Maria had an opportunity to sleep with Matthew herself. But why did she send another woman to impersonate her?
Maria was taken aback, then burst into laughter, collapsing onto her bed.
“I was afraid he would be disgusted if he found out I wasn’t a virgin,” Maria said, looking haunted as she glanced up. After a pause, she continued, “He accepted me, but he never touched me… I’m a human, a woman with normal needs. I want my man to love and desire me. Ho ho…”
Sampson was frozen in shock, as if struck by lightning.
How could his younger sister be like this?
Maria laughed hysterically. “I wanted to find him a virgin. Then I could claim it was me, and he would think I was a pure woman. I saved him when we were young, and we’ve been together for so many years. He would surely take responsibility for me, even if he didn’t love me. And it seemed I was right. He treated me well. My plan was flawless, except for… that random woman I chose. I never expected she was from B City, China. Coincidentally, she turned out to be his arranged fianc閑, chosen by his mother when he was young.”
If it weren’t for that woman, she would already be living happily with Matthew.
Thinking about it, she couldn’t help but blame that woman. It was all her fault!
Maria didn’t hesitate; she refused to back down.
She was a daughter of the Herbert family. With her status and background, how could she be inferior to that woman?
Grabbing Sampson’s hand, she pleaded, “Sampson, please help me.”
Sampson looked at his younger sister, feeling as if she were a stranger. He asked blankly, “What can I do to help you?”
Maria rolled her eyes. “You can… Well, you can…” She pulled him closer and whispered in his ear.
The more Sampson listened, the more his face contorted. Finally, he pushed her away. “Impossible!”
“You’re exhausted. Get some rest!” He walked out of her room without looking back, after finishing his statement.
“Sampson!”
No matter how Maria called out to him, Sampson didn’t stop or look back.
At the hospital, Matthew stepped out of the entrance, his wound bandaged. The driver followed him, holding the medicine in his hands. He reported, “Mr. Matthew, Thomas called to inquire about your condition. I assured him it’s not serious and advised Mr. Nelson not to worry…”
“Have you booked the flight ticket I asked for?” Matthew interrupted the driver.
He had no interest in such trivial matters.
The driver responded quickly. “Yes, I have. The last flight today is at eleven o’clock. Would you like to go home now?”
Matthew glanced at his wristwatch; it was twenty minutes to ten. He still had over an hour.
“Go to the airport.” He descended the steps. The driver hurriedly followed him. “Mr. Matthew, you’re injured. Shouldn’t you rest first?” he suggested.
“No.”
The driver rushed ahead and opened the car door for him. He was about to continue persuading Matthew to rest after getting injured. However, considering Matthew’s personality, the driver had to bite his tongue and hold back his words. With a sigh, he trotted to the front and sat in the driver’s seat.
Country A.
In LEO Corporation, Samuel sat on the couch. A bunch of snacks lay in front of him. His big eyes blinked. “Can I take all of these with me?”
“Of course.” The female employees at the store all adored Samuel. He was cute and smart, easily winning hearts.
“Samuel, why do you want to take them home instead of eating them here? Are you afraid the ladies here will watch you eat?” Allison asked, resting her chin on her hands. She was over forty but insisted on being called “Missy” by Samuel.
With widened, innocent eyes, Samuel looked at Allison. “Auntie, my eating manners aren’t bad. I just want to take them home for my younger sister.”
Allison’s expression fell. Pretending to be upset, she pinched his cheek. “Can’t you be more tactful? Can you call me Missy to make me happy?”
Samuel sat up straight and replied, “My mommy told me not to lie.”
Allison was left speechless.
She huffed. “Well, your mommy also said you’re not a good boy.”
“My mommy would never say that!” Samuel retorted.
“Do you not believe me? Go ask your mommy,” Allison deliberately provoked him.
But Dolores was in a meeting. If he went to her, he would cause trouble.
Samuel slid off the couch. “I don’t believe you at all.”
With that, he ran away.
