Chapter 68
On the other side, Matthew sat in the living room of the Gray Villa.
Susan leaned back on the sofa, her face still somewhat haggard. Alice's death had hit her hard.
"I won't make small talk," she glanced at Matthew. "Go ahead. What is it?"
Matthew told her about Evelyn's kidnapping.
When Susan finished listening, her expression changed.
"Jack, that scumbag!" She slammed the table in anger. "He got what he deserved!"
Susan calmed her breathing and turned to look at him. "You didn't come just to tell me this, did you?"
Matthew nodded. "I want to ask you a favor."
He paused. "I need to deal with the engagement next. There will be significant changes. With Eve by my side, she'll easily become a target."
Susan raised an eyebrow at him. "You want to send her to me?"
"Yes." Matthew said. "Once everything is settled, I'll bring her back."
Susan looked at him, her eyes complex.
Was this still the future heir of the Perkins family who had always put profits first?
For Evelyn's sake, he was going to break off his engagement with the Quinn family, and even hide her away for protection?
She was silent for a few seconds.
"Have you thought this through?" she asked. "Breaking off an engagement is no small matter."
Matthew nodded.
Susan sighed. "Alright. I agree."
Matthew stood up and bowed to her. "Thank you."
Susan waved her hand. "Go on. I'll protect that girl."
Matthew turned and left.
Susan sat there, watching his retreating figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
This young man seemed serious.
But would these wealthy families really marry in a woman with no background?
Especially Matthew's mother—she was no pushover...
She shook her head. Who could say what the future held?
After visiting Susan, Matthew thought for a moment, then called Thomas and gave him some instructions.
After hanging up, he drove to the nursing home.
From a distance, he saw Evelyn.
She was pushing a wheelchair with Linda sitting in it.
The two of them walked slowly by the lake, sunlight falling on them, creating a quiet and warm scene.
He parked the car and stood at the entrance, watching for a while.
Then he walked in.
Evelyn was talking to her mother when she suddenly sensed someone behind her. She turned around and froze. "How did you get here?"
"I came to see you." He said, his gaze then shifting to the woman in the wheelchair.
Evelyn felt a little nervous.
This was Matthew's first time meeting Linda. Although Linda didn't really recognize people now, she still felt inexplicably anxious.
"My mom... she's doing a bit better than before..." she began. "But she still doesn't really recognize people. She doesn't respond much when you talk to her. You can... try saying hello."
Matthew nodded.
He walked to the wheelchair, crouched down, and looked directly at the woman.
"Hello." He spoke, his voice very solemn. "I'm Evelyn's boyfriend."
"I'll take good care of her from now on. Please don't worry."
Evelyn froze.
Boyfriend? He just naturally said he was her boyfriend.
She looked at his back as he crouched on the ground, warmth she couldn't quite describe welling up in her heart.
Linda had no reaction, still gazing into the distance.
Matthew didn't mind. He stood up and walked to Evelyn's side. "Let's go. I'll walk with you both."
The three of them walked slowly along the lake.
The sunlight was beautiful, the lake surface shimmering. Occasionally the wind blew, tousling Evelyn's hair, and Matthew reached out to tuck it behind her ear.
Monica came out of the restroom and saw this scene from afar.
Her eyes lit up. She quietly pulled out her phone and took several photos.
She muttered softly, "A perfect match. They look so good together."
When it was time for Linda's massage, Evelyn brought Linda to Penny's side.
She and Matthew sat on a bench at the nursing home for a while.
Matthew looked at her, silent for a few seconds.
"Eve," he began. "I need to handle the Quinn family matter next, so I might not be able to look after you. I want you to stay with Mrs. Gray for a while."
Evelyn looked at him.
"Once I've settled everything, I'll bring you back." He paused, then suddenly turned to face her with a serious expression. "Eve, once I've taken care of everything, will you marry me?"
Evelyn was stunned.
She'd thought of many possibilities, but never expected to hear these words from him.
"You..." She opened her mouth. "But what about Marigold..."
"I'll cancel the engagement." He said. "That's exactly what I'm going to deal with."
"If you go to Mrs. Gray's place, no one will dare touch you. I'll be at ease too."
Evelyn looked at him.
His eyes were so serious, so sincere.
She suddenly thought of everything from these past days.
She thought of how he looked clumsily cooking, how he looked crouching on the ground massaging her calves.
She thought of how he held her and said he would never let her get hurt again.
She thought of how he rushed in when she was in the greatest danger.
She thought of him saying, "Only when I lost you did I realize how important you are to me."
Her eyes grew hot.
"Okay." She said.
Matthew smiled.
He pulled her into his arms. "Little fool, why are you spacing out?"
Evelyn said nothing, just buried her face in his chest.
On the way back, Monica sat in the back seat, feeling like a third wheel.
Matthew dropped her off at home first.
Before getting out, Monica winked at Evelyn. "Enjoy your alone time!"
Evelyn's face flushed.
Back at the apartment, after they both showered, they lay down in bed.
Matthew held her from behind. Evelyn leaned in his embrace, feeling his body temperature, never having felt so at peace.
Early the next morning, Matthew brought Evelyn to Susan's residence.
Susan was already waiting at the door. Seeing Evelyn, she took her hand. "How are you? Are you alright?"
Evelyn smiled. "I'm fine, Mrs. Gray. Don't worry."
Susan patted her hand. "I'm planning to return to Seaside City."
"Alice's last wish," she said, "was for me to scatter her ashes on the seaside of her hometown."
"On this trip, I also heard some news. I need to find mine and Alice's granddaughter."
"Seaside City is your hometown. Come back with me."
Evelyn froze. "Granddaughter?"
Susan nodded and briefly explained what had happened with the will that day.
"Emily had another daughter." She said. "She's also my granddaughter."
Evelyn's heart ached. Life was so unpredictable.
If that girl knew about her background, she would probably have very complicated feelings too.
The plane landed in Seaside City.
The climate in Seaside City was warm and humid, the air carrying a faint salty scent.
Susan arranged their accommodation and said to Evelyn, "You can go do your own things. You don't need to stay with me all the time."
"I'll have bodyguards follow you. It's safer, and I'll feel more at ease."
Evelyn nodded. She had planned to return to the Arden Villa anyway.
She had always remembered what Linda said.
What would be hidden in Linda's diary?