Chapter 42
This is how things work in these elite families, isn't it?
Some make the move, some hand over the weapon, some watch coldly from the sidelines, some take the fall at the end.
There are always people who stay on top, and always people who walk away unscathed.
And she wasn't even an outsider who got swept up in this. If not for that old lady's unexpected appearance, the one going down today would most likely have been her. They would have nailed her with charges of attempted harm, then disposed of her like garbage.
She suddenly felt deeply bored, even nauseated to the point of wanting to retch. She couldn't stay another moment.
She didn't want to watch anymore.
"Mr. Perkins." She spoke up. "This is your family matter. I won't be involved. With your methods, I'm sure you'll handle her appropriately. I have no concerns about that."
With that, she turned and walked out, her pace quick as if escaping something.
The corridor was quiet. Evelyn took a deep breath, her steps slowing.
Footsteps approached from ahead. Marigold walked toward her, pausing when she saw her, then revealing a perfectly calibrated smile.
"Miss Arden." She stopped in front of Evelyn. "How did things turn out inside?"
Evelyn looked at her. That face was exquisite, the smile appropriate, even her posture carried the elegance trained since childhood.
"Miss Quinn, if you want to know, go see for yourself."
Marigold smiled. "I'm guessing everything's been cleared up. Nine times out of ten, someone else arranged it. Nothing to do with you."
Evelyn said nothing.
Marigold took half a step forward, lowering her voice. "Miss Arden, honestly, I've always felt there's no need for things between us to be so tense." She paused. "You've been by Matthew's side for three years, taking care of him, staying with him. I know all of that. I'm not the kind of person who can't tolerate others."
Evelyn looked at her. "So?"
"So..." Marigold's smile deepened. "After we're married, I won't mistreat you. As long as you don't cross the line, whatever you want—money or influence—you'll have it."
Evelyn froze for a moment, then laughed and rolled her eyes hard.
"Miss Quinn." She said flatly. "Men are like toothbrushes. Ever seen anyone share a toothbrush with someone else?"
Marigold's smile froze on her face.
"Don't worry, I absolutely won't interfere with your marriage." Evelyn's voice was perfectly calm. "Whatever happens to him from now on has nothing to do with me." She paused. "Save your generosity for someone else."
With that, she sidestepped around Marigold and continued walking.
Marigold stood there, her expression turning sour.
Evelyn had only taken a few steps when urgent footsteps sounded behind her. Matthew caught up, grabbing her wrist.
"Evelyn."
She turned back, meeting his eyes.
"Let me take you home."
"No need."
Behind them, Marigold's voice rang out with a hint of urgency. "Matthew!"
Matthew turned to see Marigold standing there, the smile no longer holding on her face. "You promised me." Her voice wasn't loud. "In front of all those people, and now you're chasing after her?"
Matthew looked at her, his gaze indifferent. "I didn't ask you to come either. You can handle what's going on inside."
Marigold's expression shifted.
Matthew didn't look at her again, pulling Evelyn toward the exit. Marigold stood there, watching those two figures disappear at the end of the corridor. Her fingers slowly clenched, nails digging into her palms.
"Miss Quinn." Her assistant Eric approached, asking cautiously. "Should we go in?"
Marigold was silent for a few seconds. "Let's go." Her voice regained composure. "Inside... might be a bit awkward. I won't go in."
She pulled out her phone from her bag, quickly typed a few words, and sent them to Emma.
[Mrs. Perkins, something came up at home. I'm leaving first. I'll visit Marsha another day.]
Then she turned and walked out. Eric followed behind her.
When they reached the door, Marigold suddenly stopped. "Eric." She said. "At the nursing home today, I saw someone."
"Who?"
"Susan Gray."
Eric froze, his eyes widening. "Susan? The only woman in the global top ten richest people?"
Marigold nodded. "The Gray family's businesses span the globe—real estate, energy, investments. They have people in every sector." She paused. "Unfortunately, none of the younger generations have really distinguished themselves. I heard... she's looking for a successor."
Eric's eyes lit up. "Miss Quinn, are you thinking..."
"I've always wanted to connect with her." Marigold nodded. "I didn't expect her to come back. This is an opportunity." Her gaze deepened. "If I can get her support, my marriage with Matthew will be rock solid."
Eric's steps paused. He'd been with Marigold for ten years, watching her climb to where she was today. He knew her feelings for Matthew ran deeper than anyone suspected, but...
Eric lowered his head, his gaze darkening.
In the night, a black sedan slowly pulled away from the nursing home. Inside the car was quiet. Evelyn leaned back in her seat, head down, focused on her phone. Matthew sat beside her, head tilted, watching her.
He watched for a while before carefully speaking. "About what happened today..."
Evelyn didn't look up.
"I know you were wronged." He sighed, his voice somewhat muffled. "But... that's my mother. In the future, I won't let her have another chance to get near you."
Evelyn remained noncommittal, continuing to scroll through her phone.
Matthew watched her a while longer before he couldn't help asking, "What are you looking at? You're so absorbed."
"I'm hungry." Evelyn said. "Been busy all day, didn't even get one bite of those pastries. I'm looking for a restaurant."
Matthew paused. He made a sound of acknowledgment and told the driver, "Go to whatever restaurant she finds."
The driver nodded. Evelyn gave an address—a seafood restaurant in the west part of the city.
The restaurant wasn't large, with an old wooden sign hanging at the entrance reading 'Shrimp & Crab.' At this hour, there weren't many people. The lighting was warm, carrying a homey atmosphere.
Evelyn pushed open the car door and got out. Matthew followed behind her. Just as she reached the entrance, she froze.
A black commercial van was parked at the door. A blond man was crouched by the vehicle, checking a wheelchair up and down.
It was Susan and her group.
Evelyn hurried over. "Mrs. Gray?"
The old lady turned her head. Seeing her, her eyes immediately brightened. "What a coincidence!"
Evelyn smiled too. "What are you doing here?"
"Coming to eat." The old lady pointed at the wheelchair beside her. "But this useless thing—the wheel broke. Logan's trying to fix it."
Logan looked up and nodded at Evelyn.
Evelyn crouched down to examine the wheelchair. The wheel was stuck, the screws a bit loose. She smiled and said, "This'll probably take a while! Why don't Logan and I help you inside together, and we can all eat together?"