Chapter 323
Elise turned her head around, only to find Matthew leaning against the bathroom door frame. He seemed to have heard everything they said. Like a predator with keen eyes, he was constantly tracking Elise, his prey. He revealed a grin that bore no amicability, as if he was mocking her for her attempt to rebel. “Let’s go out,” he blurted.
As usual, Heather heeded his order and said nothing more, leaving Elise without turning back.
Once the door was shut, Matthew’s grin turned into a glower. He walked into the bathroom and forcibly dragged Elise out before throwing her ferociously onto the couch. Beside the couch was a coffee table, where on top of it lay the trending bridal magazines, along with a number of blue files neatly stacking on top of each other. “You have one night to decide which gown and diamond ring you like best. The other ones are wedding plans given by the bridal company. Keep them if you like it. If you’re not interested in any of them, I’ll make the choice.”
He condescendingly glared at Elise, who was rubbing her wrist that was aching. Even under the pain, she wouldn’t reveal a trace of vulnerability on her face. It was as if she was born with nobility and pride flowing in her blood, and such a dominant woman was the only one right for him. However, he was reminded of Alexander, the man who always put himself above all else, who always stepped on him like an ant, and who always thought he knew it all. The jealousy and rage from the mere thought of Alexander was driving him insane, so he didn’t dare to dwell on it. With that, he shot Elise an inexplicable gaze before leaving the room and slamming the door shut.
Meanwhile, Heather was making tea in the living room. Striding over, Matthew threw himself onto the couch before staring at the ceiling. He then shut his eyes, letting out a heavy sigh.
Heather felt her heart ache at the sight of that. Thereupon, she fetched him a cup of hot tea and sat down beside him. “Don’t push yourself too hard.”
Disregarding her concern, Matthew reminded, “These days are most crucial. We can’t afford any mistakes.”
“I understand.” Heather nodded, though she felt somewhat bitter. Her loyalty to Matthew was unwavering, and that was indubitable. However, Elise’s words left some doubt in her burning-for-love heart. Is staying by his side unconditionally really the best choice for him? Besides… She touched her abdomen. The child was given to her by God, but she knew very clearly that Matthew would reject it without any hesitation.
“Matthew.” She inquired, “If we finally succeed, will there still be a place by your side for me?”
Hearing that, Matthew subtly grimaced. Although he had a soft spot for her, he insisted on keeping up his apathetic facade. “I’m not like those guys. Since things have happened, I’ll take full responsibility for it. Even after Elise and I got married, I will pay for all of your expenses, and you won’t have to be burdened by anything.”
“Is responsibility all there is between us?” Heather’s voice was rather raspy. She couldn’t stop tears from welling up in her eyes.
“That’s enough.” Matthew sprung up from the couch and walked toward his bedroom. “I’m tired. We’ll talk about this next time.” Having said that, he hastened his feet and vanished from Heather’s vision in just a couple of steps.
In that instant, no one in the house had a calm mind.
Elise, unaware of the situation between the other two, was still planning her escape. After countless times of her vision brushing over the magazines and wedding plans on the coffee table, her eyes shone as she remembered something.
She recognized one of the magazines was published exclusively for the members of a certain luxurious brand in the city. Although its products’ quality didn’t live up to its popularity, all the items were subscription based and tailormade, so all of its subscribers would each receive limited-edition goods periodically.
Given Matthew’s current situation, he wouldn’t dare to splurge so openly. Thus, he must have received the magazine-the one currently in Elise’s hands-from an old acquaintance of his. If she was able to figure out who it came from, she could leave traces for the outsiders and lead them to her. The problem is, how should I bring up the topic of the magazine naturally? After an entire night of pondering, an idea finally popped up in her mind right before dawn.
The next day, Matthew pushed open Elise’s door. When he entered the room, she was already in her garments looking neat, casually sitting on the couch as she read the magazines on the table.
“So what will it be?” He placed one of the two cups of hot coffee in his hands on the table before her before taking a seat on the couch across from her. Crossing his legs, he languidly took a sip of his coffee.
Frowning, she pushed the magazines on the table away. “At least find a girl to practice with if you really wanna marry me. Simply picking some women’s magazines based on some men’s judgment, you’re not really good at this, are you?”
Having lived together with her for the past few days, Matthew was already used to her erratic behavior, but he treated it merely as acting. Smiling, he placed his cup on the table. “Well, I do adore how you’re way smarter than an ordinary woman. You saw right through me. I mean, can you blame me? It’s my first time marrying somebody, and I only had guy friends to ask advice from. Just tell me which one of the designer gowns you favor.”
“I prefer something from abroad, but it might take at least three months from ordering, production, and delivery. Can you afford to wait that long?” Elise deliberately troubled him.
“I can’t.” He candidly admitted, yet his expression was rather amiable. He jokingly replied, “That’s why I’m gonna need you-my fiancée-to give me a chance. You can pick whatever that’s locally made. I’m sure the Sinclairs and Alexander will definitely do anything to help you.”
“Hmph!” Elise harrumphed before she purposefully mocked, “And here I thought you loved me so much you could fly me to the moon if I ever wanted to. It seems like you’re just a dependent little man. In this aspect, Alexander’s no doubt the winner.”
There was a trace of indescribable emotion in Matthew’s eyes when he sensed that Elise was deliberately provoking him. She must have come up with a terrible idea, and is waiting for the opportunity to stab me in the back when she gets it! However, he was in a good mood today, so he didn’t care to argue regardless of the mockery she threw at him. After all, he would never allow her to leave.
“Don’t you know? I’m a wanted man, so my life is naturally my priority. Otherwise, you’d be spending the rest of your life as a widow.” Matthew rested his hand on his knee, tapping on it from time to time, “I can’t determine how much patience I have Jeft to wait for your answer, so it’s best you tell me what you want before I leave, or I’ll force whichever gown I like on you.”
That was exactly what she had been waiting for. With that, she pretended to be reluctant and gritted her teeth. “You wish! Since I’m forced to pick one, I’ll pick something I like. Lay’s highlight of the month–I want nothing else other than that.”
Al once, Matthew revealed a pompous grin as he tidied his attire. “Wise and timely, that’s my fiancée alright. You’re much cuter this way.” After he said that, he turned around and left. When he walked past the doormat in his glowing leather shoes, a small pil formed on the mat before it quickly returned back to normal.
Once the door was shut, Elise let out a long sigh of relief. Right now, that Lay magazine she read earlier was concealed under the very mat Mathew stepped on. Most fortunately, he didn’t seem to have noticed it.
