Chapter 47
Evelyn heard Matthew speaking through her drowsiness. Once she realized what he'd said, she jolted awake.
She was silent for a few seconds, then spoke, her voice flat. "I don't want to."
Matthew's brow furrowed. "Why not?"
Evelyn turned to face him. The bedroom was dim, only a sliver of light seeping through the curtain gap. His face was blurred in shadow, but those eyes were startlingly bright.
"Matthew," she said, "I won't let my child be born without legitimacy." She paused. "I don't want my child called a bastard. And I don't want my child growing up without a father around."
Matthew froze. He suddenly understood. There were indeed many wealthy families where children born outside marriage had extremely difficult upbringings, but... that wasn't his style, nor something he'd do to Evelyn.
Matthew held Evelyn closer, slowly speaking. "Eve, I told you—my marriage to Marigold is just a transaction."
Evelyn said nothing.
"Our child," he continued, "would be the sole heir to the Perkins family."
Evelyn looked at him. Matthew's eyes were bright, full of solemnity and certainty. Perhaps Matthew's sincerity in this moment was real, but... sincerity changes easily. How could she gamble her life and her child's future on one person's heart?
She smiled faintly. "Let's sleep." She turned over, her back to him again.
Matthew lay there, looking at the back of her head, suddenly feeling uneasy. Didn't she believe him? Or maybe she simply didn't want a child with him. Maybe... she'd always wanted to leave him.
He turned over, pulling her closer into his embrace. Evelyn didn't resist, her breathing steady. Matthew closed his eyes, but his mind kept racing.
If they had a child, would Evelyn hesitate when she wanted to leave? Once that thought emerged, it wouldn't go away.
In the darkness, Matthew silently made a decision.
The next morning, when Evelyn woke up, she found herself in a bear hug. Matthew's arm was wrapped around her waist, his whole body cocooning her tightly. She struggled a bit. Didn't budge. Struggled again.
"Awake?" His voice came from above her head, carrying the rasp of sleep.
"Let go. It's hot."
Matthew didn't let go. He tightened his arms, nuzzling the top of her head. "Sleep a bit more."
Evelyn ignored him and kept struggling. After a long effort, she finally extracted herself from his embrace. She got out of bed and walked into the bathroom without looking back.
Matthew lay in bed, listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom, the corners of his mouth curving up.
After Evelyn left before him again, he got up. He walked to the nightstand and pulled open the drawer. Inside were several boxes of condoms, neatly arranged.
Without hesitation, he threw them all in the trash. Then he went through every drawer in the house—bedroom, bathroom, the study's backup supply. All of it went into the trash.
He looked at the empty drawers, his smile growing wider. As long as he worked hard, it would happen eventually.
When Evelyn arrived at the company, Thomas was already waiting at reception. "Ms. Arden," he said with a mysterious smile, "Mr. Perkins has arranged a new office for you. Let me show you."
Evelyn paused, then followed him to the top floor, stopping in front of a door. When he pushed it open, she froze.
Floor-to-ceiling windows, a spacious desk—the area was more than ten times larger than her previous workspace. But that wasn't the point. The point was that wall.
The wall shared with the CEO's office had a door and a huge glass window. Through the glass, she could see Matthew's desk.
Evelyn felt utterly speechless and couldn't help rolling her eyes.
Thomas said with a grin, "Miss Arden, take your time getting familiar. Call me if you need anything." With that, pretending not to notice her expression, he quickly left.
Evelyn stood in front of the glass window, looking at the office across from her, and took a deep breath. Matthew. You did this on purpose, didn't you?
When Matthew arrived at the company, the first thing he did was look next door. Evelyn was already sitting inside, typing on her computer. She wore a navy blue blouse, her hair pulled up, revealing a lovely nape.
He watched for a few seconds, in a good mood, then pushed open the connecting door and walked straight into her office.
Evelyn looked up at him. "Mr. Perkins, what is it?"
Matthew sat down across from her. "There's something I didn't have time to tell you before. After the VP appointment is announced, I want you to take full control of Limbo."
Evelyn froze. Limbo Inc. was a subsidiary of the Perkins Group. But unlike other subsidiaries, Matthew had founded it with 100% of his own investment when he was young, completely independent of the Perkins family.
Managing Limbo Inc. meant basically not having to deal with those Perkins family people, being able to make independent decisions. He was giving her... freedom?
Evelyn looked at him. Those eyes held only an earnestness she couldn't quite understand.
"Why?" she asked.
Matthew didn't answer, only saying, "You're the VP. You have that authority."
Evelyn nodded, feeling a warmth in her chest.
At the same time, at City A's largest auction house, Susan sat in the VIP section, her gaze sweeping over the displayed items. Diamonds, antique paintings, a dazzling array—yet none could hold her attention for long.
"All ordinary things," she said quietly to Logan beside her. Logan nodded.
Just then, a familiar voice came from nearby. "Mrs. Gray? What a coincidence!" Susan turned her head. Marigold stood there with an appropriate smile, pointing to the seat beside her. "Such luck—I'm sitting right next to you."
Susan gave a slight nod. Marigold sat down beside her.
"Mrs. Gray, what are you bidding on today?" she asked.
"Looking for a jewelry set. Nothing too flashy, something for everyday wear."
"Don't worry," Marigold smiled mysteriously. "I'm sure there'll be something that satisfies you today."
Susan glanced at her and couldn't help smiling. "I'll take your word for it."
Marigold's eyes brightened. She thought about how she'd learned Susan would attend this auction and had Eric go to great lengths to secure this seat. She'd even put her privately collected jewelry into this auction, all to connect with Susan.
Now... everything was going according to plan. Marigold smiled as she settled into her seat.
Susan said quietly to Logan, "I hope we can win something good today. Otherwise, I don't know what to give her as a proper meeting gift."
The auction hall was noisy. Marigold only faintly caught the words "her" and "meeting gift." She paused.
This jewelry set—it wasn't for Susan herself? Her gaze at Susan filled with more curiosity. Someone Susan would personally come to bid on a gift for must be no ordinary person.