She wore a smile on her face, but the look in his eyes filled her with terror.
Maria instinctively stepped back, creating distance between them.
For the first time, she desired to keep her distance from him.
Just then, the doorbell rang again, accompanied by the voice of a waiter. “Is anyone there? I’m here to deliver wine.”
Maria felt an inexplicable sense of relief upon hearing that it was only wine. She glanced at the door and said, “My wine has arrived…”
“I ordered it,” Matthew leaned against the cabinet, holding a wine glass in his hand. He slowly tilted his hand, allowing the red liquid to spill onto the table. As the wine trickled down the edge, he furrowed his brow, gazing at it as if the wine disagreed with him. Then, he lifted his eyes and spoke, “I believe there is another wine that suits us better. What do you think?”
“S-suitable wine?” Maria stammered. Did he want to share a drink with her?
Didn’t he despise her?
Had he changed his mind?
Was he finding her attractive now?
Suppressing her inner joy, she said, “I’ll go answer the door.”
Her footsteps toward the door were quick, though a bit disheveled.
She opened the door, finding the waiter standing there, holding two bottles of white wine.
Maria stared blankly at him for a moment, then said, “Please come in.”
The waiter entered, placing the wine bottles on the table. He uncorked one of the bottles and poured it into the flat-bottomed glass he had brought.
After pouring the wine, the waiter stood upright and said, “If you need anything else, feel free to call me. Enjoy your stay here.”
With those words, the waiter left the room, closing the door behind him.
Maria stood beside the table, gazing at the wine before her. She swallowed and commented, “White wine is quite strong. I think red wine would enhance the ambiance more.”
“I enjoy strong drinks. Do you dare to join me?” Matthew’s eyebrows relaxed, making him appear less imposing. The corners of his eyes tilted upward, shimmering with a hint of light. He exuded an alluring, masculine charm.
Maria’s heart seemed to forget how to beat.
Her mind lost control, and she nodded as if intoxicated by his presence. “I dare.”
Matthew leaned over, picked up a glass, and offered it to her.
Maria reached out to take it.
Matthew raised his glass and took a sip, and she followed suit, drinking from her own glass.
Unlike red wine, white wine lacked mildness. It burned her throat upon swallowing, igniting a fiery sensation that coursed down her esophagus and set her insides ablaze.
Covering her nose and mouth, she complained in a plaintive tone, “It’s so strong.”
Matthew refilled their glasses.
Alcohol grants courage by stimulating the brain and exciting the senses.
For those with low alcohol tolerance, a single glass of high-concentration wine can render them intoxicated and unconscious.
The same held true for Maria. Drunk on wine, she leaned against Matthew’s chest, pressing her face against it, and listened to his strong heartbeat.
She felt elated when he didn’t push her away. She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “Matthew, I love you.”
“Is that so?” Matthew handed her the wine. “Then prove it.”
Maria gazed at the wine before her, reaching out to take the glass. However, instead of drinking it, she flung it to the ground. As the alcohol spread across the room, she pointed to her heart and said, “You want me to prove it?”
She chuckled. “I’ll prove it to you.”
Grabbing the wine bottle from the table, she stared at Matthew through hazy eyes and curled her lips into a seductive smile. Slowly, she loosened the strap of her suspender skirt. As the red fabric fell, it revealed her flesh and her sexy black lingerie.
She raised her head, opened the bottle, and began pouring it down her throat.
The strong alcohol scorched her throat, but she endured it, believing it to be a test from Matthew. If she could finish the wine, she could prove her love for him.
He was going to fall in love with her! He was bound to fall in love with her!
Matthew averted his gaze slightly from the sight of her partially naked body.
Crash!
The wine bottle slipped from her grasp and shattered on the floor.
The remaining alcohol mixed with shards of glass sprayed in all directions.
Flushed, Maria collapsed onto the bed. “I can’t…”
She waved her hands weakly. “I can’t drink anymore.”
Matthew set down his wine glass, closed his eyes, and massaged his forehead with one hand, rubbing his temples.
His phone suddenly vibrated.
Slowly opening his eyes, he retrieved the device. It was a call from Abbott, and he answered.
Abbott’s voice came through immediately, “I’ve got him.”
“108,” Matthew said curtly before ending the call.
In the hotel lobby, Abbott stared at the disconnected phone in his hand and furrowed his brow. Glancing at the two men beside him, he instructed, “Follow me.”
Since Matthew hadn’t specified his requirements, Abbott was unsure if bringing the two men would satisfy him. Thus, he led them to room 108.
Confusion washed over Abbott when he entered the room.
The place was a mess, with alcohol spilled everywhere. But what troubled him more was the sight of Maria lying on the bed, unclothed. What had happened here?
“This…” Abbott cautiously looked at Matthew. “What’s going on?”
And he had requested a man…
Finally understanding Matthew’s intentions, Abbott’s eyes widened involuntarily. “Even if you don’t like her… She has been by your side for a long time… Treating her like this…”
Matthew shot him a sharp look, silencing Abbott immediately.
Maria shifted uncomfortably on the bed, feeling a burning sensation in her stomach, threatening to make her sick.
Unaware of the additional presence in the room, she failed to notice the two men who discreetly stole glances in her direction.
Matthew turned to leave, passing Abbott on his way out. He instructed, “Once the recording is complete, personally deliver a copy to the Herbert family.”
With that, he left the room without a backward glance at the disarray or the hungry gazes of the two men.
Unable to remain calm any longer, Abbott followed him outside. “This… This isn’t right.”
To ruin a woman’s innocence…
Abbott truly couldn’t comprehend Matthew’s actions, regardless of how ruthless he might be in the business world.
The business world was a battlefield where losing meant death.
However, treating a woman who had been by his side in such a manner was inhumane.
Matthew glanced back at him, his voice neither too low nor too loud. “Do you have a suggestion?”
Abbott hastily waved his hand. “No, I just think it’s a shame.”
Matthew sneered. “Their century-old reputation is no longer relevant. She has done terrible things, and they should pay for it.”
Abbott’s mouth fell open. “What did she do?”
Matthew didn’t want other men to witness the video of Dolores being undressed.
“Just focus on your work,” he said, continuing on his way.
Abbott stood there for a moment before quickly catching up with Matthew at the door. He asked, “Is there any room for error?”
Were they supposed to merely pretend or were the two men expected to actually assault her?
Matthew’s footsteps faltered, but he barely paused. He didn’t answer Abbott’s question.
However, Abbott knew the answer.
There was no room for error.
Sighing, Abbott turned and entered the room to arrange the next steps.
Matthew got into his car, but instead of immediately starting the engine, he sat quietly in the driver’s seat.
His eyelashes trembled. The thought of Dolores almost being violated prevented him from finding peace.
He had never experienced this kind of pain before.
He couldn’t fathom what he would have done if Sampson had succeeded.
Maria had pushed him to this point. She had pushed him beyond his limits.
Starting the car, he drove away.