Chapter 234: Owed a Kiss

Chapter 234: Owed a Kiss

"Nova, I've been more than clear. Do you really have to push it this far?"

It was Matthew.

Elizabeth turned around, her expression calm as she stood beside him, showing no signs of anger from the recent events.

Matthew naturally took her hand, their fingers interlocking.

Nova glanced down and noticed the ring on Elizabeth's middle finger. It was obvious who had given it to her.

The sight was a dagger to Nova's heart, and she couldn't hold back her anger any longer.

"Just tell me one thing, what does Elizabeth have that I don't? I've been by your side for years, and you never even noticed me. Why her?"

After all this time, Nova still couldn't understand.

She didn't think she had lost in any way, which made it all the more frustrating.

Matthew, unfazed by Nova's outburst, seemed accustomed to it. He calmly turned to Elizabeth and explained.

"Don't believe anything she said. Nova is just an orphan with no ties to the Ramirez family in Silvermist City. She doesn't know Colt at all."

"My mom respects my choices and would never say those things."

Elizabeth had already suspected as much, so she believed Matthew.

"Okay, I trust you."

Elizabeth finally understood that it was Nova who had been clinging on all along. Matthew was practically a victim of her persistence.

Being harassed by someone like Nova was truly unfortunate for Matthew.

The two exchanged a look, which to Nova seemed almost like flirting.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldn't bear to watch any longer. She turned and walked away, deliberately slowing her pace for a few seconds.

When she realized Matthew wasn't coming after her, she broke into a run.

Nova thought to herself, 'Everything has changed. My Matthew now belongs to someone else.'

As Nova left decisively, Elizabeth felt a sense of relief.

Being entangled with someone like Nova was unpleasant, and her words were disgusting.

Still, Elizabeth wanted to confirm one thing with Matthew.

"Nova's last name is Ramirez. Are you sure she has no connection to the Ramirez family?"

Matthew nodded confidently.

"Absolutely none. Nova wasn't even from Silvermist City. Ramirez is a common last name; it's just a coincidence."

"She's changed completely, and almost everything she says is a lie. Don't believe a word of it."

Elizabeth felt a wave of relief and pulled him upstairs.

"Then I'm not worried."

With Henry's situation resolved, they were ready to leave. Elizabeth's luggage was still in the assistant's car, waiting to be unpacked.

Matthew had been holding onto a small thought, too shy to voice it until now.

Noticing Elizabeth was looking for a place to settle, Matthew finally spoke up.

"You're new here and probably don't have a place to stay. Why not crash at my place?"

"I've got a small villa downtown. I think you'll dig the decor."

Elizabeth had just found an address on her phone and was taken aback by Matthew's offer.

"But Henry already set up a duplex apartment for me. He showed me the place, and it's nice, close to the lab."

Matthew had been hopeful, but hearing Elizabeth's response, he sighed.

"Alright, I won't push. I'll send you the address. You can come over anytime you want."

Elizabeth sensed his disappointment.

She thought for a moment, then, after getting in the car, she buckled his seatbelt and leaned in to plant a kiss on his cheek.

Matthew was pleasantly surprised and wanted to kiss her back, but Elizabeth dodged.

"Not now. Let's get home first. Once I unpack and take a shower, you can kiss me all you want in bed."

Matthew's mood lifted instantly, a smile spreading across his face.

He hadn't told Elizabeth that he had gone downstairs earlier to buy something from the store, something they might need later.

Henry's arranged duplex apartment was much nicer than Matthew's place, with a great location and elegant furnishings.

As Elizabeth entered, the cream-colored curtains by the floor-to-ceiling windows automatically opened, letting in the midday sun and filling the room with warm light.

She opened the window, and a cool breeze swept in, washing away her morning fatigue.

The assistant had already brought in her luggage and some essentials, then left.

With the door closed, it was just the two of them.

Everything was ready. Matthew changed into slippers and, like inspecting his territory, looked around before wrapping his arms around Elizabeth from behind.

"It's all pretty nice, except the bed is upstairs. After we make love, it won't be convenient to come down for a shower."

Elizabeth blushed, realizing what Matthew was implying, and playfully punched his chest.

"It's still broad daylight. Can you not talk about such private matters?"

Matthew pointed innocently at the stairs, his expression serious.

"I'm just stating the truth. The stairs are narrow. If we go at it too hard and your legs give out, it won't be easy to carry you down."

Elizabeth's face turned even redder as she broke free from his embrace.

She hadn't expected Matthew to become so bold, saying such things so openly!

But Matthew followed her, looking at her intently.

"You still owe me a kiss. When do you plan to pay up?"