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Novel Catalog
Chapter 50
Matthew’s heart raced as he scanned the living room, but Veronica wasn’t anywhere in sight. His panic only deepened as he rushed to her bedroom. Still, there was no sign of her. His mind raced until he noticed the bathroom door was locked. His stomach dropped.
“Veronica! Veronica!” he called out, his voice tight with urgency.
Without wasting another moment, he kicked open the bathroom door, his phone’s flashlight cutting through the smoke and debris. There, on the cold, hard bathroom floor, lay Veronica—unconscious and vulnerable. His breath caught in his throat.
Matthew didn’t hesitate. He quickly ripped his suit jacket off and covered his mouth to protect himself from the thickening smoke, then scooped Veronica into his arms. As he ran toward the door, he could feel the heat of the flames closing in. His mind was consumed with one thought: get her out.
Downstairs, Xavier, who had been anxiously pacing in the corridor, froze when he saw Matthew emerging from the inferno with Veronica cradled in his arms. His eyes widened, disbelief and a flicker of hope flashing in his gaze.
“Veronica? Veronica?” he called out, his voice strained. He approached her cautiously, but there was no response.
Matthew carried her swiftly out of the building, barely pausing as they reached the ambulance. The medical staff immediately surrounded them, but when Xavier tried to follow, they pushed him back.
Matthew stayed at Veronica’s side in the ambulance, his focus entirely on her. The lights inside flickered, revealing the full extent of her injuries—burns on her arms and feet, blisters rising on her skin, and her once-beautiful hair now scorched and tangled. The damage from the smoke inhalation was severe. Veronica was unconscious, her body fighting to survive.
At the hospital, they rushed her into the emergency room, and Matthew could only wait. The minutes stretched endlessly before, finally, Veronica stirred.
With a gasp, she shot upright, her face drenched in sweat as she cried out in terror. “Ah, save me!”
Matthew and Xavier were immediately at her side, both voicing their concern as she blinked around, disoriented.
“Are you awake?” Xavier asked gently, leaning forward.
Matthew, looking as disheveled as ever, gave a soft grunt of acknowledgment. His clothes were singed, his face streaked with ash, yet there was no question in his mind: Veronica was alive, and that was all that mattered.
Veronica’s eyes flicked between the two men. She recognized Matthew instantly but was confused by his sudden appearance.
“Why are you here?” she asked weakly, her voice hoarse, her mind still foggy from the smoke and the drugs used to sedate her. “Who saved me?”
Xavier’s expression shifted. For a moment, his face softened, but then it darkened. His eyes darted to Matthew. In that split second, Xavier’s emotions were a tangle of conflicting feelings—gratitude for Matthew’s heroism, envy of his courage, and a deep, gnawing jealousy.
The truth hit Xavier hard: Matthew had rushed into the flames without a second thought. Xavier had hesitated, too afraid to risk his own life. And here was Matthew—holding Veronica, saving her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Veronica, still disoriented, glanced between them, sensing the tension in the air. She had no idea why Matthew had come to her rescue, but her gut told her that there was more to the situation than she understood.
“I… I don’t know,” she murmured, her hand instinctively reaching for the bracelet around her wrist. The small device was waterproof and could record and transmit audio, a precaution Veronica had taken after suspecting danger. It wasn’t just a regular bracelet; it was a tracking and listening device linked to Cody, a contact she had made at the nightclub. Cody, along with a couple of private investigators, had been monitoring her every move since she’d started feeling threatened by the Larson family.
Xavier remained quiet, watching her closely, noticing the subtle way her eyes flickered toward him, silently asking him to keep Cody’s involvement a secret. He respected her unspoken request and stayed silent, though his mind raced with questions.
Matthew, ever the stoic figure, stood up. His voice was cold as he addressed Veronica. “You should rest now,” he said, his words clipped.
With that, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving Veronica and Xavier behind. The door clicked softly behind him, and as he walked down the hallway, his thoughts were already elsewhere.
Veronica stared after him, her mind whirling. Why had Matthew come for her? She hadn’t asked for his help, yet there he was, risking his life to save her. And when he carried her out of the fire, she had felt something—a sense of security, of trust, like she was safe for the first time in so long. But then he left, as if nothing had changed. As if she was just another responsibility.
Xavier, who had been watching her closely, noticed the shift in her gaze. “Are… are you alright?” he asked, his voice unusually soft.
Veronica blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. She shook her head, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she lied, though the faint burn marks on her arms told a different story. “No matter what, we’ve achieved our goal.”
Xavier scowled. He reached out and gently poked her head. “Are you crazy? Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? You could’ve died in there!” His voice grew louder, a mix of anger and concern.
Veronica sighed, rubbing her forehead. “I had to provoke the Larson family. I needed evidence, Xavier. I had to push them to do something—anything—to expose them. That fire wasn’t just an accident.” Her voice softened, but there was a sharp edge of determination in it. “And yes, it’s true. I suspect the Larson family is behind the car accident that killed my adoptive parents. But I couldn’t do it alone.”
Xavier’s expression hardened as realization hit him. He had suspected something like this, but hearing it from her lips made it all the more real. “You should’ve told me,” he muttered, his tone growing frustrated. “I could’ve helped you.”
Veronica offered a rueful smile. “I’ve already owed you too much. I didn’t want to drag you deeper into this mess.”
Xavier’s eyes narrowed. “You’re impossible,” he said, slapping the back of her head playfully. “You could’ve trusted me.”
Meanwhile, outside the hospital room, Matthew had already made a call to Thomas, his voice steady and commanding. “Find something for Xavier to do. He’s too free these days.”
Thomas’s reply was swift and obedient. “Yes, Young Master Matthew.”
Matthew’s gaze drifted to the window as he issued another order. “And transfer Veronica to Saint Hospital.”
Elizabeth was already there, and it would be easier for Veronica to be transferred to the same facility. That way, he could keep an eye on both of them.
As Matthew’s call ended, Xavier, who had been by Veronica’s side all night, received a call of his own. His expression immediately shifted, and after a brief conversation, he excused himself. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, but for now, he had to leave.
As he walked out, Veronica watched him go, a deep sense of confusion settling in her chest. The situation was more complicated than ever, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something—or someone—was about to change everything.
