They all leaned forward, eagerly awaiting Matthew’s response. Would he admit it, or would he deny it?
If he admitted it, the embarrassment would be overwhelming. Carrying around that item-was he preparing for impromptu encounters at any time and any place?
Chester felt his mouth go dry. He wanted to laugh but had to restrain himself.
The assistant next to him pulled out his phone, ready to capture the scene. Abbott was about to intervene, fearing the repercussions for Matthew if this got out.
But before he could make a move, Matthew seized his arm. “Stay seated.”
Matthew reached out and took the Durex condom from Samuel’s hand. He examined it for a couple of seconds before tucking it into his pocket. “Thanks.”
Silence hung in the air.
Samuel felt perplexed. Why wasn’t Matthew angry?
It was clear that his friends were all secretly mocking him.
Matthew seemed to sense Samuel’s confusion.
He bent down and whispered in Samuel’s ear, “Someone will pay for this.”
Samuel stared back, his eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. What did Matthew mean by that?
But Matthew had no intention of explaining further. Although Samuel had played a prank on him, Matthew didn’t feel embarrassed. In fact, he felt strangely content.
He raised his glass, which Chester promptly refilled, and downed the contents.
Abbott was utterly clueless about what had just transpired.
Chester, seated next to Matthew, was equally puzzled. Matthew had been caught in an embarrassing scandal-shouldn’t he be trying to cover it up?
Why did he admit it so openly?
Was it because hiding only led to exposure? Or was it because an honest man fears neither light nor darkness?
Chester couldn’t comprehend it. However, he knew better than to inquire. So, he smiled at Samuel and asked, “Young lad, would you like to stay here and enjoy some food?”
Samuel shook his head, his gaze fixed on Matthew with a perplexed expression. He wondered why Matthew wasn’t angry with him.
Unable to find an answer, Samuel could only turn around and exit the private room.
“Samuel…”
Samuel had been gone for too long, prompting Dolores to go look for him.
As Samuel left the private room, he spotted Dolores anxiously calling out his name. He hurried over to her side. “Mommy.”
Hearing his voice, Dolores turned around. Relief washed over her as she watched her son running towards her, finally reaching for her open arms.
“Where did you go?” Dolores asked with a serious expression.
What if he had gotten lost?
Samuel lowered his head and replied softly, “This restaurant is so big. I got lost.”
Dolores didn’t believe him for a second. Samuel had a good memory and couldn’t have gotten lost.
“Tell Mommy the truth,” Dolores gently cupped Samuel’s face and lifted it, making him meet her gaze.
“There weren’t any kid-friendly urinals in the restroom. I wasn’t tall enough for the regular ones, so I had to wait until a gentleman helped me. That’s why I was late.”
“Why didn’t you just tell the truth?”
“It’s not something I’m proud of,” Samuel pursed his lips.
He appeared shy and embarrassed.
That was just his personality.
Dolores stood up and held his hand. “Come on, let’s go have lunch.”
The dishes were already laid out on the table.
Samuel was a bit distracted, still mulling over Matthew’s words.
Someone would pay for this?
Who?
After lunch, Jessica planned to take the kids home. The long flight had exhausted them, and it was best to have them freshened up and get some rest.
“I’ll take them back first, then I’ll come to pick you up,” Theresa offered.
“No need. You can head directly to the shop. I’ll make my way there later,” LEO responded. She had plans to open a branch, which meant there was a lot of work to be done. As the person in charge, many decisions rested on her shoulders.
“Alright then.” Theresa got into the car.
Samuel sat in the car, gazing out the window. He watched Dolores standing next to Sampson and let out a sigh.
If only Sampson were wealthier and more handsome than Matthew.
“Do you have something to tell me?” Dolores looked at the departing car.
“We can talk as we walk.” Sampson extended his hand, intending to hold hers. But his hand hesitated in midair before retracting.
Knowing Maria was responsible for the car accident, Sampson felt guilty.
He felt guilty for Dolores.
“Is something bothering you?” Sampson had wanted to speak earlier but remained silent. Even during lunch, he seemed preoccupied. Clearly, something was weighing on his mind.
Sampson smiled wistfully. He was burdened with complex emotions, caught between the woman he loved and the sister he shared blood with. Words could hardly capture the depths of his emotions.
“Lola, do you think I’m good to you?” Sampson kept his eyes on the road.
“Yes, I do,” Dolores responded honestly.
Sampson had always treated her well, and she had never doubted that.
There was a brief silence before Sampson continued, “What if… What if, later, you find out that I’m not as good as you think? Would you hate me then?”
“Of course not.” Dolores didn’t sense the hesitancy in his voice.
“Perhaps I worry too much about personal gains and losses.” He smiled bitterly. “What can I do to make you love me?”
Dolores lowered her head, biting her lip. Six years had passed, and it felt like a lifetime.
Sampson was no longer the young man in his twenties he used to be.
He had waited for far too long, that was for sure.
Even though she didn’t love him, maybe she shouldn’t reject a man who had been so genuinely good to her. Jessica also cared deeply about her lifelong happiness.
“… Let me think about it,” she replied hesitantly. Dolores couldn’t simply say yes to Sampson at that moment.
Sampson stopped in his tracks. “What did you say?” His eyes widened in disbelief.
Did she just say yes?
Dolores glanced at the buttonwood tree by the side of the road and spoke calmly, “I know you’ve been very good to me. And my mom hopes that we can be together. I… I don’t want to let you down.”
It wasn’t because of love or affection. She felt nothing in terms of romantic love for him.
It was simply because he had been by her side for so long. If she continued to reject him, she would feel guilty.
If she wasn’t deserving of a romantic relationship in this lifetime, then she shouldn’t fail this devoted man.
Making him happy was a way to repay him for his love and care.
If they were still in Country A, Sampson would be overjoyed. But now, he felt a heavy weight in his heart.
He could sense that Dolores was saying yes not because she loved him, but rather because of his care for her over the years.
In other words, she was merely trying to repay him.
The more she acted like this, the heavier Sampson’s heart became. After all, he had lied to her.
What would she do once she found out the truth?
He didn’t dare to think about it.
“Dolores.”
“Yes?”
Dolores turned to look at him, but before she could see his face, she found herself pulled into his arms, held tightly.
He held her as if he feared he would lose her at any moment.
Dolores remained still, neither moving nor attempting to break free. She stood there silently, feeling the complexity of emotions coursing through Sampson’s heart.
She believed it was all because of her. So, she reached out her hands, embracing him and gently patting his back. “From now on, I will try to be good to you.”
As for his mother, she would think about it later.
Sampson’s body went rigid.
She would be good to him?
He buried his head in her neck. “I’m afraid that you’ll be good to me now.”
Once she discovered the truth, she would hate him just as much as she was being good to him now.
“I’ll drive you to the shop?”
“No. I just got back and want to walk around for a while. I can go to the shop by myself,” Dolores stated matter-of-factly.
She meant what she said. Despite not having fond memories of this place, she had a special attachment to it.
“Alright then. When will the branch shop open? Remember to send me an invitation.”
“Okay.” Dolores smiled.
Watching Sampson get into the car, Dolores took a deep breath and started walking down the road. It was early August, and the weather was still hot. Sweat trickled down her forehead.
“Need a ride?” A taxi driver pulled up next to her, trying to strike a deal.
Dolores turned around and saw the face of the taxi driver. Her expression changed. Wasn’t he…