Chapter 266 Greeter

Chapter 266 Greeter

"What do you think Ethan will think when he sees you showing up at his sister's family recognition banquet? What can you give her now? A title? You're already divorced. Protection? She has Ethan. At an event like this, all you'd bring her is embarrassment."

Matthew stood there without answering.

"I know you want to go, but you can't. And it's not me stopping you—it's you. You don't have the right to stand there anymore."

He knew Sawyer was telling the truth.

But he still picked up his phone.

Early the next morning, he drove to the Gonzalez family's estate.

Ryder looked genuinely surprised when he opened the door.

"Mr. Gonzalez. You're here."

"Is my grandfather up?"

"He just finished breakfast."

Matthew changed his shoes and headed straight for the study.

Sawyer sat in his recliner reading the newspaper. When Matthew walked in, he didn't even glance up.

"What are you doing here again?"

Matthew stopped in front of the desk. He didn't sit.

He was silent for about ten seconds before he spoke. "Grandpa, I need to ask you for something."

Sawyer's hand stilled.

Matthew had never been the type to ask for favors. Not as a child, not as an adult. He'd go silent, stone-faced. He'd lose his temper and break things. But he wouldn't beg.

Now he was standing here, and the word he'd chosen was "ask."

"Let me go to Abigail's family recognition banquet."

Sawyer set down the newspaper and looked up at him.

"Didn't I make myself clear yesterday?"

"I know." Matthew's voice was rough. "I won't go inside. I'll stay outside. Just let me see her from a distance."

Sawyer studied him.

"I won't approach her. Won't talk to her. Won't let anyone know I was there." Matthew's hands hung at his sides, knuckles white. "I just want to see her. Once."

The study went quiet.

Ryder stood outside the door. He heard nothing from inside and didn't dare enter.

Finally, Sawyer picked up the newspaper again.

"Do what you want."

He didn't say yes. He didn't say no.

Matthew stood there a moment longer, then nodded once and left.

The fifteenth of next month.

The family recognition banquet.

Phoenix Harmony Ballroom had been under preparation for three days. The entire exterior was wrapped in warm-toned light strips, both sides of the entrance lined with flowers, and a deep red carpet rolled out from the curb all the way into the main hall.

The parking lot was full.

Most of the cars were black or charcoal gray, each one worth more than most people made in years.

Security lined both sides of the entrance, one guard every sixteen feet.

Craig stood at the door with a tablet, verifying each guest's identity.

At exactly five o'clock, the arrivals began.

Matthew's car stopped on the service road east of the ballroom.

Nico sat in the passenger seat and glanced back at him.

"Mr. Gonzalez, you sure about this?"

Matthew opened the door and stepped out.

He wore a dark gray suit, tie knotted neatly, looking every bit like he did at any corporate function.

The only difference was he didn't walk toward the main entrance.

He circled around to the side door and positioned himself against a pillar.

From here, he could see most of the main entrance, but anyone inside would have no line of sight to him.

Nico followed, hands in his pockets, silent.

Five twenty.

A black sedan pulled up to the main entrance. Sawyer stepped out, followed by Ryder.

Jason emerged from the other side, suit crisp, smiling as he offered Sawyer his arm.

Sawyer didn't refuse. The two walked into the hall together.

Matthew stood in the shadow by the side door, watching. He didn't move.

Five thirty-five.

The Brown family arrived.

Martin and Mira stepped out first, then Chris, and finally Sophia.

Sophia wore a burgundy gown, hair swept up, earrings catching the light.

Before entering the hall, her gaze drifted toward the side door.

She stopped.

"Chris." She tugged his sleeve and tilted her head in that direction.

Chris followed her line of sight.

Matthew stood by the pillar, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.

Chris grinned.

He walked over with Sophia and stopped in front of Matthew.

"Mr. Gonzalez. Interesting spot you've picked tonight." Chris glanced inside, then back at Matthew's position. "Nice view. Good airflow. Kind of like being a hotel greeter."

Sophia chimed in.

"Yeah, Mr. Gonzalez, want me to grab you a sign? We could write 'Welcome' on it."

Matthew's jaw tightened.

He said nothing.

Chris leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"Or did you not get an invitation and just show up anyway?"

Matthew's gaze went cold.

But he still didn't answer.

He couldn't afford a scene with the Brown family here. Couldn't let anyone inside notice him. Couldn't do anything that might affect Abigail.

Sophia watched him take it without a word. For once, the mockery left her face.

She stared at him for two seconds, then turned and walked away with Chris.

"Come on. Don't spend too long chatting with the help. We'll be late."

The two disappeared into the glow of the entrance.

Matthew leaned back against the pillar. His breathing grew heavier.

Nico opened his mouth, saw the look on Matthew's face, and closed it again.

Five forty-five.

Martin and Mira stepped outside for some air and spotted Matthew.

Martin paused, then walked over and shook his hand.

"Matthew. You came too? Waiting for your grandfather?"

Matthew didn't explain. He just nodded.

Mira smiled beside them. "Feeling better?"

They exchanged a few more pleasantries, then headed back inside.

No one thought twice about it.

Outside the side door, it was quiet again.

Nico's phone buzzed. He glanced down.

"Mr. Gonzalez."

"Yeah?"

"Dashiell's here."

Matthew looked up.

At the main entrance, a dark sedan stopped. Dashiell stepped out in a white shirt under a navy suit jacket, hands empty.

His stride wasn't fast, but it was confident.

Craig checked his credentials at the door, then nodded and stepped aside.

Matthew stared at that figure. Something tightened in his chest.

Dashiell had an invitation.

He'd been formally invited by Abigail.

Matthew's fingers curled into fists in his pockets.

He turned and took two steps toward the parking lot.

"Mr. Gonzalez?" Nico moved to follow.

"Let's go."

"But didn't you say—"

"Don't ask."

He'd barely taken his third step when a voice came from behind him.

"Matthew."

He stopped dead.

Dashiell stood at the side door entrance, hands in his pockets.

"You planning to wait here for her, or are you just going to leave?"