Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Matilda's POV

I froze for a moment, instinctively checking myself. Even every strand of hair was clean. I could even smell the faint scent of body wash lingering on my skin.

So after we'd... someone had cleaned me thoroughly from head to toe? And in this room, there was only one person who could have done that.

Wellington!

This realization made my cheeks explode with heat, my heart pounding like a drum. How could he...

But now clearly wasn't the time to dwell on this. I forced myself to calm down, my gaze urgently sweeping the entire room.

My clothes were gone, but on the nightstand, a set of brand-new clothes was neatly folded. A cream-colored linen long-sleeved shirt, matching loose casual pants, and beside them, coordinated undergarments.

I picked them up with trembling hands. The sizes were shockingly perfect! Especially the underwear—it was like it had been custom-made.

How did Wellington know my measurements? The moment that question surfaced, images from last night's heated entanglement flooded my mind uncontrollably.

My whole body went rigid, my cheeks burning. Of course he knew...

Last night, he'd probably seen every inch of me from head to toe, touched every part. He probably knew exactly where every tiny mole was—what were measurements compared to that?

This realization made me so mortified I wanted to evaporate on the spot. I fumbled to grab the outfit and quickly got dressed.

The long sleeves and pants perfectly covered the suggestive marks left on my arms and neck, while the lightweight fabric wouldn't make me feel stifled in the summer heat.

This perfectly considerate gesture now felt like a double-edged sword, slicing back and forth through my rationality. Was this thoughtfulness, or was he trying to cover something up?

Once dressed, I immediately rushed to the bathroom and finished washing up as quickly as possible. After tidying myself, I took a deep breath, opened the door, and peeked out like a thief.

"Ms. Hamilton, you're awake?"

A cheerful voice suddenly came from beside me without warning, making me scream and cover my face, shrinking back. It was Rhys! Had he been waiting outside the door this whole time?

"Sorry, I startled you." Rhys said apologetically. "You don't need to feel embarrassed. Having some... rather uninhibited behavior after drinking is perfectly normal. It's human nature."

What?

I nearly fainted at those words. Rhys's emotional intelligence was really too high!

Sleeping with your direct boss while drunk—that was "uninhibited behavior"? He made it sound like I'd been plotting against Wellington all along!

"No, it's not like that! Rhys, you've got it wrong!" I covered my face, frantically explaining. "I'm not usually like this! I had too much to drink last night, I had no idea..."

"I know, I know." Rhys smoothly continued. "You're normally very quiet and reserved. But after drinking, people are always a bit different from usual. I understand."

He understood nothing!

I was so embarrassed I could've died, wishing I could dig a hole and bury myself. But more than embarrassment, I wanted to know Wellington's attitude—that was what would determine my fate going forward.

I took several deep breaths, forced myself to lower my hands from my face, and mustered the courage to ask, "Rhys... where's Mr. Learmond? Where did he go?"

"Mr. Learmond?" Rhys paused, raising his wrist to check his watch. "At this time, he should already be at the firm. But he instructed that you don't need to come in today."

My heart finally turned completely cold with those words. Sure enough... the consequences had arrived.

Don't need to come in. Was this Wellington's way of handling things? Silent dismissal, letting me leave on my own.

I lowered my eyes, hiding the moisture instantly welling up, and replied quietly, "I understand. I'll... I'll go to the firm now to pack my things. I won't cause Mr. Learmond any trouble."

Now it was Rhys's turn to freeze. He looked at me in confusion, his brow furrowing slightly. "Pack your things? Are you going back to get your computer? Mr. Learmond gave you sick leave, told you to rest well. Your foot injury hasn't healed, and you drank so much—you need to recover. You don't need to handle work online."

"Sick leave?" I jerked my head up, looking at him incredulously. "Not fired?"

"Fired?" Rhys's expression grew even stranger. "Why would he fire you? You just got drunk and missed one day of work. You can catch up on the progress later. Mr. Learmond is strict about work, sure, but not so harsh that he doesn't allow employees to have personal emotions or occasionally be off their game, right?"

I was completely stunned. Not fired? Just telling me to rest properly?

This didn't match at all how a boss should react after being drunkenly seduced by a subordinate!

"Did Mr. Learmond say anything else besides giving me leave?" I asked carefully.

Rhys thought for a moment and shook his head. "Nothing special. He just said to wait for you to wake up and safely take you back. Oh, wait..."

He seemed to suddenly remember something and added, "Mr. Learmond said this place is very safe. He asked me to tell you not to worry."

That was it?

Wellington had cleaned the room for me, prepared perfectly fitted clothes, given me leave, arranged for someone to drive me, and specifically emphasized the place was safe.

He'd handled everything thoroughly, even considerately. No interrogation, no punishment whatsoever. Just like that, everything smoothly resolved?

"Ms. Hamilton." Rhys suddenly leaned in closer, asking with a smile, "Do you remember that Mr. Learmond personally came to pick you up last night?"

My pupils contracted sharply as I stared at him wide-eyed. Seeing my reaction, Rhys smiled even more meaningfully and voluntarily explained, "You were really drunk last night and causing quite a scene at the bar. I tried several times to take you away, but you refused, clutching that bottle and wouldn't let go. I was out of options, afraid something would happen to you or that someone with bad intentions would target you, so I called Mr. Learmond."

"Mr. Learmond came very quickly. You were still making a fuss then, refusing to leave with anyone. Mr. Learmond was worried that being seen in that state would reflect badly on you, so he personally brought you here. This suite is one Mr. Learmond keeps on permanent reserve—absolutely private and secure. Mr. Learmond made it clear that nothing from last night would leak out in any way that could harm you."

"Oh, and Mr. Learmond had me drop you off at the hotel entrance, then sent me away. He only called me this morning to come pick you up."

He smiled and winked at me. "Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Learmond is so concerned about your situation that he didn't even trust me. He handled everything personally."

So even Rhys didn't know what happened last night?