Ava’s Counterattack

This felt like a nightmare.

Ava stood there, her hands and feet ice-cold, her mind blank.

The moment Liam saw Ava, his drunken haze cleared up a little. He abruptly pushed Sophia away and steadied himself against the sofa.

Sophia turned around, her face lighting up with a "surprised" smile. "Oh my, Ava! What are you doing here?"

Ava snapped out of her daze, her heart pounding wildly.

She didn't say a word. She just turned around abruptly and walked out, not even bothering to close the door.

Sometimes, when things get bad enough, you don't even have time to be angry.

She didn't cry. She didn't scream. She didn't even feel the rage just yet. She only felt her legs go weak, her vision slightly blurred.

The cold spring wind slashed against her face like a knife, instantly sobering her up.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Liam had his driver pick her up just so he could flaunt his closeness with Sophia in front of her?

When he brought up the breakup that day, she agreed without hesitation, without even asking a single question.

And now he thought he could humiliate her like this?

Just because he didn't love her anymore, did he think he could trample on her dignity?

Rage burned inside her. She walked faster, her steps growing steadier, her back straightening, until she passed through the villa gates.

The driver was already waiting outside. He opened the car door for her and said, "Mrs. Carter, Mr. Carter asked me to take you home."

Ava was silent for a few seconds before bending down and getting in.

After the driver closed the door, he dialed Liam's number. "Mr. Carter, I found Mrs. Carter. I'm taking her home now. You can rest assured."

"Good."

Liam hung up, then turned to Sophia with a cold expression. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Sophia batted her eyes, putting on an innocent look. "What are you talking about? How was I supposed to know Ava would suddenly show up? I just… accidentally fell, that's all."

Liam let out a mocking laugh. "Sophia, I might be drunk, but I'm not stupid."

Tears welled up in Sophia's eyes instantly. She bit her lip, her voice full of grievance and helplessness. "It's my fault. I'll call Ava right now to explain…"

She pulled out her phone.

Liam reached out to stop her, his tone impatient. "Don't bother, Sophia. The more you explain, the worse it looks. Just go home."

"And what about you?" she asked in a low voice.

"I'm just drunk, not crippled. I can take care of myself." Liam rubbed his temples, sounding irritable.

Sophia stood there with her head lowered, her shoulders trembling slightly like an abandoned puppy.

She tried hard to hold back her sobs, looking utterly pitiful.

Liam sighed, his tone softening a little. "I'm not blaming you. I just… shouldn't have hurt Ava like that."

"But the moment you asked for a divorce, you already hurt her," Sophia said quietly.

Liam frowned slightly, his voice turning deeper. "At the very least, I wouldn't humiliate her like this."

"A clean break is better than dragging it out, Liam. The longer you wait, the more painful it will be for her. And also…" Sophia lowered her head, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. "It's painful for me too."

Liam's expression darkened. "We can't get divorced right now. My grandmother won't allow it. And stop bringing up 'it's because of you.' That's not the point."

Sophia's face changed instantly, a flicker of panic flashing in her eyes.

She hesitated for a moment before biting her lip and asking, "So… I'm just an excuse?"

Liam rubbed his forehead, his voice laced with frustration. "Sophia, I'm drunk. Don't ask me questions like this. Just go home."

Sophia knew he didn't want to continue the conversation. She bit her lip, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as she turned and left, deeply disappointed.

As soon as she was gone, Liam immediately picked up his phone and called Sophia's father. "Keep an eye on her. Don't let her pull the same stunt as last time."

——

The next afternoon, at an antique art gallery.

Ava received a bank card, delivered by someone Liam had sent.

The messenger spoke respectfully. "Mrs. Carter, this is a small compensation from Mr. Carter. The PIN is your birthday."

Ava stared at the card and suddenly laughed.

Not a happy laugh. A cold laugh.

Money? Wonderful.

But sometimes, money wasn't compensation—it was an insult.

She pushed the card back. "Tell him, I don't need his money."

The man hesitated for a moment before adding, "Mr. Carter asked me to tell you: 'Sometimes, what you see isn't always the truth. No matter what decision you make, he will accept it.'"

A flicker of emotion flashed across Ava's eyes—but only for a second.

"Got it."

After the messenger left, Ava sat for a while before gathering her things and heading to a nearby café for lunch.

Just as she stepped out the door, she ran into Sophia.

Sophia was dressed in a white dress, holding a bouquet of white roses, with a perfectly sweet smile on her face.

"Ava, let's have a chat, shall we?" Sophia said sweetly.

Ava's gaze was indifferent as she glanced at her. "Fine."

The two of them went to a small café.

Sophia placed the roses on the table, gently stroking the petals as she smiled meaningfully. "I never thought Liam could be so romantic. He sent me this bouquet first thing in the morning. Three years, and he still remembers that my favorite flowers are white roses. Twenty of them—symbolizing his eternal love."

Ava's heart clenched slightly.

In three years of marriage, Liam had never given her a single flower.

It wasn't that he didn't understand romance—it was that he was never willing to be romantic with her.

She picked up her coffee, her tone calm. "Sophia, stop beating around the bush. What do you want to say?"

Sophia chuckled. "You really put on a good act in front of Liam—so gentle and magnanimous. I didn't expect you to have such a temper in private."

Ava smiled lightly, but her tone was razor-sharp. "I am his legal wife, and you barged into my home last night, clinging to my husband. If I were to throw this cup of coffee in your face right now, do you think that would be too much?"

Sophia's expression changed slightly.

She stared at Ava and said slowly, "Ava, you do realize that you're just a substitute, right? The real leading lady is back. It's time for you to step aside."

Ava leaned back in her chair and scoffed. "The real one? Sorry, but Liam and I are legally married. I am his wife."

Sophia sneered. "You two are about to get divorced. Stop pretending."

Ava smiled faintly. "Until that day comes, you better know your place."

Sophia's face darkened. She pulled out a check and tossed it on the table. "Three years ago, you married Liam for money. I'll give you double—take the money and get lost."

Ava glanced at the check and suddenly laughed.

"Sophia, is your family bankrupt? Is that all you can afford to throw at me?"

Sophia scoffed. "Stop pretending to be noble." 

Ava fixed her with an icy stare and said slowly, "Three years ago, even without this marriage, I would've made millions on my own." 

With that, she picked up the check and slapped it right onto Sophia's face. "Take your money and get lost!" 

Furious, Sophia lunged at Ava— 

But in that instant, a figure shot out from the side and landed a fierce punch on Sophia!