Chapter 6
Wait a minute. Did Albert just say he was here to pick up Matthew? Tessa was utterly disbelieving. More than a dozen luxury cars were present; the first alone was worth over ten million dollars. She’d never ridden in such a vehicle. Yet Matthew, her recently dumped ex-convict, was being picked up in this? What had he done to deserve such treatment? It had to be a mistake!
From the car, she gestured toward Matthew on the curb. “Are you sure? Look at him! He's dressed like that, hailing cabs. You must be here for me!”
Albert frowned at Tessa's outburst. He'd been sent to pick up a man, not a woman. Glancing at Matthew, he approached politely. “Excuse me, sir. Are you Mr. Matthew Grant?”
Matthew, dubious, nodded. “Yes, I’m Matthew Grant.”
Albert was relieved. “Good day, Mr. Grant. I’m here to pick you up.”
Confusion washed over Matthew. Only Lillian and Stanley knew about his divorce; he hadn't told anyone else. A motorcade of luxury cars had arrived to collect him? “Who asked you to pick me up?”
Albert smiled. “Mr. Carter.”
The only “Mr. Carter” Matthew knew was Fred. He realized Fred must have sought his medical expertise and tracked him down. Displeasure washed over him; he disliked people invading his privacy.
“Alright, take me to Mr. Carter,” he said. “And make it quick; I have other commitments.”
Albert, about to invite Matthew into the car, remembered Tessa. “Why are you still in the car? Get out, or I'll drag you out!”
Tessa, still reeling from the shock, couldn't comprehend it. Who had arranged this? Why was Matthew worthy? There had to be a mistake! “Why did Mr. Carter invite Matthew? Did you mix him up with someone else?”
Passersby gathered; soon, nearly a hundred onlookers had formed. Albert, eager to leave with Matthew, grew irritated. “Who are you to meddle in Mr. Carter’s affairs? Mr. Grant is Mr. Carter’s honored guest! Get out of the car immediately! You’re delaying me. I’ll be forced to take action if you don’t comply.” Everyone was waiting for Matthew at the hotel for a blind date. Time was of the essence.
Tessa fumed. She’d been dismissed disrespectfully in public. She still couldn't believe it. “Please don’t be upset. You might have made a mistake. I’m the president of Evergreen Group. My name is—”
Albert lost his patience. “You’ve left me no choice! If you don’t get out, I’ll take matters into my own hands!” He moved toward the passenger side, seeming ready to forcibly remove her.
Panicked, Tessa scrambled out and stopped when Albert didn't pursue her. He approached Matthew, bowed courteously, and gestured to the car. “After you, Mr. Grant.”
Matthew agreed and entered the passenger seat. Watching him join the procession of luxury cars, Tessa felt as if she were dreaming. She'd been forced out, while Matthew had been courteously invited in. Did he have something going on she didn't know about?
The onlookers buzzed with speculation. “She thought he wasn’t good enough and divorced him. Who knew he'd have luxury cars picking him up? She even tried to get in and got kicked out!” “Look at her face. Regret.” “A man who travels like that is wealthy. Whoever divorced him is going to regret it.”
Tessa’s face paled with humiliation. She’d been unceremoniously ejected, witnessed by many. The gossip made her sick. She began to doubt her decision, wondering if she’d made a mistake divorcing Matthew.
The powerful rumble of engines filled the air. The Koenigsegg smoothly pulled up before Tessa. Matthew gave her a chilling glance, then closed his eyes. I’m leaving it all behind! A new life awaits, and it’s going to be more extraordinary than before! His eyes snapped open, determined. “Step on it! I’ve got places to be!”
Albert accelerated, the engine roaring. The Koenigsegg sped away, followed by the other luxury cars, quickly disappearing. A cloud of dust billowed in their wake. Tessa, enveloped in the dust, squinted. When it settled, she was covered in dirt.
The onlookers stared, pointing and whispering. Tessa’s face grew grim. Unable to bear their gazes, she turned away. The onlookers gradually dispersed.
A pristine blue Porsche pulled up at the courthouse. Randall emerged, walking happily toward Tessa. “Well, what do you think? I just got this new car and came straight here to pick you up.”
Tessa glanced at the car. Before the earlier fiasco, she would have been overjoyed. Now, it paled in comparison to the Koenigsegg. She didn’t care. “Why are you so late?”
Randall’s anger flared. “There was a motorcade. Probably a wedding. All luxury cars; no one dared to overtake them. Otherwise, I’d have been here ages ago.”
A wedding procession? It dawned on Tessa: Matthew had orchestrated the display to flaunt it to her. He'd hired them! The humiliation of being ejected flooded her with fury. She felt more disdain for Matthew than ever. “Only a good-for-nothing like him would hire a whole motorcade to show off! Thank goodness we’re divorced!”
Randall knew her remarks were directed at Matthew. “You’ve gotten rid of that good-for-nothing. We’ll celebrate at Beyond Hotel. My treat!”
Meanwhile, Matthew arrived at Beyond Hotel, Lambda City's most luxurious hotel. The motorcade pulled up at the left entrance. Albert opened the passenger door. “Mr. Grant, Mr. Carter and the others are waiting in the Euphoria Suite. May I show you the way?”
Matthew waved him off. “You go ahead. I’ve got it from here.” The motorcade departed.
Nostalgia washed over Matthew as he gazed at the hotel entrance. He’d entertained business partners here. Three years had passed, yet it looked the same.
As he approached, a gorgeous woman sipping milk walked toward him. Rachel was breathtakingly beautiful, aloof and refined. She wore a black skirt and white shirt—three buttons undone, offering a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage. After three years in prison without female companionship, Matthew felt instantly parched.
As they drew closer, Rachel saw his expression and looked away. Reaching the doorway, she stumbled. Matthew reached out to steady her, his hand brushing against something soft. Rachel screamed, instinctively squeezing her milk carton. White liquid sprayed, splashing her face.