He was still young and had limited abilities, so for now, he had no choice but to team up with this scumbag.
Matthew looked down at the kid and began to appreciate how considerate he was at such a young age, understanding the concept of gratitude. He had to admit that Dolores had done a great job raising him. They were like a loving mother and a dutiful son.
At that moment, a waitress came to clear the table and wiped it down. The cloth she used was worn and dirty, leaving a greasy residue on the table even after she wiped it.
Samuel pulled out a chair and said, “Please have a seat.” He climbed onto the chair and waited for Dolores to bring the food.
“Do you dislike this place?” Samuel looked at Matthew.
Matthew glanced at him, pulled out a chair, and sat down. He didn’t necessarily dislike the place but he rarely went to such a spot for breakfast. Additionally, some people couldn’t help but sneak glances at him, making him feel uncomfortable, like an animal in a zoo. He didn’t appreciate that kind of attention.
Dolores brought over the pumpkin porridge, fried dumplings, pancakes, and eggs. She placed a bowl of porridge in front of Samuel, and another in front of Matthew and herself. Then she cleared the serving tray and sat down at the table.
Samuel started eating the porridge and fried dumplings, clearly enjoying the flavors.
“Why aren’t you eating?” Dolores noticed that Matthew hadn’t begun his meal.
Matthew picked up the spoon and took a few mouthfuls of porridge. The rice was perfectly cooked, and the pumpkin added a delightful sweetness. The porridge was truly delicious.
Dolores observed his expression and asked, “How does it taste?”
“Pretty good.” Matthew kept his gaze on the bowl as he took another spoonful of porridge.
Dolores smiled. Jessica had discovered this nearby shop, and Samuel had fallen in love with their pumpkin porridge from the first taste.
“This is also really good.” Samuel offered a fried dumpling to Matthew.
Matthew looked at the dumpling. He had eaten various types of dumplings, whether made by his mother or at high-end restaurants with delicate presentations. However, this dumpling looked rough and greasy.
“It’s very tasty,” Samuel said with his big, round, beautiful eyes fixed on Matthew.
Matthew gazed into Samuel’s eyes, captivated by their beauty, reminiscent of his own childhood. He remembered the photo that Coral had shown him, taken during his own childhood.
Lowering his defenses, Matthew popped the dumpling into his mouth. It had a mixed meat filling. He had anticipated the oily crust to be tough, but to his surprise, it was crispy and delicious.
“Yummy?” Samuel asked eagerly.
He enjoyed the taste and wanted others to feel the same. For a moment, he forgot that the man across from him was a scumbag. He innocently wanted to confirm that the dumplings he loved were indeed great.
Matthew caught on to his intentions but quickly extinguished any positive response, saying, “It’s okay.”
Samuel was speechless.
“Hmph, there must be something wrong with your taste buds,” Samuel retorted, clearly annoyed.
Now, Matthew was speechless. He was perfectly healthy, and his taste buds were fine.
After they finished breakfast, Dolores went to pay while Matthew and Samuel left first.
In the car, Samuel leaned over to Matthew and asked, “What’s your plan? What do you need me to do?” Were they now on the same side? Matthew wondered.
Matthew signaled for him to come closer, and Samuel obediently turned his ear toward Matthew. “Leave the revenge part to me. When I’m not around, you must protect your mommy. Don’t let her fall into the same trap again.”
“My mommy is not a fool!” Samuel burst out.
“Not a fool?” The bad guys almost succeeded.
“Not a fool.” Samuel shook his head. “It was someone she knew, and she let her guard down. She is not a fool.”
Samuel disagreed with Matthew’s assessment of Dolores.
“If my mother is a fool and you still like her, then you’re an even bigger fool,” Samuel insisted.
Matthew was speechless. The logic in his words seemed sound. He could only admit that Dolores was not a fool; otherwise, this kid would continue arguing with him.
“I will protect my mommy well.” Samuel waved his hand at him. “Give me your cellphone number so we can stay in touch.” Samuel had even thought about the details.
Matthew handed him his phone, and Samuel dialed his own number. Once the call connected, he returned the phone to Matthew and said, “Here, this is my number, and now I have yours.”
Samuel extended his hand formally. “Let’s work together.”
He found Samuel’s little hand utterly amusing. Did they really need to be so formal? Well then, he extended his hand and shook the tiny hand. It was small, chubby, and tender.
“Partners!” Matthew exclaimed.
“We are in agreement!” Samuel declared.
“What kind of agreement?” Dolores asked curiously as she paid for breakfast and got into the car.
She looked at her son and then at Matthew. “What are you both talking about?”
“Did we?” Samuel couldn’t think of a reason and refused to admit it.
“Am I mistaken?” Dolores frowned. She wasn’t mistaken. She clearly heard Samuel speaking.
“You heard wrong,” Samuel leaned into her embrace and playfully grabbed her neck. “Mommy, you’re not old. Why are you becoming so forgetful?”
“You little rascal.” Dolores ruffled Samuel’s hair. Matthew watched them through the rearview mirror, his eyes lighting up.
Back at the apartment complex, Matthew waited while Dolores took Samuel back to their apartment.
Dolores returned to the car and asked, “Are you going to the office?”
“Give me the evidence,” he demanded.
Dolores was stunned. “What evidence…” she began, then realized what he was referring to.
“They’re with Terry,” she said.
“Get him to hand them over,” Matthew requested.
“You want them?” Dolores didn’t understand why he wanted the evidence.
“Do you think having the evidence will help you deal with her legally?” The Herbert family may not have a strong business, but they had influential connections. They could easily suppress any legal case with some money. However, if Dolores used the evidence, not only would she be able to prevent their suppression, but she would also expose their intentions.
“Do you want to help me?” Dolores suddenly asked. She had a glimmer of hope, but she wasn’t confident that he would assist her in this matter. He simply acknowledged her request.
Dolores clenched her hands, looking out the window, not wanting him to see her joy. It was the first time her hopes weren’t shattered.
After a while, she called Terry.
Terry sounded excited. “Let me tell you something. I found a lawyer from the B City Law Society. I was about to look for you. Let’s meet and discuss this, decide when to file the lawsuit.”
“When are you available?” Dolores asked.
“Anytime.”
“Let’s meet up and bring the evidence,” Dolores said.
“Okay.”
“Where should we meet?” Terry asked.
“WY Group,” Matthew chimed in, as he needed to go to the office. Dolores only then realized that he was driving towards the city. After ending the call with Terry, Dolores pursed her lips and asked, “If you’re going to the office, what am I going to do?”
He reached out and caressed her palm. “Keep me company.”