Lauren’s gaze immediately shifted over, and she quickly said, "Is it Ava?" Jace Kingsley’s heart tightened. He promptly took out his phone to check, and upon seeing the name flashing on the screen, he smiled, his entire demeanor relaxed, his eyebrows and eyes softening. After speaking, he connected the call, "Ava." Ava Sterling stood outside the car, listening to the buzzing sound on the phone, her mind racing. Tonight after dinner, she would clarify everything with Jace. No matter what, they should stop contacting each other. Cutting it clean is best for Jace. He focused his thoughts on her, which was undeserved. The familiar voice came through the phone, still warm, and upon listening closely, she could hear the affection he held for her. Ava’s heart immediately felt pierced, the guilt deepening. She shouldn’t have made promises to Jace, really shouldn’t have. Clutching her phone tightly, internally Ava’s resolve was firm, her exterior calm and rational. "Jace, sorry, I didn’t bring my phone with me, left it at the office. I’ll come over later." Ava spoke straightforwardly, her voice showing no sign of unusualness. Jace’s gaze slightly shifted, yet his face remained smiling, "So that’s why I couldn’t reach you, was a bit worried." "Don’t worry, usually if you can’t reach me, I’m dealing with something. Once it’s done, I’ll contact you." "I’ll wait for you at home." The brief call ended, and Ava hung up cleanly and straightforwardly. Jace holding the phone, the dial tone buzzed, and his smile gradually faded. While Lauren looked at Jace as he put down the phone, she immediately asked, "How was it? What did she say?" Jace stared at the darkened screen, his brow slightly furrowed, "Ava said she left her phone at the office, and she’ll be here shortly." "Left at the office?" Lauren frowned, "Did she? I remember otherwise, right?" Jace’s expression slightly shifted, looking at Lauren, "Don’t tell Ava we came to her home, and that we came looking for her, also don’t say we met today." "Although Ava is straightforward, if she’s trying to hide from us, she’ll likely be quite sensitive. If she knows we came to her home to find her, she’ll probably distance herself more from us." That’s why he hadn’t asked any questions just now, not even probed. Lauren’s expression turned serious, "You’re right. Since Ava’s been busy, she hasn’t had a good talk with me for a long time, afraid of being found out by me." "Young Master Kingsley, you go back first, I’ll tidy up here, won’t let her find out." Jace nodded, "I’ll send someone to help you tidy up." "No need, I’ll just do a simple tidy-up and call Auntie over to clean up. If Ava finds out, I’ll just say I was looking for some documents; don’t worry, I won’t let her know." "Okay, I’ll leave first, if there’s anything, we’ll contact over the phone." Jace left first, and Lauren called Auntie to come over, then she stood in the living room pondering. Soon, she thought of something and quickly went out to the security post to inquire news from the guards. She wanted to know whether Ava hadn’t been home often lately. Since the guards knew Lauren and her relationship with Ava, when Lauren asked, they told her. "Ava hasn’t been home often?" "Should say Miss Sterling rarely returns, right?" Upon hearing Lauren’s inquiry, the guard recalled and said. Lauren instantly tightened her brow, "Rarely returns? What do you mean? Has Ava not been home recently?" The source of this content ɪs novel※fire.net The guard frowned and said, "I haven’t seen Miss Sterling for ages, even her colleagues seldom see her. Sometimes we even wondered if Miss Sterling had found another residence." Given Ava’s stature and temperament, the guards naturally recognized her, especially since she sometimes greeted them when in a good mood. Thus, they had a strong impression of her, consistently noticing her comings and goings. Given Ava hadn’t stayed at The Kestrel Apartments for so long, naturally, they would discuss, which wasn’t surprising. But, Lauren hadn’t expected Ava hadn’t returned to The Kestrel Apartments for so long. This news hit her like a bolt from the blue, her expression instantly turning grave. "Positive! One hundred percent sure!" "Miss Sterling is so pretty and such a good person, we definitely remember seeing or not seeing her!" "I understand, thank you, sir." The guard was scarcely asked about Ava by Lauren, couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity, "Did something happen to Miss Sterling?" Lauren immediately flashed a smile, "No, it’s just that she’s been throwing tantrums with me recently, arguing with me, and no matter how much I try to appease her, it doesn’t work. So last night when I needed her, didn’t know where she went, I came here looking for her, also wanted to ask whether she doesn’t stay home every time we argue, but turns out she’s often not home, it’s not my fault then." "Haha, sir, please don’t tell her that I came asking about whether she stays home often, otherwise, it’ll be troublesome for me." "Won’t do, rest assured." "Alright, thanks a lot, sir." Lauren left but quickly returned. And she placed a pack of cigarettes on the guard’s desk, just said it was hard work for him. The guard refused, returned it to her, but Lauren quickly left. Regarding social matters, Lauren understood best, otherwise Ava’s temperament would have unknowingly offended many. Seated in the car, Lauren’s expression turned incomparably grave. Ava hadn’t been home for a long time now, where was she living? Did she have another place in Aurelia? Lauren knew Ava very well, including Ava’s assets, she was thoroughly clear. Besides The Kestrel Apartments, Ava had no other residence, but without another, where could she be staying? Lauren couldn’t think of an answer, but instinct told her the matter wasn’t simple. She was deeply worried, deeply uneasy. Ava, don’t do anything foolish. Green Mountain Villa. After Ava made the call to Jace, she checked the messages Lauren sent her, all asking where she was, why she couldn’t find her, why she wasn’t home, and urging her to return the call and text quickly because today she mustn’t delay the agreed cooking appointment at Silvermist Isles with Jace. Ava looked at the message Lauren sent her, Lauren went to The Kestrel Apartments? Indeed, since Lauren couldn’t find her, she naturally went to The Kestrel Apartments, but luckily there wasn’t anything unusual left at her home. The agreement signed with Poe Vaughn wasn’t with her, and even their marriage certificate was kept by him. In hindsight, he really was foresighted. Feeling relieved, Ava replied to Lauren then entered the villa. At that moment, a car stopped outside the villa’s gate.