Chapter 498: Give Each Other a Chance
Tobias was equally shocked by Matthew's words.
He had originally thought Matthew was here to talk business.
His health had declined significantly in the past few years.
Adelaide was the only one in the family capable of managing the Martinez Group, so he had handed over the inheritance rights to her.
Although the Martinez Group couldn't compare to the White Group, it still held a high position in Silverlight City.
However, many people within the Martinez Group were dissatisfied with Adelaide and even looked down on a woman managing the company.
Not only did shareholders raise objections, but the Martinez Group's partner companies also wanted to terminate their contracts one after another.
If he hadn't supported Adelaide, those people would probably try every means to force her out.
He was grateful he was still alive, but some things were already beyond his strength.
Recently, he heard that the Lumina Group had launched a new product and was looking for business partners, so he suggested Adelaide give it a try.
A couple of days ago, Adelaide came home looking dejected, and he thought the cooperation opportunity was lost.
He never expected Matthew to personally visit today.
Before Adelaide arrived, he and Matthew had been discussing company cooperation.
However, he never imagined that what Matthew really wanted to talk about was Adelaide's marriage.
He nearly dropped his jaw, unable to believe his ears.
With Matthew's status and position, what kind of woman couldn't he find?
When did he get involved with Adelaide?
"Mr. Moore, you..." Tobias opened his mouth, wanting to ask if there was some misunderstanding.
Matthew shook his head calmly. "Tobias, I know exactly what I'm saying. I want to marry Adelaide."
Tobias instinctively looked at Adelaide and saw her standing there, staring at Matthew, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"Matthew, have you made enough of a scene? Take your things and leave! You're not welcome here."
Seeing that Matthew didn't move, Adelaide suddenly rushed over and threw the documents at him.
Matthew was caught off guard and hit squarely by the papers.
He had come with sincere intentions, and every word he'd just said was genuine.
He didn't understand why Adelaide was so angry.
He didn't know what Adelaide had experienced over the years, so he couldn't know how confused she felt right now.
She had never imagined Matthew would do something like this.
Her first reaction wasn't gratitude, but feeling like all her emotional wounds had been violently torn open.
She had never questioned Matthew's feelings, but precisely because of that, she couldn't agree to be with him.
That would be too unfair to Matthew.
Every word Matthew had just said was like a sharp knife, stabbing into her chest.
Those bloody wounds told her she didn't deserve happiness and love.
The Martinez Group was declining more and more. Reversing its situation wouldn't be easy.
Frankly speaking, the Martinez Group was just a mess.
No one would willingly take over the Martinez Group.
Neither would she.
She had suffered a serious illness and could never have children of her own again.
She had studied abroad and wasn't a very traditional woman, but children held a different meaning for many men.
Who would willingly marry a woman who couldn't have children?
She didn't dare gamble on human nature.
And didn't dare easily take that step.
Partly because she knew her own situation, and partly because she was afraid that the more she gained now, the more painful it would be when reality struck later.
Matthew frowned. "Are you worried about the children's issue? I already know."
Adelaide froze in place, staring in disbelief. "You know?"
Matthew stood up and methodically picked up the documents scattered on the table and floor.
He walked toward Adelaide with steady steps and said word by word, "I've always liked you as a person, not anything else."
Adelaide smiled bitterly. "But how long can your affection last?"
Many people say love has an expiration date, and after it expires, all those beautiful things will shatter.
She no longer believed in relationships.
Or rather, she didn't believe anyone would love her for a lifetime.
Besides, would anyone really be willing to give up the right to have children for love?
Maybe Matthew was blinded by love now, but in a few years, he'd regret it.
Then he'd blame her for trapping him with marriage, or secretly find other women outside.
She didn't want to end up giving all her assets to his illegitimate child.
Matthew had thought about Adelaide's concerns.
Precisely because he'd thought about them, he was more determined in his choice.
"I was once abandoned by my parents. Besides Robert, my junior brother and sister, the most important person in my life is you. I know you don't believe my promises, but please give me a chance to prove myself, and give us both a chance, okay?"
Matthew's expression was serious, his eyes sincere, with no sign of lying.
And from what Adelaide knew of him, although he had a cool personality, he had his own pride and wouldn't bother lying to her about this.
Besides, she didn't seem to have any value worth exploiting.
Although everyone outside said she was the Martinez family heir, only she knew what difficulties the Martinez family was facing now.
She still asked uncertainly, "Are you really... willing to never have children for the rest of your life?"
Matthew fell into thought.
Adelaide's heart sank bit by bit.
Just when she thought she wouldn't get Matthew's answer, he suddenly spoke, "If you like children, we can adopt one."
After a pause, he added, "Sophia rescued many children from the GeneCipher Society. Those who found their parents have been sent back, and the rest are orphans. You can pick any you like."
Adelaide said nothing, but she was tempted.
Still, she had her own concerns and didn't dare agree easily.
However, Matthew... joining her family?
In Novaria, joining the woman's family was like trampling a man's dignity underfoot.
If outsiders knew that the founder of the Lumina Group had joined the Martinez family... she couldn't imagine how much gossip there would be.
Matthew just smiled at this. "Life is lived for ourselves. What others say doesn't matter."
Adelaide opened her mouth, about to say something more, when Tobias interrupted.
"Mr. Moore, are you sincere about Adelaide?"
Adelaide was his only granddaughter, and he was afraid she'd be hurt.
Matthew nodded seriously. "Adelaide and I have known each other since middle school. I've never forgotten her. Rest assured, if I dare betray Adelaide, Sophia and Benjamin won't let me off either."
This statement was purely to put Tobias at ease.
He was confident in himself. If he really wanted to find another woman, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until now?