Ava Sterling was about to call Quentin Quinn, her hand poised to dial, but at that moment, an incoming call interrupted. Her finger pressed down, and she answered. By the time Ava realized it, the call was connected. "So quick to answer?" Lillian Donovan’s voice came through the phone, surprised but soon turning warm as she said, "Ava, how’s it going with Mr. Kingsley lately?" The phone wasn’t on speaker mode, yet Lillian’s loud voice, laced with insincerity, came through clearly, filling the car, reaching Poe Vaughn’s ears. Poe Vaughn’s eyes shifted slightly, glancing at Ava’s phone, noticing the caller ID: Lillian Donovan. Ava’s contact list was straightforward, using only names. Even for her own family members, it was just names. Seeing this name, Poe’s eyes flickered, a deep change in his gaze. Ava didn’t notice Poe’s reaction. Listening to Lillian’s voice, her brow furrowed instantly, her expression turning cold. She hadn’t contacted her family for a long time, almost forgetting she had them. If not for hearing Lillian’s voice, she would have forgotten she still had a mom. "Ava Sterling, I’m talking to you. Cat got your tongue?" Not hearing Ava’s voice, Lillian’s tone immediately grew impatient. Ava’s face darkened instantly as she picked up the phone and said coldly, "I told you, my business is none of your concern!" With a snap, Ava hung up the call directly. Whenever Lillian called, it was never about anything good, and previously, due to Jace Kingsley’s involvement, Lillian had stopped calling and bothering her. But now, since breaking ties with Jace, she started contacting again. At that moment, Ava grasped her phone tightly, anger rising in her eyes, but more than anger, there was a sense of determination. Initially, when befriending Jace, she had a small ulterior motive—to keep Lillian from bothering her. But later on, she genuinely came to see Jace as a friend and forgot about this issue. Now, she couldn’t expect Jace to do anything for her; she had to handle her own matters herself. If Lillian wanted trouble, she could give her a knife, and let Lillian kill her outright. After all, she was fed up. She wondered whether Lillian could really harden her heart to kill her, or if she was willing to give up her good life now! With these thoughts, Ava’s eyes filled with resolve, reddening with determination. Poe looked at the anger in the person beside him, indifferent, as if whatever Lillian intended to do, Ava would fight back with no retreat. His gaze darkened, the shade in his eyes contracting, with a fleeting look of ferocity. He raised his hand, holding her tightly clutching the phone, feeling for the first time the trembling in her hand. It was immense anger, a resolve that considered nothing else. In that moment, the darkness in his gaze deepened further. Yet, outwardly, he showed no sign of any anomaly, watching the person consumed by fury, he spoke, "Ava Sterling." The low voice pulled Ava’s consciousness back from that terrifying abyss instantly. Ava paused, returned to herself. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NoveI★Fire.net She turned instinctively, looking at the person beside her. Deep eyes, filled with a dark shade, revealing neither thoughts nor emotions. Strangely, looking into those eyes, she suddenly felt calm. The dreadful thoughts vanished at once. Pressing her lips tightly, Ava said, "You know my mom’s temperament, don’t you?" He must have investigated her, and surely understood about Lillian. Poe looked at her extremely red eyes, now calmed instantly, but with this calm came a deep sense of helplessness—as if no matter how much she tried to shake some things off, they remained inescapable. He tightened his grip on her hand, a deep monosyllable escaping his throat: "Mm." Listening carefully, the tone lacked the usual coldness. Ava, watching at those dark eyes focused on her, found herself suddenly unwilling to look into them. She turned away, lips pursed, then said, "She wants me to be with Jace so she can enjoy a lifetime of luxury. Initially, when I met Jace and became friends, it was to get him to fend her off for me." "But now, since I’m no longer friends with Jace, I need to handle it myself." After speaking, Ava turned back to face Poe, her eyes steady and calm: "Don’t worry, during the period of our agreement, I won’t disclose our relationship to her." "She won’t come harass you, I’ll handle it properly and ensure nothing unfavorable to you will be exposed." With that, Ava opened the car door and left directly. Right now, she wasn’t in the mood for any wontons; she just wanted to leave, catch her breath, and calm down, figuring out how to resolve the trouble Lillian posed. Hand on the door handle, she was about to get out, but then the hand gripping her tightened, sending Ava suddenly into his embrace. What... what was he going to do? Looking at those lowered eyes staring at her, filled with a deep shade, Ava’s heart began to race. In that moment, her mind went blank. Poe stared at the stunned, confused eyes, and with lips parted, said, "I’ll solve this." Ava’s eyes widened instantly, her body stiffening. No, wait, what does this have to do with him? That’s right, it has nothing to do with him. What would he solve? Ava’s brow furrowed instantly, eyes narrowing at Poe’s, shifting from shock to suspicion. Of course, this person is a businessman, and businessmen don’t act without profit. Would he help her solve such troublesome matters? Certainly not; he must have a scheme. Ava’s heart steadied, her mind pondering deeply. Poe watched her getting settled in his embrace, strategically pondering his intentions, and he stayed silent, letting her ponder. He was curious about what she might deduce. The atmosphere in the car shifted to quiet, and the previously intense mood eased. After a while, Ava said, "Are you worried I won’t be able to resolve it, causing trouble for you?" Having thought it over for quite some time, she couldn’t see what he might gain from it. She was completely under him, he understood everything about her work and family, knowing her capacity entirely. So, there was nothing he could exploit. Then, this seemed the only likely scenario. Now, she and he are in this together, he understands Lillian’s temperament. If Lillian stirs up trouble, should she fail to resolve it properly, it would trouble him greatly. Naturally, he would have to step in himself. If he took charge, he could surely resolve it better than her. Ava trusted his capability. Poe watched her after pondering for so long, only to come up with this possibility. His eyes carried a faint neutrality, devoid of emotion. Ava saw Poe not responding, but his demeanor suggested that was likely the case. Her face broke into a smile, elbowing him, speaking cheerfully, "Right?" "You’re afraid if I don’t handle it properly, it’ll bring trouble to you, considering Lillian is my mom. Inevitably, I might hesitate, but you won’t." "You can certainly be ruthless and resolve it, without hesitation." "Ruthless... and... decisive..." Poe’s eyes narrowed slightly, thin lips emphasizing those four words, one by one.