Chapter 136
Sloane's face went white, her voice shaking with rage. "But you didn't tell me he was a domestic abuser!"
"You knew full well his previous wife died from abuse!"
At the mention of this, her eyes grew even more venomous.
She'd once looked forward to marrying abroad.
She'd seen photos of Orion Coleman—a classic blonde, blue-eyed heartthrob, tall and imposing, with a presence that didn't lose to Matthew.
Back then, both Marsha and Matthew's mother Emma had vehemently opposed her relationship with Matthew.
Her own family background wasn't impressive, so marrying into the Perkins family was basically hopeless.
When she suddenly learned her family had arranged an overseas marriage, and after seeing Orion's photos, she couldn't help being tempted.
But less than a month after marrying Orion, his true colors showed—he even broke one of her ribs.
She'd used surgery as an excuse to escape back home.
She'd wanted to talk to her parents about canceling the marriage, only to overhear them and her brother bragging about how Emma had bought them off.
She'd knelt crying before her parents, rolling up her sleeves to show them the scars.
They'd expressed sympathy on the surface but confiscated her phone.
Sawyer had locked her in the house and contacted Orion, who forcibly took her back.
She hated them. She hadn't even had a chance to contact Matthew and explain everything!
Thinking of this, the rage in Sloane's heart nearly erupted.
She struggled fiercely, but Ryder slapped her across the face.
"You've been back in the country for three years without a word!"
"I was willing to let bygones be bygones and be a family again. Don't be so ungrateful!"
He snatched Sloane's car keys. "I hate entitled, ungrateful women like you. I think I'll be driving this car instead!"
"What are you doing?" Sloane glared at him furiously. "I told you before—I've cut ties with you all!"
Ryder sneered. "Cut ties? You think you can just walk away?"
"Matthew probably doesn't know you left of your own free will, does he? If I told him..."
"Think he'd still see you through those rose-colored glasses?"
Sloane's face went even paler.
Seeing her reaction, Ryder knew he'd hit the mark.
Without another word, he called their parents over and got in the car.
"We're taking the car. Dad's sick and needs treatment money. Transfer a million dollars to me within a week. Otherwise, don't blame me for spilling everything!"
With that, he rolled up the window and drove off.
Sloane stood frozen, so angry she kicked over a parking bollard.
Damn it! Damn it all!
Why did she have to be related to these people?
It wasn't that she couldn't come up with a million dollars. But how could she swallow this humiliation?
Thinking of Matthew's attitude in the hospital room earlier, she bit her lip hard.
He'd already lost whatever feelings he had for her. If he found out she'd deceived him...
Sloane felt herself spiraling. She covered her face, crouched down, her shoulders shaking with suppressed, broken sobs.
At the same moment, same location.
Monica sat in a car not far away, hand clamped over her mouth, eyes wide as saucers.
Oh my god! She'd just come out for a drink—how had she stumbled onto such explosive information?
After her breakup with Caspian, Monica put on a cheerful front, but she'd been suffering from sleepless nights.
Her emotions constantly fluctuated.
This little bar had become her regular spot after work.
Usually she'd order a few drinks, drink until pleasantly buzzed, then call a driver to quietly take her home.
She never expected to witness this today!
She'd heard from Evelyn before that Sloane had been forced to marry abroad and was abused, which was why Matthew took such good care of her.
Monica had disapproved of Matthew's behavior but sympathized with Sloane.
But now she knew there was more to the story!
Normally, since Evelyn and Matthew no longer had any connection, this information wouldn't matter.
But... thinking of the bond between Chloe and Matthew, thinking of Matthew's persistent pursuit of Evelyn.
And the nagging feeling in her gut that those two wouldn't stay disconnected forever.
An idea formed in Monica's mind.
She opened her phone and quickly messaged Kate: [You there?]
It was daytime in Marigoldia. Kate replied almost immediately: [Mon, what's up? Why aren't you asleep yet?]
[Can you pull some surveillance footage for me? This bar, between 2 and 2:30. Save it and send it to me ASAP.]
Kate sent a surprised emoji: [Mon, what happened? Did you get into an argument with someone?]
[No, don't ask. Just send it to me as soon as possible.]
Kate muttered to himself, "If not an argument, then what?"
Late night, at a bar—could it be a romantic entanglement?
After all, Monica was so cute. He had no doubt about his theory!
But as long as Monica was okay, that's what mattered.
He quickly downloaded the footage and sent it to Monica.
Being a man of good character, since Monica told him not to ask, he didn't even watch it.
Seeing the video arrive in under ten minutes, Monica couldn't help but send Kate a transfer as thanks.
She glanced out the window again, confirming Sloane had left, before calling a driver to take her back to the villa.
To her surprise, the study light was still on.
"Eve, why are you still up?" Monica pushed open the study door to find, unsurprisingly, Evelyn at the desk typing away.
Evelyn looked up and paused her work. "Why are you still awake? Couldn't sleep, so you went drinking again?"
"Yeah." Monica gave an awkward laugh.
Nothing got past her Eve.
Evelyn knew Monica was heartbroken over Caspian—after all, over two years of feelings couldn't just be severed on command.
She didn't press the issue, just looked at Monica with sympathy in her eyes.
Monica was relieved not to be questioned further and quickly shared the gossip she'd overheard tonight.
After listening, Evelyn just nodded calmly.
She had no interest in Sloane's past or Matthew's romantic entanglements.
"Actually, whatever's going on with them doesn't concern us anymore." Evelyn smiled, her tone peaceful. "Right now, as long as you take care of yourself and Chloe and Caleb are doing well, that's all I need to feel at ease."
Monica nodded firmly.
They sat at the desk chatting for a while longer.
Monica suddenly sighed. "This feels just like college—the two of us pulling all-nighters before finals."
"I remember we'd always get hungry late at night, so we stocked up on Tongxin instant noodles. I really miss those days."
"It's been so long since I've had Tongxin noodles. I wonder if they still taste the same?"
Hearing this, Evelyn's gaze drifted.
She remembered those days too. Remembered the taste of those memories.
She suddenly jolted.
Right—memories!
These past few days revising the proposal, she'd been approaching it from her Wall Street perspective, but she'd overlooked something crucial—Dairy Haven Group was actually a longstanding domestic brand with deep history.
It didn't need to align with cutting-edge international trends. It just needed to stay true to its own character.
A whole new approach to the proposal suddenly crystallized in Evelyn's mind.
"Mon, having you is such a blessing!" Evelyn gave Monica a big hug.
Monica was hugged dizzy, but seeing Evelyn so happy, she couldn't help laughing too.