She had been working as a translator for Matthew’s company during this period and was aware that the new project was being carried out in country A. What made it even more significant was that the project was taking place in YL City, the very place she had lived for eight years during her previous time abroad.
But these details were not the most important.
What mattered was that on the night she resorted to prostitution to obtain money for her brother and mother’s surgeries, she had bitten a man out of pain, as it was her first time. As per the instructions given by the woman who introduced her to this means of earning money, the house had to remain in darkness, making it impossible for her to see the man’s face. However, based on the circumstances at the time, she knew she had bitten him on his right shoulder.
Was it a mere coincidence?
She couldn’t help but take a step back.
Could it really be a coincidence of such magnitude?
Moreover, she had learned from the translated documents that Matthew had traveled to that country two months ago.
If it were true…
Her hand instinctively covered her belly.
Was her child his?
As this thought emerged, Dolores was also taken aback.
Matthew sensed that someone was intensely observing him. What was this woman up to?
He feigned awakening, gradually opening his eyes. He thought Dolores had been peeping at him while he slept, but instead, he was met with a pair of teary eyes.
He was stunned. She was crying.
Matthew had awakened too abruptly, leaving Dolores no time to escape. She turned her face in panic and hurriedly fled the room.
Her movement was too hasty, exacerbating the pain in her knee. Ignoring the discomfort, she rushed into another room and locked the door. She leaned against the door, still in a state of shock.
It took a while before she managed to regain some composure.
Although all signs pointed towards that person from that night being Matthew, there was still a possibility that it was all a coincidence.
It must be that way; it had to be a coincidence.
No, it couldn’t be true.
Gradually regaining her composure, Dolores headed to the bathroom for a shower and a change of clothes. She then proceeded to re-bandage her wounded knee.
Upstairs, Matthew remained in a daze for several seconds. That woman… she was crying just now?
What was the reason for her tears? Why did she run away?
He sat up, massaging his temples. Despite being deceived the previous night, he had not done anything to her, so why did she display such an expression?
Recalling the events of the previous night, his eyes darkened. He reached for his phone on the table and dialed Abbott’s number. “I don’t want to have any further dealings with the Flores Group!”
“Understood.” Abbott could surmise what had occurred at the Flores family’s residence the previous night, so he anticipated Matthew’s order.
After hanging up the phone, Matthew tossed it aside. As he lifted the blanket and prepared to get out of bed, he realized he was only wearing a pair of underwear.
Last night… he closed his eyes.
It appeared that Dolores had helped him change clothes while he was in a daze.
That woman…
Matthew always felt as if she were an enigma, for every time he unraveled something about her, another mystery presented itself.
Knock, knock…
Just as the knocking sound reverberated, Coral’s voice chimed in, “Young master, are you awake? Breakfast is ready.”
Matthew replied and proceeded to wash up and take a shower. He dressed in clean clothes and made his way downstairs.
Dolores was already in the dining room. She had changed her clothes, and her expression appeared calm, as if nothing had happened, which seemed to suggest that what he had seen was merely an illusion.
His pace slowed slightly. Step by step, he descended the stairs in his slippers.
Dolores placed a bowl of mildly flavored porridge in front of him. “Eat something light in the morning; it’s good for your stomach.”
Matthew sat down, displaying his respect, and put a spoonful of porridge into his mouth. The taste was indeed light, almost devoid of flavor.
Dolores lowered her head. “I was indeed too careless last night. I never expected Beulah to stoop so low.”
Matthew raised his eyes, his smile forming a grin. His bright, white teeth were striking. “I’ve encountered many shameless individuals, but the level of shamelessness displayed by members of the Flores family is exceptionally rare.”
This statement implied his disapproval of all individuals with the surname Flores.
Dolores bowed her head. Her own surname was Flores as well.
“Hmm… I want to take some time off,” Dolores murmured, lifting her head. She realized she hadn’t visited her mother at the hospital in the past few days and felt an urge to go.
There was also the matter of cashing the check and depositing it into her bank account. Her mother might need financial support for a while, so the money was crucial.
Additionally, she needed to return the medical bill that Sampson had helped her settle, along with previous bills.
Matthew, eating his porridge without looking up, asked casually, “Anything important?”
Dolores nodded. “I need to go see my mother.”
Matthew made a sound of agreement, a soft “um.”
After breakfast, Matthew headed to the company as usual. Dolores assisted Coral in clearing the table. However, Coral snatched the bowl from Dolores’s hand and said, “No need to help me. You go and rest.”
What?
Rest in the morning?
Coral glanced at her, speaking in a serious tone, “You’ve married into the Nelson family now. Last night… you became a legitimate wife. Don’t give the mistress a chance to take advantage of the situation.”
Dolores blushed. What was Coral thinking?
Although she and Matthew had slept in the same room last night, nothing had happened between them.
Coral wouldn’t believe it.
Dolores nodded helplessly.
Despite her previous displeasure with Dolores’s behavior, Coral still supported her.
“I don’t think the young master truly likes Ms. White. Keep up the good work, and you’ll definitely win the young master’s affection.”
Dolores frowned. “How do you know Matthew doesn’t sincerely like Helen?”
“Ms. White has been by the young master’s side for a long time, but he hasn’t fallen in love with her. It was only two months ago, after they returned from overseas, that the young master suddenly acknowledged her as his girlfriend. I still can’t understand why or how he suddenly fell in love with her,” Coral admitted, still puzzled by the situation.
Dolores trembled. Two months ago?
She calmed herself down and asked nonchalantly, “So, you’re saying Matthew didn’t like Helen before, but after they returned from a business trip two months ago, he suddenly gave her the status of his girlfriend?”
Coral nodded. “Yes, the young master isn’t someone who acts without reason. It’s unusual for him to make such a sudden declaration. Something must have happened.”
Dolores pondered the situation. Helen’s animosity towards her seemed particularly intense.
Was it solely because she married Matthew, or was there more to it?
She couldn’t unravel the mystery with just a brief thought, so she decided to visit her mother at the hospital first. Before heading there, she cashed the check, withdrew the necessary amount of money, and saved the rest in her account. Then, she proceeded to the hospital to pay the medical bills. A nurse escorted her to Jessica’s room.
Jessica was confined to a small, sparsely furnished room. It contained nothing but a bed and a table with a plastic cup holding half a glass of water.
Due to the nature of her condition, some psychiatric patients might harm themselves unintentionally. Therefore, before entering, the nurse thoroughly checked Dolores to ensure she didn’t carry any dangerous items.
Jessica, dressed in a blue hospital gown, crouched by the side of the bed, murmuring incomprehensible words.
Dolores couldn’t make out what she was saying and gently opened the door. As Jessica caught sight of Dolores, she raised her head and froze for a moment. “Lola.”
Though it was a simple sentence, Dolores’s eyes welled up with tears. She rushed forward and embraced Jessica. “Mom.”
Jessica reached out and caressed Dolores’s hair. “Why did you come alone? Why didn’t you bring Jeremy to see me? It’s been so long since I’ve seen him.”