Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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95
55 vouchers
Matilda’s post had shot to number one. The comments section already had tens of thousands of replies.
[No way! Are these two really siblings? They’re acting like newlyweds.]
[What’s wrong with being close? You’re the one making it dirty. The blogger’s just stirring the pot.]
[Are you blind? They’re stuck together like glue.]
[If this is true, then I feel sorry for the wife. A brother and sister ganging up to lie–no shame at all. You fake woman and scumbag guy. Disgusting. I’m never buying Crossen Technology products again.]
[So gross. That adopted sister is evil. She deserved worse than just one slap.]
There were way too many comments for Matilda to reply to, so she just quietly liked a few.
Then she shut off her phone, held the bell in her hands again, and curved her lips into a small smile.
Tonight, she could finally sleep well.
*****
In the CEO’s office at Crossen Technology, Brandon irritably tugged at his tie. He had already spent 1.5 million dollars to try and bury Matilda’s post.
But the platform’s operations director sent the money back, saying it was too immoral to do.
Brandon wasn’t some rookie fresh out of school. He knew right away someone had stepped in, so he had Greg look into it, thinking maybe Matilda had reported it herself.
But what came back surprised him–it hadn’t been Matilda at all. It was Horton Group’s executive assistant
who had blocked it.
Horton Group wasn’t just big; it dominated industries both at home and abroad. The social media app was one of its subsidiaries.
And Martin Curtis, the executive assistant, was buried under work. He wouldn’t waste time on something as small as buying off a trending topic.
If he stepped in, there was only one reason: not enough money on the table.
Martin was infamous in business circles–greedy, corrupt, living for money and pleasure. He was the right- hand man of Horton Group’s top boss, loyal to no one but cash.
So Brandon had Greg send another 3 million dollars. But the traffic only dipped for half an hour before Matilda’s post shot back up to the top. Clearly, they still thought the money was too little.
That was when Shelby stumbled into his office, fresh out of the hospital, barely steady on her feet. “Brandon, I don’t care what people are saying online.
9:18 Mon, Oct 13
Chapter 20
95
55 vouchers
“I’ll post later and explain it away–that I lost control, that I depend on you too much, and you just pitied me. Let them trash me, as long as it doesn’t hurt you or Crossen Technology.”
Brandon’s chest tightened. He became even more determined to protect her. “How could I ever throw you under the bus? Don’t worry. Crossen Technology isn’t strapped for cash.”
“Brandon, I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have come back from overseas.” Shelby’s voice was weak, her watery eyes making her look pitiful.
“Don’t say that. Go back and rest. I’ll come see you once this blows over,” Brandon said.
“Okay, I’ll wait for you.” Shelby wiped her tears, her expression changing ever so slightly.
She knew how to play the game–retreat first, then advance–something stubborn Matilda would never get.
When Matilda woke up, the bell had gone silent. No matter what tricks she tried, it wouldn’t work. Brandon had probably pulled strings again–her account was banned for twenty days.
She told herself it didn’t matter. The story had spread long enough. In everyone’s eyes, Brandon and Shelby were no longer so pure and innocent. That was already better than she had hoped for.
So she acted like nothing was wrong. She washed up like usual, did laundry like usual, sent out résumés like usual–and got rejected like usual.
On the surface, everything looked normal. Only she knew she was hanging by a thread.
At her lowest, she even thought about leaving the country. But deep down, she wasn’t ready to give up. The people who had ruined her name hadn’t gotten what they deserved yet.
Matilda hugged her knees, buried her face, and sat in silence for a long while.
Then her father’s words came back to her. “No matter how big the problem, don’t drown in sadness.”
She took a few deep breaths, splashed cold water on her face, and forced herself to get it together.
When the real estate agent called about an apartment viewing, she put on makeup and headed out with her spirits lifted.
The agent trailed behind her, overselling the place. “Best deal in Itera City–downtown, great location, south- facing, everything you need nearby-”
“What about the downsides?” Matilda cut in.
“Well, the downside is also the upside–everything is nearby,” the agent admitted.
After walking around, Matilda saw the agent wasn’t lying.
Bars, hotels, adult shops, pharmacies, card clubs–the nightlife here would be a mess–traffic jams, no jogging at night, and noisy until late.
9:18 Mon, Oct 13
Chapter 20
:
(95)
55 vouchers
As she hesitated, Matilda spotted Allen stepping out of the card club. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, dark circles under his eyes like he hadn’t slept, his whole face worn out.
He froze when he saw her, then came over. “Matilda, what are you doing here?”
“Apartment hunting,” she answered honestly. “Dr. Saunders, you were—”
“Jude had an emergency surgery last night and asked me to fill in for him at cards,” Allen explained.
Matilda raised a brow. “And? Did you win?”
Allen gave a bitter smile and pulled off his glasses. “Lost all of Jolene’s summer daycare money.”
Matilda almost laughed but held it in.
“I was just thinking that maybe I used up my luck on you last night, right?” Allen teased with a blink.
Matilda narrowed her eyes. “Dr. Saunders, are you trying to blame me?”
Allen chuckled, stared at her for two seconds, then slipped his glasses back on. “Why don’t you come play a few rounds?”
“Me?” Matilda shook her head. She wasn’t in the mood.
Allen grinned. “They say unlucky in love, lucky at cards.”
Matilda pressed her lips together, a little annoyed. “Do you have to poke at my sore spot, Dr. Saunders?”
Allen playfully tapped his own mouth. “Oh, sorry. So? In or out?”
“Fine, let’s do it.” Matilda swung her bag over her shoulder and strode inside. Love could break her heart, but she refused to lose at the gambling table.
宙
