Chapter 142 I'll Give You a Villa
Wentworth couldn't take it anymore. "Mom, don't say that. Matty and I got married without any kind of ceremony—she basically had a bare-bones wedding with me. How would she know about all this?"
Amelia said, "Well, whose fault is that for not giving anyone a heads-up?"
Wentworth didn't want to fight with his mother. He turned to Matilda. "Matty, let's go walk the dog. We'll be doing my brother a favor."
"Sure." Matilda agreed.
...
Wentworth deliberately took his time walking the dog with Matilda, treating it like a chance to clear their heads.
The husky was still hyper as ever, but it could read the room—seemed pretty scared of Wentworth actually. Sometimes it wanted to jump on Matilda, but one sharp look from Wentworth and it obediently kept its head down and kept walking.
As it walked, it kept sniffing around. Occasionally spotting some random bug, it would get all excited and jump.
Matilda couldn't help asking, "Charles has such a calm personality—how did he end up with such a spaz of a dog?"
The husky didn't appreciate that comment and struck an offended pose at Matilda. But Wentworth shut it down with a sharp word. The dog had no choice but to keep moving forward.
Wentworth looked at the dog thoughtfully. "This dog wasn't really my brother's choice. Someone gave it to him."
"Oh? An ex-girlfriend?"
Wentworth nodded. "You know how a lot of people want a dog for companionship before they actually get one, but then after they bring it home, they end up abandoning it because they can't handle the care? That's how this husky ended up with my brother. He's had it eight, nine years now."
"So it's an old dog, but it's got so much energy."
"This dog's weird—the older it gets, the more like a bratty kid it becomes."
"Indeed!"
They kept walking. Eventually, Matilda linked her arm through Wentworth's and leaned her body against him.
"You tired?" Wentworth asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Not tired. I just like walking with you."
Wentworth held the leash in one hand and wrapped his other arm around her. "I know. You've put up with a lot from my mom."
"But you guys are here for me, right? Sure, my presence might cause some tension between you and your mother, but there's no grudge between mother and son that lasts overnight. If she's unhappy, she's unhappy—better than me getting pushed around."
Wentworth could hear the resignation in her words. He stopped and kissed her, then said, "Before you met me, you were free and independent. But now you're willing to put up with my mom for my sake. Matty, I swear to you—I will never let you down in this lifetime!"
Matilda looked up and smiled at him.
The husky, annoyed that they'd stopped, strained against the leash and took off running. Wentworth wasn't prepared and got dragged forward a couple steps.
Matilda laughed and cursed, "Stupid dog!"
...
When they returned from the walk, Amelia and Charles had already finished discussing the wedding details.
Amelia's eyes were still full of disdain as she looked at Matilda. She pointed at the husky. "All you know how to do is play and eat."
Everyone knew she was targeting Matilda.
Matilda couldn't resist. "Mom, that's Charles's dog. If you're going to scold a dog, you should at least consider its owner."
Charles and Wentworth smiled. Juliana was smiling too.
Juliana tried to smooth things over. "Mrs. Gonzaga, as long as things get done, that's what matters. Too many people just means too many opinions anyway. Sometimes fewer is better."
Amelia said, "You're so capable. I wish you could stay by my side permanently."
Juliana glanced at Wentworth, then smiled. "Mrs. Gonzaga, you told me before to really experience the domestic environment. Since coming back this time, I've truly felt that things here have improved so much compared to overseas. So I've decided to take your advice and spend a few years working here."
"Really? Do you have any companies in mind?"
Juliana looked at Charles. "In Phoenix City, the most powerful company is the Gonzaga Group. I was wondering if you might let me in and find me a position—take in this wanderer returning from overseas?"
Charles thought for a moment, then said, "From our wedding discussion just now, I could tell you're quite capable. I'll have my assistant send you a list of positions we're currently hiring for. Pick whichever one you like."
"Wonderful, thank you, Mr. Gonzaga!" Juliana said happily.
The happiest person was still Amelia. "Perfect! Now I'll have someone to talk to in Phoenix City. You and little Zoey—I won't be lonely anymore."
Matilda smiled faintly.
...
On the drive home, Wentworth kept glancing at Matilda. She was leaning against the window, chin propped in her hand, lost in thought.
Wentworth had heard from Charles that Amelia never got the upper hand with Matilda—that Matilda always won. But seeing today how his mother's mouth was so sharp, constantly making digs, anyone would feel bad hearing that stuff.
Bottom line—Matilda was the one suffering.
Wentworth said suddenly, "Matty, let me buy you a villa."
Matilda nearly knocked her head against the window. "Why would you buy a villa?"
Wentworth said, "Zoey's marrying into the family and living in a villa, with a grand wedding. My mom lives in a villa. Having you live at Sunshine Gardens makes it look like I don't value you. If your own husband doesn't respect you, others will look down on you even more."
Matilda quickly refused. "No, no, I wouldn't be comfortable there. I can't manage a villa."
"You wouldn't have to manage it. If you lived in a villa, we'd arrange for housekeeping and a driver naturally."
"But I'm comfortable at Sunshine Gardens. I don't want to be showy."
Wentworth had always respected her choices in everything they'd done together, always listened to her. But this time he was firm. "Either way, I'm definitely buying you a villa. Whether you live in it or not is your choice."
Warmth suddenly flooded Matilda's heart. She understood what Wentworth was trying to do.
Whatever others had, he wanted her to have too!
Wentworth was a man of action. He immediately called Kai and had him recommend a reliable real estate agent. While the real estate offices were still open, Wentworth immediately pulled Matilda along to look at properties.
...
Zoey lay at home, constantly checking her phone. As usual, she sent Charles morning and evening messages. As usual, he hadn't replied.
She thought for a long time. Maybe good morning and good night were too meaningless—not worth responding to. She needed to ask more practical questions.
So she asked about the wedding: [Charles, how's the wedding planning coming along?]
Soon Charles replied. He sent her a detailed flow chart with an attached message: Take a look and see if anything needs changing.
Zoey looked at the densely packed flow chart and felt her head spin. Seeing that he was probably on his phone, she immediately replied: [Charles, I already looked through it. I have no changes.]
Charles saw how quickly Zoey had responded and knew she definitely hadn't looked at it. Though she'd studied science, she wasn't meticulous—had no interest in numbers or procedures.
Charles didn't call her out.
After a while, another message from Zoey came: [Charles, can I come see you? I want to look at the bridal suite.]