Chapter 21-22

The afternoon had just passed. Under Antonio’s supervision, Ava ate another dose of medicine. Although she no longer had a fever, she had to take another pill for her cold.

This caused her to sleep again in the afternoon. By the time she woke up, the sky was still bright, but it was already almost evening.

The room was quiet. Ava got up to leave the room but could not find Antonio. She thought he would be in the study room and went there, but she still did not see him.

“Madam, you are awake.” The helper heard some noise and walked over. “Are you looking for Mr. Sylvester?”

Ava turned back to see the helper. Not only could she not find Antonio, Auntie Berta was also not around.

“Antonio went to the office?”

Could it be that there was something urgent that had to be dealt with in the office?

“Mr. Sylvester is receiving guests downstairs.”

“Guests?”

Aside from Stella who frequently came, usually there were no friends or relatives that would visit.

The Clifford family and the elders from the Sylvester family had also not visited in the past six months. If they wanted to see them, they would usually phone them and ask them to return home rather than coming to the Bellevue Hill themselves.

So, who were the guests who suddenly arrived?

However, since there were guests, Ava who was currently ill and still dressed in her pajamas was not suitable to meet them. She saw that the helper had turned to busy herself with work, so she returned to the room to change. After cleaning herself up to appear better, she walked back out.

As she walked down the stairs, she had yet to see the guests and could only hear a woman’s voice, “Antonio, you should be very busy right now, aren’t you? Recently, you haven’t been returning to the Sylvester family home as often. Aiya! There are still so many things waiting to be handed over to you at home, yet you insisted on setting up a business of your own. You child, the Sylvester family still has a business in America that needs…”

That voice suddenly stopped because of Ava. The nagging, concerned voice suddenly changed to a ridiculing tone. “The eldest Miss Clifford has finally awakened? She really has been spoiled from a young age. It’s bad enough that she’s always lazing about at home without working, but she actually wakes up so late each day. She really doesn’t know what it’s like to suffer at all. What a spoiled princess!”

“She’s ill. I was the one who let her sleep until now after taking her medicine.”

Ava recognized the person and walked over. “Aunt, I’m sorry. The helper did not tell me that you came.”

This was Antonio’s aunt, Hannah. She was a daughter from Sylvester’s younger brother’s family. She could only be considered a distant relative. However, those of Grandfather Sylvester’s generation were all very close, so the younger generation all set up their lives in Sydney and would often meet at various family gatherings.

Hannah seemed as though she did not hear Ava’s voice, only glancing at her coldly.

“Regardless of which family’s precious princess she is, since she has entered the Sylvester family, she cannot treat it as her own home. She doesn’t even know any rules or manners. Antonio ah, you need to be stricter with her. You can’t keep giving in to her.”

Antonio expression became distant. “This is the Bellevue Hill, not the Sylvester family home. She doesn’t need to abide by any rules.”

“That won’t do! Even if it’s not the olden days anymore, if the Sylvester family’s daughter-in-law remains so childish and is always being so lazy, that’s too much!”

Antonio smiled coldly, ignoring her unkind words. Seeing Ava stand there without moving, he spoke softly, “Won’t you be tired standing there? Come here and sit down.”

Ava smiled, obediently walking over. Right before the eyes of Hannah, she sat right next to him.

Seeing them sit so closely, Hannah’s expression suddenly became uglier.

Her daughter, Lucy, who sat by her side looked away. Her expression was unhappy.

Auntie Berta brought over some of the excellent tea previously taken from the Sylvester family. Under Antonio’s signal, she also left the hot water on the tea table.

“Feeling better?” Antonio poured some hot water for Ava. She still had a cold, and it was not suitable for her to drink tea.

“This entire day, aside from eating, I only slept. I really feel better now.” Ava smiled and sat by his side, acting as though she did not notice the ugly expressions on this mother-daughter pair.

“So you actually know that besides eating, all you do is sleep? Always enjoying without doing any work! Antonio has already been married to you for two years, yet you’ve never once returned to the Sylvester family home. Those who don’t know would think that our Antonio is still single.” Hannah who had been ignored for half a day rolled her eyes. “Miss Clifford is really delicate. You’ve just fallen a little sick and Antonio has to put down his work to focus on taking care of you.”

Ava turned to look at her. “Aunt, between now till Grandfather’s 80th birthday there is still more than a week. I’m preparing to go and see him on his birthday.”

