Despite Chester’s absence, that was the first time Michael went out with his family.
The same scenario had played out in Elena’s dream countless times. However, she had never told anyone about it, not even Luacs.
There was no point to long for something that would never be hers.
The little family unit attracted countless gazes at the funfair. The women were crazy for the husband, and many people thought the mother was so ugly that they would lose their appetite. The daughter was also beautiful, and it was obvious she had taken after her father.
The sight of such a good looking man beside an ugly freckled-face woman would make anyone feel sick to their stomach. How could a handsome man allow a nasty woman to walk beside him? Was God blind?
While they were at the funfair, many of the women wanted to strike a conversation with Michael even though it was apparent that he already had a wife and daughter.
Elena sat on a long bench as she looked at Michael on a carousel with their daughter. A few girls around them had ogled at them, but Elena did not know what she should think about that.
There were always bees and butterflies around that man wherever he went. Even though he did not make a pass at anyone, other people did not mean to flirt with a married man either. She knew that there would always be women who would risk their lives to be with him. Would it not be too tiring to spend her whole life with someone like that?
She had no plans to be with him; her past would always exhaust her.
Michael was still on the carousel with Sweety. Michael had to queue for the second time because his daughter wanted to go on another round.
Elena had never seen Michael like that. He would even queue in a line to make his daughter happy. He would never willingly be around so many people; he had always been high and mighty. However…
She would not have believed it if she did not witness it herself—Eldest Young Master Williams was willing to ‘degrade’ himself to such an extent to entertain his daughter.
She had not seen him in two years; it did seem like he had changed. He was still as handsome as he had been, but he looked slightly depressed, which made women cherish him more. He had lessened some of his overbearing qualities, and there was even some warmth in him that allowed him to discuss things with other people willingly.
Who would not fall for him? On the other hand, who would dare to fall for him, as well? One would get hurt easily if one were to fall for him.
Elena realized that the man had crept into his thoughts, and she quickly snapped out of it. She was a little nervous! She turned her face away so that she would not have to look at him.
Then, she saw someone she had not expected at the funfair.
Was that…
Elena frowned and steadied her gaze. Suddenly, she stood up. It was her! Why was she there?
The woman did not notice that she had been seen. After she bought some buns, she frantically walked toward a dark corner. She snuck around like a street rat.
That was her!
Elena tightened her palm and quickly ran after her.
That was Ava—the same Ava who disappeared for two years with a massive amount of money.
Elena never thought that she would look so down on her luck the next time she saw her! Her attire, though not damaged, was incredibly worn out. The Ava she knew would never wear something like that. Besides, she also wore flats! That was her first time seeing Ava with flats purchased from a roadside vendor!
After she bought the bun, Ava bit into it as she walked into the dark corner. Perhaps she was in a hurry, but she did not realize that someone had followed her.
As Elena followed her to a little shack behind the funfair, a few men suddenly charged toward their direction from ahead. Elena furrowed her brows and stepped behind the shed to hide. They had startled Ava, and she tried to make her escape.
It was too late.
Two men took a wide step forward and surrounded her in the middle.
“Tiger, please give me a few more days. I’ve been trying to find ways. Just a few more days!” Ava wanted to hide, but there was no way to break out of the circle.
“A few more days?” Tiger stared at her furiously. “Give you a few days so that you can hide, right?”
“No, absolutely not!” Ava was frightened and nervous; she shook her head hard. “You’re so mighty, Tiger, and your men are everywhere, where could I hide anyway?”
“Stop talking nonsense! Since you can’t pay me, then you’ll have to come with us.”
“No! I don’t want to go back!” Ava started to run, but before she could break out of the circle, one of them pushed her back, and she fell onto the ground.
“Still trying to run?” Tiger walked toward her and kicked her in the stomach.
Ava curled in pain as she held her tummy and cried out in agony.
“Tiger, Tiger… I… Please give me a little more time, just a little more. I will definitely pay you back. I promise!”
“Where the hell can you find 180 thousand? Look at you! You can’t even earn some money even if you sell yourself!” Tiger humped chillingly as he waved his arm. “Take her!”
“No, Tiger, please don’t bring me back. I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to be with those people. Tiger, I beg you, I beg you…”
None of them pitied her. They even hit her when she refused to go with them.
Ava cried out in pain; her face was smeared with tears and mucus. “Tiger, I beg you… Argh! It hurts! Stop beating me. No, I will pay, I will… Argh…”
“How much does she owe you?” Suddenly, a woman appeared from behind the shack. Her face was covered with freckles, and she wore big old-fashioned eyeglasses—as ugly as none could imagine.
Tiger narrowed his eyes to look at her.
“180 thousand! Who the hell are you? You want to pay for her?”
“Give me your account number, and I’ll transfer it to you right now.” She retreated cautiously when the man advanced toward her.
“Don’t you dare come here. This is a funfair, and there are people around. You wouldn’t get away with this if I were to scream for help.”
Tiger stopped in his tracks—he did not expect the ugly woman would be so bold.
“You really want to pay for her?” After all, he only wanted the money. “180 thousand, and nothing less!”