Chapter 31
Matilda rarely stepped into places like this.
Brandon didn’t either, except when business required it.
That was why, unlike other wealthy wives, Matilda never had to waste her days chasing her husband through bars and clubs.
What she didn’t expect was that ten minutes later, she’d walk into Zack’s private room and see Brandon there.
A woman with curves sat on his lap, arms looped around his neck. She held a wine glass between her teeth and tilted it, feeding Brandon a drink.
Brandon wasn’t wearing a tie. His shirt, usually buttoned up with only the top undone, now hung open three buttons deep, showing off a dangerously sexy V. He didn’t push the woman away, and he didn’t refuse the drink either.
Matilda froze, her eyes dimming bit by bit.
She pulled out her phone, snapped several photos of Brandon with the location attached, and sent them to Shelby.
Then she pushed open the half-closed door and walked in at an unhurried pace.
The lively room went dead quiet. Zack and a few others spotted her first. They groaned helplessly, “Brandon-”
The moment Brandon saw Matilda, he shoved the woman off his lap and asked in surprise, “How did you get here?”
Ever since he had found out Matilda was going to work at Lurith Tech, he hadn’t been able to calm down.
Zack had set up this gathering just for him, calling in all the guys they grew up with to drink and fool around, hoping Brandon would unwind.
Matilda’s face showed nothing. A cold, distant air clung to her. “Why are you nervous? I’m not here for you.”
She turned her eyes to Zack, who still had his hand firmly on a woman’s slim waist.
Zack drawled lazily, “What? Gonna control me now, huh? As if you had the right.”
Matilda opened her mouth, but Brandon caught her wrist. “This is between us. Let’s step outside and talk.”
Matilda yanked her hand back in disgust. “We have nothing to talk about.”
Brandon’s brow furrowed.
Matilda looked straight at Zack. Her expression stayed calm, but her tone was ice-cold. “Don’t think that just because Tessa’s grandfather is sick and she has no family, you can keep bullying her. From now on, I’m her family.
“I’ve got nothing-no reputation, no money, no future. I’m drowning in debt, no better than a criminal on the run. With nothing left to lose, I’m capable of anything.
“If I don’t hear from Tessa in ten minutes, I’ll go straight to your father and demand her back. Let’s see if he ignores his missing daughter-in-law.”
Without sparing either man another glance, she turned and walked out.
Brandon’s face darkened, and Zack’s went pale, then flushed red. The mood to party was gone.
1/3
apter
Zack had never been defeated by a woman before-Matilda was the first. “I don’t know why you married such a stubborn woman, dragging me down with you.”
Brandon thought of the way Matilda had looked at him, like they were nothing but enemies with debts to settle. His chest tightened with anger. He had no idea what game she was playing.
When Lola had called and said she was sick, Matilda hadn’t cared. Instead, she went to work for a rival company, openly defying him.
If that was how she felt, then Brandon could not understand why she had bought that watch at Grandhaven Mall.
“Brandon, I’m talking to you!” Zack cut in impatiently.
Brandon forced himself to shove aside his thoughts and asked casually, “When does your deal with Tessa end?”
Zack leaned back on the sofa and lit a cigarette. “Don’t know. Gotta wait till her grandfather dies.”
Tessa’s grandfather held evidence that could ruin Zack’s father, so his father had forced him to marry Tessa.
Tessa was dull, timid, and softhearted. Knowing he didn’t want her, she’d signed an agreement with him. They hadn’t even gotten a marriage certificate.
Zack’s eyes flickered with irritation. He grabbed a bottle, and before long, both he and Brandon were completely drunk.
The woman who had been drinking with Brandon leaned closer. “Mr. Grimes, I’m Tilda. I admire you so much. Let me take you home.”
Too drunk to see straight, Brandon thought she was Matilda. He reached out and pulled her into his arms.
When Shelby received the photos Matilda had sent, she studied them carefully over and over. They weren’t fake.
She had grown up trailing after Brandon. Women had thrown themselves at him nonstop, but Brandon never budged. Only Matilda, with her cold, noble air, had caught his attention.
Now that Matilda was gone, some cheap bar girl dared to compete with her. Shelby would never allow it.
She changed into her prettiest clothes, put on flawless makeup, and went out with the air of a rightful wife.
But then she saw Brandon at the door. He had that bar girl with him. The woman’s dress was scandalous, her makeup heavy, her chest constantly brushing against him.
Shelby’s fury boiled over. She ripped off her mask of gentleness and slapped the woman hard. “Go look in a mirror. Brandon’s way out of your league.”
Tilda clutched her face and whimpered, “Mr. Grimes, who is this woman? She hit me so hard.”
Brandon frowned and shoved Shelby aside. “Who told you to hit Matilda?”
“What Matilda? How many times are you gonna trip over that name?” Shelby yelled, glaring at the woman. “You’re just trash trying to hook a rich man. Get lost.”
Tilda didn’t even look at Shelby. She clung to Brandon’s chest, voice trembling. “Mr. Grimes, I’m so scared. You’re not even helping me.”
2/3
Shelby’s rage nearly burst her chest. She couldn’t believe how shameless this woman was.
It was like someone had thrown gasoline on her. She lunged forward to pull the two apart.
Tilda clung tighter with both hands. Brandon was too drunk to steady himself, and the three of them tumbled to the floor.
Shelby snapped. The gentle, sweet look she always had disappeared. She jumped up, dragging Tilda aside.
Tilda screamed, “Mr. Grimes, save me!”
Brandon used what strength he had left to grab Shelby, his voice ice-cold. “You’re overstepping. Know your place. This house isn’t yours.”
3/3
田
AD
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