Chapter 48
At the auction, Susan also bid on some jewelry pieces, but without much enthusiasm. It wasn't until a pearl jewelry set was displayed that she finally showed satisfaction.
She raised her paddle multiple times and ultimately won the set for ten million dollars.
Marigold had been watching her closely. Seeing this, she quickly leaned toward Susan. "Mrs. Gray, you have such excellent taste," she said with a sweet smile, blinking. "This pearl set happens to be one I put up for auction. How about I give it to you as a meeting gift?"
Susan looked at her with amusement but gently shook her head. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm planning to give this set to someone. It's more appropriate that I bid on it myself."
Marigold paused again. Give it to someone?
She'd assumed Susan would give away the cheaper jewelry pieces and keep this set for herself. And spending ten million dollars on jewelry to give away? What kind of person was worth such generosity?
Marigold felt uneasy. She was about to ask more when Susan nodded to Logan. Logan stood up and began wheeling her out.
Marigold stood there watching their backs disappear, biting her lip. As if remembering something, she got up and followed them out.
The corridor was empty, no one in sight. Marigold was about to move forward when she suddenly heard voices from around the corner. It was Susan.
Marigold's steps halted. She quietly moved closer, straining to listen.
On the other side, Susan seemed to be on the phone with someone. "Miss Arden," her voice carried a smile, "are you free lately? I'd like to take you to dinner. As I mentioned before, I want to give you a proper meeting gift."
The other person said something, and Susan laughed even more happily. "Good, good, then it's settled." She hung up cheerfully.
Logan's voice followed. "Ma'am, isn't this too grand? A ten million dollar meeting gift—won't it frighten Miss Arden?"
"What do you know?" Susan interrupted him. "I'm trying to win over my favored heir. She needs to be happy for me to feel at ease. Naturally, I must use the most precious gift."
Their voices gradually faded along with the sound of the wheelchair.
Marigold stood behind the corner, her face full of shock. Heir? Susan had already found an heir?
Was this Miss Arden the one she'd chosen? Marigold's mind buzzed as she rapidly reviewed all the prominent families in City A.
She frowned. There wasn't any family surnamed Arden. Was it some insignificant family? That didn't seem right either.
In Marigold's mind, there wasn't a single Arden family worthy of notice, let alone Susan's attention. Who was this Miss Arden?
She bit her lip, thought for a moment, then dialed a number. "Keep an eye on Susan," she said quietly. "See who she's been in contact with lately. Also, find out if there's anyone surnamed Arden in City A who's had contact with her. Quickly!"
After hanging up, she stood there, her gaze composed and determined. No matter who had won Susan's favor, she, Marigold, was confident she could compete!
But... Arden? Evelyn's face floated into her mind, her expression darkening. It couldn't be Evelyn. She was just an orphan—how could Susan possibly favor her?
Marigold gave a cold laugh. Whether it was Evelyn Arden or that Miss Arden, anyone surnamed Arden—she'd find a way to deal with them!
Meanwhile, in Evelyn's office at the Perkins Group, she was buried in a pile of documents. Taking over Limbo Inc. was busier than she'd imagined—organizational structure, personnel planning, everything needed to be reorganized.
Evelyn rubbed her temples and continued reading.
With a creak, the small door between the two offices opened. Matthew walked in carrying a cup of coffee and placed it in front of her. "Have some coffee. Take a break."
Evelyn accepted the coffee and thanked him. After a couple sips, she blinked in surprise. It was her favorite latte, not Matthew's preferred black coffee? Matthew had never paid attention to such details before.
She kept the observation to herself and continued focusing on the documents.
Matthew didn't leave. He casually reclined on the nearby sofa, quietly watching her.
Evelyn felt uncomfortable under his gaze and looked up. "Something else?"
"Nothing," Matthew's gaze was deep. "Just wanted to look at you. You're so beautiful..."
Evelyn opened her mouth. She suppressed the urge to retort. She couldn't afford to provoke Matthew—better to just pretend he wasn't there.
But after five minutes, he started again. "Are you hungry? I'll have Thomas bring some food?"
"Not hungry."
"Thirsty then?"
"I just had coffee," Evelyn couldn't help rolling her eyes. "Matthew, are you that bored?"
"I just want to keep you company."
Evelyn took a deep breath. She stood up, walked over to Matthew, and boldly pushed him toward the door. "Out, out. Don't mess with my efficiency."
Matthew didn't get angry. He smiled and returned to his own office.
Evelyn closed the door and had just sat back in her chair when the door opened again. "What do you want for dinner? I'll have someone order—"
Before he could finish, Evelyn marched over and slammed the door shut with a bang.
Not long after, there was noise behind her again. Evelyn turned to see Matthew walking in carrying a plate of fruit.
"Thomas just washed these. Very sweet." He placed the fruit beside her, stole a quick kiss while she was off guard, then quickly retreated.
Evelyn froze. Had he taken the wrong medicine today?
She sighed and decided to solve the problem once and for all. She pulled over a chair and wedged it against the door handle. Then she took a stack of papers and completely covered the adjacent window.
After finishing these tasks, she dusted off her hands and sat back down to continue working.
In the adjacent office, Matthew watched Evelyn's actions, his expression darkening. He'd just wanted to learn from Evelyn, to care for her the way her notebook described caring for him.
She'd looked after him for three years, remembering so many details about him. He wanted to catch up bit by bit. But Evelyn wasn't receptive at all.
Matthew felt a bit dejected. Then he thought of that notebook covered in dense writing, and his heart softened. There was plenty of time.
Matthew finally settled his mind and sat properly at his desk to handle business.
At quitting time, Evelyn breathed a sigh of relief. At least Matthew hadn't bothered her for the rest of the day.
She gathered her things and was preparing to leave when she saw Matthew boldly enter through the main door and pick up her bag. "Let's go back to the apartment together."
Evelyn looked at him. "I told you, I'm afraid of gossip."
"If anyone asks, I'll say I'm taking you to a business dinner." Matthew said matter-of-factly. "Perfectly legitimate reason."
He grabbed her hand and headed for the door. Evelyn tugged, but couldn't break free. "Let go."
"No."
"I'll go with you, just let go," Evelyn's tone softened, her voice gentle. "I don't want people gossiping about us."