Chapter 130 The First Round
Charles hadn't left yet. He stayed behind to keep his mother company.
In the living room, Amelia downed a glass of red wine in one gulp. "Matilda's birth mother and stepfather—get rid of them for me."
"Already sent someone to deal with it. They'll be out of Phoenix City soon enough," Charles replied. He'd give them a substantial sum, have them sign an agreement severing all ties with Matilda, then send them abroad. He'd even arrange jobs for them there—enough to guarantee they'd never want for anything for the rest of their lives. The online posts would be scrubbed clean too. No media outlet would dare publish gossip about their family. Everything else would have to wait until things settled down.
Amelia nodded and leaned back against the sofa, her head throbbing again. Charles immediately went over to massage her temples.
"What about Zoey?" she asked, eyes closed.
"Not sure. She probably went home."
"What do you think of her?" Amelia asked. She'd ruined Amelia's plans today—surely she was already on the blacklist.
"Don't really have much of an opinion." He just thought she was like an adorable chipmunk.
"Actually, I think Zoey's a wonderful girl. She'd make the perfect wife."
Charles didn't get it. "She messed up your plans today and you still think she's great?"
Amelia kept her eyes closed. "You wouldn't understand. I've only given birth to two sons in my life, but I've always wanted a daughter. Zoey fulfills every fantasy I had about having one—she's kind, sweet, adorable, and every now and then she gets into a little trouble standing up for what's right, just waiting for the grown-ups to clean up after her. Don't you dare hold this against Zoey. When you have time, deliver a gift to her for me. Tell her I'm not upset with her."
Just as Amelia said this, Matilda happened to reach the landing on the stairs. She'd heard every word. A faint smile tugged at her lips.
See? Once someone likes you, even your mistakes look endearing to them.
Charles spotted Matilda too, but he didn't greet her. He just let her listen.
"Mom, Matty's not bad either."
"Her? Didn't you see how angry she made me? I nearly died of rage today."
"But Matty didn't do anything wrong. Besides, I've heard that most parents have nearly been driven to their graves by their children at some point. Matty actually fits the bill for being a daughter."
"She's too calculating. After today, everyone knows she's Wentworth's wife. Even if I don't want to acknowledge it, I have to. I can't force her to divorce him—I couldn't drive her away before, and now it'll be even harder."
"Mom, if having her around bothers you, just let her go back to Sunshine Gardens. You'll be comfortable on your own, and she'll be comfortable too."
"It's up to her. If she wants to go back, she can go. If she wants to stay here, she can stay. I'm old—I can't fight her anymore."
Charles glanced toward the staircase. Matilda had already turned and headed upstairs to pack her things.
...
In this first round of their battle, Matilda had won—at least for now. She could go back to Sunshine Gardens, back to the cozy home she shared with Wentworth.
The day she returned, she bounced around the house with excitement, then jumped several feet high on Wentworth's bed. The house might not be as big as the Gonzaga family estate, but the air here felt fresh and free.
Living on her own was absolutely glorious.
...
Zoey was sprawled on the king-sized bed in her room, binge-watching a drama, when the family's housekeeper hurried over. "Zoey, Mr. Gonzaga is here."
Zoey looked up, confused. "Which Mr. Gonzaga?" The one from the show?
"Charles! Mr. Turner sent me to let you know. He's here to see you."
"What?" Zoey shot up from the bed like a rocket and bolted toward the door at lightning speed.
"Zoey, your clothes..." The housekeeper was about to remind her she hadn't changed yet when Zoey came flying back.
"I need to change into something sexier." Zoey remembered that Charles liked sexy. In her understanding, sexy meant showing skin. She changed into a low-cut top, but then worried Charles might think she was showing too much, so she threw a cardigan over it.
After changing, she was about to head out, but when she reached the door, she turned right back around. No way—she hadn't put on makeup yet.
The housekeeper offered, "You know, you look beautiful without makeup too."
"No way. I need to show him my absolute best." But a full glam look would take at least an hour, and Charles was waiting downstairs. She only had time to dab on some BB cream and swipe on some lipstick. She didn't want to keep Charles waiting too long.
Lipstick applied, she rushed downstairs to find Charles sitting in the living room, with her parents hovering around him cautiously.
"Charles, did you come to see me?" Zoey asked excitedly.
Seeing Zoey looking so eager, Mr. Turner couldn't help but feel embarrassed. What kind of girl threw herself at a man like this?
Charles just gave Zoey a slight nod.
"Charles, how is Mrs. Gonzaga doing?"
"She's fine."
"How's Matilda?"
"She moved back to Sunshine Gardens."
"And... how are you?" Zoey was grasping for conversation.
Charles just answered everything at once. "Everyone's fine."
"Haha, that's good then." Zoey turned to her parents. "Mom, Dad, Charles is here to see me. Could you guys give us some privacy?"
Mr. Turner fell silent.
Mrs. Turner grabbed her husband's arm. "Oh! I just remembered—we need to visit a relative today. Honey, come upstairs with me so we can get ready."
Mr. Turner was sharp enough to understand his wife's hint. Without a word, he followed her upstairs. Once they were out of earshot, he asked, "Do you really think this is a good idea? Mr. Gonzaga clearly isn't interested in our daughter."
"I know that, but our daughter likes him. So we should at least create opportunities for her, right? We'll give her the conditions—whether she can win him over in the end is up to her own skills. Besides, this kind of thing isn't something you can just lecture her about, is it?"
Mr. Turner let out a sigh.
...
Now only Charles and Zoey remained in the living room. Zoey kept staring at Charles, grinning like an idiot.
"Charles, you don't have to go to the office today?"
"I'm not back until the day after tomorrow."
"Did Mrs. Gonzaga blame me for what happened that day? My dad analyzed the situation and said I might've offended her. I've been worried sick for two days." Zoey put on an anxious expression.
In reality, she didn't think she'd done anything wrong. She'd spent the whole time since then binge-watching dramas.
"My mother doesn't blame you. In fact, she praised you for what you did."
"Really?" Zoey didn't believe it.
Charles pulled out a box. "This is from my mother. She says she's sorry you had to witness that scene the other day."
Zoey quickly opened the box. Inside was a ruby necklace. "This is so expensive?" As a socialite, she knew quality when she saw it.
Her father had clearly said she'd offended them, but now they were turning around and giving her gifts. Could this be some kind of scheme? She really didn't understand all those twisted plots and schemes wealthy people came up with.
"Charles, I can't accept this gift."