Chapter 376

S31 119. Point Number Three

A few minutes earlier, Ava was still on the phone.

“You get some rest. Don’t get sick again. And don’t forget to eat.”

Jeremy’s voice was light. Ava couldn’t help but smile. “Okay. Don’t forget to eat either. See you tonight.”

“Yeah, see you tonight.”

After hanging up the phone, Ava bit her lip. However, her cheeks still pulled up a smile.

“Jeremy is very sweet and caring. I would never have known if I still closed my heart.”

While clutching the phone, Ava looked at her other hand. There was nothing there, but her eyes sparkled as if the world’s most expensive diamond was on her finger.

“I hope I can take good care of this ring.” Then, clenching her fist, she exhaled quickly. “I can’t let him down. I’m a different Ava now. I’m stronger, more assertive and confident.”

While Ava was focused on planting suggestions, someone suddenly knocked on the door. Thinking it was Melanie, Ava opened it.

“Yes Mrs. Mel-Senior Bryan?” Ava’s eyebrows rose, as did her tone. Bryan was tickled to get such a response.

“Sorry to bother you. Are you busy?” He smiled warmly.

Ava blinked awkwardly. Point number three from Jeremy was still clearly etched on her mind.

“Not really. I was just about to go to the dining room. Is there anything I can help you with?”

Brian stopped hiding his hands behind the waist. Apparently, a lunch bag was hanging from his fingers.

“What a coincidence, I also want to have lunch. How about we eat together? Do you mind?”

Ava froze. Her brain worked hard to find a way to refuse gently. “Has my mother eaten yet?”

Brian nodded. “I just finished feeding her.”

“Then, Mrs. Melanie?”

Bryan repeated his head movements. “She was eating alone earlier, gracefully. If I hadn’t read her medical history, I would have thought she was an elegant noblewoman, especially with that big bun.”

Bryan twirled his index finger above his head. Ava couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly.

“So, do you allow me to accompany you to eat?”

The curve of Ava’s lips almost turned into a grin. She didn’t feel comfortable having to refuse. Bryan once helped her. She often bothered him with various questions at lunch time in the past.

Suddenly, Brian opened the bag and showed it to Ava. “Look! What a coincidence, I brought two apples. We can share like we always did. You still like apples, right?”

Guilt suddenly attacked Ava’s heart. She didn’t expect Bryan to still remember it while she herself had forgotten his name.

“Thank you, Bryan. I appreciate your kindness. But, keep your apples for yourself. Don’t let me reduce your portion of food again. You won’t be full.”

“I don’t mind.”

Bryan took an apple from the bag. Then, unexpectedly, he took Ava’s hand and placed the apple in her palm.

Ava’s eyes immediately opened to the maximum. Quickly, she withdrew her hand. The apple rolled and fell to the floor.

“Gosh!” Ava quickly picked it up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just-”

“You’re afraid your boyfriend will be angry because I’m holding your hand?”

Ava’s words caught in her throat. Her eyes trembled to observe his bitter smile. “You know about it?”

Bryan took the apple from Ava’s hand and put it back in the bag. “Yes, I was worried about you. That was the first time I saw your tears. So, I was moved to check on you.”

“You came to my room?” Ava’s eyebrows rose higher.

“Yes. But when I heard Mr. Harper’s voice, I didn’t knock on the door.”

Ava’s breath hitched. Embarrassment and awkwardness brought blush to her cheeks.

“Did you hear our conversation?” she whispered.

Bryan shook his head. “I just heard your laughter. You seemed very happy, so I thought you were fine.”

Ava let out a sigh of relief. After a brief moment of contemplation, she leaned forward. “Can you keep it a secret from anyone? I don’t want to cause a stir or misunderstanding.”

Bryan pulled the corner of his lips higher. “Don’t worry. I’m good at keeping secrets, as long as you want to accompany me to lunch. You know I don’t like eating alone, right?”

Ava froze in dilemma.

“Come on, it’s just lunch. I’m not asking you out.”

Ava grimaced. She remembered Jeremy’s hunch. It was most likely correct. Bryan did seem interested in her.

H

Luckily, before she could refuse, the phone in Bryan’s pocket rang. Seeing the caller’s name, he sighed in disbelief. He looked around before answering the call.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Harper.”

Ava stared wide eyed. Her head was bobbing around. There was no one there.

“What did he say?” she asked after Bryan hung up the phone.

Bryan put away the phone with a bitter look. “He said he needed an update on your mother’s condition. That must be an excuse to protect you from me.”

Ava pursed her mouth. She felt bad for Bryan. “Sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. So now if you’ll excuse me, Ma’am, I’ve got work

do.”

Ava looked at Bryan’s back with pity. Just then, her phone rang.” What’s wrong, Jeremy?”

“Is Bryan gone?”

“Yes.” Ava sounded listless.

“Are you upset because I restricted you?”

Ava pursed her lips. “He asked me to lunch. I was confused about

how to refuse him. I felt rude.”

“Was he disappointed when he left earlier?”

Ava nodded. “Yes.”

“Then you don’t need to feel guilty. He’s after you, Ava. Remember point number three. Now go to the dining room. He’s unlikely to join you without an invitation.”

Ava nodded with a wry smile. She felt bad for Bryan, but on the other hand, she thought Jeremy’s protective attitude was cute.

“Thank you for making me feel worthy.”

“You are precious, Ava.”

Ava’s smile slowly changed. After the conversation ended, she walked casually into the dining room.

Vivian had business outside, so she ate alone. The atmosphere was so quiet and peaceful until suddenly a servant approached with a panicked expression. “Miss Connor!

“Yes?”

“There’s an emergency situation. Your sister threw a tantrum because we wouldn’t let her in. She threatened to report us to the police.”

Ava’s eyebrows pressed against her forehead. “Eva’s coming her

“Yes! Master said that if he is not at home, don’t accept any guests whoever they are. But if the condition is like this, what should we do? Should we just ask him to go home?

“No,” Ava answered spontaneously. Jeremy had just arrived at the office. His work could be delayed again if he had to take care of Eva.

“She’s my sister. Let me take care of her.”

However, when Ava was about to get up, the servant grabbed her shoulder.

“Sorry, Miss Connor. Master ordered us to guard you from anyone

who comes. Besides, you haven’t finished eating yet. Master will be angry if we put the problem on you.”

Ava let out a faint breath. Looking at the food on her plate, she realized that her body did need a lot of energy to face Eva.

“Then, please tell Eva to wait a moment. I’ll meet her after finishing my lunch.”

“Okay, Miss.”

Ava quickly devoured her food. While chewing, she thought. What strategy should be used to deal with Eva?