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Novel Catalog
Chapter 37
Veronica shrugged, a sarcastic smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I’m a person who’s hundreds of thousands in debt, so this is already the best place I can afford to treat you to dinner.” If it weren’t for her adoptive parents repeatedly asking her to buy Matthew a meal, she would have refused outright. It felt like a waste to spend even a single dime on him.
Matthew didn’t seem bothered. Instead, he leaned back in his seat, a smug smile crossing his face. “Perhaps you can consider using your body to repay the debt.”
Veronica shot him a sharp look, not amused. She handed him the menu with barely concealed annoyance. “Young Master Matthew, hurry up and order. Eat quickly. I still have business to attend to.”
Matthew didn’t even glance at the menu. With a casual wave of his hand, he called over the waiter. “The most expensive one-person meal. Fifty servings.”
Veronica’s eyebrows shot up. “Fifty servings? Are you planning to feed the entire planet? There’s no way you’ll be able to finish all that.” Her frustration was evident, but she couldn’t afford to make a scene.
Matthew’s tone was cool, almost mocking. “It’s not too much to buy the medical specialists who helped treat your father a meal each.”
He had a point, but it didn’t sit well with Veronica. She could only sigh in resignation. “How much is the most expensive one-person meal?”
“288 per serving,” the waiter replied.
Veronica’s eyes widened in disbelief. 288? Multiply that by 50 servings, and the bill was going to be over 14,000! Her blood boiled, but she had no choice but to swallow her anger. Matthew was a man with great power and influence, and angering him could only lead to more trouble—especially with her adoptive parents’ medical expenses hanging over her head.
“Is there a discount for members?” she asked, hoping for some miracle.
“No discounts for this meal,” the waiter replied politely.
Veronica let out a long, drawn-out sigh. “Then go ahead. And bring me another pot of plain water.” She had no intention of eating. She just wanted something to help cool the rising heat of frustration.
A while later, the waiter returned with the bill. Veronica felt her stomach lurch as she swiped her card, paying the exorbitant amount. With the receipt in hand, she turned to Matthew, forcing a calm smile onto her face. “Young Master Matthew, I’ve treated you to dinner. You can take your time eating. I’ll leave first.” She made a quick turn to walk out, hoping to escape the entire situation.
“I dare you to walk away.” Matthew’s voice was low and calm, the challenge clear.
Veronica froze, the words cutting through her like a blade. Her instinct to leave melted away. “You…” She didn’t have the energy to argue, so instead, she sat down opposite him, playing with her phone as if nothing was wrong.
Matthew’s phone rang a few moments later. “Kaymite Restaurant. Courtside Road. Yes,” he answered without looking at her.
Veronica was barely listening to him. She was scrolling through her phone when something caught her attention: a news story about money-scamming schemes involving beautiful women. An idea began to form in her mind, and she glanced at Matthew, a plan taking shape.
The two sat in silence for another half hour before the atmosphere was broken by a familiar voice.
“Matthew? Why are you here… Veronica?” Tiffany, looking every bit the picture of elegance in a princess-like dress and soft makeup, walked in. She clearly expected a much more refined setting than this.
Veronica couldn’t help but feel disgusted at the sight of Tiffany, her perfect smile and flawless appearance mocking her. The sight made Veronica wonder if one day she’d look in the mirror and despise the reflection staring back at her, much like she despised Tiffany now.
Matthew barely acknowledged her as he gestured to the seat next to him. “Sit down.”
Tiffany smiled warmly and took her seat beside him. “Matthew, why are you with Veronica?” Her voice was sweet, but there was an edge to it, laced with possessiveness.
“She’s paying for dinner and specifically asked you to come over,” Matthew said smoothly, his tone casual as he lied without hesitation.
Tiffany’s eyes glinted with the wrong kind of satisfaction. She assumed that Veronica was deliberately trying to seduce Matthew, especially with him being engaged to her. “Veronica, why’d you suddenly think of treating us to dinner?” Tiffany asked with a smile, but it wasn’t genuine.
Veronica wasn’t interested in engaging in any of Tiffany’s fake politeness. She stood up quickly, excusing herself. “I’m going to the restroom.” She needed a moment away from all of them.
Inside the restroom, Veronica washed her hands, but as she turned off the faucet, she saw Tiffany waiting for her at the sink. Tiffany’s expression was cold, her eyes filled with malice as she began to speak. “If you have something to say, just say it,” Veronica said, her voice steady as she stared back at her.
Tiffany sneered, her words venomous. “Veronica, you still dare to ask me to speak after what you’ve done? Matthew and I are already engaged. Don’t shamelessly be a whore and try to seduce him, okay?”
Veronica stood her ground, her gaze unwavering. “What did you say? Say it again.” Her calmness was unnerving.
Tiffany’s eyes narrowed. “What are you, if not a whore? Don’t think I don’t know you climbed into Matthew’s bed and got pregnant with his child!”
The words hit Veronica harder than she expected. They were both cruel and entirely unfounded, yet Tiffany’s outburst only made Veronica laugh, instead of getting angry.
Tiffany seemed taken aback. “What are you laughing at? Do you want to hit me? Let me tell you, Matthew is outside. If you dare to hit me—”
Before she could finish, Veronica didn’t hesitate. She gathered all her strength and slapped Tiffany across the face with a sharp crack. “Don’t always treat others like fools. Do you think I don’t know about what happened at Hilton? I just didn’t want to hold it against you.”
Tiffany’s head whipped to the side from the force of the slap, her body staggering backward and crashing into the wall. She screamed in pain.
“Hey! Why did you slap her?” a voice cried out.
“What’s the matter?” someone else shouted.
“Oh, her head’s bleeding! Hurry up and call an ambulance!” Another onlooker shouted, panic evident in their voice.
The restaurant quickly became filled with whispers and murmurs. The commotion caught the attention of Matthew, who pushed through the crowd. He saw Tiffany sitting on the floor, her face stained with blood, and his cold gaze immediately locked on Veronica.
“What did you do?” he demanded, his voice low and furious.
Veronica’s anger, already simmering for so long, finally erupted. “Can’t you see what I’ve done? When you send your fiancée to the hospital later, don’t forget to book an appointment with an ophthalmologist. Maybe they can cure your bad eyesight!”
Tiffany, sobbing, clung to Matthew as she clutched at his shirt. “S-Sob… Matthew… I just reminded her to go back to the hospital and visit her parents… I didn’t expect her to hit me! Sob… sob…”
The onlookers, many of them already quick to judge, continued to gossip.
“Tsk, tsk. Her parents are in the hospital, and she’s out here causing trouble.”
“Not only is she ugly, but she’s also vicious.”
Matthew didn’t respond to any of the gossip. His focus was entirely on Veronica as he glared at her.
“If anything happens to her, I’ll make you pay the price,” he threatened, his voice deadly.
Without another word, Matthew bent down, scooping Tiffany into his arms, and stormed out of the restaurant. He headed straight for the hospital, leaving a crowd of whispers and judgment behind him.
