CHAPTER 395: CHAPTER 395: STOP!

Jace stood at the back, watching the person who had stopped in front of him, as he and his partner left the private room after lunch.

He didn’t know Ava was here. He knew that now, no matter what, Ava would not return to his side, so he was in no hurry.

He didn’t send anyone to follow her, nor did he need to.

He just needed to wait for the right moment, and then appear, that’s all.

But he didn’t expect to suddenly run into her at such a time.

Very unexpected, yet pleasantly surprised.

He missed her very much, even just catching a glimpse of her would be enough.

But she had left, and it was difficult even to see her.

However, he had been waiting for so many years that missing her had become second nature to him; he had long been accustomed to patience and waiting.

Even though there were many times he missed her so much that he couldn’t sleep, he still remained rational.

And now, she stood ahead of him, clear and real, making him joyful.

He thought, even God couldn’t stand it, so He arranged for them to meet, to let him see her.

He should have gone forward, but his feet seemed stuck, unable to move.

He just stood there, looking at her, at her back, gazing stupidly.

He dared not go forward, afraid she would leave, afraid that what he saw was just a dream.

He was scared.

Because he clearly knew that she had always been trying to escape from him.

Ava suddenly left, walking away right before his eyes, widening the distance between them.

His heart skipped a beat, and he couldn’t think of anything else, hurriedly chasing after her.

"Ava!"

Ava heard the voice behind her, as well as the rapidly approaching footsteps.

It was as if someone was trying to catch her.

Hearing this voice, Ava walked even faster.

She couldn’t let Jace catch up, nor could she become entangled with him; she had to leave quickly.

In her haste to leave the restaurant, Ava didn’t notice the corner ahead and ran into someone.

With a bang, the other person stumbled back, and so did Ava.

Ava was wearing high heels, and though the collision wasn’t forceful from the other side, her large strides made it powerful.

As she stepped back, she lost her footing, her body uncontrollably falling backwards.

Instinctively, Ava tried to grab something to steady herself, but there was nothing to hold onto; she grasped at thin air.

However, she did not panic, and her reactions were quick, so she tried to steady herself, to avoid twisting her ankle.

Twisting her ankle would have been troublesome.

In that instant, Ava thought about many things, but at the same time, a voice reached her ears.

"Careful!"

Immediately, a pair of arms supported her, and her back was pressed against a cool chest.

Ava froze.

Because she knew very well who was holding her.

It was Jace.

Jace held her tightly, concern etched on his face.

He looked at the person in his arms, at her feet, and asked, "Are you okay? Did you fall?"

His voice was full of worry.

Being held by Jace, Ava immediately steadied herself, and upon hearing his voice, she pushed him away, distancing herself.

Jace stood there, his arms still in an embracing posture, watching the person who had distanced herself in an instant, stunned.

Stunned.

At that moment, a sharp pain spread through his heart.

Did she really want to sever ties with him and stay far away?

With pain showing on his face, and in his eyes, it was as if a knife had been driven into his chest. He stood there, watching her frowning and tightly pursed lips, pale-faced.

Ava reacted almost reflexively, and after moving away, she marveled at her own reaction.

Her reaction was so quick that she realized she had walked away from Jace after she had done it.

Standing there, looking at Jace’s hurt expression, Ava frowned, her lips moved as if to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.

What was there to say? Between strangers, there was no need for words.

Even though he had helped her just now, it wasn’t necessary.

Not giving him hope was the best way to repay him.

She couldn’t give Jace hope; that would just hurt him.

Pressing her lips tightly, Ava turned away without hesitation.

However, she had just taken a couple of steps when her hand was grabbed, and an angry voice followed: "Don’t leave!"

Ava’s hand was grabbed, but it wasn’t Jace who held it. It was a young woman in her twenties.

The young woman looked pampered and arrogant, dressed in designer clothes, clearly of affluent background, used to a life of comfort.

Ava looked at the girl holding her, her expression cold, her beautiful eyes sharp and intimidating.

When Ava was quiet and displeased, she took on such an appearance, like a queen, very daunting.

Especially since she was older than the young woman and taller, standing before her like an older sister overpowering a younger one, her presence was overwhelming.

In almost an instant, Ava’s powerful aura suppressed the young woman’s haughty demeanor, causing her to turn pale with anger.

The young woman immediately pointed to Aria Rhodes, who was being supported beside her, and said, "Didn’t you realize you bumped into someone? I want you to apologize immediately!"

"Exactly!"

"You think you can just leave after bumping into Aria? Not that easy! Apologize!"

"Yes, apologize!"

Aria Rhodes had three or four companions, all girls about her age and of similar affluent backgrounds, pampered by their rich families.

At this moment, since Ava had bumped into Aria and was about to leave without saying anything, they naturally wouldn’t let Ava go easily.

Ava looked at Aria being supported, seemingly uncomfortable from the collision, her face slightly pale.

Ava said, "I’m sorry."

It was true she had walked too fast and bumped into someone, so an apology was due.

It was her mistake, and she wouldn’t evade responsibility.

If an apology was warranted, she would give it.

The young women, still seething with anger, were surprised by Ava’s commanding presence. They hadn’t expected that the person who had just overpowered them with her aura would apologize so swiftly.

It caught them off guard, leaving them in disbelief.

For a moment, they stood there, mouths agape, staring at Ava, unable to react.

Including Aria Rhodes.

She looked at Ava, dazed.

And having said her apology, Ava left immediately.

She had offered a sincere apology, and there was no reason for her to stay, especially since Jace was still there; she needed to leave quickly.

With that thought, Ava quickly walked past the young women.

But she had only taken a few steps when the voice of one of the young women rang out again: "Stop!"

Ava frowned, not stopping, heading straight for the elevator.

Stop for what? She had already apologized. The only way she’d stop was if she’d lost her mind.

Ava walked quickly, taking long strides, and since she was tall, she soon put distance between herself and the others.

Seeing Ava speeding up instead of stopping, the girl who had spoken became furious and chased after her, grabbing Ava: "Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear me tell you to stop?!"