Chapter 79
"Are you sick in the head?"
Monica had gotten out of the car at some point and rushed over, shoving him aside with such force that Shawn staggered back two steps.
"Shawn, if you're sick, go to a hospital!" She stood in front of Evelyn, pointing at his nose, her voice sharp and loud. "How many times do I have to tell you? Eve and Mr. Perkins are doing just fine—what business is it of yours?"
"Eve would give up Mr. Perkins for you?" Monica looked him up and down, her disdain unconcealed. "What do you have? No looks, no capability..."
"Where do you get the nerve to say these things? Are you even worthy?"
Shawn's face flushed red. His mouth opened and closed.
Monica couldn't be bothered with him anymore and grabbed Evelyn's hand. "Come on, let's ignore this psycho."
Evelyn gave Shawn one cold glance, said nothing, turned, and got in the car.
The car door slammed shut.
The engine started, and soon they disappeared around the corner.
Shawn stood there, watching the car drive away, his fingers slowly clenching, then releasing, then clenching again.
How could this be?
Why wouldn't either of them listen to him?
He was clearly doing this for Evelyn's good. He was clearly the one who truly cared about her.
How could she treat him like this?
With a soft sound, a cigarette fell to the ground.
Kevin's mouth hung open in an O.
He'd only stepped out for a smoke and stumbled onto such explosive gossip.
Matthew and Evelyn... were having a baby?
He raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on the dejected man in the distance.
Evelyn really had no shortage of pursuers—one after another, all swarming around like flies.
He glanced to the side. If he wasn't mistaken...
Just now, eavesdropping not far away, was Marigold—Matthew's... former fiancée.
This wasn't good.
Kevin bent down to pick up the cigarette, stubbed it out, and tossed it in the trash.
He pulled out his phone, looked at the name on the screen, thought for a moment, then put it back.
This was better said in person.
He needed to find time to call Matthew out and give him a heads-up.
Matthew had just finished handling a merger and acquisition project when Thomas walked in with a phone, his expression complicated.
"Mr. Perkins, it's Miss Powell calling. She's asking for you. Should I put her through?"
Matthew looked up, momentarily stunned.
He was silent for a second, then took the phone.
"Mr. Perkins, please come to Sloane's place right away!" Elysia's voice was urgent and panicked. "She's not well again. I want to take her to the hospital, but she absolutely refuses. She keeps calling your name..."
Matthew pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright."
He hung up, briefly delegated work to Thomas, grabbed his coat, and headed out.
Thomas watched his retreating figure, opened his mouth as if to say something, then swallowed it back.
He stood there, wringing his hands anxiously.
Matthew and Evelyn had finally reconciled with such difficulty—how had Sloane suddenly appeared?
What were they supposed to do now?
Matthew quickly arrived at Sloane's place.
The housekeeper waited at the door. Seeing him, she looked relieved and immediately led him to the room.
The room's curtains were drawn, the light dim.
Sloane lay on the bed, her face frighteningly pale, eyes tightly shut, lips dry and cracked.
She kept murmuring something.
"Matthew... don't... don't leave... I..."
Elysia sat by the bed, tightly gripping her hand, her eyes red-rimmed.
Seeing Matthew enter, she stood up as if grabbing a lifeline. "Mr. Perkins, you're finally here! She's been like this for hours. No matter how I call her, she won't wake up..."
Matthew walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Sloane." He gently patted her shoulder. "Wake up."
Hearing his voice, Sloane's lashes trembled and she slowly opened her eyes.
Her gaze was unfocused for a few seconds before gradually sharpening.
She saw Matthew, then Elysia's anxious face, and asked in confusion, "What... happened to me?"
Matthew looked at her condition, his heart sinking.
He hadn't realized her illness had progressed to this extent.
He and Evelyn were about to be together—he shouldn't be involved in these matters anymore.
But Sloane was a thorn in his heart. Her condition was caused by the Perkins family. He couldn't pretend not to see it.
Once she recovered, he would leave. He silently told himself.
He looked at her, his voice steadying. "Sloane, go to the hospital. You need professional treatment to get better."
Fear washed over Sloane's face. She shrank back into the blanket.
"I don't want to go... I'm scared..." Her voice trembled. "Before... my ex-husband worked with hospital staff to lock me up..."
"They gave me injections, tied me to the bed... I don't want to go..."
Matthew's gaze darkened.
"I understand," he said, his voice even softer. "This time is different. Elysia and I will go with you."
"We promise—no one will hurt you."
Sloane looked at him. Her eyes held fear and hesitation, but most of all, trust.
That trust made Matthew's heart sink even deeper.
She was silent for so long that Elysia was about to speak when she finally nodded.
Matthew stood up and signaled the bodyguard to bring a wheelchair.
He turned slightly, discreetly avoiding Sloane's reaching hand.
The car sped along.
After some thought, Matthew didn't take Sloane to the Perkins Group hospital. Instead, he chose a more distant one. Fewer people, quieter, and less chance of running into anyone they knew.
The examination room door was closed. The doctor was conducting a series of tests on Sloane.
Elysia stood in the corridor, looking at Matthew.
"Mr. Perkins," she spoke, her voice not loud but very serious, "Sloane is in this state because of you. You need to take responsibility for her."
Matthew said nothing.
"Since you've already broken off your engagement with the Quinn family..." Elysia continued.
"My business is none of yours." Matthew cut her off, his gaze turning cold. "I already have someone I care about."
Elysia froze and bit her lip.
"Then at least wait until she's better." She stared at Matthew. "In her current state, she can't handle the truth that you care for someone else."
"She left for abroad because of you back then, was forced to marry that scumbag, and ended up like this..." She paused, her voice trembling. "You can't kick her when she's down."
Matthew was silent for a long time.
"I'll take responsibility for her treatment," he finally spoke, his voice low. "Until she recovers."
Elysia looked at him, wanting to say something, but ultimately just nodded.
The examination room door opened.
The doctor came out holding a stack of reports.
"The patient's condition isn't very optimistic," he said, pushing up his glasses. "She needs hospitalization—at least a month."
Matthew nodded.
He looked at the half-open door. Inside, Sloane sat in the wheelchair, looking in their direction.
In her eyes were dependence, expectation, and something he didn't dare look at too closely.
He looked away. One month.
He silently thought to himself.
'Eve, just one month. I'll handle this properly.'