Chapter 29
Matilda kept shopping as if nothing had happened, looking completely unbothered by the earlier confrontation.
But things weren’t so easy for Tessa. The moment she got home, Zack blew up at her.
“Who do you think you are, daring to talk back to Mrs. Stuart?” he snapped. “Even if she killed Matilda, it wouldn’t be your business.
any
of
“Don’t go around making trouble for me. If my career or my father gets dragged into this, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life-and your grandfather won’t be spared either. Don’t believe me? Try me.”
Then he barked at the servants, “Take her phone. Make her kneel in the family chapel. Don’t let her out for three days.”
Back at Maple Heights, Matilda dove into research. She went online to study Lurith Tech’s products and dig up information about their team. With her sharp memory, she quickly committed it all to mind.
But one small worry still lingered. She had bought a few outfits that day and didn’t know which one to wear tomorrow.
She tried to video call Tessa, but a servant answered, saying Tessa was in the shower.
Just then, Allen arrived. Matilda hung up and went to open the door.
He was holding another plate of peeled pomegranate seeds.
Matilda grinned. “The cafeteria chef at Maple Heights really goes above and beyond.”
Allen said nothing. Today’s pomegranate had been peeled by him, just like yesterday’s.
Yesterday, he had even taken off the watch Matilda gave him and tucked it away so it wouldn’t get dirty. But she hadn’t tasted
any.
If he had known Brandon would show up, he definitely would have worn the watch to show off. That regret had kept him awake all night.
“Dr. Saunders, please come in. I actually have something I’d like to ask your opinion on,” Matilda said politely.
Allen’s lips curved slightly as he followed her in. But he froze when she led him straight into her bedroom. He wasn’t ready for that.
When she didn’t hear footsteps behind her, Matilda turned back.
Allen stood frozen at the doorway, the light behind him casting a glow on his slightly red ears.
“Dr. Saunders? Come in,” Matilda said easily, without the slightest embarrassment.
Allen adjusted his glasses. “Coming.”
On his way in, he ran through a dozen possibilities in his head-maybe she needed help reaching a bag from the top shelf, or the bathroom light was out, or maybe an outlet wasn’t working.
He never would have guessed she wanted his help picking clothes.
“Tomorrow I’m meeting Lurith Tech’s new director. Which outfit do you think works best?” Matilda asked, pointing at her closet.
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an or woman, old or young.
one cared a lot about this job and wanted to make the right impression.
“Are you serious?” Allen asked.
“Yes,” Matilda said firmly. “First impressions matter.”
Allen suddenly understood-she was nervous. He knew it was all because of Brandon’s constant harassment. Rage at Brandon boiled up in him again.
But he had been paying attention to Matilda since he was seventeen. He understood her well enough to know what she needed right now wasn’t comfort but a weapon-something to steady her heart so she could fight back on her own terms.
His expression softened. He looked through her clothes and finally pointed at one. “This one is perfect.”
Matilda nodded in agreement. She liked it too-a blue shirt, a silk scarf, and white wide-leg pants.
Allen added, “The pants look a little loose. Did you try them on when you bought them?”
That was a good point. She hadn’t tried on a single outfit today. No matter how much she pretended not to care, Shelby had gotten under her skin.
“I’ll
try
it now. Dr. Saunders, will you tell me how it looks?” Her eyes curved with a playful glint.
Allen’s heart skipped, and he replied before his brain caught up, “Of course.”
Matilda had a stunning figure. The simple shirt looked classy and elegant on her, but she couldn’t figure out how to tie the scarf.
The store clerk had tied it for her earlier, but when she pulled it over her head, the knot came loose and turned into a mess. Allen stood in front of her, his gaze dropping from her waist to the crooked knot. “Your scarf is off.”
Matilda fiddled with it a few times, but it only got worse. Her hands could design computer chips and throw punches, but clearly not tie scarves. She sighed in frustration.
“Want me to help?” Allen asked. Even though he phrased it as a question, his hands were already reaching for the scarf. He bent his head, his long, clean fingers folding the fabric neatly before looping it around the back of her neck.
His fingertips were warm, slightly damp. When they brushed her skin, he was careful to keep his distance, only touching briefly before pulling away. But his breath lingered near her ear.
Matilda felt it clearly-warm yet not hot-and her ears flushed red, the color spreading fast.
Sensing her gaze, Allen looked up. Their eyes locked and held.
His double eyelids creased as he looked down. Gone was his usual polite smile. In his deep eyes, emotions stirred that Matilda couldn’t read.
After what felt like forever, he lowered his voice. “There. Done.”
When he let go, Matilda quickly stepped back to put some space between them. “Thanks.”
Allen checked his watch. “Make sure you eat the pomegranate seeds tonight. If you can’t finish, wrap them tightly in plastic,
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Chapter 29
squeeze out the air, and put them in the fridge.
“If that’s too much trouble, just text me, and I’ll come help. Don’t eat them once they get soft-they’ll upset your stomach.”
Matilda frowned slightly.
Allen stopped, realizing he might be nagging. If only they lived together-he could take care of her himself instead of talking so much.
That night, Matilda barely slept, her mind full of how to be flawless for tomorrow’s meeting.
At dawn, she got up quickly, washed, put on makeup, ate breakfast at the cafeteria, and headed out for Lurith Tech. She had just gotten into a taxi when her phone rang. Lola’s weak voice came through. “Mommy, I have a fever. I want you to
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