Dolores took a wet wipe and handed it to him.
Matthew didn’t respond, just gazed at her with a faint expression.
Her daughter had caused this mess; shouldn’t Dolores be the one wiping his face?
Dolores understood the meaning in his eyes and reached out to wipe his face, but Simona tugged at her shirt hem. “Mommy, let me do it. I want to wipe Daddy’s face.”
Matthew’s response was speechless.
Dolores looked down at her daughter, her little eyes filled with longing, begging for a chance.
Simona tugged at her clothes and acted like a baby. “Mommy, let me do it. Please.”
Dolores couldn’t refuse. Just as she was about to hand it over to Simona, Matthew took it and wiped his face.
Dolores grumbled internally. “Is my daughter a little devil?”
“Almost,” Matthew replied, wiping his face and handing the wet wipe back to Dolores. “I’m going.”
Dolores sighed, feeling conflicted. What was she going to do with her daughter?
But for now, she couldn’t just take Simona away from Matthew. Their safety was the top priority, so they had to proceed cautiously.
Dolores carried a tray of food to Samuel’s room. Balancing the tray with one hand, she opened the door with the other. Samuel stood by the window, holding the curtains and watching Matthew drive away.
“What are you looking at?” Dolores entered the room.
Samuel quickly closed the curtains and shook his head. “Nothing. I was just bored in the house, so I was looking outside.”
“If you want to go out, just go. The swelling on your face has reduced a lot; no one will notice it,” Dolores said, placing the food on the table and sitting on a chair.
“No, it’s too ugly for anyone to see,” Samuel replied, his ego getting in the way.
Dolores placed a glass of milk in front of him. “What do you want to eat tomorrow? I’ll make it for you.”
Samuel shook his head and lowered his gaze. He picked at his food, not really chewing, appearing somewhat depressed.
Dolores came closer, embracing him with a distressed tone. “Samuel, what’s wrong? Does your head hurt?”
“No.” Samuel was in a sour mood, not because of his injury, but because Simona called that heartless man “Daddy.”
He had never been there for them.
Why would she call him father?
Samuel toyed with his rice, his chopsticks grazing the grains. When Simona had called Matthew “Daddy,” he had felt a twinge of discomfort.
“What is it, then?” Dolores asked, looking down at her son.
“It’s nothing. I’m just a little annoyed because of my injury.”
Dolores kissed his head. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t protect you.”
“It’s not your fault.” To keep Dolores from worrying, Samuel suppressed his emotions and started eating properly.
Matthew’s car came to a halt outside the S&H Hotel.
Sitting in the car, he watched the video of Dolores being undressed. There was no sound in the recording. Although Sampson was clearly saying something while undressing her, Matthew couldn’t focus on his words. His attention was fixated on Sampson’s hands. The corners of his eyes wrinkled as he narrowed his gaze.
The video ended when Sampson unbuttoned her pants.
Matthew closed the video and dialed Abbott’s number.
As soon as the call connected, Abbott spoke urgently, “Warner called me. He wants to meet you. I didn’t answer his call. I don’t think he’ll give up.”
If this matter wasn’t resolved, the Herbert family’s reputation would be completely ruined, and their century-old estate would be in jeopardy.
“Find someone and send him to the S&H Hotel.”
Abbott was puzzled by his response and fell silent.
What kind of person did he want?
Handsome or ugly?
Tall or fat?
What specific qualities did he desire?
Did he want someone with certain preferences?
Matthew didn’t elaborate, simply stating, “You have thirty minutes.”
After hanging up, Matthew got out of the car and entered the hotel.
Maria had already arrived. Landon had forbidden her to leave, but she had sneaked out when no one was around.
She wanted to win not only Matthew’s heart but also Landon’s trust. If she played her cards right, maybe she could show Landon what she was capable of. Warner wasn’t the only capable one in the Herbert family.
To calm her nerves, she had a few sips of wine. Her face was flushed.
The doorbell rang, and her heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly stood up and walked towards the mirror, checking if her clothes were in order and her carefully applied makeup was still intact.
She smiled at her reflection in the mirror, her white teeth and red lips making her look enchanting and beautiful. Perfect!
Satisfied with her appearance, she went to open the door.
The man standing at the door was tall and handsome. However, his eyes were cold, lacking any warmth, as if he were looking at a stranger.
Maria’s heart sank a little. It stung.
Suppressing her emotions, she stepped aside. “Come in.”
Matthew walked in, looking untamed, with his hands nonchalantly tucked in his pockets. Maria closed the door and turned to face him. Her mind went blank for a moment as she gazed at the man who captivated her. Then, she rushed forward and hugged him from behind. “Matthew.”
Her face was buried in his broad, strong back, which emanated warmth.
She got lost in his scent. He smelled really good.
Matthew broke free from her embrace without any hesitation and spoke coldly, “Say what you want. I don’t appreciate women who throw themselves at men so easily.”
Maria lacked the strength to hold him back, and he easily slipped away from her grasp.
She stood trembling in her spot, looking at Matthew. “And what about Dolores? Is she purer and nobler than me?”
She sat down on the bed and laughed. “At least I gave you my purity. What did she give you? Two children who aren’t your own blood?”
She chuckled. “So, are you going to be their stepfather?”
Matthew already knew all this and remained unruffled.
He reached out and picked up a wine glass from the table, swirling it in his hand. The blood-red liquid swayed and rippled with his movements.
He brought the glass close to his nose, inhaling its fragrance lightly. It had an elegant and delicate aroma, without the overpowering smell of alcohol. “This wine doesn’t suit you.”
Maria approached him, placing her hands on his shoulders. “Then what kind does suit me?”
Matthew didn’t respond, merely offering a light smile.
Coincidentally, the doorbell rang at that moment. Maria looked up at Matthew. “Who could that be?”
“It’s for you. You’ll find out when you see it.”
Maria felt a flutter of excitement. “You got me a gift?”
Matthew reached out and twirled a stray strand of her hair between his fingers. He smiled lightly. “You’ve already given me such a significant gift. Shouldn’t I return the favor?”
Maria’s face turned pale instantly. “What do you mean?”
Matthew tucked the strand of hair behind her ear, retracting his hand as he smiled. “Why are you afraid? You look even better when you smile.”