Quentin placed the document in front of Poe Vaughn, reporting on work. At that moment, a buzzing sound rang out. Quentin stopped his voice and looked at the phone on the desk. It was Poe Vaughn’s phone ringing. Poe Vaughn was holding a document, reading it. Hearing the phone ring, he put down the document and picked up the phone. A familiar name flashed across the screen — Mrs. Wade. He swiped to answer, "Hello." "Sir, are you coming back for dinner tonight?" Chapters first released on novel·fire·net Earlier, Poe Vaughn had lunch prepared by Mrs. Wade at the villa before leaving, but he instructed Mrs. Wade to stay at the villa until Ava returned. And also, the doctor. The doctor remained at the villa and did not leave due to Ava’s absence. However, when Poe Vaughn left, Mrs. Wade asked if he would return for dinner, and Poe Vaughn said he was uncertain. Naturally, when the time came, Mrs. Wade needed to inquire. And now, this phone call was from Mrs. Wade, asking about this. Poe Vaughn looked at the sky outside; it was still bright with no sign of dimming. He said, "Six o’clock." After hanging up, Poe Vaughn put down the phone and continued reading the document. He didn’t ask anything about Ava, acting as though he wasn’t concerned about what Ava was doing. Quentin watched Poe Vaughn’s calm and indifferent demeanor, his eyes flickering slightly, and continued reporting on work. This afternoon, President Vaughn suddenly called a doctor to the villa. Without even thinking, he knew who it was for, and he assumed that President Vaughn wouldn’t come to the company for the rest of the afternoon. Yet, surprisingly, he came, handling work as usual, attending meetings, processing documents as if nothing had happened. He felt something was definitely amiss. As for where it went wrong, he’ll just have to wait and see. Once Mrs. Wade hung up the phone, she began preparing dinner. When the sir left at lunchtime, she mentioned to the sir that madam would be back tonight and not to prepare her dinner, but to make his dinner. The sir didn’t say much, just responded and left. The sir must be worried about madam; after all, he called a doctor to the house. Surely, madam wasn’t feeling well. Yet, even so, madam still had to work, and the sir didn’t say much, only instructed the doctor to wait, meaning that the doctor should attend to her as soon as she returned. Now several hours had already passed. It’s uncertain when madam would come back and if her health was alright. Thinking about this, Mrs. Wade decided that she should call madam to inquire. Quickly, Mrs. Wade put down the work she was doing and pulled out her phone to call Ava. "Sorry, the number you dialed is switched off, please..." An unfeeling automated female voice came from the mobile phone, startling Mrs. Wade. Switch-off madam’s phone? Mrs. Wade’s first thought was that Ava met with an accident, but she shook her head, thinking it should not be the case. Madam switching off her phone couldn’t imply anything wrong, or else, every time madam switched off her phone it would be a disaster? Besides, when madam left, she had mentioned not to prepare her dinner, clearly indicating that she was eating out. Now, at five o’clock, madam might not have eaten dinner yet and was likely still at work. Mrs. Wade thought about it, then refrained from calling Ava further but sent Ava a message instead. Madam should return the call once she switches on her phone. Once the message was sent successfully, Mrs. Wade put away her phone and continued preparing dinner, leaving her mind at rest. Meanwhile, at Silvermist Isles. Ava and Jace were busying themselves together in the kitchen; Lauren had yet to appear. Ava knew Lauren assumed she wouldn’t truly be upset by her absence; Lauren knew her very well. Since this was the case, let Lauren regret it after tonight’s dinner. The dinner preparation stretched until after six o’clock. When Ava and Jace took each dish out to place on the table, it was already six-thirty. Ava didn’t mutter about Lauren anymore; she focused solely on completing the meal, discussing what needed to be said with Jace, and then prepared to leave. But just as Ava was placing the last dish on the table, Lauren’s voice came from outside. "Wow! Smells delicious!" Lauren sauntered in slowly, closing her eyes to savor the aroma with a face full of enchantment. Ava glanced at her and then withdrew her gaze. That fleeting glance was faint, devoid of any anger: "You’re just in time. The kitchen is a mess. It’s waiting for you to clean up." Lauren opened her eyes in an instant and looked at Ava. Ava’s expression was entirely composed, as calm as a peaceful nation, showing no sign of displeasure. One could say, her demeanor was exceedingly agreeable. However, Ava’s expression indicated that she wasn’t easygoing. Quite the contrary, it meant trouble was brewing. Lauren’s heart trembled slightly, then she chuckled awkwardly, "Dinner’s almost ready then?" "If this needs cleanup, it should wait until we’ve finished eating, right?" Without waiting for Ava to respond, Lauren hurriedly added, "Don’t worry! I’ll clean all the dishes tonight, and also the kitchen. Once we’re done eating, you don’t need to worry about anything, I’ll handle it all!" Lauren was terrified Ava would refuse to let her eat, spoke earnestly and resolutely. Ava smiled, "That’s not bad then." "You should head outside for a stroll, walk for half an hour, and by the time you’re back, Jace and I will most likely be done eating." Lauren recognized Ava’s smile; it was more frightening than not smiling. She instantly dared not speak another word, her entire demeanor was downcast: "Ava, I really wasn’t avoiding coming, I was genuinely busy today." "You know how troublesome those new models are, I have to go to the hospital, manage them, and arrange various tasks. There’s your endorsement too, the shoot, the post-show walk—all of which are my responsibilities, I..." Ava raised her head to look at her, "Hmm, you’re the busiest. There’s no one in our entire company busier than you." Lauren was speechless, her face turning sorrowful as if she was about to cry. Jace came out of the kitchen, observing the pair’s expressions, he laughed, "Alright, stop teasing Miss Halloway." Jace held a set of dinnerware enough for three, not two. Lauren, upon noticing, abandoned her attempt to say anything and quickly ran over to take the dinnerware from Jace, hastily saying, "I’ll do it, I’ll do it." "Let me take care of everything onwards." Having taken the dinnerware, Lauren quickly arranged it on the table neatly and efficiently. After completing the task, she asked, "Is there anything else to do? I..." "No more, you can leave now." Not waiting for Lauren to finish speaking, Ava mercilessly interrupted her. Lauren immediately pursed her lips, looking at Jace for help, and Jace said, "Serve the soup then, Ava’s brewed it." Lauren promptly dashed into the kitchen, Jace indicated, "Over here, on the dining table." Lauren quickly returned, diligently serving the two of them soup. Jace watched Lauren’s repentant behavior, then looked at Ava, speaking softly.