Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Matilda's POV

After Uma left, I felt drained and fell backward into the soft pillows, raising my hand to cover my face.

How could I have such thoughts?

How could a man like Wellington, someone so far above everyone else, possibly have this kind of extraordinary concern and worry for a mere subordinate?

It was absurd, like a cheap romantic comedy script, the kind of daydream only teenage girls would have.

But what was worse, my heartbeat betrayed me, racing at the most inappropriate time.

It was like something was breaking through the soil in my heart, growing wildly.

If I had to find a word to describe it, I think it would be... attraction.

When that word popped up, I shocked myself.

'Matilda! Have you lost your mind?!'

Even if his concern for you had a tiny bit of sincerity, so what?

How long could a powerful person's passing interest last?

Besides, you did't even know him!

I couldn't feel this way! Absolutely not.

I pinched my palm hard, trying to use the pain to force myself to calm down, but the fire suddenly burning in my heart was even fiercer than the desire from our entanglement last night.

I finally couldn't help it—I pulled the blanket over my face and screamed.

The next second, my bedroom door was suddenly pushed open from outside.

I jumped, looking toward the doorway.

Backlit, I couldn't see his face clearly, but I heard his somewhat tense voice distinctly.

"What happened?"

"Nothing!" I quickly sat up, eagerly explaining to the tall figure at the door.

"I just accidentally bumped my foot, it hurt a little, but I'm fine, really!"

Wellington stood at the door, silently watching me for two seconds, then prepared to leave.

Just as he pulled his foot back, I suddenly realized that if I let him leave, if I let this awkward, delicate atmosphere continue between us, things would eventually develop to a point completely beyond my control.

I had to do something.

I took a sharp breath and called out his name in a trembling voice. "Mr. Learmond!"

His hand on the door stopped. "What is it?"

I pinched my thigh hard, and the sharp pain finally gave me the courage to say those words.

"I'd like to talk to you privately, if that's okay?"

After a few seconds of silence, he stepped forward and walked back in.

"Please sit down," I said softly.

He walked toward the single sofa by the window and sat down.

His ice-blue eyes calmly looked at me, waiting for me to speak.

I didn't dare look directly into his eyes. I lowered my head, staring at my tightly clasped hands, and finally said those words. "After a while, when Caspian's case is over, I'd like to move out."

After saying this, I immediately lowered my head even more.

I was waiting for his answer.

Reason told me I should hope to hear a calm "okay." That would be the most correct, most reasonable answer.

But somewhere in the most hidden corner of my heart, there was a shameful stirring of desire I didn't even want to admit.

I actually hoped he would say those words—stay.

However, his answer was completely beyond my expectations.

He didn't say okay or not okay, but instead asked me, "Why?"

I looked up in surprise, meeting his eyes that showed no emotion.

Did he really need to ask?

Because I was only staying here temporarily, just to avoid Caspian's threats.

When the threat was gone, shouldn't I leave?

I opened my mouth and said hoarsely, "Because if Caspian's matter is resolved, I won't need your special protection anymore. I shouldn't continue to disturb you or occupy your private space. It was never appropriate to begin with."

He fell into that kind of silence that made my heart panic again.

Time seemed to pass for a century, and he still hadn't given me a clear answer. Instead, he suddenly turned the topic in a direction I was completely unprepared for.

"Last night..." Was he finally going to bring up this topic?

I started to panic inexplicably, instinctively resisting whatever he might say.

I interrupted him rudely.

"I drank too much last night! That thing was definitely an accident. I don't need any compensation from you! Really!" As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt something was wrong.

Wasn't I making it sound like I was hinting he should compensate me, while I was pretending to be noble?

I hurriedly added, "What I mean is, about last night, the main responsibility is mine. I was drunk and lost control. If anyone should talk about compensation, it should be me compensating you."

As soon as I said this, my face turned completely red.

Matilda, what on earth are you babbling about?!

I was so anxious my eyes burned, my nose stung, and tears were about to fall.

"Anyway, I don't want to continue this anymore!"

I couldn't continue this wrong kind of relationship, couldn't cross the line one more step, and couldn't let my heart sink unknowingly until it was too late to regret.

After saying this, I bit my lower lip hard and turned my face away, not daring to look at him anymore.

The room fell into deathly silence again.

I could feel his gaze still on me, heavy, almost unbearable.

A few seconds later, I heard him let out a barely audible sigh.

Then I finally got his answer.

Just one word.

"Okay."

Then he stood up and walked toward the door.

The door was pulled open, then gently closed.

He was gone.

He left decisively, just like when he left the hotel this morning—no looking back, no extra words.

And the moment his footsteps disappeared, it felt like something had been forcibly carved out of my chest, leaving it empty and filled with indescribable loss.

After resting for a few days, I was finally able to go back to work.

Emily called me into her office alone.

"First, I have good news for you, Ms. Hamilton. Regarding the preliminary work you did on the Caspian case, Mr. Learmond and several senior partners have given it full recognition. After evaluation, they believe your performance has met the standards for becoming a permanent employee. So, congratulations—starting today, you're an official employee of Apex Law Firm."

Permanent status?!

I looked up sharply.

Wellington clearly promised me I'd become permanent after completing this case with good results. Why was it suddenly moved up?

"The relevant procedures and contract—HR will come find you shortly to handle them."

Before I could process this, I heard Emily continue. "Also, based on the latest strategic adjustments and personnel optimization of the team, Mr. Learmond's core team currently doesn't need this many assistant personnel. So you'll need to transfer internally."