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Novel Catalog
Chapter 52
Matthew walked briskly toward Veronica’s ward, the bodyguard’s words still hanging in the air behind him. The cold aura surrounding him only intensified as he approached the door. When he entered, he saw Veronica on her feet, clearly preparing to leave.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice sharp and commanding.
“It’s nothing. I just want to be discharged from the hospital,” she replied calmly, her eyes avoiding his gaze as she made her intentions clear.
Her original plan was to make a spectacle of the fire, to stir public opinion and expose the Larson Family’s true nature. She had even released a few rumors to attract media attention, hoping to be interviewed. But Matthew, using his vast network of connections, had blocked all reporters from entering the hospital.
“Do you have a death wish?” Matthew’s voice was filled with an icy frustration as he stood between her and the door. His gaze was unwavering, his posture imposing.
Veronica sighed inwardly. “I can recover from the burns on my feet and arms at home,” she reasoned, though deep down, she knew it wasn’t just about recovery. She was deliberately prolonging the drama to make sure the fire didn’t go unnoticed.
Despite her reasoning, she didn’t want to argue with him. She wasn’t in the mood to explain everything, so she simply decided to make a move. As she attempted to pass him, Matthew didn’t budge.
“Please step aside,” she said, her tone firm, but Matthew’s steely eyes remained locked on hers.
Their silent stand-off was thick with unspoken emotions—emotions neither of them was willing to fully acknowledge.
“I don’t want to repeat myself,” Matthew said coldly. His tone left no room for negotiation, and with that, he blocked her escape entirely.
Veronica, her patience wearing thin, crossed her arms and stared up at him, a smirk playing on her lips. “Matthew, mind your own business.”
Their interaction spoke volumes—his concern, masked by pride, and her feisty defiance. The tension between them had shifted, subtly but undeniably.
He was no longer just “Young Master Matthew” to her, and she was no longer just the “country girl” he once dismissed. There was something new, something unspoken between them.
With a sarcastic smile, Veronica couldn’t resist teasing him. “Are you concerned about me? Tsk, tsk, could it be that you’ve fallen in love with me?”
She walked up to him, a playful mockery in her voice. She knew exactly how to provoke him, to get under his skin.
Matthew’s brow furrowed slightly at her words, and he let out a scoff. “You’re dreaming.”
His reply stung a little more than he expected, and he found himself questioning his own actions. Was he really concerned about her? Was that why he had rushed into a burning building to save a woman who had no connection to him?
Have I really fallen in love with her? The thought rattled in his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. No. I would never fall for a woman like her. She’s nothing but a country girl, an embarrassment. In her dreams.
“If you weren’t Grandma’s god-granddaughter, your death wouldn’t matter to me,” Matthew said stiffly, trying to convince both her and himself. He didn’t want to admit, even to himself, that his motivations might have been more personal than he was willing to admit.
Before Veronica could respond, the sound of the door opening interrupted them.
“Veronica? Oh my God, Veronica, are you alright? You scared me.” Tiffany’s voice broke through the tension in the room.
Veronica’s eyes narrowed as she saw Tiffany standing in the doorway, the very image of feigned concern. Is she really here to check if I’m dead or not? Veronica couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Looks like I’ve disappointed her.
Tiffany put on a polite smile as she entered, her gaze flicking to Matthew. “Matthew, you’re here.”
She had waited until the morning to visit, holding back after seeing the news that Veronica had survived. The sight of her surviving the fire had clearly infuriated Tiffany, but she knew it wasn’t the right time to make a scene. Yet, as soon as she entered, she saw Veronica standing there, and her blood boiled with jealousy.
Matthew turned and saw Tiffany standing in the doorway. “You came just in time. Since you are her friend, you should keep her company,” he said casually, though there was a hint of an order in his tone.
Tiffany’s face tightened slightly, but she quickly masked it with a soft smile. “Alright, Matthew. It just so happens that I want to meet her too.”
Her voice dripped with a sweetness that barely masked the venom beneath. As Matthew left, his cold gaze barely registered Tiffany, leaving her feeling a pang of hurt and frustration. His indifference to her was like a knife to her heart, and yet, strangely, it made her even more determined to make him hers.
As she watched Matthew disappear down the hall, she shifted her focus to Veronica. She couldn’t let the woman who was standing in the way of her perfect life slip away so easily.
Once the door closed behind him, Tiffany’s mask fell, revealing a cold, calculating smile. She approached Veronica slowly, her eyes narrowing with malice.
“So, Veronica,” she said, her voice laced with sweetness, “did you come here to check if I’m dead or not? Tsk, tsk, are you disappointed to see that I’m fine and standing here?”
Veronica’s expression didn’t waver. She matched Tiffany’s sly smile, the challenge clear in her voice. “I can’t help that I’m one lucky girl.”
She lifted her arm, showing off the bandages that covered her burns. “The burn marks on my feet and arms aren’t even bigger than my palm. Can you guess who saved me from the fire?”
Tiffany’s eyes flickered, but she quickly shook her head, trying to maintain composure. “Impossible. You’re talking nonsense.”
But Veronica wasn’t finished. She could feel the tension building, the unspoken war of words between them. Let’s see how much she’s willing to show her true colors.
“Who else could it be?” Veronica pressed, her voice filled with mockery. “Someone with a hand injury, perhaps?”
Tiffany’s face froze for a moment, the smallest hint of discomfort passing across her expression. But she quickly regained her composure, her smile never wavering.
“You’re a lucky girl, Veronica. I have to admit, I’m impressed you managed to survive,” Tiffany said, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
But beneath that mask, Veronica could see the venom just waiting to spill. Tiffany’s jealousy and hatred were so thick they were almost tangible.
