Chapter 25
Chapter 25
94
55 vouchers
“Why would I lie to you? You gave me the golden bell, so of course, I should give you something back,” Matilda said casually as she handed Allen the watch.
When Allen took the box, his breath hitched, though his eyes stayed sharp and focused. He could feel his heartbeat speed up. “A watch?”
Matilda stayed calm. “You’re a doctor–it’s handy for keeping time.”
“Can I wear it now?” Allen asked.
Matilda thought he looked like a kid, eager to try on his gift right away. “Of course.” She nodded.
As soon as Allen slipped on the watch, a warm rush of satisfaction filled his chest. He narrowed his eyes and studied it carefully, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Just then, from Jolene’s side came an excited cry. “It’s a Lurith Tech pink instant camera! I love it so much!”
Allen tore his gaze away from the watch and said lightly, “That model is a classic. Lots of kids overseas use it.”
“Too bad Lurith Tech didn’t keep up with the times,” Matilda replied. “You can hardly find their name anymore.”
“I’ve got a friend in Lurith Tech management. Want to hear some insider news?” Allen asked.
Curious, Matilda nodded quickly.
“Horton Group acquired Lurith Tech,” Allen said.
Matilda was stunned. “Horton Group? They don’t make electronics or deal with semiconductors. Why would they buy Lurith Tech?”
“Well…” Allen trailed off without finishing.
But Matilda’s heart was already racing. If Horton Group had taken over Lurith Tech’s chip production lines, they would definitely need chip engineers. This could be her chance.
*****
At Rose Villa, Brandon was in a good mood that night–not just because of the watch Matilda was planning to give him, but because it meant she was finally lowering her head.
He felt like a rider who had just broken a wild horse, filled with a sense of triumph.
Then Zack showed up with bad news. “Matilda is living in Maple Heights now.”
Brandon’s brow furrowed. Maple Heights wasn’t just about money. To live there, one had to verify their assets, submit credit reports, and even clear a criminal background check.
9:19 Mon, Oct 13
Chapter 25
94
E55 vouchers
Even if Tessa had helped her, there was no way she had over ten million dollars to put Matilda in Maple Heights.
“Where’d she get the money? Did you look into it?” Brandon’s voice was icy.
“I did. Gambling. She’s got guts–she played with some guys from Foghide Alley and walked away with over 6 million dollars,” Zack said.
The second Brandon heard Foghide Alley, he shot up, grabbed his jacket, and headed for the garage.
Even the cops didn’t go to Foghide Alley alone. Everyone there had skills, and they operated like an underground family–tight, silent, ruthless.
Brandon thought that Matilda must have a death wish to stir them up.
He slammed the gas, and his car flew out of Rose Villa like an arrow off the string.
Upstairs, Shelby came down with Lola just in time to see the taillights fade.
“It’s so late–where’s Brandon going?” she asked Zack, who was sprawled on the couch, glued to his phone.
Without looking up, Zack said, “To Maple Heights. To find Matilda.”
Lola’s face fell. “Why’s Daddy still going to find Mommy? He won’t forget to take me to Greenapple Kids tomorrow, will he? Aunt Shelby? Aunt Shelby?”
She looked up and froze at Shelby’s face.
Shelby’s lowered lashes threw deep shadows under her eyes, her gaze sharp and dark, her chin lifted high- like some poisonous snake straight out of a cartoon.
Lola shivered. “Aunt Shelby, what’s wrong?”
Shelby snapped out of her dark thoughts and flashed a bright smile. “Nothing. If your daddy doesn’t take you, I will. Come on, let me tuck you in.”
Lola wrapped her arms around Shelby’s neck. As she felt Shelby’s warmth, the fear faded away.
Upstairs, Shelby handed Lola to Tully, then grabbed her keys and headed to Maple Heights herself.
Meanwhile, Brandon’s car was parked on the roadside as he made an angry call to Greg. “Demand the first debt payment from Matilda tomorrow.”
He hung up hard. Ten minutes earlier, when he had tried to drive into Maple Heights, the guards stopped him.
He said he was looking for his wife and even brought the property manager over.
Recognizing him as the CEO of Crossen Technology, the manager was polite and even offered to contact Matilda for him.
9:19 Mon, Oct 13
Chapter 25
55 65 vouchers
Through the video intercom, Matilda’s cold voice cut in. “That’s my crazy ex–husband. Don’t let him in–hell dirty the place.”
A few security guards snickered.
For the first time in his life, Brandon lost face in public. His chest burned with rage.
‘Matilda, you’ve got nerve!‘ he thought. ‘The second you move into Maple Heights, you think you’re above me, huh? I was worried about you. But tomorrow, I’ll ruin your good days. Then we’ll see how long you stay proud.‘
In the shadows, Shelby watched Brandon’s stormy moods and knew she had to find a way to drive Matilda out of Itera City.
The next morning, Matilda opened her eyes to find a debt collection message from Crossen Technology.
If she didn’t pay within three days, the House of Heart in Domburgh would cut off medical services, the packaging factory would fire its disabled workers, and her name would go on the credit blacklist.
The contract was in black and white. There was no way out.
Once again, Matilda was flat broke, relying only on the card from Mr. S to scrape by.
Her mood was rotten, her stomach sour. She craved fruit to settle it, so she called the buffet restaurant to ask if they had pomegranates.
They said they didn’t have any at the moment but would stock some before evening.
Matilda told them to forget it–she only wanted them now.
After hanging up, she glanced at her empty balance and felt a wave of despair.
Then she opened her email and reached out to Micronel Tech in Grivoria, who had sent her an offer before.
She couldn’t keep banking on Horton Group. And with the scandal hanging over her name–not to mention Brandon interfering–there was a good chance they wouldn’t hire her.
Soon after, she got an email back from Micronel Tech about setting up an online interview. But still in a foul mood, she scheduled it for eight that night.
To clear her head, Matilda went for a walk. At Moonstar Lake Park, she came across a group of children feeding the swans.
The boys wore blue overalls, the girls blue dresses, all with matching red caps. They looked like a little crowd of mini Super Marios.
Matilda couldn’t help but smile to herself. What a coincidence–those were the uniforms from Greenapple Kids.
