Chapter 14

The bodyguards promptly followed Rachel’s instructions, positioning themselves at the villa compound's entrance. The compound comprised three spacious villas, its courtyard a small garden enclosed by a low, four-foot wall offering a clear view. Tessa and Randall were stopped at the gate. Tessa smiled, attempting to reason with the guards. “We’re Ms. Carter’s business partners. She’s being scammed; a con man is after her money and affections. Letting us in could prevent this.” The bodyguard remained impassive. “Ms. Carter isn't receiving visitors. Please leave.”

Glancing through the gate, Tessa saw the drawn curtains and cursed inwardly. How could Matthew make his move in broad daylight? More frustrating was Rachel's apparent blindness. How could such an intelligent and beautiful woman be so naïve? Tessa realized Rachel, despite her intellect and beauty, was a hopeless romantic, completely devoted to any man she was involved with, even above her family. If they'd been intimate, Tessa's words would be futile. Growing desperate, Tessa shouted, “That man is an ex-convict! Would you bear the consequences if he harms her? Let us in!”

Inside, Matthew directed Fred to lie down. He simmered a concoction of elder root, dried ginger, ivory root, and sweet root essence for fifteen minutes, reducing three bowls of water to a half bowl of potent medicine. The herbal aroma filled the room, a rejuvenating essence with each inhalation. Matthew administered the medicine, then took out a box of gold and silver needles. Holding a silver needle in his left hand and a gold one in his right, he delicately inserted them into Fred's M-HN-3 acupoint. Fred watched, astonished. “Two needles in one point?” Matthew remained silent. The Spectral Energy Balancing Technique, capable of circulating energies and potentially reviving a dying man, demanded absolute concentration to avoid mistakes. Both hands moved swiftly and precisely. Soon, Fred’s head was covered in needles.

A commotion outside interrupted the quiet, Matthew’s hands freezing mid-air. The interrupted treatment caused Fred to tremble and convulse, intense pain etched on his face. A wave of hatred surged within him. Matthew had stressed the need for quiet; this could be fatal. If Fred could move, he'd likely attack the source of the disturbance. Matthew took a deep breath, calmed himself, and resumed, inserting more needles into dozens of acupuncture points. Fred then lost consciousness.

Matthew began removing the needles, each withdrawing droplets of black blood—an alarming yet promising sign. Once all needles were removed and Fred’s pulse was stable, Matthew wiped his brow, exhaling in relief. He opened the door to find Rachel waiting. “What’s happening outside?” she asked, tiptoeing to peer past him. “How is Grandpa?”

Matthew replied angrily, “Something nearly disastrous occurred. Didn't I request quiet? What was all that noise?” Rachel sighed, resigned. “Your ex-wife arrived. I avoided a confrontation by having the guards manage the situation. It's resolved now.”

Tessa again! Matthew frowned. “I’ll see what she wants.”

Outside, Tessa and Randall continued arguing with the guards. Fuming, Matthew confronted them. “Tessa, what do you want? You nearly ruined everything!”

Tessa shouted, “Matthew! I’m here to ruin your plans! What will you do?”

Matthew trembled with fury. “You almost jeopardized a life!”

Tessa, momentarily taken aback, sneered. “You’re trying to marry Ms. Carter by getting her pregnant, aren’t you?”

Pregnant? Matthew was stunned. “Pregnant?”

Tessa scoffed. “Don’t play dumb. Drawn curtains in broad daylight speak volumes. You’re a worthless ex-convict, divorced and useless. I dumped you; you weren’t good enough. Now you aim for someone like Ms. Carter? Dream on!”

Rachel appeared, supporting Fred. Tessa waved. “Ms. Carter, I’m Tessa Sanders. I feared you were being scammed, so I came to tell you the truth.”

Rachel’s expression was icy. “I don’t want to listen, and I certainly don’t want to see you!”

Tessa’s expression stiffened, but she quickly replied, “You misunderstand. You’ll thank me. Matthew served three years in prison; he's only been out a few days. He’s an ex-convict—why I divorced him. Don't throw yourself into danger; you can't trust him!”

Tessa awaited Rachel’s shocked reaction, anticipating gratitude and future business collaborations, already imagining contracts and career advancements. But Rachel’s expression grew colder. She knew the truth from Matthew, and Fred had explained Matthew's imprisonment.

“Well, I guess I should thank you,” she said coolly.

Tessa was thrilled, feeling vindicated. Her persistence had paid off! Success felt imminent, particularly with a Wealthwave Group partnership. Divorcing Matthew was the best decision! Shedding that dead weight propelled her forward. Tessa’s voice trembled with excitement. “It’s my honor to help. We women should support each other. I look forward to collaborations.”

Randall added, “Yes, we’re definitely looking forward to it.”

Rachel’s voice was frosty. “I’m thanking you for divorcing Matthew. Now I can get engaged to him.”

What? Tessa’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You… you’re going to marry him? Did you hear what I said? He’s been to prison!”

Rachel looked at Tessa as if she were insane. “I know. He went to prison for you. Doesn’t that show how responsible and courageous he is? He’s one in a million. I can’t believe someone would divorce a man like him.”

Tessa froze, her face draining of color. Rachel had known all along. But why choose Matthew? “You’re the president of a company worth hundreds of billions of dollars. You’re beautiful and influential. But Matthew is just an ex-convict with no savings or career. He’s utterly worthless. With so many good men, why him?”