“No, I don’t want that!”
Maria vigorously shook her head, her words coming out in a desperate plea. “I don’t want revenge. I want you to love me.”
Her tear-stained face and disheveled hair made her look utterly miserable and embarrassed.
But even in the face of her anguish, Matthew’s heart remained unmoved.
“Dinner is ready…” Camilla entered the room to announce that dinner was served, only to witness Maria stabbing Matthew with a knife clenched in her hand.
The sight of the bright red blood sent a wave of panic through Camilla, and she let out an exclamation.
It was at that moment that everyone present snapped back to reality. Jayden’s voice rang out in a deep tone, “Quickly! Call an ambulance!”
Landon, taken aback, yelled at Sampson, who sat closest to them, “Hurry up and pull your sister away!”
Originally, it was Matthew’s fault, but now he was injured in the Herbert family’s house. The situation had shifted against them once again.
Given the circumstances, things were not looking good for Landon. He was seething with anger but had to suppress it. His hands gripped the edges of the table, veins bulging beneath his skin.
Crack!
As Sampson pulled his sister away, the knife clattered to the floor, making a sharp sound.
The blade was stained with vivid red blood.
“Ah! Matthew, are you okay?” Maria regained her senses and reached out to touch his wound.
Matthew pushed her hand away. At that moment, a ringing tone echoed in the living room.
All eyes turned towards Matthew’s coat on the sofa, where the sound was coming from.
Under the soft glow of the hanging light, Matthew stood, surrounded by a pale halo.
He seemed lost in a daze, and if one looked closely, they would notice beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
Picking up his coat, Matthew retrieved his phone and checked the caller ID-it was Abbott. He swiped to answer the call.
Abbott’s voice came through. “Mr. Nelson, I’ve investigated the matter you requested. Six years ago, Dolores Flores had a car accident, which prevented her from returning to proceed with the divorce proceedings. Sampson Herbert took her and their daughter and hid them in Country A. They initially stayed in Barney City before transferring to the capital of Country A. Sampson Herbert deliberately covered their tracks during this entire period to avoid detection.”
Holding the phone, Matthew slowly raised his gaze, his eyes fixed on Sampson, who was holding Maria.
Locking eyes with him, Matthew asked Abbott on the phone, “Has he been with her all these years?”
“Yes…”
A shadow passed over Matthew’s sharp eyes. “In what capacity?” he inquired.
Though Abbott was on the other end of the line, he could sense the intensity in Matthew’s voice. He swallowed nervously, silently praying, ‘Mr. Nelson, please hold back your anger until I finish reporting.’
Of course, Matthew couldn’t hear his silent plea. Abbott could only respond truthfully, “It appears that Ms. Flores never saw him in a romantic light; she only regarded him as an older brother. Besides him, there was no other man in her life. Well, except for her son.”
“I see.” After ending the call, Matthew cast a cold glance at Sampson before turning his attention to the members of the Herbert family. “You can still let me know your conditions.”
With those words, he walked out of the Herbert family’s house, unwilling to engage with them any further.
The living room was in chaos. After a brief silence, Landon finally regained his composure. Forcing a smile, he addressed Jayden, “Jayden, regarding this matter…”
Jayden stood up, his hands clasped behind his back, and responded with a displeased tone, “It was originally my son’s fault. After all, he didn’t keep his promise. What demands do you have? Let us know.”
Even though Matthew was the one injured, Jayden’s words clearly indicated his unhappiness.
“That’s not necessary. It was merely a romance between our children. It’s normal for them to break up or get back together from time to time, right? Since we couldn’t become in-laws, we can still be friends, can’t we? How can I ask anything of you?” Landon maintained a flattering smile.
With Jayden’s dissatisfaction apparent, he didn’t want to press the issue further. He summoned the butler, “Thomas, let’s go home.”
Thomas promptly stepped forward. “Mr. Matthew has gone to the hospital. Shall we join him there?”
“Of course. He’s my only son,” Jayden deliberately emphasized. Landon’s expression kept changing, as Jayden’s words carried a veiled meaning.
Landon wondered if Jayden was intentionally being provocative.
Suppressing his anger, Landon had to admit that Matthew was bold and decisive. The young man had managed to turn the situation in his favor, despite the unfavorable circumstances.
“Warner, see them off.” Upon hearing his father’s words, Warner, who was standing by the door, quickly followed Jayden. With a warm smile, he said, “Uncle Nelson, allow me to see you off.”
Jayden didn’t respond. Thomas opened the car door, and Jayden bent over to get in. Glancing at Warner, who stood next to the car, he remarked, “Please convey my words to your father… I won’t hold what happened just now against him.”
It wasn’t in anyone’s best interest to sever ties completely.
“Sure, I’ll let him know,” Warner nodded, gently closing the door. He turned to the driver and said, “Drive carefully.”
Warner didn’t return to the house until the car had vanished into the distance. Landon sat in the living room, wearing a long face, silently staring at his sons and daughter. He wanted to scold them, but words eluded him.
Finally, he sneered, “Matthew Herbert is quite cunning.”
Warner overheard the comment as he walked into the room. He couldn’t help but glance at his younger brother and let out a sigh. “We’re no match for him. I had hoped Maria would marry him and we could become in-laws. I never expected things to turn out like this…”
“Are you finished?” Maria snapped. She had been the most devastated since the engagement was called off.
“If you were more capable, would he have broken the engagement?” Landon yelled back at her, rising from his seat and pounding the table.
The whole family was in turmoil because of her failed engagement. How dare she lash out?
Camilla hurriedly approached Landon, gently patting his back to comfort him. “She’s just a foolish child. Don’t be angry.”
“My own sons aren’t as good as others. Whom else can I blame?” Landon muttered, sweeping his sleeves and storming off into his room.
Camilla followed him, continuing her efforts to console her husband, fearful that he would brood.
Warner, too, felt disappointed in his younger brother. He called the servants to tidy up the living room before retreating to his own quarters.
Only Sampson and his trembling sister remained in the living room.
“Let me take you back to your room,” Sampson said softly, helping Maria to her feet.
“Why?” Maria still couldn’t come to terms with the fact that Matthew had called off their engagement.
She couldn’t fathom how things had spiraled to this point.
That woman had been missing for six years.
Why did she suddenly reappear?
Grasping Sampson’s collar, she questioned him, her voice filled with desperation. “Sampson, it’s been so many years. Why didn’t you pursue her? Why didn’t you make her your partner?”
If Dolores had become Sampson’s partner, even if Matthew had found her, he wouldn’t have been interested in her, right?
“You’re exhausted. Get some rest,” Sampson helped her onto her bed.
However, Maria was unwilling to let him go. “Sampson,” she stared at him, bombarding him with questions. “Why did you save her back then? Why didn’t you let her die? If she were dead, no one could steal Matthew away from me…”
Sampson furrowed his brow. “What nonsense are you saying?” He tried to stop her.
“I’m not talking nonsense!” Maria retorted, her emotions running high. She suddenly stood up, gazing at him and continued bitterly, “To make Matthew feel guilty and marry me, I orchestrated a car accident. To make it convincing, I got hit by a car. It hurt so much! It was excruciating. That’s why I wanted her to get hit by a car too…”
“Ha ha…”
Maria burst into loud laughter.
Sampson stood there frozen, unsure of how to react. He had to look at his younger sister with new eyes.
How could she be so cruel?
He could still remember her as an innocent and adorable child.
“Maria,” Sampson said to her. “Why did you ask Dolores to pretend to be you back then?” he asked, the question that had always baffled him.