When Maria woke up, she was naked and the large bed was messy.
There was no one in her sight.
She sat up, wrapping her smooth body in the quilt and tried to recall what happened last night. She used the video of Dolores being undressed to bring Matthew here. Originally, she had wanted to use the video to in exchange for him to
spare the Herbert family. But when he came, before she had the chance to talk to him, they both drank wine.
And then she found herself intoxicated.
She remembered undressing on her own accord.
At that moment, it had been only Matthew in the room with her.
Did Matthew engage in something with her yesterday?
She wasn’t a naive child; she could clearly sense the impact it had on her body.
Her face flushed, her cheeks turning crimson.
Could it be that Matthew had genuinely changed his mind?
She grew so elated that she nearly leaped out of bed.
She was certain that Matthew had slept with her last night.
She had some knowledge of Matthew; when he discovered she was the woman from that night, he had treated her with kindness.
If he hadn’t later discovered her deceptive pregnancy and the staged car accident, he wouldn’t have grown to despise her.
Now that they had been intimate again, it meant he was willing to be with her once more.
With joy in her heart, she eagerly rose from the bed and swiftly dressed.
She had to hurry and inform Landon about this. If Matthew was willing to reconcile, would he still spread that news?
After dressing, she hurriedly left the hotel.
The car came to a halt at the Herbert family’s residence. Stepping out, she noticed Abbott’s car parked not far away.
Was Abbott present?
She knew Abbott served as Matthew’s assistant.
He was someone Matthew had placed immense trust in.
Was he here to convey her desire for reconciliation to her family?
The more she contemplated it, the more her excitement grew, propelling her faster.
Pushing open the door, she encountered her family. Landon sat at the front with a pallid face, and Sampson and Warner wore displeased expressions. Camilla sat slightly to the side, softly sobbing, refraining from loud cries.
Maria didn’t believe the oppressive atmosphere stemmed from her.
She glanced at Abbott and inquired with a smile, “Did Matthew send you?”
Abbott missed her gaze and responded indifferently, “Yes.”
They had previously worked together, maintaining a good professional relationship. However, after her true identity as a member of the Herbert family was revealed, things changed.
He didn’t know the extent of her actions, but he knew Matthew wouldn’t react this way unless she had gone too far.
As anticipated, Maria could barely suppress her laughter.
She approached Landon and uttered, “Dad…”
A resounding slap filled the air.
Landon struck her forcefully, causing her to lose her balance and tumble to the floor. Kneeling, she couldn’t fathom that her father had just slapped her.
Clutching her numbed and throbbing cheek, she pleaded, “Dad, why did you hit me?”
“Why?” Landon, breathless from the exertion of the slap, exclaimed. The news incident hadn’t been resolved, yet here was another scandal! His anger knew no bounds.
And she still had the audacity to ask why he had struck her?
Trembling with fury, he pointed at her. “You still have the nerve to inquire why?”
“You must have a reason for hitting me, or I will never forgive you!” Maria turned her teary-eyed gaze toward Camilla.
Camilla didn’t dare intervene on her behalf.
She turned to look at Sampson, his eyes red, but he didn’t step forward to offer assistance.
When she had returned to the Herbert family’s residence, Camilla and Sampson had treated her well.
Now, with neither of them coming forward to support her, she realized the gravity of the situation.
Landon’s voice grew deeper, lower than usual, resonating like distant thunder as he chuckled bitterly. “I regret not strangling you the day you were born. And you’re telling me you won’t forgive me?”
His eyes were bloodshot. “Do I need your forgiveness?!”
Maria recoiled, witnessing this vicious side of Landon for the first time.
She rushed toward Abbott and grasped his arm. “You tell my dad why you’re here.”
Abbott remained indifferent and spoke lightly, “I’ve already informed them.”
“If he knows that Matthew and I are back together, why is he still so angry?”
“When did you get back together with Mr. Nelson?” Abbott said coldly.
Perhaps the Herbert family didn’t understand Maria’s behavior, but he did.
Because she had called out Matthew’s name countless times last night.
She believed the two men she encountered were Matthew himself.
“Last night, I was with Matthew. He… He…”
“I think you’ve misunderstood.” Abbott interrupted her and dropped a bombshell with his next words. “Mr. Nelson wasn’t with you last night.”
“What nonsense are you spewing? Stop it!” Maria protested sternly, rising from the ground and pointing at Abbott. “What do you know?”
She recalled being in Matthew’s arms last night, and he hadn’t pushed her away. Forgetting everything, even the pain of the slap, she smiled. “He loves me. We were together last night.”
“Enough!” Sampson couldn’t bear it any longer. He couldn’t stand seeing her deceive everyone, including herself.
Stepping forward, he gripped her shoulders and growled, “Wake up, Maria! You’ve been conned!”
She looked at Sampson, his expression on the verge of collapse, and asked, “Who conned me? What are you talking about?”
“How could I have given birth to such a foolish daughter like you?” Landon had never regretted this before, but now he regretted recognizing and accepting her into the Herbert family.
If he had known she would bring such catastrophe upon them, he would have let her perish outside rather than allow her to step foot into the Herbert family’s domain.
Abbott had personally arrived to confirm Matthew’s intentions.
Landon understood that these two incidents combined would truly be a disaster for the Herbert family.
If he didn’t handle this well, his family would truly be ruined.
Standing up, he shed all traces of arrogance. “Tell Matthew that I will provide him with a satisfactory explanation for this matter.”
Abbott nodded. “Okay. I will convey that to him.”
Landon rose to see him off, but Abbott waved his hand. “No need to accompany me. Thank you.”
Abbott promptly departed from the Herbert family’s house.
Maria seemed to begin comprehending the situation. “So it wasn’t Matthew with me last night?”
She felt foolish.
“He tricked me?”
Sampson closed his eyes. “What did you do to make him hate you so much and seek your downfall?”
“I… I…” She sobbed. “It was the day we deceived Dolores. I secretly installed a camera in the room and recorded a video…”
“No wonder Matthew had someone record a video of you and send it over. That’s the reason.”
“What video?” Maria’s mind exploded. Her head buzzed with confusion.
What video?
Did she… last night…
“What video?” Warner pointed to the USB flash drive on the table. “Watch it yourself. Dad told you to stay home and reflect on your actions. It was bad enough that you didn’t want to face your mistakes, but you sneaked out of the house and provoked Matthew.”
He chuckled sarcastically. “If he were that easily threatened, or if a video could bring him down, would he be where he is today?”
Maria’s face turned pale.
Landon was speechless with anger.
It was evident that Maria had tried to blackmail Matthew but had been swiftly defeated by him.
Who was to blame?
Her lack of skill was to blame.
“Tomorrow, both of you will come with me to see him.” If there was any room for leniency before, it had vanished.
He sat on the chair, his eyes dull. “Sampson, Maria, the trouble you’ve caused could ruin the century-old reputation of the Herbert family. Don’t blame me; blame yourselves for being so disappointing.”
“Dad, what do you mean? Are you abandoning us?” Maria couldn’t believe it.
“It’s not that I want to abandon you, but you both have brought this destruction upon yourselves.” Warner interjected, “You haven’t done anything for the family, yet you’ve basked in the glory that the Herbert family bestowed upon you. Now it’s time for both of you to contribute to the family. Besides, all of this happened because of you.”