A Vengeful Ex-Wife

Chapter 228 III Intentions

Maria smiled. "I'm nowhere near as miserable as you. At least I have someone to accompany me." Arthur was with her all the time. She was not alone.

"Who? James? He dumped Alina to be with you? Wow, he must be head over heels in love with you."

'Alina?' "So, Alina is celebrating the New Year's Eve with the Xi family?" Maria asked.

"Yes. Did you not know?" Only then did Ethan realize he had accidentally spilled the beans.

While the smile on Maria's face didn't change, internally, she felt a bit suffocated. "I didn't know. Why would I?"

Ethan wanted to slap his own self across the face. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. Don't be sad. Just tell me where you are right now, I'll join you."

"You'd better not come over, it's very cold here. I'm afraid you'll freeze to death."

"Then I'll bring you a warm coat."

Maria felt a sense of warmth in her heart. Ethan always knew what to say. "Alright, I'll send you my location."

"Okay."

Half an hour later, dressed in a down jacket, Ethan trotted over towards her and sat down beside her. "It's freezing cold. Aren't you cold?"

"I'm wearing a down jacket, so I feel fine." James had bought her that down jacket, and it had cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Of course, it did its job and kept her warm.

She handed him a can of beer. "Drink with me?"

"Sure! Come on! Cheers!" Ethan reached out and took the can gratefully.

The two clinked cans and took a sip simultaneously.

After a moment of silence, Maria asked, "Why don’t you go home to celebrate the Chinese New Year with your family?"

"Let's just say, we're in the same shoes. I don't have a home to go to, either!" Ethan scratched the back of his head sheepishly. He didn't know how to explain it to her.

The unconcealed chagrin on the young man's face made Maria smile. "All right. It seems fate has brought two lonely souls together. Cheers!"

"Yes, cheers to that!"

In the Xi family villa

The atmosphere at the dining table was a little awkward. Augustine and Charlotte sat on the ends of the table in silence, staring at the dishes on the table without any intention of eating.

James and Alina sat side by side, opposite Sebastian and Judy.

Finally, Augustine broke the silence. "Sebastian, James, could you please save me some trouble?"

Sebastian frowned. "Dad, it's the New Year's Eve. Let's have dinner first. We can talk about it later."

Charlotte tugged at Augustine's sleeve and said, "Yes, let's eat first."

After calming himself down, Augustine picked up his chopsticks reluctantly.

The most embarrassed ones at the table were Judy

and Alina.

Judy winked at Alina, hoping to send her a message. Alina immediately understood and picked up a pair of chopsticks. She plucked a piece of food and placed it gently into Charlotte's bowl. "Mrs. Xi, please taste the taro. It's soft and easy to eat."

Charlotte looked at the food in her bowl glumly and sighed. "Maria is able to cook this. Where is she now? How is she doing? Is there anyone accompanying her?"

Another awkward silence fell over the table.

James was frowning deeply, his chopsticks left untouched.

Sebastian said discontentedly, "Mom, why do you keep mentioning her? Alina is here. Let's just eat, okay?"

"What's wrong? Are you saying I can't speak in front of her?" Charlotte demanded nonchalantly, putting on airs.

If she didn't have two excellent grandsons, she would have died from shame by now. How could she have such a disappointing son?

Sebastian's jaw tightened. Seeing that the two of them were about to quarrel, Alina hurriedly cut in. "I'm sorry, Mrs. XI. I don't think Uncle Sebastian meant that. Somehow I sense that you don't like me. I don't know why. But I really do love James and am willing to do anything for him. Mrs. Xi, I hope you'll accept me."

"I'm talking to my son. Why did you chime in? You're just an outsider." Charlotte scolded her mercilessly.

Alina bit her lips and said nothing more.

James knew that the only way to solve this was to get Maria to come to the dinner. Excusing himself from the table, he made a call. "Maria, where are you now?"

"What’s up?"

"Come to the dinner." "No, thanks. It's your family reunion. Why should I go there?"

James' expression darkened. "Are you coming or not?"

"No." She meant it. There was no way she was going to dinner when Alina was also there. Did James just want to date two women at the same time?

Dream on!

Without waiting for a response, she hung up the phone.

Seeing his grandson put down his phone, Augustine couldn't help but ask, "What now? Is she coming?"

With a gloomy face, James uttered one word. "No."

Augustine and Charlotte were instantly depressed. Charlotte grumbled sadly, "She must have known that someone who isn't welcome is here."

"James, go and pick up Maria," Augustine ordered.

Sebastian pressed his fingers against his temples. "Dad, Mom, is this really necessary? Are you saying we can't eat without Maria Song?"Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

Charlotte glared at him angrily. "Huh? You are heartless. We are not like you. Maria gave birth to my great-grandson. The boy might be gone, but her role in the Xi family won't be erased just like that!"

Just then, James stood up abruptly, turned around, and walked out. "You guys eat first," he said on his way out.

"Where are you going?" Sebastian demanded.

Without looking back, he answered, "Grandpa and Grandma are getting old.

I want to please them while I still can." Sebastian opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single peep.

Judy couldn't keep silent any longer. She started to say gingerly, "Mr. and Mrs. XI, Alina is still here."

Charlotte sat upright. "Ms. Tang," she said authoritatively. Taking advantage of this opportunity, she wanted to say a few more words to put Alina in her place.

Hearing her domineering voice, Alina felt that her scalp tingle, but she humbly answered, "Yes, Mrs. Xi?"

"The Xi family used to be an aristocratic family, and there were always many women who wanted to marry into our family. Do you know how I managed to marry Augustine?"

Alina didn't dare answer. Instead, she waited for the answer.

Charlotte's eyes sparkled with wisdom. "I defeated five women like you!"

Alina was speechless.

"All they wanted was to marry into the Xi family. They were all vicious and had ill intentions, and yet they pretended to be innocent and pure. You remind me of them. Men might fall into your trap, but I won't!"

Her words made Alina want to pick up the knife on the table and stab herself.

She sat there silently with tears in her eyes, and Judy didn't dare speak up to help her. She knew clearly that Charlotte was also talking about her.

"I won't kick you out this time for the sake of my grandson. I don't want others to think that James wronged you. I am an old woman, and I have no qualms about breaking the law. I will have no problem drowning these ill-intentioned women in a river or selling them to some human trafficker. I have many other ways, too. If you are interested to learn more, I can demonstrate each one to you."

Upon hearing these harsh words, Alina felt her legs go weak.