Matthew glanced inside and noticed that Dolores was likely present as well.
However, Armand’s curiosity was ablaze, eager to engage in some gossip. Did Matthew lend his car to someone?
“Is it a guy or a girl?” Armand walked over and playfully winked at Matthew. “Aren’t you trying to win back your ex-wife? What’s with the sudden change of preferences?”
“Cut it out!” Matthew shot him a sideways glance.
Boyce smiled, “Why do you have to be like this? Why are you still behaving so childishly?”
“You’re the one behaving like a child!” Armand playfully jumped on Boyce’s back and wrapped his arms around his neck. “Hey! Have you seen his ex-wife?”
Boyce honestly nodded, “Yeah.”
Matthew got married six years ago in a secret ceremony that he never shared with them. At the time, he was swamped with work and didn’t have the chance to introduce her. Soon after, he ended up getting divorced, and he never had the opportunity to meet her.
If it wasn’t for Abbott seeking his help that day, he wouldn’t have seen her.
Abbott mentioned that Matthew now seemed to care about his ex-wife, and he understood why.
It must be because of their children.
He had seen Samuel recently, who appeared to be around five or six years old-the timeline added up.
As they entered Join & Share Manor, pavilions and stalls were scattered throughout. The winding corridor leading to the lobby was illuminated by vibrant red lanterns.
A server approached them as soon as they stepped inside.
“Mr. Bernie?”
“Yes,” Armand naturally used his name when making the reservation.
“Please follow me!” The server led the way, guiding them to a private room.
The room was spacious, furnished with intricately carved sandalwood tables and chairs that exuded a classical and antique ambiance.
Unlike other places, the private rooms here were not actual rooms but long corridors divided into smaller sections by screens. Each screen featured a unique pattern, differentiating each room.
The server handed them the menu, and Armand quickly took charge. “I know what to order.”
Boyce chuckled and shook his head.
Armand squinted at him, “What’s so funny?”
“Why can’t a highly educated and sophisticated lawyer like yourself speak more politely?”
“I have to maintain a certain demeanor at work all day. This is my personal time, can’t I let loose a bit? Aren’t any of you as exhausted as I am?”
“Oh, give me a break!” Boyce didn’t bother to engage further. He had opened his own law firm, and all the cases went to the lawyers working under him. He hadn’t stepped foot in a courtroom in a long time.
What did he know about exhaustion?
Armand cleared his throat, “You should speak more politely. Can’t you see there’s someone here?”
He deliberately winked at Boyce, indicating the female server.
“Such a clown!” Boyce dismissed him without paying much attention.
Matthew remained unusually silent. Sitting between them, he seemed oblivious to their presence, engrossed in his phone, repeatedly scrolling his fingers across the screen. He wanted to call Dolores and ask if she was there, but with the others around, he abandoned the idea.
After placing their orders, Armand handed the menu back to the server and said, “Please be prompt.”
“Of course.”
Within half an hour, the food was served.
Armand opened a bottle of wine and filled their glasses one by one. “It’s too dull with just the three of us.”
“Who else are you planning to invite? Phoebe?” Boyce quipped.
“Stop hitting below the belt.” Armand glared at him.
Boyce smiled, “Are you still hung up on that?”
Phoebe Lewis was Armand’s first love. They dated during university, and he loved her deeply. However, they eventually broke up, and Armand never revealed the reason behind their split.
All Boyce knew was that Phoebe had become a forbidden topic for Armand. He never allowed anyone to mention her and had never fallen in love again. He had casual flings but never experienced true love.
“Let me ask you something: Are feelings derived from love or from sex?” Armand took a sip of wine, frowning at the taste. “Interesting.”
“Shouldn’t we be asking you that? You have the most experience,” Boyce retorted, also taking a sip.
Armand nodded toward Matthew with his chin. “We should ask him. Didn’t he and Helen get together because they slept together?”
Matthew glanced at him, “Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“We’re alone here. I’m just being honest. You got involved with her because of a sense of responsibility after sleeping together, but when she deceived you, you no longer wanted her.”
Is that what love is? Or is it heartlessness?
Matthew took another sip of wine, “A bit.”
He never felt his heart flutter because of Helen, but he couldn’t deny that his sense of responsibility for that night was what initially kept them together. Despite his blurred memories, he still recalled the feeling from that night.
If he didn’t have some level of affection for her, he wouldn’t have remembered it.
So, it was… a bit.
Armand grinned mischievously, “So, what you’re saying is that if sex is the starting point, it can intensify the feelings?”
Matthew hadn’t felt anything for Helen until they slept together. After that one night, he started to develop some affection for her. So, does sex have the power to amplify love?
“Your logic is on point, Mr. Lawyer,” Boyce complimented Armand with a thumbs-up.
Armand squinted at Boyce, “Do you think everyone is like you? A thirty-year-old virgin?”
Boyce was left speechless and seething with anger.
He wanted to hurl an insult at Armand.
In the adjacent room, Dolores couldn’t understand why her appetite had suddenly vanished.
It disappeared completely.
“Is the food not to your liking?” Theresa asked.
Dolores stuffed a mouthful of food and mumbled, “No, it’s delicious.”
“This is my first time experiencing such authentic Chinese cuisine,” Mrs. William expressed her satisfaction. “And the ambiance here is so Chinese. I love it!”
“As long as you’re pleased. This trip won’t disappoint you,” Theresa replied, pouring Mrs. William a glass of wine.
“Oh, I should stop drinking. I’m full, and it’s time to head back.” Mrs. William maintained a good posture but was visibly tired due to her old age.
“Yeah, I feel the same way,” Allison chimed in. She had gone straight to the store after landing and was now exhausted and in need of rest.
“I’ll give you a ride,” Dolores offered, standing up.
“No need,” Allison waved her off. “You’ve been busy at the store all day. Go home and take care of the kids.”
“In that case, take my car,” Theresa handed Allison her car keys.
Allison accepted the keys and helped Mrs. William leave the room.
Dolores rubbed her face, feeling the weight of her emotions. “I’ll settle the bill.”
Theresa followed her, concerned. “Dolores, you seem upset.”
Dolores denied it, “No, I’m fine.”
“Yeah, you were so happy earlier, but your expression changed while you were eating.”
“I’m still happy,” Dolores chuckled. The store was about to open, and she was thrilled beyond measure.
Theresa smiled.
Dolores suddenly turned somber, her face losing its cheerfulness. “Do I really look unhappy?”
Theresa nodded earnestly.
Dolores pondered, trying to understand why she had suddenly become unhappy.
Was it because of Helen and Matthew sleeping together? Or was it because Matthew used to have feelings for Helen?
She didn’t know. All she knew was that she felt upset.
Dolores took a deep breath, rallied her spirits, and made her way to the front desk to settle the bill.
“The total comes to $5800,” the receptionist informed her.
Dolores took out her card to pay, but before she could hand it over, a tall figure cast a shadow over her. Someone reached out with their card and said, “Use this one.”