“It’s Grandfather’s birthday; if you still don’t show up, from now on you won’t need to go through the Sylvester family’s door anymore!”

Ava did not seem affected as she lifted her beautiful brows. Her voice slow and calm as she said, “Normally, the elderly already seem so busy. Going back less, isn’t it for the sake of letting them have more peaceful and quiet times?”

Hannah’s expression froze. Her eyes were filled with dissatisfaction.

Ava’s words meant that all these people who were barely related to Grandfather were constantly looking for opportunities to hold onto the Sylvester family’s big thigh, causing Grandfather to have no time for peace and quiet?

“Ah! It’s true that you should go back less. It saves the Sylvester family from having to look at your face!” Hannah’s expression was ugly; her tone was also sharp. “Who knows what curse Antonio is under. He actually fell for you!”

Due to Hannah’s tone and words against Ava, Antonio’s brows furrowed. His expression turned instantly cold.

Hannah’s voice raised by several decibels. “Back then you didn’t know how to tell good from the bad. During the wedding, your attitude was so terrible. After being married for so long there is still no news of any children. I think you don’t intend to live a good life with Antonio at all! Then, why are you still holding onto the title of Mrs. Sylvester? Hurry up and divorce, and let our Antonio get his freedom back! The number of women who wish to marry him is extremely high! In such a big Sydney, there are several hundred thousand of well-bred women more suitable for him!”

Antonio abruptly opened his mouth, his tone extremely cold, “Auntie Berta, send off the guests.”

The coldness and slight anger could be heard from his voice. Ava did not speak, but placed her hand in his, gently pressing against his palm. The meaning was that she would not take these words to heart.

Hannah did not intend to leave. She sat on the sofa refusing to move. “Antonio, I haven’t finished speaking! Today, I specially made a trip to the SLV Corporation. In the end, they said you didn’t even show up for work! Since you decided to set up your own business, your company should be more important. Yet, you’re staying at home to take care of Ava!”

“What is important and what is not, I’m well aware of it. There’s no need for Aunt to worry.” Antonio’s voice remained cold, the initial politeness he maintained was gone.

“Originally, as an elder, I didn’t want to speak such ugly words, but isn’t it just a cold and fever? It isn’t some serious illness, is there a need to accompany her? I think that her feelings toward you are definitely not as strong as yours are for her!”

Although the issue of Ava constantly demanding for a divorce had never spread outside, everyone in the Sylvester family knew about it.

As though she was putting herself in his shoes, Hannah considerately said,” Antonio, don’t be too offended by Aunt’s words. I’m just feeling upset on your behalf…”

Antonio gently held Ava’s hand in his. She knew intuitively what he was trying to say and because of that, she was barely affected by Hannah’s words. She smiled with both her lips and her brows. “You must have misunderstood something. Previously, I did have some arguments with Antonio, and because of that we had a cold war for some period, but that was it. Besides, the issues between us as a couple, even our parents are not interfering, don’t you feel that you are stretching your hands too far?”

“You…”

Hannah thought that Ava was relying on the fact that Antonio was here to act out of line, but she never thought she would go so far! To think that she would insult her right before her face!

“Ava is still ill. She needs absolute quiet in order to rest.” Antonio paid no mind to Hannah’s choked expression. “If you came here just to have a peaceful walk, unfortunately, we won’t be able to entertain you.”

“Mom.” Lucy who sat by Hannah’s side carefully tugged on her hands, quietly speaking, “Don’t talk about that anymore… Let’s talk business.”

“Hmph, since young his character has been that of a cold mountain. I only lectured Ava for a bit, yet he protected her so much.” Hannah glared at Ava harshly.

“Take care. We won’t send you off.” Antonio no longer looked at them, tugging Ava’s hand to stand up.

The signal to chase them off was too obvious. Hannah rushed to speak up, “Wait! I have serious business to talk about! Antonio, Lucy is also considered your younger cousin. This year, she graduated from University of Sydney Business School, and her ability in various areas is very good. I heard that your secretary’s position is still empty. Let Lucy give it a try; how about it?”

“I don’t agree!” Ava’s eyes turned cold as she subconsciously spoke up.

Hannah glared at her. Her eyes were filled with unhappiness. “You don’t agree? What right do you have to disagree? The one I asked was Antonio!”

How could Ava not see through her intentions?

Each line insinuated that she was unsuitable for Antonio. Was it not all for the sake of looking for an opportunity to push her daughter to his side, to be at the pavilion closest to the water to enjoy the moonlight first?

