로그인Ava’s POV “Hi, Ava!” Before I could even process what was happening, the excited figure rushed toward me and threw her arms around me. I stumbled back from the force of her hug, then laughed as I hugged her back. “I haven’t been able to settle in since morning because these two people think I’m a liar.” She pulled away, pointing between Mrs. Ashford and Kate. “Matter of fact, I’m your new PA.” My eyes widened. “Really?!” She nodded enthusiastically.“Mr. Vindell specifically hired me. And the pay…” She shook her head in disbelief. “The pay is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered. What do you mean I earn that much just to be your PA when we’re already friends?” I laughed. “He said I can live here and go back whenever I want,” she continued. “Can you imagine?” A grin spread across my face. Before I could say anything else, Sophia grabbed my hands and squealed. We hugged again, jumping up and down like children. For a few seconds, I completely forgot about the furious ey
Ava’s POV I carried two thank-you bags filled with fruits and snacks down the corridor, the handles digging into my fingers with every step. When I reached Mom’s room, I pushed the door open. My steps immediately faltered. Mom was sitting on the bed, a chessboard spread out in front of her. Across from her sat someone I never expected to see. My jaw dropped. “Peter?!” His head snapped toward me. He slowly rose from his chair, and I stared at him. He looked much fresher than the last time I had seen him, his face brighter, his clothes neat, his eyes clearer. For a second, neither of us said anything. I walked toward them and set the bags beside the table. “Did you bring the fruit bar I specifically asked for?” Mom asked. My eyes remained fixed on Peter. I barely registered her question before nodding. “Hi, Ava,” Peter finally said. His voice sent a strange little ache through my chest. I looked from him to Mom, my eyes darting between them. Mom seemed to read my thou
“Vindell’s POV”Winston sprang up from the floor, one hand immediately going to his bleeding nose. Blood streaked across his fingers, but Garauala gave him no time to recover.He charged. His fist slammed into Winston’s face. Winston twisted away from the next punch, but the third caught him squarely in the ribs. His body jerked from the impact before another blow sent him stumbling backward. His shoulder crashed against the hard corner of the room, and he grunted, clutching his side.I watched without blinking. But from the corner of my eye, I caught Ava. She wasn’t watching the fight anymore.Her fingers had found the edge of her clothes, twisting the fabric repeatedly. Her hands trembled in her lap, and one leg bounced rapidly against the floor. Every time Garauala’s fist connected with Winston, her shoulders flinched.Then, suddenly, she went still. “I think that’s enough, Mr. Vindell.” Her voice was firmer than her expression. She grabbed her bag and stood. “I will not be a part
Ava’s POV The door opened. A huge, bald-headed, light-skinned man walked in wearing nothing but a tiny pair of pants. The frame of his penis were oddly visible and protruding from his pant. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, his fitted abs and bulging muscles making him look more like a professional fighter than someone who had been summoned for entertainment. My jaw dropped, so did Katherine’s. Winston’s face went completely blank. I looked around the room. Nobody else seemed surprised. Vindell, Michael, Vincent and the other men looked as though they already knew exactly what was about to happen. The man walked over to Vindell and bowed slightly. “You sent for me, sir?” “Yes.” Vindell gestured toward Winston. “Mr. Laurent needs a little help with entertainment. Can you help him out?” “Sure.” The man turned toward Winston. Winston froze, for one terrifying second, he didn’t move. Then he shot to his feet. “Hey… Mr. Vindell, I don’t think this is right! I’m strai
Ava’s POV For some reason, my chest tightened as I watched Winston. I was scared for him. I hated that I was. After everything he had done, after the humiliation, the video, the chaos he had caused at my wedding, this was his own doing. Karma had finally found him. Still, watching him break down in front of me made something twist uncomfortably in my stomach. He suddenly turned toward me and stumbled forward, dropping to his knees at my feet. “Please, Ava!” His hands hovered near my legs before he quickly pulled them back. “Beg him for me. I promise I’ll stay away from you. Please forgive me. I’m so sorry. Please!” I opened my mouth, but no words came. Before I could respond, one of the men in black stepped forward. His foot slammed into Winston’s ribs. Winston cried out and crashed onto the floor, immediately curling around himself and clutching his side. I flinched. My heart slammed against my ribs. “Don’t you dare touch my wife with your filthy hands.” Vindell
Ava’s POV The moment I stepped into the living room, my eyes landed on Winston. He was sitting stiffly on the cream-colored sofa, his shoulders tense and his fingers clasped together between his knees. The instant our eyes met, his pupils widened. My steps slowed. Something about the room made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. Several men dressed in crisp black suits stood around the living room, their faces completely unreadable. Mr. Michael sat across from Winston, an iron bat resting casually in his hand. Beside him, another man in a grey suit sat with a laptop balanced on his thighs, his fingers moving across the keyboard. Nobody smiled, nobody spoke. The silence was too eerie. I glanced at Vindell. He seemed completely unfazed. He reached for my hand, his fingers closing firmly around mine before guiding me toward one of the sofas. I sat beside him, still taking in the strange arrangement around us. Kate sat a little distance away. Even though the room was cool,







