Jayden settled back onto the sofa and beckoned Thomas to join him. “Look into whether anything significant occurred during Matthew’s recent trip abroad,” he instructed.
His mind raced with wild speculation as he tried to understand the inexplicable cancellation of the engagement.
Victoria reached out to hold Jayden’s hand, her expression filled with concern. “If he discovers that we’re investigating him, he will surely become infuriated. Given the already strained relationship between us, wouldn’t it be better to have a calm conversation with him later?”
Thomas chimed in as well, “Yes, you know how hot-tempered the young master can be.”
Jayden’s face grew even more somber, and he retorted coldly, “With his volatile temper, do you really think we can reach a resolution on this matter?”
However, Jayden’s mood improved slightly after voicing his thoughts, and he spoke with determination, “I can allow him to act freely in other matters, but not this time.”
After all, this matter held significant importance for the future of the Nelson family.
Victoria attempted to persuade him, but Jayden interrupted her before she could utter a word. “There’s no need to persuade me. I’ve made up my mind about this.”
He then lifted his head to address Thomas. “Go.”
Thomas hesitated, casting a glance at Victoria.
Victoria sighed and said, “Let it be. Both father and son have their tempers. Who can persuade them?”
Reluctantly, Thomas followed Jayden’s orders.
Meanwhile, just as Matthew walked out of the mansion, Maria intercepted him.
“Matthew…”
Ignoring her, Matthew continued walking towards the car.
Maria hurriedly caught up with him and grabbed his arm. “I’ve been by your side for so many years. Are you really going to abandon me for a single mistake?”
Matthew abruptly paused, causing Maria to collide into him before she could react.
She raised her head, gazing into his handsome face that had captivated her for so long.
Matthew looked down at the woman who had stood by him for an extended period. He had once believed that despite her scheming nature and her lack of purity beneath her seemingly innocent facade, she had entrusted her virginity to him. Therefore, he felt obligated to take emotional and logical responsibility for her.
Although he had no affection for her, he knew he should be responsible.
Yet, upon seeing Dolores again, he realized that his heart, which had remained steady, began pounding uncontrollably for her. It turned out he could still feel something for someone.
He didn’t understand the reasons behind this.
He only knew that if he married Maria, he would undoubtedly regret it in the future.
Matthew gently caressed her cheek and spoke in a tender voice, “Did you truly only make one mistake?”
He had chosen to turn a blind eye to her transgressions multiple times and refrained from investigating further.
But that didn’t mean he was completely oblivious.
Maria felt a bit stunned, wondering, ‘What… what does he know?’
Upon careful consideration, she realized it was impossible for him to find out after all these years. Moreover, with her older brother’s support, he would undoubtedly struggle to uncover anything.
If he were to scold her or lose his temper, she might have room to maneuver in this situation.
However, he appeared utterly indifferent.
The more indifferent he seemed, the more resolute he became.
Maria grew increasingly flustered and clung tightly to Matthew’s arm. “Matthew, I love you. Don’t you realize my feelings after all these years we’ve spent together?”
“But I don’t love you,” Matthew replied, his laughter filled with scorn.
It was a bitter self-mockery.
Maria vigorously shook her head and protested uncontrollably, “No, no, you do love me. You’ve treated me so well…”
“That’s not love,” he interrupted. Their intimacy that night was merely a result of his obligation to take responsibility for taking her virginity.
He had forced himself to love her. However, over the years, he had failed to develop any genuine affection for her.
“I will compensate you, but not through marriage,” he stated firmly, prying her hand off his arm, evidently unwilling to continue this discussion.
Yet Maria refused to release her grip. “I don’t want your compensation. I just want you.”
Although she stubbornly refused to admit it, it was apparent that Matthew had developed genuine feelings for Dolores.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have undergone such a drastic transformation upon seeing her, as if he had become an entirely different person.
His determination was unwavering.
Fury raged within Maria as she silently seethed, ‘Why didn’t that woman die in the car accident?’
“What’s so special about her? She was already involved with another man when she married you back then…”
“Enough,” Matthew interjected, his tone cutting her off. “You should go back and calm down. We can discuss this matter later.” He had no desire to engage in conversation with her now.
“Matthew… Matthew…” Maria cried out in heart-wrenching agony, but Matthew simply ignored her.
The driver had opened the car door and was waiting for Matthew. He bent down and got into the car.
When the driver inquired about their destination, Matthew rubbed the space between his eyebrows and replied in a detached manner, “Head to the company.”
Meanwhile, in Country A…
Dolores was on edge after encountering Matthew, causing her to accidentally break a bowl while eating.
Jessica observed her daughter with concern and inquired, “Is something troubling you at work? You’ve been absent-minded since you returned. You’ve been working tirelessly all these years. Why don’t you take a break?”
Samuel secretly observed Dolores, convinced that his mother’s unusual behavior was due to that despicable man.
Envisioning the possibility of that man mistreating his mother filled Samuel with anger. He clenched his teeth tightly, gripping the chopsticks with a fervent desire to confront the bastard.
Dolores gathered herself and, to prevent Jessica from worrying, she fabricated a lie. “I’m fine. Maybe… Maybe I didn’t sleep well last night. It’s nothing.”
Samuel placed a piece of meat into Dolores’s bowl. “Mommy, have some more meat.”
Seeing her son’s thoughtfulness, Dolores smiled reassuringly and reached out to stroke his hair. “You should eat more since you’re still growing.”
She then served her son a bowl of spareribs soup.
Simona pouted, feeling unhappy as she observed the scene. She gazed at Dolores and expressed her discontent. “Mommy, you’re biased. You love my brother but not me.”
Jessica chuckled. “Look, this child is already pouting at such a young age.”
Samuel handed the bowl of soup to Simona. “Here, take it. Is that okay?”
Simona was easily appeased as she wasn’t one to hold grudges. Seeing her older brother offer her the soup, she cracked a smile.
After the meal, Dolores went to wash the dishes while Jessica bathed Simona.
Samuel retrieved his tablet PC. Recalling that during their questioning at the police station, the man identified himself as Matthew Nelson, he typed the name into the search bar of Google.
Various webpages about Matthew appeared before him.
He was born in City B, China, and currently served as the president of WY Group. Standing at a height of 185 cm and weighing 65 kg, he was 32 years old.
He took over WY Group and assumed the presidency at the age of 22.
He had been listed among the country’s wealthiest individuals’ multiple times, earning the title of the youngest rich person in the nation.
However, his marital status remained undisclosed.
He had only acknowledged one girlfriend in the past-Maria Herbert.
Samuel sneered, not expecting that the bastard was so wealthy.
He might be rich, but did that give him the right to act recklessly?
He might be rich, but did that entitle him to mistreat his mother?
Samuel clenched his fists tightly, vowing to teach that infuriating man a lesson one day.
He set the tablet PC aside and reached for the phone. Just as he was about to call his teacher, Dolores emerged from the kitchen. Observing Samuel about to make a phone call, she questioned, “It’s quite late now, and you haven’t taken a bath. Who are you planning to call?”
…
Samuel wasn’t adept at lying, as evidenced by the way his face turned red whenever he attempted to deceive. He didn’t know how to respond to her query.
Dolores found his reaction peculiar and approached him. Her eyes fell upon the tablet PC on the sofa, where she unintentionally discovered information about Matthew. Furrowing her brows, she inquired, “Why did you do this?”