Chapter 181

Chapter 181
"Don't get so excited. Nothing's decided yet. I was just thinking out loud."

But Matthew shook his head with unusual firmness. "No, that day will definitely come."

Evelyn didn't respond and stood up to leave.

Matthew grabbed her hand, his thumb gently rubbing the back of it. "Stay a bit longer. You've barely been here."

"And what time is your flight tomorrow? Did you buy a return ticket? How long will you be abroad?"

He fired off several questions in succession.

Evelyn found it somewhat amusing and turned to look at him. "If we win the Dairy Haven Group project, I should be back soon."

"If we don't win, then who knows."

"You'll win this project for sure." Matthew spoke with absolute certainty, his tone carrying an inexplicable pride.

Evelyn glanced at him, then changed the subject. "Speaking of which—what do you plan to do about Sloane?"

"Honey, don't worry. I'll investigate thoroughly and handle it according to company policy."

"Don't call me that."

"I will! Honey!" Matthew suddenly tightened his arms, pulling her into his embrace.

Evelyn sighed and stopped struggling.

"I know I was wrong before and made you misunderstand many things. Now I need to explain everything clearly."

His voice was muffled. "I don't love Sloane. It was just youthful infatuation. I thought it was love."

"The person I've loved, from beginning to end, has only been you."

His voice dropped lower, carrying a barely perceptible tremor.

"Three years ago, I was too stubborn and didn't explain these things to you."

"Back then I kept thinking that Sloane married into that European family because of me and suffered so much there."

"I kept wanting to take care of her first before telling you everything."

"But I never considered your inner turmoil and struggle, letting you suffer for so long."

"It wasn't until the ferry explosion that I realized how terribly wrong I was."

Evelyn's body trembled.

"These past three years, I've kept my distance from her."

"I know that only your feelings matter most."

Matthew paused. "Actually, even without this bidding incident, I was planning to transfer her to the Eastern European market."

"Limbo Inc. has grown rapidly these two years. Besides South America and Southeast Asia, we've opened new markets in Eastern Europe. They need a manager there."

He glanced at Evelyn.

Sloane was capable. He hoped she could go somewhere far from him and start fresh.

Perhaps time and distance would fade her obsession with him and let her reassess her own future.

This would be good for him, for Evelyn, and for Sloane herself.

After listening, Evelyn silently thought: She won't go.

But she didn't say it out loud.

"Alright, I really need to leave now."

From the sofa to the door, Matthew hung on her like a large accessory the entire way.

"Stay at the apartment tonight, okay? I'll take you to the airport tomorrow."

His tone was cautious, carrying a hint of almost humble expectation.

"No." Evelyn firmly pushed him away.

"Put away those fantasies in your head. I'm still considering things. We haven't officially reconciled."

Matthew pouted, looking aggrieved again.

"Then... stay for dinner? I'll cook."

"My cooking skills have improved a lot these three years. I can make all your favorite dishes now."

Hearing this, Evelyn looked at him in astonishment.

In her memory, Matthew rarely cooked. He'd made her meals a few times before, but they were simple things like blanched broccoli.

Seeing her expression, Matthew smiled proudly. "What? Don't believe me?"

"Steak, salmon... I can make all these now!"

As he spoke, he held his palm out in front of her.

"Look, these scars are from when I burned myself learning these dishes."

Evelyn looked down and noticed for the first time the many small scars on his fingers.

"Idiot!" She couldn't help but tap his head, though her tone unconsciously carried a hint of heartache.

"If you get hurt so easily, don't make complicated dishes."

"How could I not learn to make what you love?"

"Stay tonight and try my cooking, okay?"

"We'll go downstairs together to buy groceries."

"I promise I'll take you home right after dinner. Absolutely no funny business!"

Looking at the person before her, Evelyn felt somewhat dazed.

The Matthew in her memory was always aloof, keeping everyone at arm's length.

But now his gaze was gentle, his voice full of pleading.

The contrast was overwhelming.

She didn't want their progress to be too fast, so she still shook her head.

Matthew was unhappy but didn't force her to stay.

He escorted her to the elevator. The moment the doors closed, he suddenly leaned in and kissed her heavily.

He kissed with a kind of petulance, heavy and intense.

Evelyn was trapped in the elevator corner, her breath stolen inch by inch.

After a moment, she felt her whole body go weak, her consciousness growing hazy.

Matthew sensed her change and unconsciously lightened his kiss.

He gently traced Evelyn's lips, then kissed her earlobe.

Evelyn felt like feathers were brushing across her heart.

Just then, she felt a tingling pain at her collarbone. That bastard Matthew had actually bitten her collarbone!

From the pressure, she didn't need a mirror to know it would definitely leave a mark.

Evelyn glared at him disapprovingly.

Matthew kissed her lips like coaxing a child, with a somewhat triumphant smile:

"Be good. Don't let anyone else touch you. When it fades, you'll be back."

Only then did Evelyn realize this bastard was using this mark to declare his ownership!

He was preventing her from being with that non-existent "husband" after going abroad!

She immediately felt both angry and amused.

Angry that Matthew actually believed in her fictitious husband and had even accepted it.

Amused that he, a cold CEO, would do something so jealous.

The more she thought about it, the more speechless she felt. Her vindictive side emerged, and she simply opened her mouth and bit hard on Matthew's collarbone.

Matthew let out a muffled groan, his body suddenly tensing.

The already responsive area swelled painfully.

Evelyn was close enough to naturally sense this change.

Her eyes widened. She rolled them at him and silently cursed, "Pervert!"

The elevator doors opened.

Evelyn took a deep breath and walked out first.

Matthew stood there with a bitter smile, looking down at his awkward predicament and silently sighing.

She was the one teasing him, but he was the one suffering in the end.

Ah, all because Evelyn was too sweet.

This feeling of wanting but not having was truly tormenting.

He steadied his breathing and chased after her.

Walking ahead, Evelyn was actually quite surprised too.