Dolores’ pupils contracted sharply, catching the glint of the dagger in her eyes. She could already imagine the excruciating pain that would accompany the blade piercing her body…
Beulah was closing in on her, and Dolores was so tense that she forgot to react.
But just as the critical moment arrived, a dark figure lunged at her and forcefully grabbed her arm, pulling her away. She collided with a warm, solid chest, feeling disoriented as she was spun around.
Then, a fierce voice rang out, “Go to hell!” Beulah was flung backwards, crashing into a nearby table, sending tableware and drinks cascading onto the ground with a resounding crash.
Matthew’s gaze turned sharp. “How did she get in here?”
Theresa hurriedly explained, “She was hired as a cleaner yesterday for the hall.”
She, too, had been startled by the audacity of the cleaner attempting to assassinate Dolores.
Regaining her composure, Dolores left Matthew’s embrace and handled the aftermath calmly. She called for the security guards and instructed them to remove Beulah from the hall. The reason for her unexpected appearance would be investigated later.
“Theresa, please arrange for someone to clean the floor,” Dolores requested.
“Of course.”
“I sincerely apologize for the incident that just occurred. I apologize for any distress it may have caused you.” After offering apologies to the guests, she led Matthew to the lounge.
Maria stood at the edge of the crowd, observing the scene with a calm demeanor.
She couldn’t help feeling a sense of regret that Dolores hadn’t been fatally stabbed.
However…
A malicious glint flashed in Maria’s eyes.
Matthew followed Dolores into the lounge.
“Let me see your arm,” Dolores said, examining his left arm. She noticed that when he kicked Beulah away, the dagger in her hand grazed his arm.
Luckily, he wasn’t injured. It seemed he had acted swiftly enough to evade the blow.
She inspected his arm carefully.
No injuries.
“Are you worried about me?” He seemed touched.
“I don’t want you to get hurt because of me,” Dolores replied, her gaze lowered.
She had believed that she wouldn’t be able to avoid getting hurt today.
To her surprise, Matthew had appeared just in time and shielded her in his arms.
She had to admit that she felt moved.
More than that, she realized she loved him.
Everything was for this man.
“You’re unharmed, and that’s good. I’ll go out and assess the situation…” he began.
“Don’t you have anything to say to me?” Matthew interrupted her, his eyes half-narrowed.
“What?” Dolores looked up at him.
Soon, she understood what he was referring to.
“A few days ago, we ran into each other. She asked me to invite her to the opening ceremony…”
“So you did invite her,” he said, his tone laden with gloom and disappointment. “Do you know who she is?”
Dolores held her breath, her fists clenched. “Yes, I do.”
“But you’re still in contact with her, aren’t you?” This time, he didn’t bother hiding his unhappiness and displeasure.
“She’s not a bad person-”
“How long have you known her?” Matthew sneered. “What has she offered you? Has she bribed you?”
His gaze fell upon her wrist. He had never seen her wear any jewelry before. At most, she would wear a watch, the only piece of jewelry she owned. He wondered where the jade bracelet came from.
“Did she give that to you?”
Dolores concealed her hand, but Matthew pulled it out, staring at the jade bracelet. “Do you like this kind of thing?”
Dolores shook her head. “No, not really.”
“Then why do you keep it?”
“I couldn’t bring myself to refuse her.”
Flames flickered in his eyes, growing fiercer by the moment.
“Is she deserving of your sympathy?” He couldn’t fathom why she couldn’t refuse Victoria.
“No, she’s not,” Dolores replied. Back then, when she looked into Victoria’s eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse her.
“Perhaps she has a troubled past,” Dolores tried to explain on Victoria’s behalf.
Matthew sneered. “How long have you known her? And now you dare to plead for her in front of me?”
“I’ve only officially met her twice. It hasn’t been that long. But my gut tells me she’s not a bad person.”
The flames in Matthew’s eyes threatened to consume her, burning her to ashes. How could she defend Victoria?
In a chilling tone, he said, “Give it back to her. I’ll buy you whatever you like.”
“Okay,” Dolores agreed immediately. She had intended to refuse the gift anyway. After all, it was quite valuable. At that moment, she simply couldn’t bring herself to turn down Victoria.
Dolores’s compliance alleviated his anger. “From now on, don’t see her again.”
“Okay,” Dolores responded curtly.
She didn’t think Victoria was a bad person, perhaps even a good one. However, because of Matthew, she had no desire to get too close to Victoria.
At least, she wouldn’t actively seek out Victoria’s company.
Matthew regained his composure completely. He pulled Dolores into his arms, enveloping her in a tight embrace. His arms felt like iron clamps, constricting her tightly. Dolores struggled to breathe under the intense pressure.
Pushing against him, she said, “Are you trying to suffocate me?”
“It’s a great idea. You always manage to infuriate me,” he said, grudgingly loosening his grip on her.
Dolores took a breath, relieved that she could breathe freely again. After a moment of rest, she couldn’t help but ask, “How did Beulah Shaw end up here?”
