Chapter 196

Chapter 196

Thomas was observant.

When he saw the caregiver wheel in a cart loaded with cold drinks, he immediately understood:

Someone was worried about Matthew's condition and had made special arrangements.

"Everyone, let's take a break," he announced, helping the caregiver distribute the drinks.

Everyone thanked them and gathered in small groups to chat.

While the others were talking, Thomas approached Matthew and asked in a low voice, "Mr. Perkins, how are you feeling?"

Matthew didn't answer. His gaze was fixed on the cup in front of him, the corners of his mouth curved upward.

Thomas followed his line of sight.

Matthew was the only one with a cup of hot corn drink—something Miss Gray must have prepared specifically for him.

As Thomas watched, an inexplicable sadness welled up inside him.

'Miss Gray's demeanor is so much like Evelyn's.'

'Maybe Mr. Perkins really does see her as a substitute, just like the rumors say.'

'But back when Evelyn was by Mr. Perkins' side, he was always so cold. He was never like this.'

'He even got seriously injured protecting Miss Gray.'

'If Evelyn knew, she'd be heartbroken, wouldn't she?'

At that thought, Thomas quickly stopped himself.

Evelyn was such a good person. She must have been reborn into a wonderful family by now. She was probably running around barefoot already.

Whatever happened with these people had nothing to do with her anymore.

He told himself that, but still felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

The meeting ended after an hour and a half.

Evelyn personally escorted them to the elevator.

Her tone carried genuine gratitude. "Thank you all for coming out so late."

Everyone exchanged polite pleasantries, except Thomas, who kept his eyes downcast, lost in thought.

If he counted right, he'd joined the Perkins Group four years before Evelyn—nearly ten years ago now.

He'd always assumed he'd work at the Perkins Group until retirement. But today, for the first time, he found himself thinking about leaving.

Someone as capable as Miss Gray would probably run the company alongside Matthew sooner or later.

It made perfect sense. Yet Thomas felt miserable.

He couldn't bring himself to work side by side with Miss Gray while carrying this sense of loss over Evelyn.

It felt like a betrayal.

Maybe it was time for him to leave.

He was so absorbed in his thoughts, his mind blank about what he'd do after resigning, that he had no idea Evelyn had already lined up a mountain of work for him back in the hospital room.

"Thomas can handle all these contracts easily. Oh, I should call him Vice President now."

Evelyn flipped through the files on Matthew's nightstand, sorting them efficiently while muttering to herself.

She set aside a thick stack of documents for Thomas to handle.

Matthew had spent the entire afternoon in meetings and was tired. He reclined against the headboard, but his gaze never left Evelyn. Watching her work, he felt a wave of nostalgia.

It was as if time had turned back to a few years ago, when Evelyn had been his secretary.

Back then, she'd been just as meticulous, just as professional, managing everything with perfect precision.

After talking for a while without getting a response, Evelyn looked up, puzzled. "Why are you staring at me? I'm asking for your opinion."

"Whatever my wife says goes." Matthew smiled, his voice carrying a lazy indulgence.

Evelyn rolled her eyes and placed a small stack of files on his nightstand.

"These are the only ones you need to handle. Just do a little bit each day. Don't overdo it."

"Okay. Thank you, honey." Matthew didn't even glance at the documents, looking perfectly agreeable.

He sat up slightly and leaned over to kiss her.

"You're such a child," Evelyn muttered, though she didn't pull away.

Matthew pouted and rested his head gently on her shoulder, his voice muffled. "I'm injured right now. I need lots and lots of Mrs. Perkins' kisses to recover."

Evelyn reached up and stroked his head.

After a moment of silence, she spoke slowly. "There's something I think you should know."

"Mm?" Matthew didn't lift his head, his voice drowsy.

"Sloane's father... was found hanging in a park today. Someone out for a morning run discovered him."

Matthew straightened slightly.

Evelyn continued, "It's all over social media. Sloane was photographed when she went to identify the body. She was crying pretty hard."

"Do you want to call and check on her?"

Matthew leaned back against Evelyn. "I'll have someone from the company look in on her."

"After all, Sloane was your first love once, and you worked together for three years."

Evelyn looked up and pushed his head away, her tone unreadable.

"I already explained everything. Are you still hung up on it?" Matthew's voice was full of hurt.

"You know she's obsessed with me, and you want me to call her? Are you trying to dump me?"

"Let me tell you, that's not happening. I'm stuck to you for good!"

Evelyn couldn't help but laugh. "Didn't you say she saved your life? I thought you'd want to check on her..."

Matthew was speechless.

Women's hearts—impossible to read!

Evelyn wasn't ready to drop the subject. Her expression grew more serious.

"The police haven't determined the cause of death yet. Right now, everyone's saying it was suicide by hanging."

"But something feels off to me. That park barely has any security cameras, and there's no footage of Sloane's father entering the park."

"I'm worried that if it wasn't really suicide—if someone staged it—then could Sloane be in danger too?"

"Maybe you should send someone to protect her."

She didn't voice all her suspicions.

She had a feeling that Sloane in those news clips seemed... performative. Her crying felt too forced.

Rather than do nothing, it was better to have Matthew send someone to protect her—or rather, to keep an eye on her.

Lately, Emma and Sloane had been too quiet.

Unsettlingly quiet.

It was hard not to wonder if they were plotting something.

"Whatever you think is best." Matthew didn't press for details. He simply nodded.

In the middle of the night, Matthew woke from the pain of his wound.

But the moment he turned his head and saw Evelyn's sleeping face, the pain seemed to ease by half.

If enduring this suffering meant Evelyn would stay by his side like this, he would bear it for the rest of his life without complaint.

...

The night was thick and dark.

In another villa, Emma raised her hand and slapped Sloane hard across the face.

The sharp crack echoed through the empty living room.

The force snapped Sloane's head to the side. Five red marks bloomed instantly on her cheek, stinging and hot.

Emma's voice was shrill. "Are you trying to make my life even more difficult?"