Hannah had a divorced when she was very young, so her daughter took her surname. But at the end of the day, she could not be considered part of the Sylvester family. She was just a normal distant relative. But, if they could add a marriage on top of that, especially an alliance with Antonio, in the future they would not have to try very hard to hold onto the relationship with Grandfather.

Of course, Ava would not give them such an opportunity. “Aunt, the SLV Corporation is not any other company. The people in each department are carefully selected. The position of the CEO’s secretary, how can it be given to whomever you want to give?”

“Anyway, the position of Antonio’s secretary is empty! They can’t possibly find someone so quickly! It won’t hurt anyone to let Lucy go!” She really was a busybody. Hannah felt more hatred against Ava!

Ava looked as though she had heard something rather interesting and smiled. “Your daughter graduated at the age of 23 from University of Sydney Business School. When I was 18 years old, I had already received a good ranking from America’s MIT Finance School. If we are comparing, don’t you think I am even more suitable?”

“I believe that cousin’s company will prioritize ability.” Hearing this, Lucy abruptly stood up, pushing the glasses that sat on her nose while shoving a few words in.

Her gaze fixated on Antonio. After staring for a while, she could not stop her face from turning red. The pure, secret love and the self-conscious anticipation could not be hidden from her face.

“That’s right! Ava, don’t act like you are capable! I bet the Clifford family bought that position. Right now, your age is not small. You’re already 20-plus-years-old yet you don’t have any work experience. Lazing about all day is the most suitable for you!” Hannah swept a mocking glance at her.

At this moment, Antonio’s handphone rang.

After two minutes, he hung up. Ava tilted her head at him to ask, “Is there something important that needs you back at the company?”

“No, just a document that needs approval from me. Shaun will send it the Bellevue Hill before five o’clock,” as Antonio spoke, his hand did not move away from hers while the other hand was casually placed into his suit pocket. He glanced coldly at Hannah who stood at the side as well as Lucy whose face was red.

“The SLV Corporation indeed does value ability. But from what I know, Lucy’s graduation thesis was completed by paying others to write it. Her examination scores were also unremarkable.” His voice was cold and calm. While no mocking could be heard, it did not give the other party any opportunity to continue arguing.

Lucy’s expression froze. “I…”

Hannah rushed to protect her daughter. “Aiya! My daughter would never do such a thing! Antonio, don’t listen to whatever you hear! Lucy’s results are excellent!”

Antonio coldly curved his lips but did not look at them. He only looked at Ava. “Tired?”

Ava shook her head. “Don’t worry. I’m not tired.”

—-

Shaun’s speed was fast. The document arrived before it was even five o’clock.

Hannah continued to look for various topics to speak about, unwilling to leave. Seeing the document arrive, she rushed to receive it from the door and then handed it to Lucy.

Under Antonio’s cold eyes, Lucy glanced at the document in her hands.

After one look, she was stunned.

This… was all in English!

And it was the most challenging level of English! All the different complicated terminologies caused her eyes to blur.

“Why do you look so stunned? Pass it to your cousin!” Hannah signaled with her eyes, asking her to use this opportunity to perform well.

Lucy paused for a moment. She was somewhat embarrassed and unwilling to look at Antonio in the eyes as she passed him the document.

Antonio did not receive it, speaking apathetically, “Didn’t you want to prove your own ability? Translate the first page out loud. I’ll listen.”

“Ah? F-first page…” Lucy was embarrassed. She raised her eyes to glance at him but was frightened by Antonio’s cold eyes.

It was a difficult English document, how could she translate it…

Even when she was working as an intern, she did not participate in the interviews… Such a document was extremely unfamiliar to her…

All of a sudden, a smooth white hand reached out, taking the document from her. Lucy saw her actions and wanted to speak up, but she held it in.

She could not even recognize these words. Could Ava who was always lazing about be able to?

“What document is this?” Ava casually flipped through and glanced at it, easily reading out the English at the front and then used the most simple and accurate words to translate out the important contents in the document. After finishing, she glanced towards Lucy whose face had turned bright red. “It can’t be that you can’t even recognize these simple words?”

Lucy was struck dumb, how could she forget, Ava previously studied abroad for many years!

Seeing the situation, Hannah rushed to push her daughter behind her, glaring at Ava with an unhappy face. “Lucy graduated in a university within the country. Isn’t it normal that she cannot understand English? You went overseas to study in your teen years; what’s the point of being proud about understanding a bit of English?”

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