She sensed that something fishy was going on with this incident.
“Could it have anything to do with Randolph Flores?” Her mind connected Beulah’s appearance with Randolph’s.
“I don’t think so,” Matthew replied, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. Randolph was a heartless man who had discarded Beulah in the past. There was no way he would pick up the useless chess piece again.
Once he abandoned her, Randolph never wanted her back.
They would never work together again.
Remembering the similar incident Beulah had caused in the past, Dolores frowned. “Isn’t she supposed to be in jail? How did she manage to get out?”
Matthew raised his hand, revealing a faint scar on his palm from the previous encounter. Even now, he vividly remembered the look on Dolores’ face when she lunged at him upon discovering Beulah’s intention to stab him.
She had surprised him with her unexpected ferocity, etching a deep memory in his mind.
“I’ll investigate,” he said, his eyes turning sharp.
The last time the woman attempted to assassinate him, he had used certain means to ensure Beulah received a life sentence. Unless someone was helping her, she wouldn’t have been able to escape.
Today’s incident was merely a precursor. Beulah was just the first pawn.
“Don’t go out alone in the next couple of days.”
“Okay,” Dolores agreed.
Knock… Knock…
Several knocks resounded at the door, followed by Theresa’s voice. “Excuse me, Lola. The fashion show has begun. It’s time for you to go on stage.”
Dolores wasn’t planning to walk the catwalk, but she had to give the opening remarks as the hostess.
“Okay,” she replied, turning to Matthew. “I have to go out. I don’t think you’ll enjoy this kind of event. If you’re busy, feel free to continue with your work or take a rest here.”
Matthew simply made a low hum in response.
Dolores was about to leave…
“Wait a minute, Dolores.”
“Yes?” She turned back to face him.
Matthew reached out and brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. Instead of letting go immediately, his fingers traced along the curve of her ear, stopping at her earlobe. His gaze was intense as his warm fingers grazed the side of her neck, and he spoke softly, “You look absolutely stunning.”
Dolores averted her eyes, her face turning slightly flushed from his words. “I have to go.”
She hurriedly left, sensing that if she lingered, Matthew might cross a line.
Matthew could sense her shyness just now.
A faint smile played on his lips.
“Wow, what were you two up to in there? You seem so delighted!” Armand and Boyce walked in. They had refrained from entering while Dolores was present but now came in promptly upon her departure.
“You weren’t hurt, were you? It was quite dangerous just now,” Boyce expressed his concern.
“It’s nothing,” Matthew replied, his smile fading as he turned sharp. “Please help me find out how that woman managed to escape from jail.”
“Sure,” Boyce said, taking a seat. “I’ve already instructed my men to bring her back. Give me a day to figure it out.”
Armand clicked his tongue, feeling bored. He sat on the sofa, draping his arm around Boyce’s neck. “Shall we go to the ‘YES Club’ tonight?”
“Are you looking to hook up?” Boyce glanced at him.
“I want you.”
“Forget it. We’re not a good match.”
Armand feigned frivolity, reaching out to touch Boyce’s chest. “You’ve never tried, so how can you say we’re not compatible?”
“Get lost!” Boyce pushed him away, visibly repulsed, with goosebumps covering his body.
Armand ended up sprawled on the sofa, all fours in the air. Boyce had used a bit too much force.
Regaining his posture, Armand glared at Boyce. “Never mind. You’re so boring! Let’s go watch the fashion show. There will be plenty of pretty girls.”
“What else is on your mind besides women?” Boyce retorted, looking at him. “You’re such a womanizer!”
“I just want to have fun. Why are you calling me a womanizer? It’s in a man’s nature. Don’t you understand?” Armand wasn’t in the mood to argue. “You’re such a fool. I don’t want to argue with you anymore. Oh… look, it’s Dolores!”
It was Dolores’ turn to give a speech on stage.
The three men stood at the back of the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of Dolores amidst the heads and shoulders of the audience.
Under the spotlight, Dolores looked stunning in her pink dress. The off-shoulder design revealed her beautiful shoulders, and her exquisite collarbones were alluring. Even without a necklace, she exuded an air of elegance and grace.
She was absolutely captivating on stage.
Matthew’s eyes brimmed with love and pride.
This extraordinary woman now belonged to him.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’m Dolores Flores, the manager of LEO Corporation. It gives me great pleasure to inaugurate the opening of LEO Corporation’s branch in City B. Thank you all for joining us today. We hope to see you at our store often in the future,” Dolores spoke, curving her lips into a graceful and self-assured smile.
Maria sat in her seat, coldly staring at Dolores, her lips slightly curled.
All her malicious intentions remained hidden beneath her skin.
She pulled out her phone and sent a photo to Dolores’ phone. The picture was taken when Dolores exited Room 608 of the MOEN Hotel in Country A. Maria added some text: “Would you like to know who the man was on that fateful evening six years ago?”