Chapter 121 No Pushover
Jessica glanced at Amelia, noticed her sour expression, and couldn't resist needling Matilda. "Wow, you sure spent your husband's money without blinking."
Matilda laughed. "You just said Wentworth is my husband. Isn't spending my husband's money the most natural thing in the world?"
Just then, her phone rang. Wentworth.
He'd just returned from a mission, and the moment he powered on his phone, he saw the transaction alert. His card had been used in Phoenix City—which meant Matilda was using it. His wife had finally used his card! He was thrilled.
"Babe, you're back in Phoenix City?"
"Yeah, I'm having dinner with Mom and your cousin right now." Matilda switched to speakerphone. "Say hi to them."
At first, Wentworth didn't register which mom and which cousin she meant. He wondered if things had somehow improved between Matilda and Brianna.
Fortunately, Jessica spoke first. "Wentworth, where are you right now?"
Wentworth recognized Jessica's voice immediately. This cousin used to love staying at their house when she was little—incredibly loud and impossible to forget.
"I'm away. You guys are having dinner with Matty?"
"Yeah, she's treating us. Though she's using your card." Jessica's tone held distinct displeasure.
"I gave her that card when we got married, but she's never used it before. Now that she has, I'm honored. I'm grateful she thinks of me as her husband."
"Whatever. I'm done. You can talk to Auntie." Jessica passed the phone to Amelia, who took Matilda's phone with a cool tone. "Where are you on assignment?"
"Mom, that's classified."
"You're not hurt, are you?"
"Of course not."
"Good."
Amelia didn't mention Matilda, so Wentworth had to ask. "Mom, what a coincidence that you're having dinner with Matty today."
Amelia glanced at Matilda. "You insisted on marrying her, and I can't break you two up. I've decided to accept her. I've had her move back home."
"Back to the Gonzaga Estate?"
"Yes."
Wentworth immediately smelled trouble. His mother was no pushover—bringing Matilda there guaranteed grief. But he couldn't say that directly. "Mom, Matty's used to living independently. I'm worried she'll be a burden. Maybe she should stay at Sunshine Gardens instead?"
"That won't do. The house is huge—even living together, you won't run into each other constantly. Besides, it's safer there. Are you coming home for the holidays this year?"
"Can't make it back for now."
"Well, take care of yourself out there. Alright, we've finished eating, and your cousin just got back from England—she needs to rest. I'm hanging up now." She handed the phone back to Matilda.
Matilda took it and told Wentworth, "I'm driving your cousin and Mom home. I'll call you later."
"The driver didn't take you guys?" Wentworth asked.
"The driver went home. Anyway, gotta go." Matilda hung up.
Something felt off to Wentworth, so he immediately called Charles. When Charles heard the situation, his brow furrowed. "Mom won't let me stay there, so I can't really help Matty. But don't worry—your wife's no pushover either. I know everything that's going on at the estate. Right now there's basically a cold war happening. Mom and your wife were already at each other's throats, and now with Jessica thrown into the mix, it's an even bigger headache."
Wentworth panicked. "Then my wife's definitely going to suffer!"
"Not necessarily. Why do you think Mom called Jessica back? Because she couldn't beat your wife on her own. Sure, Matty seems all soft and delicate on the surface, but she's got a backbone. Who wins is anybody's guess."
That eased Wentworth's mind somewhat.
After dropping everyone off at home, Matilda returned to her room and called Wentworth back. He was still worried. "Matty, is my mom giving you a hard time?"
Matilda fired back, "What do you think?"
"She definitely is. My mom's incredibly domineering, but she's not fundamentally a bad person. That said, you don't need to put up with her either."
Matilda was blunt. "I'm not putting up with anything. However she treats me, I treat her the same way. Just because she's an elder doesn't mean I have to take her crap."
"You're right."
Respect was mutual—he understood that perfectly.
"Matty, if you don't like living at the Gonzaga Estate, just move back."
"No way. I made bank the day before yesterday, all thanks to your mom. If I move back, I'll lose these money-making opportunities." She told him about the bridge game.
Wentworth didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Just as his brother predicted, his wife was no pushover.
"Just be careful. If anything upsets you, you have to tell me."
"I will. And you stay safe out there." Matilda had basically figured out what Wentworth did for a living. She wouldn't pry—she just hoped he'd stay safe.
The two exchanged more sweet nothings before hanging up.
That evening, Matilda was absorbed in a book when Cathy knocked on her door. "Matilda, Mrs. Gonzaga asked me to inform you—it's time to make dinner."
A wave of irritation washed over Matilda. She was used to living alone, cooking when she felt like it, eating out when she didn't. Now at the Gonzaga Estate, she was expected to cook for them? Absolutely ridiculous. Not happening.
She lay back down and kept reading.
Half an hour later, Cathy returned. "Mrs. Gonzaga is getting angry. Jessica has traveled all this way—as the daughter-in-law, you should be hospitable. Hiding in your room isn't how a proper hostess behaves."
Matilda was fuming. She was still stuffed from that massive lunch—she could easily skip dinner and just have a late-night snack if she got hungry. Amelia and Jessica were so obsessed with maintaining their figures—they probably wouldn't eat much dinner anyway.
Fine. If they wanted to eat, she'd cook.
She headed downstairs to find Amelia and Jessica cuddled up together, watching TV and chatting. Seeing her, Jessica piped up, "Matilda, hurry up and make dinner already. I'm starving to death."
Matilda kept her emotions in check. "Just give me a few minutes."
She walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. She pulled out a fish and a chunk of pork, defrosted them in the microwave, and threw them straight into a pot.
Whatever. As long as it's cooked, right?
After simmering for about ten minutes, she tossed in some onions, carrots, a few black mushrooms, and a handful of pasta. When it was done, she divided everything—fish, meat, onions and carrots, pasta—into separate dishes. At first glance, it looked like four dishes!
She'd learned this on TikTok: one-pot, four-course meal.
After plating everything, she carried it out and called toward the living room, "Dinner's ready!"