Chapter 71

Chapter 71

As I spoke, I tried to struggle to my feet, but ended up falling straight into his arms.

Matthew caught me firmly, feeling my burning body temperature and the strong smell of alcohol all over me. His heart ached with both pain and anger.

He said softly with tenderness, "Silly girl, why didn't you tell me when you were hurt? Drinking so much—are you trying to punish yourself?"

I fell into Matthew's arms, the alcohol hitting me hard. My whole body felt hot, and my head was spinning badly.

He smelled clean, with a light scent of cedar—completely different from William's bold cologne.

But so what? They were both Browns. None of them was any good.

I struggled to push him away, but my arms and legs were too weak. I mumbled, "Don't touch me. You Browns, all of you, stay away from me..."

Matthew didn't let go. Instead, he held me more steadily. His helpless voice fell on my ears, "Stop it, you're drunk."

I suddenly lifted my head, my eyes burning hot, unable to hold back my grievances. "I'm not making a scene! I'm just pathetic, played by you Browns!

William cheated, Olivia's pregnant, and forced me out. People at the company were gossiping about me, and in the end, I even lost my job. Isn't all of this because of the Brown family?"

I became increasingly worked up as I spoke. I raised my hand to push him away, but couldn't control my strength—I ended up slapping him hard across the face.

The air went silent instantly.

I glared at him and cursed, "The Brown family owes me. One slap is getting off easy for you!"

Matthew didn't get mad. He just looked at me quietly.

He raised his hand to rub where I'd hit him and said, "Yes, the Brown family owes you. Don't stand anymore. Are you dizzy? Let me help you to the bed."

I shook off his hand and stumbled back two steps. "I'm not going! Matthew, why are you being nice to me now? What do you really want?"

I stared into his eyes mockingly. "Are you trying to get revenge for that bastard William? Think I've made the Brown family miserable, so you're here to get back at me? Or do you think now that I'm down and out, I'm easy to control, and you want to make me another Olivia—just someone to mess around with?"

Matthew looked at me, took a step forward, and just asked softly, "Are you hungry? I'll make you some porridge."

I turned my head away, not wanting to look at him. "I'm not eating. Don't change the subject. I'm asking you—what's your real purpose in getting close to me?"

He sighed, saying tiredly, "Layla, I'm not trying to get revenge on you or play you. I just..."

"Just what?" I pressed, though my heart was panicking a bit.

I was afraid he'd say an answer I didn't dare face, afraid he'd say he liked me, afraid I wouldn't be able to stop myself from wavering.

He paused, as if choosing his words carefully, but in the end just said, "Nothing. You're drunk. Rest first. Whatever it is, we'll talk when you wake up."

He reached out to help me, but I backed away sharply, looking at him warily. "Don't touch me! I can walk by myself!"

With that, I shuffled toward the bedroom, swaying with every step. I'd barely gone two steps before I almost crashed into the wall.

Matthew quickly caught me. This time, I didn't push him away, letting him half-support, half-carry me to the bedroom.

The bedroom light wasn't on—only a bit of moonlight came through the window, dim and hazy.

He helped me to the bedside and sat me down, then turned to switch on the light. But I grabbed his wrist.

His wrist was solid, with warm body heat.

I looked up at him, choking up. "Matthew, tell me the truth. Do you think I'm really stupid? Fooled by William for three years, ending up with nothing—isn't it laughable?"

He stopped, turned around, and crouched in front of me at eye level. His gaze was so serious it made my heart race. "Not stupid. You're just too kind, too trusting of others."

I laughed bitterly, tears finally falling. "What good is kindness? Can kindness take me back to how things were? Can kindness make William come back? Can kindness stop people from bullying me?"

I cried while speaking in broken sentences. "I just wanted to live a good life, make money with my own skills, and end things peacefully with William. Why is it so hard? Why is everyone against me?"

Matthew didn't speak. He just silently handed me a tissue, then sat beside me, gently patting my back.

I don't know how long I cried. I felt tired, my tears dried up, and the alcohol hit me again. My head started feeling heavy.

I asked hazily, "Matthew, what do you... really want to do to me?"

He didn't answer right away. After a long while, I heard him say quietly, "I just want you to be okay, not hurt anymore."

"Be okay?" I lifted my head, looking at him through tear-blurred eyes. "How can I be okay? Away from the Brown family, I'm nothing. Looking for work, people make things difficult. Walking down the street, people point and whisper. I don't even have a place to hide."

He raised his hand and gently wiped the tears from my face, his movements impossibly gentle. "If you're willing, come work for me. The Brown Group has many subsidiaries. You can choose a position you like. No one will dare make things difficult for you, and no one will dare gossip."

I froze, as if I hadn't heard him clearly. "Work for you? Matthew, are you crazy?"

I suddenly pushed him away, saying defensively, "You want me to come to your company? So you can keep me under your nose to get revenge on me more easily? Or do you want to keep me as a pet, raise me by your side so you feel accomplished?"

"That's not what I meant." He looked at me, hurt in his eyes.

I laughed coldly, remembering how good William used to be to me before he betrayed me. "You men are all the same! William used to say he'd be good to me forever too. And what happened? He cheated behind my back! Now you're saying all these nice things—who knows what you're really planning?"

I got more agitated. "You and William are the same type. You both want to see me as a joke, see me down and out, right?

Let me tell you, I won't work at your company. I won't accept any more help from the Brown family."

He frowned at me. "Layla, I know you're biased against the Brown family right now, and you don't trust me. But I really want to help you."

I scoffed, tears falling again despite myself. "I can't handle your sincerity! William was sincere to me at first, too. And what happened? Can sincerity stop people from bullying me? Can sincerity make me forget all the hurt?"