Chapter 56 Wentworth is Coming Back
When Asher tried calling a second time, Matilda straight-up blocked him.
Asher was livestreaming on TikTok at that moment, with over two hundred viewers watching. The second they saw him get blocked, the comment section exploded.
[Landlord's luck ran out today.]
[Maybe it's because you're not wearing flip-flops? All your usual videos show landlords in sandals.]
[You need to hang those rental property keys around your neck for the full effect.]
Asher's face flushed with embarrassment.
He didn't know which room Matilda lived in and was considering bribing the dorm supervisor when Jack and Luke emerged from the building.
The two of them looked like professional bodyguards now. Luke's voice was ice-cold. "This is a hospital, not a place to cause trouble. What you're doing is harassment. Get lost. Now."
They each grabbed one of Asher's arms and bodily hauled him out of the medical center.
Asher shouted the whole way, "You dare manhandle me? Do you know who my father is? James Anderson! Did you see what I'm driving? That's a Porsche!"
Jack and Luke completely ignored him, dragging him to the parking lot and literally tossing him at his Porsche.
During the struggle, the bouquet in Asher's hands got completely mangled.
The incident actually boosted his livestream by over two thousand followers—all there to watch his humiliation.
His audience was having a field day, like they were watching a live comedy show.
From a distance, Ethan witnessed the whole thing.
He'd seen Asher with Connor at lunch and watched Matilda leave with them earlier.
Now that Jack and Luke had physically removed Asher, it was clear they weren't just regular guys. They were definitely there because of Matilda.
Which meant whoever was behind Matilda wasn't ordinary either.
Had her boyfriend arranged this protection?
...
Military Training Base.
Wentworth had just been carried into the medical bay after collapsing during tactical exercises.
This was his second fainting spell since returning to active duty!
"Doc, how's our captain?" Danny asked anxiously.
The military medic finished examining Wentworth. "Same issue as before—chronic insomnia leading to insufficient cardiovascular circulation. He can't keep pushing through this. He needs systematic treatment at a top-tier hospital."
"But he seemed fine when he first got back, didn't he?"
"I wouldn't know about that. Maybe he had access to effective medication initially, but we don't have those resources here on base."
Shortly after, the medical bay door swung open and someone walked in.
The moment this person appeared, everyone immediately stood and saluted.
"Commander-in-Chief, sir!"
Commander-in-Chief Brian Davis entered just as Wentworth was regaining consciousness.
Wentworth took in his surroundings and immediately realized he'd collapsed again.
Seeing the commander, he managed to say, "Brian."
Brian's expression was grave. "Your current condition is far from ideal."
Wentworth was painfully aware of his physical state. He fell silent.
There was actually one person who could help alleviate his symptoms—Matilda.
Brian placed a hand on Wentworth's shoulder, his tone heavy with concern. "Your mission performance was exemplary. You've earned leave time. Why don't you use that to get your health sorted before returning?"
"Is it mandatory?" Wentworth asked.
"Absolutely. Otherwise, it'll impact your entire career trajectory." Brian's tone left no room for argument.
If he had to leave, that meant returning to Phoenix City, where Charles could find a way to treat him properly.
"Let me think about it," Wentworth said.
...
Before she knew it, they'd reached the final week of training.
Connor had called Matilda twice, demanding to know why she'd blocked Asher.
"Matty, even if you're not interested, you can't just block someone like that. You know he's my supervisor's son—you're making me look terrible here."
"He was harassing me outside my dorm. That puts me in an impossible position," Matilda replied.
"How is that harassment? It's just normal guy-pursuing-girl behavior. You're gorgeous—surely you've dealt with this before?"
"Never with someone this unhinged! Dad, I'm swamped with work and don't have time for this. Stop bothering me about it, okay?"
Matilda really was overwhelmed.
Leonard had noticed her keen interest in the intersection of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology in detox research, so he'd invited her to participate in specialized research projects alongside his graduate students.
Flattered by the opportunity, Matilda threw herself into the work even harder, studying late into the night every day.
One day, Leonard asked her, "What do you think of Brookford Medical Center?"
Matilda answered honestly, "It's incredible. There are so many brilliant professors and specialists here. I'm learning things I never would have encountered before."
Leonard followed up, "Would you be interested in transferring here permanently?"
"What?" Matilda blinked in surprise.
"If you wanted to transfer, I could put in an application. As long as your current employer agrees to release you, we could make it work. Don't worry about contract violations—I have ways to handle that."
After a moment of consideration, Matilda shook her head. "I think Phoenix City is a better fit for me. My family's there, and... someone I care about."
She thought of Wentworth.
Even though his job meant he wouldn't always be in Phoenix City, he'd given her a home, and she wanted to protect that.
Leonard didn't push. "If that's your decision, I understand. But if you ever change your mind, you're always welcome here."
"Thank you so much for believing in me, Prof. Morales. Can we stay in touch?"
"Absolutely, anytime," Leonard said without hesitation.
...
Asher tried ambushing Matilda outside class one more time, again while livestreaming.
Ever since his failed Porsche pursuit went viral, he seemed to have cracked the content code. Nearly all his videos now featured him chasing different women.
Some girls shyly agreed to date him, others gave him the cold shoulder, but these videos attracted massive followings. His account exploded from five thousand to one hundred thousand followers.
Today, he'd come to corner Matilda again, only to get tossed out by Jack and Luke once more.
After that incident, his TikTok account got permanently banned for inappropriate content and violation of community guidelines.
...
On the drive back to Phoenix City, Matilda received a call from Wentworth.
"Matty, it's me!"
Her heart lurched at the sound of his voice.
"Where are you?" she asked.
"In Phoenix City. I heard you're coming back today?"
Matilda was puzzled for a moment. Who had told him that? Probably her colleagues at Harmony Health Center.
"Are you finished with your mission?"
"All done. Command's ordering me to take leave now."
"Oh... well, see you at home then." Matilda could feel her nerves starting to flutter.
Wentworth made a sound of agreement, then added, "I'll be waiting for you at home."
That phrase—'I'll be waiting for you at home'—sent another tremor through her heart.
After hanging up, she gazed out the car window, her chest full of anticipation.