### Chapter 39: Underneath the Surface “What?” Emma’s voice trembles beside me, her shock palpable. A heavy silence blankets the room, each guest frozen in utter disbelief. Nobody anticipated this revelation. No soul in this gathering imagined that Ava—a woman I once called my wife—was behind the magnificent force known as the Hope Foundation. The revelation eats at me. How could I have spent so many years alongside her without ever grasping this monumental truth? It speaks volumes about my own ignorance. “Did you know about this?” Gabe inquires, his eyes wide as saucers, mirroring the astonishment of the crowd. “No,” I snarl, anger bubbling within me at the thought of such a significant aspect of her life slipping past me unnoticed. As if choreographed, Ava pushes her chair back and rises. Ethan is quick to stand by her side, extending a hand toward her with an encouraging smile. She accepts it, and together they ascend the stage. My jaw tightens as Ethan’s hand rests against her bare back, guiding her up the steps. The sight ignites a flare of jealousy deep within me, one I can’t ignore. Once atop the stage, Ethan steps aside, and Ava embraces Mary in a heartfelt hug before confidently advancing to the podium. “Hello!” she begins, a nervous chuckle escaping her lips. “For some reason, it’s easier for me to speak to a room full of rowdy teenagers than to you lovely adults.” A gentle wave of laughter rolls through the room, a sound of support that swells my heart with pride. “I don’t think there’s anyone here unfamiliar with my name; I’m Ava Sharp.” She gracefully shifts the atmosphere. “Today, we gather to honor each and every one of you for your unwavering support of the Hope Foundation. As a teacher, I’ve witnessed many heart-wrenching realities: children bearing bruises from abusive parents, kids who show up to school hungry due to a lack of lunch money, and those wearing worn-out clothes and shoes—simply grateful for the luxury of education. There are even children who call the streets their home.” Her voice commands attention, capturing every ear in the room. A somber hush falls, the elites now riveted by her words. “Seeing those children struggle shattered my heart. I began helping as best I could, starting with one boy in my class, then another, and before long, I found myself aiding over a dozen—an endeavor that sparked the creation of this foundation.” She breathes in deeply. “I envisioned a safe haven for them, a sanctuary where they wouldn’t have to worry about their worth.” “I initiated the construction of The Hope House, and by some divine intervention, I was able to expand.” Suddenly, her demeanor transforms, pride shining through her features. “Since our inception four years ago, we’ve had the honor of establishing The Hope Houses throughout every major city in our nation. Thousands of children have benefitted, many of whom have gone on to attend universities—even prestigious ones like Harvard and Princeton. At present, we care for numerous children, from infants to eighteen-year-olds, ensuring they never lack for anything, even providing allowances for the older ones.” She gestures towards the center tables brimming with young faces of all ages. “This foundation is dedicated to them, providing hope for a brighter future—proof that their origins do not dictate their destiny. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continued support and every generous donation. I pray for more blessings upon each of you.” With that, she steps away from the podium, eliciting a wave of applause from every corner of the room. The clapping is thunderous, guests rising to their feet in admiration until Ava finally descends from the stage. Moments later, Mary reclaims the podium. “That concludes today’s event! Have a wonderful evening and enjoy yourselves!” I find myself utterly entranced by Ava. Who knew there was a world beyond what appeared on the surface? “Wow. I never could’ve imagined she was behind the largest children’s organization,” Travis mutters, his gaze darting back and forth between Ava and Letty. Letty remains seated, her expression unreadable as Ava bends down to converse with a group of children who have gathered eagerly around her. One young man stands out among them—he looks oddly familiar. “Isn’t that Caleb Kingstone of Kingstone Technologies?” Emma asks, disbelief etched on her features. “What’s he doing with Ava? Does he know her?” I look where she points, suddenly recognizing the young CEO, known for taking the business world by storm with his tech innovations. At only twenty, he’s carved a niche for himself, gathering acclaim and taking the industry by storm. The thought crosses my mind that perhaps I should feel threatened—after all, he’s certainly a contender in the realm of entrepreneurship. “Oh, he is indeed a beneficiary of the Hope Foundation,” someone chimes in, breaking my thoughts. “An orphan, he was fortunate enough to have Ava take him under her wing. She recognized his tech genius and pushed him to channel his talents into something meaningful. When he conceived the idea for his own company, Ava provided the start-up capital. Back then, few believed in him—Ava was his only supporter. Now, his company is flourishing, and as a token of thanks, he shared equity in his venture with her. Ava holds the second-largest stake in Kingstone Technologies, following him.” Shock spreads across our faces like wildfire as we digest this astonishing revelation. Emma, however, scoffs. “So basically, she’s using these kids to line her pockets?” This time, I’ve reached my boiling point. “Will you shut your mouth with those snarky remarks?” I growl, slamming my hand onto the table in frustration. Heads turn towards us, but they quickly avert their eyes under my glare. Emma regards me with confusion, as if witnessing an entirely different side of me. Enough of her toxic commentary. “From where have you been hiding?” Mary rebukes Emma with disdain. “Ava doesn’t need to exploit anyone to get rich. She was already a millionaire.” “What on earth are you talking about?” Travis asks, perplexed. Mary shrugs dismissively. “She was wealthy long before launching this foundation. She prefers to keep her life private, far from curious gazes. But trust me, I’ve evaluated her assets, and the woman is loaded. If I were to place her among the wealthiest women in the city…” I quickly do the math in my head, tallying the staggering numbers. It hits me then—she’s likely positioned among the top five or six richest individuals in the entire country. The realization leaves me reeling until Mary continues. “Ava’s humility is what I admire most about her,” she states. “Despite her wealth, she dresses simply, drives modest vehicles, and doesn’t live in a gaudy mansion. You’d easily overlook her if you only judged by appearances.” It dawns on me—how foolish I’ve been. I had critiqued her choices, even turning my nose up at the Range Rover I gifted her, thinking she couldn’t afford something flashier. The same went for the alimony I pushed upon her, believing she would suffer without my support. “That’s impossible!” Emma finally whispers, her incredulity surfacing. Among us all, she has always looked down on Ava, a fact evident to me now that the truth strikes her. “I assure you, it’s all true. Shouldn’t you know this about our ‘boss lady,’ given your connection to her?” Mary chides, her frown deepening. Shame floods through us, a collective acknowledgment of how we’ve treated Ava. She was indeed family, yet we’d excluded her and allowed our ignorance to belittle her. Just as the weight of realization threatens to crush me, a commotion captures my attention. Ava stands, her posture unyielding, facing off with Brenda—an influential socialite and self-proclaimed leader in our societal echelon. It’s a standoff that promises to be anything but dull.