Mrs. Wei stood in the kitchen, as an outsider, witnessing the situation between the two with perfect clarity and understanding. As Poe Vaughn attempted to reach out to Ava Sterling and Ava dodged him, Mrs. Wei opened her mouth several times trying to say something but remained silent. However, after Ava uttered those hurtful words, Mrs. Wei finally spoke. She couldn’t let Ava keep talking ; Mr. Vaughn would be very hurt. Normally, Ava wouldn’t be afraid of Poe Vaughn , but today was different. Today, she had probed into his mother’s matters and he had found out, it was normal for him to be angry. Ava understood the necessity of taking some action. However, if she were to just stand there foolishly and take Poe Vaughn’s wrath, then she wouldn’t be Ava Sterling. Ava looked at Poe Vaughn, retreating entirely to the front of the kitchen counter, leaning against it, retreating until there was no more room. She instinctively grabbed the counter, cautiously moving sideways, trying to distance herself from Poe Vaughn. Not wanting him to look at her like that, not wanting to be so close to him. It was utterly terrifying. Ava’s attention was entirely on Poe Vaughn. It could be said that in this kitchen, apart from Poe Vaughn, everything else vanished, not leaving a trace. Yet, Mrs. Wei’s words reached Ava’s ears, causing her to freeze immediately. Discover more novels at novel(ꜰ)ire.net Almost instantly, Ava turned her head to look at Mrs. Wei standing on the right front side, who was looking at her with an expression of disbelief. It was as if Ava had said something unbelievable or done something implausible, making it hard for Mrs. Wei to accept. When Ava saw Mrs. Wei, she completely missed noticing Mrs. Wei’s expression at that moment, or perhaps she noticed, but it didn’t matter to her. What mattered was whether Poe Vaughn would blame her and in turn, cause trouble for someone else? After all, if Mrs. Wei hadn’t informed her, how would she have known about his mother? Therefore, Poe Vaughn might resent Mrs. Wei too, thinking that Mrs. Wei was unreliable, having told his mother’s story to a fake wife like her. In severe cases, Poe Vaughn might even fire Mrs. Wei. Thinking about this made Ava’s head swell. Mrs. Wei cherished her job with The Vaughn Family. If Mrs. Wei was dismissed because of Ava, she truly would be the sinner. As she pondered, Ava’s temples throbbed painfully, increasingly regretting her reckless actions, having harmed herself and others. Mrs. Wei wanted to stop Ava from continuing to say hurtful words to Poe Vaughn but hadn’t anticipated Ava’s immediate shift to a posture of guilt and self-blame. It was as though Ava was indebted to her, causing Mrs. Wei endless confusion. Instinctively, Mrs. Wei looked towards Poe Vaughn. Poe Vaughn stood there, with his hand still suspended in the air; he watched Ava, noticing her continuous change in expression, her inner turmoil, his aura grew quiet. Like an unfathomable abyss, without any sign of movement, time seemed to freeze. Seeing Poe Vaughn , Mrs. Wei felt an immediate sense of pity and couldn’t care about too much else, hurriedly speaking: "Madam..." Just as her voice sounded, the person leaning against the kitchen counter instantly moved in front of Mrs. Wei, stretching her arms out like a mother hen protecting her chick, shielding Mrs. Wei from behind. Mrs. Wei was stunned. Before Mrs. Wei could think more, Ava quickly spoke: "You... if you have any anger, direct it at me, don’t trouble Mrs. Wei." "Those things just now... had nothing to do with Mrs. Wei. I sought out Mrs. Wei myself, and I pressured Mrs. Wei. You... you mustn’t... no, don’t get angry at Mrs. Wei." At that moment, Ava couldn’t concern herself with much else, directly raising her head and speaking to Poe Vaughn. No matter what, she must protect Mrs. Wei, not letting Poe Vaughn vent his anger on her. Everything, she would bear alone; that was enough. Mrs. Wei heard Ava’s words and was completely shocked. She opened her mouth and widened her eyes, looking at Ava as if witnessing something unimaginable: "Madam..." What was Madam saying? How could Mr. Vaughn possibly make trouble for her? Why would he be angry at her? She had been serving Mr. Vaughn’s daily life in The Vaughn Family for so many years, and he had never made trouble for her, nor had he been angry with her. Why would he be angry now? Why bother her? Mrs. Wei truly didn’t understand, didn’t know what was wrong with Ava, why she would say such inexplicable things. "Madam, you... are you..." "Mrs. Wei, don’t speak. Let me talk." "Today’s matters have nothing to do with you, it’s my fault, you are innocent!" Ava heard Mrs. Wei speak, turned her head to Ms. Wei, her expression very serious, also signaling Mrs. Wei to stop talking; she would handle this. Mrs. Wei seeing Ava in this state, mouth opening and closing, then said: "Madam..." Once Ava finished speaking, she turned back, looking at Poe Vaughn, her face filled with the readiness to accept whatever punishment he might dispense but insisted he must not be angry with Mrs. Wei, must not take out his anger on her. However, just as she turned back, Mrs. Wei spoke again, making Ava’s temples throb heavily. Why wouldn’t Mrs. Wei listen? At such times, it would be best to follow her lead! Ava turned back again, ready to continue to stop Mrs. Wei, but at this moment, the one who had been silent spoke up. "Mrs. Wei, prepare the dinner." The deep voice, devoid of emotional fluctuations, fell in the kitchen, reaching Ava’s ears. Ava momentarily stiffened, and then the next moment, she quickly turned her head to look at Poe Vaughn. The hand that had been suspended in the air withdrew; the person standing there turned around, exiting the kitchen. His figure remained tall, still towering; his presence had made the kitchen feel cramped, and with his departure, it felt spacious. Except, the person who was supposed to be terrifying, the one whose presence always carried an aura preventing approach, didn’t feel frightening at all. Instead, it carried an aura never seen before. It seemed like... desolation. As if the whole world only contained him, with no one else around. Ava stood there, stunned. Wasn’t he supposed to be furious, to get angry? Wasn’t he... supposed to punish her, divorce her, and trouble Mrs. Wei? How did it turn into... nothing happened, instructing Mrs. Wei to arrange dinner? Was she experiencing auditory hallucinations, or was everything now just a dream? At this moment, Ava felt rooted to the spot as if immobilized, unable to move. Mrs. Wei watched Poe Vaughn leave, noting his lonely back, felt an immense sense of pity, and didn’t waste any time, immediately saying: "Madam, you misunderstood Mr. Vaughn!" "Mr. Vaughn wouldn’t cause me trouble, nor would he be angry with me, let alone furious. Mr. Vaughn is very kind." "Mr. Vaughn certainly wouldn’t hit Madam; he was about to check your eyes, Madam. You cried earlier, and Mr. Vaughn is concerned for you, feeling for you, not going against you." "Mr. Vaughn doesn’t hit people." "Madam, you’ve truly misunderstood Mr. Vaughn!"