Chapter 130
"No matter what I say, they don't believe we're not together." Sloane's voice trembled as tears rolled down her cheeks one after another. "Some people even spread rumors that without your connections, I'd never have made it to this position."
"I could tolerate all that." She clutched her chest as if even breathing had become difficult. "But I really don't understand..."
"Matthew, back then, you clearly liked me..."
"Why, even after Evelyn died, are you still unwilling to let me be by your side?"
"You won't even give me a chance?"
"The whole world thinks I'm yours, but only I know—you've never once opened your heart to me."
"Matthew, can we really never go back to the way things were?"
Matthew was silent for a moment.
"Sloane, the past is the past." His voice was calm and measured. "I've told you before—you need to move forward."
"But for me, it will never be in the past." Sloane shook her head, tears falling faster. "I didn't leave you willingly back then. We used to be so happy together..."
Her breathing quickened again, her chest rising and falling sharply.
Matthew stood there without moving.
He looked at her, complicated emotions flickering in his eyes.
He'd always known Sloane had feelings for him, but he never realized she was this deeply trapped in the past.
But his heart had no room for anyone else anymore.
His feelings for Evelyn wouldn't allow him to get close to Sloane again.
The hospital room fell quiet, only their breathing filling the silence.
After a long pause, Sloane was the first to break it.
"Maybe I'm asking for too much." She gave a bitter smile and wiped her tears. "I'm sorry, Matthew. I was too vulnerable today and said things I shouldn't have. Just pretend you didn't hear any of it."
She lowered her head, fingers clutching the bedsheet so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Ever since her friend told her Matthew had sent Briar to a psychiatric hospital over Adam, she'd been seething inside.
She kept wondering—if she were wronged, would Matthew stand up for her the same way?
But today, the situation had been laid right in front of him. She'd even been hospitalized because of it, and he still showed no reaction.
How could she accept that?
Even if she laid her heart bare, Matthew wouldn't take a single step closer.
Then at the very least, she'd use this opportunity to grind the person who'd wronged her into the dust.
"Miss Brown's words spread throughout the entire company." Sloane looked up, panic and helplessness in her eyes. "I'm sure it'll reach the industry soon. Matthew, if you don't do something about her, I don't think I'll be able to show my face anymore."
Matthew watched her silently for a moment. "What do you want me to do?"
Tears welled up again in Sloane's eyes, her voice trembling. "Could you... make sure she never appears in this industry again?"
"I don't want to be like this either, but if there's no consequence for her, won't anyone feel free to slander me in the future?"
"Vivian is so capable—she'll do well wherever she goes. I just want to protect myself..."
"Now whenever I think of her name, whenever I picture her face, my whole body trembles and my chest hurts..."
Matthew thought for a moment before speaking slowly. "Sloane, I can deal with her."
He paused. "But tell me—have you been keeping up with your therapy sessions?"
Seeing her like this, his heart sank.
The image of her during her episode three years ago flashed before his eyes.
Sloane lowered her gaze. "Matthew, my illness has been cured. This was just because I was provoked."
She didn't want to bring up being sick again.
It was both her weakness and her strongest leverage over Matthew.
But if used too often, it would lose its effect.
"So you agree?" Sloane's eyes filled with hope.
Matthew nodded.
He didn't actually plan to make Vivian disappear from the industry entirely.
Years ago, when Evelyn had nearly been hurt by Rose, it was Vivian who'd come to inform him. He remembered that debt.
He just didn't want Vivian appearing in front of Sloane anymore.
Limbo Inc. happened to need a head for their overseas market. Transferring Vivian there would solve the problem without ruining her career.
Sloane didn't know any of this.
She only saw him nod.
She felt immensely satisfied—
That's right. Anyone who crossed her would never have a good ending. She'd repay them tenfold, a hundredfold.
"Matthew, thank you." She looked up, her gaze soft as water. "Since I came back from abroad, things have been so difficult. If you hadn't been there for me, I really wouldn't have made it through..."
"You don't need to say that." Matthew responded flatly, turning aside to avoid her outstretched hand. "After all, you saved my life back then."
Sloane's hand froze mid-air before slowly withdrawing.
That was over a decade ago.
So long ago she could barely remember it clearly.
She only recalled that at that party, Matthew had walked through the crowd toward her, his eyes carrying that light only young people possess. "It was you who saved me yesterday, wasn't it? Thank you!"
Back then, Matthew still had some youthful naivety, but his natural bearing was already impossible to hide.
She'd recognized him immediately—the future heir of the Perkins family, City A's golden boy.
"Saved you?" She'd smiled back calmly, feigning confusion.
Matthew had eagerly explained.
A servant had accidentally put broccoli pieces in his meal. He was allergic and had an asthma attack.
She'd been the one to give him his inhaler and perform CPR.
He said he remembered her face.
Sloane's heart had thundered.
Was this a gift from heaven laid right before her?
The Perkins family heir mistaking her for his savior!
She'd thought of her family's decline, her father who favored sons over daughters, her mother who'd beat and scold her at the drop of a hat.
If she could use this opportunity to attach herself to the Perkins family, wouldn't she finally escape that suffocating life?
She'd feigned sudden realization. "Oh, it was you! It was so dark last night, I couldn't see clearly. You look really different in a suit."
That was how things started between her and Matthew.
Through twists and turns, she'd been forced abroad. Matthew had found a replacement. The replacement had died. And she'd returned to his side once more.
No matter whether it was Adam or some other woman appearing by Matthew's side...
Her connection with Matthew was destined by heaven. No one could tear them apart!
Today, Evelyn had unusually gotten off work early.
She pushed open the villa door to the sound of cheerful laughter from the living room.
Walking in, she was surprised to see Ronald.
Chloe sat on his lap, looking up at him with her little face tilted as he told her a story.
"Eve, you're home." Ronald looked up, a gentle smile touching his lips.
"Ron, what brings you here?" Evelyn changed her shoes and walked over.
"I happened to be in City A on business. I made sure to free up half a day today to come see you all." Ronald smiled. "Come to think of it, this is my first time meeting the kids."
"Mommy, is Ronald the neighbor mister you told us about before?"
Chloe said sweetly, "Ronald really is as warm as you said!"
Evelyn felt her eyes grow hot.
She knew he'd made a special trip just to see her.
"Ron, thank you." She said softly.
Ronald smiled again, warm as morning sunlight. "Why so formal with me?"