My Ex-Husband Begged Me to Take Him Back - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: The hidden conspiracy at the party

Dylan’s grip tightened around the wine glass as simmering jealousy twisted in his gut, his gaze lingering on her smiling face. It was a smile he couldn’t remember ever seeing directed at him, and the thought stung like a fresh wound.

“She sure moved on quickly. Already found someone, huh?” James chuckled, oblivious to the effect his words had on Dylan. He shook his head, sipping his wine.

Without a word, Dylan set the glass down, rising with determination to confront her. In the meantime, Gianna approached him and stopped him.

“Dylan, you are here,” she said with her nasal tone. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Dylan looked away, his features contorting at the sight of Gianna. “What do you want?”

Gianna’s smile faltered at his cold tone. “Some of my friends wanted to meet you.”

“Not interested.” His tone was sharp as he brushed past her, intent on reaching Ava. But Gianna’s hand shot out, catching his arm.

“It’s my birthday next week,” Gianna said, her tone softening as if she was pleading with him. “We were just discussing the party theme, and… I really want you to join us.”

Dylan pulled his hand back sharply, his expression hardening further. “I don’t have time for that.” His voice was cold and dismissive. “Stop bothering me over trivial matters.” And without another glance, he strode purposefully toward the balcony, leaving Gianna staring after him, stunned and speechless.

Gianna cursed in her heart, seething as she watched Dylan disappear into the crowd. ‘Trivial?’ she scoffed inwardly. ‘You think my birthday is trivial?’ Her mind raced with indignation, frustration bubbling up. ‘This isn’t just any party, Dylan. I’m planning something special. Can’t you pay a little bit of attention to me?’

“What’s wrong, Gianna? Feeling let down?” James scoffed, drawing her back to the reality. “Dylan is not for you. Why keep wasting your time?”

“And who asked for your opinion?” she spat, her words as sharp as a dagger.

James leaned back with a smirk, unfazed by her anger. “Think of me as a well-wisher,” he said with an air of arrogance. “I’ve known Dylan a long time, and he is not interested in you. He is not the type to be swayed, so stop pining over a married man.”

“He is divorced,” Gianna countered, “and he doesn’t like Ava. He cares about me and is committed to taking care of me. He will definitely marry me.”

“It’s not a question about how he feels about Ava,” he said cooly. “What you should know is he doesn’t like you. Face it and leave him alone.”

Gianna’s face darkened, her fingers itching to slap the smug expression off his face. ‘Who do you think of yourself to lecture me?’ she fumed silently. Without another word, she turned sharply on her heel and walked away.

Gianna intercepted a passing waitress, pulling her aside. “Listen to me,” she whispered, looking around the crowd, who were busy with themselves, enjoying the party.

She slipped her hand into her purse, retrieving a small white pouch, its contents concealed but promising mischief. Handing it to the waitress, she whispered, “Pour this into Dylan’s wine. Make sure he drinks it.”

With a calculated smile, she pressed a wad of cash into the woman’s palm. “I’ll pay you more if you do it successfully.”

The waitress looked at her in a daze, clearly hesitating. But when she saw the cash, she relented, “Okay. I’ll do that.”

“Good. Go give Dylan the drink.”

The waitress gave her a curt nod before sneaking away.

Gianna watched her disappear into the crowd, a thrill of triumph lighting up her expression. “Dylan, you will be mine tonight,” she mumbled with a glint of anticipation in her eyes. “Once you have sex with me, you’ll have no choice but to marry me.”

Dylan stormed onto the balcony, his expression a mix of disdain and anger. “Everyone is having fun inside, and you two are out here?” His icy tone sent a chill through the air.

Ava and Nicholas turned to him, caught off guard by his sudden confrontation.

Dylan’s gaze locked onto Ava, his voice turning fierce as he added, “Ava, you’re still my wife. Instead of searching for me, you’re here enjoying yourself with another man!”

“First of all, I’m no longer your wife,” Ava shot back, her voice steady and defiant. “And why would I even want to look for you? I’m not about to humiliate myself in front of my friends. Who knows what accusations you’ll throw at me? And your precious Gianna…ugh!”

She rolled her eyes, her frustration palpable. “Who knows what plan will she come up with to trap me? So please, go and find her. By the way, where is she?” She tilted her head as she regarded with a squint. “Shouldn’t you be with her?

“I don’t need to find her,” Dylan growled, his temper flaring. “I’m here to take my wife home.” He stretched his hand toward her.

Nicholas instinctively stepped up, his arm wrapping protectively around her waist. “She is here with me, and she is not going anywhere with you.”

Dylan’s jealousy ignited, fury flashing in his eyes as he glared at the hand resting on Ava’s waist. “An outsider is not welcome between us. Get away from my wife!” Without warning, he lunged forward, throwing a punch at Nicholas.

The moment was a blur. It happened so fast that Nicholas didn’t have a chance to defend himself. He staggered back, slamming into the railing with a grunt of surprise.

“Nicholas!” Ava shrieked, worried that Nicholas was hurt. She rushed to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay?” She searched his face, anxiety written all over her features.

Nicholas rubbed his sore jaw, feeling the sting of blood trickling from a cut inside his mouth. “Don’t worry,” he mumbled reassuringly. “I’ll be fine.” He smiled, still composed in a tense situation like this.

But Ava’s frustration boiled over as she turned to Dylan, her eyes blazing. “Are you crazy? Why did you hit him?”

“I’ll hit him again if he dares to get close to my wife,” Dylan snapped, his grip tightening as he roughly dragged Ava away by her arm.

Nicholas didn’t go after them. He stood there, a smirk playing on his lips. He was already winning without doing anything. Dylan’s aggressive actions would only serve to push Ava further away from him.

“This time, Ava will choose me,” Nicholas murmured, confidence brewing within him.

In the meantime, his phone buzzed, jolting him from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen and noticed a video message from one of his informants who had been keeping an eye on Gianna. Curiosity piqued, he turned around and clicked on the video.

As the footage began to play, Nicholas’s brows furrowed in confusion and concern. The video showed Gianna slipping cash into the waitress’s pocket. “What is she up to?” he muttered as he processed the implications of her actions.

With a sense of urgency, he quickly typed a message: ‘Check that waitress closely. Don’t let them hurt Ava.’ Nicholas’s heart raced as he realized that Gianna might be plotting something sinister.