Chapter 66
The helicopter was very quiet.
Evelyn leaned back in her seat, holding Matthew's hand the entire time. She gripped it tightly, her fingertips still trembling slightly.
Matthew didn't speak, just gently patted her back.
"It's over," he said softly. "It's all over. You're safe now."
Evelyn buried her face in his chest without saying a word.
"That bastard Jack," Matthew's voice dropped, "I'll make him pay."
The helicopter landed at the nearest villa. This was Matthew's private property in the suburbs—quiet, secluded, with tight security.
He got out of the helicopter, walked around to the other side, and lifted her out.
"I can walk," Evelyn said.
Matthew didn't let go. He carried her through the living room, up the stairs, and into the master bedroom.
He gently set her down on the sofa and crouched down, his gaze falling on the bloodstains on her clothes. The blood had dried to a dark red color, stark and alarming.
"Where are you hurt?" His voice was tense.
Evelyn shook her head.
"It's all Jack's," she said. "I'm not injured. Just a bit shaken."
Matthew stared at her for several seconds. Once he was certain she wasn't lying, his expression relaxed slightly.
He went to the walk-in closet and brought back a clean set of pajamas, placing them beside her.
"Go take a shower," he said. "Then get some rest early."
Evelyn took the pajamas and looked at him.
"You need to leave."
Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Is there anywhere on your body I haven't seen?"
Evelyn's face flushed, but she still pushed him out.
The door closed.
Matthew leaned against the hallway wall, listening to the sound of running water inside. His nerves, which had been wound tight all night, finally eased slightly.
He returned to the bedroom, intending to collect the clothes she'd changed out of. Then he saw that outfit.
Thin gauze, transparent, with pitifully little fabric.
He picked up the garment, his fingers tightening, his expression instantly darkening.
An image flashed through his mind—her wearing that thing in front of that pervert.
He wished he could go down right now and tear that man to pieces.
Evelyn stood under the shower, her mind occupied with other matters.
Jack was part of the Quinn family. The Quinn family had significant influence overseas. After what she and Matthew had done to him, would the Quinn family just let it go?
She finished her shower with worry and came out wrapped in a bathrobe.
The bathroom door opened.
Evelyn walked out and saw him holding that outfit. She quickly went over.
"He didn't see anything," she said. "I kept the bathrobe on the whole time."
Matthew looked at her, relief flooding through him.
He threw the pile of fabric into the trash.
"Go to bed," he said. "Rest well. I'll handle everything else."
Evelyn burrowed under the covers and looked at him. "Aren't you sleeping?"
"I'll come in a bit."
He tucked the blanket around her and sat by the bed for a while, noticing her brow was still furrowed.
"What's wrong?"
Evelyn hesitated.
"Jack is from the Quinn family," she said. "Will there be problems because of what we did to him?"
Matthew looked at her.
"Scared?"
"It's not that I'm scared," Evelyn said. "It's just..."
"Don't worry," Matthew interrupted. "I'll handle this cleanly. As for the Quinn family, I'm not planning to give them any face anymore."
Evelyn paused.
"Then... what about your engagement to Marigold?"
Matthew was silent for a few seconds.
"I'm not going through with it."
Evelyn looked at him.
"The Quinn family hurt you," each word he spoke carried a chill. "And they still think they can have a marriage alliance with me?"
He paused.
"Do you know how terrified I was when I couldn't find you?"
"When I saw you lying there with no breath," his voice dropped, "I wanted to go with you."
He looked at her.
"Losing you made me realize how important you are to me."
Evelyn looked at him. His eyes were bloodshot, weary, and carried a fear she'd never seen before.
Warmth filled her chest. She leaned over and hugged him.
"It's all over now," she said softly.
Matthew didn't speak, just held her.
After a while, her breathing gradually steadied. He looked down and saw she'd fallen asleep.
He gently laid her down, tucked in the blanket, and sat by the bed for a long time.
The basement was cold.
Matthew pushed open the door and walked in.
Security stood to the side. Jack was tied to a chair. His right hand was gone, a pool of blood on the floor. His face was deathly pale, his eyes full of terror.
Seeing Matthew, he trembled all over.
"What are you going to do?" His voice shook. "Aren't you afraid the Quinn family will come after you?"
Matthew walked up to him and looked down from his height.
"I'd like to see," he said slowly, "just how tough the Quinn family really is."
Jack gritted his teeth and said nothing.
"Who put you up to this?" Matthew asked. "Or did you do it yourself?"
Jack's mind raced.
He couldn't mention Marigold. He knew what that woman was capable of. If he gave her up, he'd have no way out in the Quinn family. After all, he was just an illegitimate son. The Quinn family wouldn't offend Marigold for his sake.
"I did it myself," he said with a cold laugh. "I just wanted to have some fun with that woman."
Matthew's gaze grew colder.
He looked at the security guard.
The guard stepped forward.
Matthew turned and walked out of the basement. The door closed behind him, sealing Jack's screams inside.
The next morning, when Evelyn woke up, sunlight was already filtering through the gaps in the curtains.
On the nightstand sat milk and bread, still warm.
She sat up, realizing she was indeed hungry. She picked up the milk and took several gulps, then grabbed the bread and took a big bite.
The door opened.
Matthew walked in and saw her devouring her food.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, watching her eat. He couldn't look at her enough.
He'd never paid attention to these moments before. The way she ate, the way she slept, the way she looked when she'd just woken up, groggy and disoriented.
Those ordinary, simple moments of daily life now seemed incredibly precious to him.
She finished the last bite of bread and burped.
He smiled.
Evelyn felt a bit embarrassed and looked at him with flushed cheeks.
"Don't go to the office for the next few days," he said. "I'm giving you time off. Rest properly."
Evelyn nodded, then after a moment of thought looked at him. "I want to go to the nursing home to see my mom."
Matthew paused, then nodded.
"That's fine. I'll have bodyguards go with you."
Meanwhile, at the Quinn residence.
Marigold sat in the living room, restless.
Today was supposed to be when she and Matthew discussed wedding arrangements, but the appointed time had long passed and he still hadn't arrived.
She remembered that yesterday Jack had sent her a message saying things would be handled soon, but then there was no further word. Her texts went unanswered, and calls wouldn't go through.
Just as she was thinking about this, the butler came to report that Matthew's bodyguards had arrived.
Marigold's eyes lit up. "Show them in quickly."
Two bodyguards entered. One of them held a black box.
They walked up to Marigold and stopped.
"This is from Mr. Perkins," the lead bodyguard said expressionlessly.
"He said if you dare to touch anyone close to him again, you'll end up like what's in this box."
Marigold's heart sank, though her face remained composed.
"What's this about? I don't understand."
The bodyguard said nothing more. He placed the box on the coffee table and left.
Marigold stared at the box, a sense of unease rising within her.
"Eric," she called out.
Eric stepped forward and opened the box. Then he staggered back a step, his face turning pale.
Inside the box was a bloody severed hand.