Matthew glanced at Dolores, who was sitting on the couch, cradling their daughter. He tenderly brushed aside a strand of hair that had fallen across her face and said, “No one can harm my woman, let alone bully and insult her.”
He looked up with a smile, his usually calm and serious demeanor now softened. “Because you saved my wife’s life, I won’t pursue this matter. Consider it a favor returned for your act of saving her.”
Bending down, he scooped up their daughter from Dolores’ arms and said, “Let’s go.”
Dolores took a deep breath. She hadn’t expected things to unfold this way.
“Wait.”
Charles called out to Matthew.
The usual smile vanished from Charles’ face. “Mr. Nelson, you have a way with words. Turning a small matter into a big deal and then repaying the favor for saving your… wife,” he paused momentarily when mentioning Dolores, “clever move.”
Matthew didn’t deny Charles’ words. From the moment he heard the waitress mention Mr. White’s backing, he deduced that Mr. White was Charles himself.
That’s why he deliberately made a fuss. Now that Charles was present, he wanted to nullify the favor owed and return the favor of saving Dolores.
He didn’t want Charles to hold it over Dolores.
Straightening his daughter’s slightly rumpled collar, Matthew looked at her with a gentle smile. But it was to Charles that he spoke, “Mr. White, thank you. It’s just that your people proved ineffective, giving me the opportunity.”
Charles clenched his fingers on the armrest. He had to accept it. There was indeed someone abusing his power and mistreating others.
He couldn’t refute anything.
Turning to Dolores, he said, “I apologize for today’s events.” His gaze lingered on Dolores, aware of the purpose of her visit to the mall. “I own the mall. If you need anything, just take it today, and it’s on me. Consider it my way of making amends for the trouble you’ve faced.”
“Mr. White, that’s very kind of you. But my wife doesn’t rely on others’ generosity,” Matthew interjected before Dolores could respond.
Dolores looked up at Matthew’s handsome face. She hadn’t expected him to think of this. She initially believed he was merely trying to teach Samuel a lesson. Matthew’s cunning and thoughtfulness went beyond her expectations.
Wearing a polite smile, Dolores replied, “Thank you, but there’s no need.”
Charles smiled as well. “Very well, if you ever need anything here, don’t hesitate to ask. We can meet the master at a later time.”
Dolores understood that Charles had matters to attend to. “If you’re free tomorrow, we can meet then.”
Charles pondered for a moment and agreed, “Alright, I’ll pick you up at the hotel.”
“Okay.” Dolores took her son.
Rather than returning home immediately, Matthew followed Dolores every step of the way, fearful that she might encounter further harassment.
Dolores couldn’t help but complain, “You’re making me feel like some rare animal, constantly shadowing me like this.”
What kind of woman would go shopping with her husband, children, and a group of bodyguards?
People passing by couldn’t help but cast curious glances her way, making her feel uncomfortable.
Matthew spoke seriously, “I’m worried about you being alone. What if something happens?”
“I’m not a child…”
“You just didn’t handle it properly.”
Dolores was rendered speechless.
She couldn’t argue with him.
While they were at ease, Charles was irritated by this unexpected trouble.
Lacey continued to apologize, but Charles wasn’t interested in her remorse.
Tom had detained the waitress inside the store, standing by the door, trying to shrink away and minimize her presence, hoping that Lacey would intercede on her behalf.
“Cousin…”
“I’m not your cousin!” Lacey snapped, her patience wearing thin. She was adopted, and her adoptive parents hadn’t treated her well. Of course, the waitress wasn’t her real cousin either.
However, Lacey’s cousin’s mother had shown her kindness. Once, when her adoptive parents scolded her and denied her food, it was her cousin’s mother who took her in and fed her.
Lacey remembered that act of kindness, so she allowed her cousin to work at the store when she was unemployed. But she never expected her cousin not only stole from the store but also resorted to blackmailing customers into buying clothes.
No wonder business at the store had been declining lately.
It turned out that it was all due to her and the store’s reputation had been tarnished.
“I’ve had enough. Lacey, I know I was wrong. Please plead with Mr. White for me.” If Tom hadn’t intervened, the waitress would have lunged at her.
“You have to face the consequences of your actions. I can’t save you either.” Lacey could see Charles’ anger. Despite his constant smile, she could tell he was furious.
He had always been like that since childhood, never showing his emotions on his face. Always smiling, even the school principal liked him.
Who would like a child with a bitter, unpleasant expression all the time?
That’s why Nathan chose him in the first place.
“Tom, I never want to see this woman again,” Charles stated firmly.
“Understood.” Tom grabbed the waitress by her arms and prepared to escort her out of the mall, even as she sobbed.
Her voice quickly faded, and silence fell upon the store.
“I apologize. I didn’t realize it was because of her that I called you here…”
Charles cut her off, his voice cold and detached. At this point, Lacey’s apology held no significance in the grand scheme of things; it would only further strain their relationship.
They had known each other since childhood, witnessed each other’s struggles, and lived together in an orphanage for several years. There was a lingering fondness between them, nevertheless.
“I’ve already inconvenienced you enough. I trusted others too easily, and that’s how I ended up in this situation,” Lacey sighed. “You’ve already done so much for me. If you hadn’t granted me this store, the headquarters wouldn’t have allowed me to open one here. If they found out the state of this store, I’d likely have to compensate them. It might be better to use the excuse that the local consumption level isn’t increasing and close down.”
“Have you thought it through?” Charles asked, his tone indifferent.
Lacey nodded. “I’ve considered it thoroughly.”
“Since you’ve made your decision, I won’t try to dissuade you. Here…”
“I can clean it up myself,” Lacey interjected, not wanting to burden him any further.
“Okay,” Charles replied, keeping his words minimal. After all, they were adults with their own thoughts and ideas.
“I’ll walk you out,” Lacey offered.
Charles didn’t refuse. There was a small step in front of the store, and he needed assistance to descend.
“Is it really incurable?” Lacey gazed down at him, her eyes revealing indescribable emotions. Seeing Charles in a wheelchair was harder for her than it was for Charles himself.
When he was adopted, his legs were perfectly fine. It was later that he ended up in a wheelchair, and Lacey found it difficult to come to terms with.
Charles’s eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled the past…
He used to be able to walk, but that changed due to an accident.
At the time, he accompanied Nathan on a factory inspection, and a fire broke out, causing an explosion. Charles sustained injuries while trying to save Nathan, resulting in his legs being crippled and his confinement to a wheelchair.
“It’s challenging,” Charles replied, his face remaining unchanged, but turmoil swirled within him. Nobody would willingly choose to be disabled and incapable of taking care of themselves.
“You know, the person who…” Lacey started, attempting to ask about Dolores.
“Lacey, I don’t appreciate people prying into my personal matters,” Charles interrupted her, his voice firm.
“I’m sorry,” Lacey apologized.
“You don’t have to apologize all the time,” Charles replied, his calm demeanor restored.
Meanwhile, Dolores purchased a few outfits before returning to the hotel with Matthew.
Since Dolores needed to meet with the master who could create cloud yarn and Matthew wanted to gather information about Sampson’s whereabouts, they agreed to stay in the city for a few more days.
As they stepped out of the car and entered the hotel, they were greeted by people waiting in the lobby.