Chapter 88 Sent an Insider
"Just short of literally pouncing on me, and—wipe the drool from your mouth."
"There's no drool!" Zoey reflexively swallowed. To wipe it, she'd have to let go of his hands, but they were dancing right now.
"Mr. Gonzaga, I heard you don't have a girlfriend yet? Why not? You're thirty-six—why haven't you found someone?"
Charles said calmly, "For someone so young, you sure love prying into other people's business."
She replied, "My dad says humans are naturally curious, and there's nothing wrong with admitting you like gossip."
"Your dad certainly does love gossiping about others." Charles knew Sawyer well—when Matilda was being pursued back in Brookford City, Sawyer had been the one spreading the news.
Zoey blinked and smiled again. "My dad also said the real purpose of today's party is actually to set you up on blind dates. Have you taken a liking to anyone?"
"No." Charles's response was immediate.
"So what do you think of me?" Zoey's smile made her eyes crinkle.
Charles glanced at her and said coolly, "Not much."
"Then what type do you like?"
"Are you even of legal age?"
"Of course I am! I'm old enough to get married."
"You're too young."
"I'm not that young—I'm a C-cup." Zoey looked confident about this revelation.
Charles glanced down and caught sight of the curves revealed by her neckline.
He immediately released her hands. "I have no interest in wet-behind-the-ears little girls like you."
"Could we at least follow each other on Instagram?" Zoey asked tentatively.
"There's no need."
He let go of her and returned to the other side of the dance floor.
Zoey's spirits instantly deflated.
Her entire performance had been witnessed by Sawyer, who was standing nearby. He shook his head helplessly.
Privately, they all considered Charles a man with virtually no emotional desires—he had no interest in women. Over the years, countless beautiful and well-connected women had pursued him, and he'd rejected them all.
His daughter was completely overreaching.
On the drive home, Zoey slumped in the passenger seat, looking utterly dejected.
"Dad, I think I just got my heart broken."
"You like Mr. Gonzaga?"
"He thinks I'm too young and won't even add me on Instagram."
"I don't think you two are compatible either. He won't fall for you."
"Dad, what kind of thing is that to say? Am I that terrible?"
"Your energies just don't match." Sawyer felt it was good to deflate his daughter's ego a bit to keep her from reaching too high.
He was even thinking—if his daughter really married Charles, wouldn't that make him Charles's father-in-law? How could such good fortune possibly fall to him? Besides, if he really became Charles's father-in-law... forget it.
Charles would probably seem more like the father-in-law while he'd be like the junior son-in-law. Better to let Zoey find someone from a compatible background and have a son-in-law who'd dote on him.
Zoey continued, "Dad, I'm heartbroken. I want to get away and clear my head."
"Alright, where do you want to go? I'll have my secretary book you a flight."
Zoey said, "I want to visit Matilda."
Sawyer paused but said nothing more.
And Zoey really went.
She took three connecting flights, booked a local Uber, and spent an entire day traveling, finally appearing before Matilda.
It was the fourth day after Christmas.
Matilda was on duty at the town clinic and froze when she saw Zoey, thinking she'd mistaken her for someone else.
"Zoey? Why are you here?"
Zoey said excitedly, "I followed the location you shared!"
"I'm asking why you came here!"
Zoey laughed. "I got my heart broken, so I'm here to heal. Matilda, you have to take me in—I'm so pitiful."
"You got your heart broken again? Which guy was that blind?"
Zoey sighed but didn't dare tell Matilda that she'd actually been hoping to become her sister-in-law. How cool would it be if she really became Matilda's sister-in-law!
The clinic had no spare rooms, so Matilda could only arrange for Zoey to stay at the town inn.
It was Matilda's first time at that inn. The room was spartan, with gray-tinged walls and sheets that looked rather worn. Worried Zoey wouldn't be comfortable, Matilda went out and bought her a new comforter.
Fortunately, Zoey wasn't too picky—if it had been Charles, he definitely would have chartered a plane out that very night.
After getting her settled, Matilda took Zoey to eat at the town restaurant.
As soon as they entered, they saw Wentworth with Danny and the others.
Zoey was immediately shocked, pointing at Wentworth. "You... you..."
She never expected to see Wentworth here.
Weren't they divorced? Had they just moved somewhere else to continue living together?
Seeing that Zoey knew both Wentworth and Matilda, and noticing her fair complexion and polished appearance, everyone realized she must be from Phoenix City.
Danny invited them over. "Haven't eaten yet? Come sit with us."
Zoey walked right over and plopped down.
She still looked at Wentworth in amazement. "Mr. Gonzaga, so you're stationed here?"
Wentworth nodded.
"So you and Matilda... got back together?"
Wentworth glanced at Matilda. "Ask Matilda."
Zoey turned to look at Matilda.
Matilda just smiled faintly. She suddenly felt like one of those scumbags who drags people along without breaking up—neither fully committing nor completely cutting ties.
During the meal, Zoey secretly snapped a photo of Wentworth and another of Matilda.
The dinner was pleasant enough. Zoey knew how to lighten the mood and proactively asked about military life, while Danny and Rick were enthusiastic, telling her everything they were allowed to share. Zoey listened with gasps of amazement.
After dinner, just as Zoey was about to leave, Wentworth approached her. "Hand over your phone."
"What phone?" Zoey felt guilty, knowing Wentworth must have noticed her secret photography, but she played dumb.
Wentworth said nothing, just extended his hand. Under his imposing presence, Zoey had no choice but to hand over her phone.
However, Wentworth didn't take it, only asking, "What are you planning to do with the photos of me?"
"Nothing really, just..." Zoey blushed slightly. "I wanted to show your brother."
"You know him?"
"We met at your house on Boxing Day. I'm... interested in him." Zoey smiled until her eyes crinkled. "I want to be your sister-in-law."
Wentworth didn't make her delete the photos, only saying, "You can show my brother, but no one else, or you'll face the consequences."
Back at the inn, Zoey first asked Sawyer for Charles's phone number.
She wanted to add him on Messenger, but when she entered the number, no account came up.
So she sent a picture message with Wentworth's photo: [Charles, this is Zoey Turner, the girl who untied Dumb's leash the other day. I'm at the border and ran into your brother. Tell me this isn't fate!]
No reply came.
Charles had seen it, but he already knew Wentworth was at the border—why did he need to learn this through Zoey?
Zoey waited for a response but felt disappointed when none came.
That afternoon, while resting in Matilda's room, she suddenly noticed a water bottle on the desk with a clear "W" engraved on it.
Wentworth's?
Zoey thought about it—Matilda had clearly said they were divorced, but she was living in the same place as Wentworth without clearly stating they'd gotten back together. Could they be on the path to reconciliation?
She photographed the water bottle and sent it to Charles: [Found this in Matilda's room.]
Surprisingly, Charles texted back: [How are things between them now?]
Zoey replied: [I feel like they both still like each other, but Matilda doesn't have the courage to take that step.]
After sending the message, she saw someone requesting to add her on Messenger—Charles Gonzaga.
Zoey immediately accepted.
Charles sent a message: [Regarding their situation, you can share any updates with me, but you cannot tell a second person about this.]
Zoey replied: [I understand.]
In Phoenix City, Charles forwarded the photo to Wentworth: [I hear Matty has been treasuring your things.]
Wentworth didn't see the message until that evening.
He stared at the photo for a long time, thinking: 'I never expected Matty to care about me this much.'