After the meeting, Dolores walked out of the conference room. Samuel rushed toward her. “Mommy!”
Dolores stopped, and the little fellow bumped into her lap. She bent down and ruffled his hair. “Don’t run so fast next time.”
Samuel obediently nodded. “Okay.”
“What do you want for lunch? Let’s go.” Dolores checked the time; it was already noon.
“I’m not hungry.” Samuel grabbed Dolores’ hand and placed it on his stomach. “Look, it’s all bulging.”
“Are you pregnant?” Allison joked from behind, crossing her arms over her chest.
Samuel glanced back at her and retorted, “You should be the one who’s pregnant. Oh, wait, even though you want to be pregnant, no young man would want an aunt like you.”
Allison rushed over. “Samuel Flores!”
Samuel sought refuge in Dolores’ protective embrace. “Mommy, help me! Auntie Allison is being unreasonable again!”
Helplessly, Dolores held her son tight. Every time they crossed paths, it seemed inevitable for them to argue and fight. There was little she could do to prevent it.
“I apologize, Missy Allison.” Samuel quickly changed the way he addressed her as Allison was about to pinch his ear.
Allison shifted her intention to ruffling his hair instead. “You got lucky this time by reacting fast. But don’t expect mercy from me next time.”
Samuel chuckled in delight, relieved to have escaped another potential conflict unscathed.
“Excuse me, Lola. A customer from China has specified some special requirements for her custom-made wedding dress. Could you please review them?” Dolores took the file from her assistant and asked, curious about the deadline.
“In two weeks,” the assistant replied.
Dolores nodded. “I understand.”
After lunch, Dolores immersed herself in her work while Samuel sat beside her, engrossed in playing Digital Breakthrough.
However, even the toughest question posed no challenge for him. Soon, he grew bored and dozed off on the couch.
Finishing up her work early, Dolores picked up her sleeping son to head home.
“Mummy,” Samuel woke up as soon as Dolores lifted him.
But he didn’t forget to grab the snacks to take back for his sister.
Dolores smiled. “You’re such a wonderful brother.”
Samuel rubbed his eyes and proudly stated, “Of course.”
“Good boy.” Dolores pressed her forehead against his affectionately.
Leaving LEO Corporation, she settled Samuel in the car.
It wasn’t until they arrived home that Dolores realized she had forgotten the file from Theresa. She hadn’t checked its contents yet.
She ushered Samuel into the house. Simona, her younger sister, rushed excitedly to greet them. Samuel proudly presented the snacks in his hands. “Simona, look at the delicious food I brought for you!”
Simona, now a self-proclaimed foodie, couldn’t help but drool at the sight of the snacks. “Samuel, I want to eat them!” she exclaimed happily.
Samuel walked over to the sofa. “Come here.” He gestured to her to join him.
The two little ones snuggled on the couch, sharing the snacks. Meanwhile, Dolores stood at the entrance, calling out to Jessica, their mother. “Mom, I forgot something. I have to drive back to the store.”
“Okay. Make sure you’re back before dinner,” Jessica replied.
“Sure.”
Dolores grabbed her handbag and closed the door behind her.
She sat in the car and drove back to the store. Retrieving the forgotten file, she hurriedly made her way home. As she parked the car, stepped out, and prepared to enter the house, she noticed another car parked in front of their door. It looked eerily familiar; the same one she had seen earlier in the morning.
Frowning, Dolores wondered why Abbott had returned. She had plans to discuss moving to a different place with Jessica tonight, and Abbott’s unexpected presence disturbed her.
Her face darkened with irritation.
As the car door swung open, Dolores was prepared to confront Abbott. However, it wasn’t him who emerged from the vehicle; it was Matthew.
His coat was rumpled, and exhaustion etched across his face, leaving him looking worn out.
Under the setting sun, they both stood bathed in a pale-yellow glow.
Suppressing the emotions swirling within her, Dolores snapped coldly, “What are you doing here?”