Chapter 7

With milk covering her face, Rachel shrieked and squeezed her eyes shut. Matthew helped her steady herself, noticing the milk streaming down her face. Quickly, he grabbed a tissue and began wiping, starting at her face and moving down her chin and neck. He stopped abruptly, realizing it was inappropriate to continue. Rachel opened her eyes to find Matthew’s hand hovering near her chest. She slapped him.

Matthew caught her wrist. "What was that for?"

"You acted indecently!" Rachel shouted. "If I don't slap you, who should?"

Matthew, speechless, showed her the damp tissue. "See? I prevented you from falling. You spilled the milk; I helped you. You're being unreasonable!"

Ignoring the tissue, Rachel pointed at her buttons. "Why did you unbutton my third button?"

Matthew frowned. "It was undone. Maybe it was too big and popped open. It wasn't me!"

Rachel, fuming, was about to unleash her anger when her phone rang. It was Fred.

"Hey, Grandpa," she answered.

"Did you pick up Matthew?" Fred boomed. He'd instructed her to meet Matthew at the courthouse entrance, a request she'd instantly regretted. As a beautiful woman, she had many suitors, but Fred wanted her to pick up a divorced man from the courthouse! She'd asked Albert to do it instead. He'd just called, saying he'd left Matthew at the hotel. She could still catch him.

"Yes, yes. I'm on my way!" she said, hanging up. She pointed at Matthew. "Scoundrel! I've got things to do, so scram!" She dashed into the lobby.

Matthew watched her go, shaking his head. What a mess! He'd not only been unappreciated but called a scoundrel. He tossed the milk-soaked tissue in the trash, asked the waiter for directions to the Euphoria Suite, and entered the restaurant.

Approaching the suite, he heard a familiar voice—Stanley's. Confused, he opened the door and froze. Lillian, Fred (the man who’d once begged him for medical treatment), and Rachel were inside.

Rachel’s eyes widened. "You scoundrel! How dare you follow me?" she screamed. "Security! Get this creep out!"

Fred was startled. "Why the fuss, Rae? He's the miracle doctor I told you about!"

Disbelief flooded Rachel's face. This was the renowned Dr. Grant, Fred's choice for her… the man who’d unbuttoned her shirt! A pervert! She considered leaving, but remembering Fred's plight, she stayed.

Matthew was alarmed by Rachel’s accusations. "Stop it! You fell, I helped you. I wiped the milk off you. You're ungrateful and lying!"

Lillian intervened. "There's been a misunderstanding, Rachel. Matt is shy. He struggles around women."

Rachel thought, Every mother thinks her child is perfect. Lillian was portraying Matthew as shy, when he was a button-undoing scoundrel! The irony!

Fred chuckled. "A misunderstanding! Young people. A chat will fix it." He sensed Matthew's indignation and knew it was a misunderstanding. He wouldn't have suggested Matthew otherwise.

Rachel grunted noncommittally. She hadn't dismissed it entirely.

Stanley gestured to Matthew. "Glad that's settled. We're here for these two. Since Rachel's willing, and Mr. Carter Senior approves, we support their union. Let's finalize the engagement."

Engagement? Matthew was stunned. He’d expected Fred to ask for medical help, not discuss engagements.

"Why wasn't I consulted?"

Lillian glared. "What's to discuss? You should be thrilled!" She considered it a miracle Rachel accepted a divorced man with a child. Rachel was stunning; he'd hit the jackpot!

Matthew was speechless. Lillian made it seem like he was the lucky one. But he distrusted women and was cynical about marriage. While Rachel was beautiful, inner beauty mattered more. He struggled with the idea.

"We're practically strangers! She called me a scoundrel!"

Rachel shot him a cold look. Men pursued her; she dismissed them. But he wanted to reject this? A fool!

Fred chuckled. "Not acquainted? Easy fix! I'll have Rachel get you a job at the office. You'll get to know each other, then marry!"

Marry? Matthew felt a headache coming on. He'd just divorced.

Stanley spoke. "Your mother worries, Matt. Everyone needs a fresh start. Give it a chance."

Matthew saw Lillian’s worry lines and gray hair, her hopeful gaze. Guilt struck him. He understood her worry—the heartbreak of divorce after prison. To ease her concerns, he agreed. It was just an engagement.

"Alright. I'll go along with it."

Stanley was overjoyed. "Wonderful! Let's set a date."

Fred sighed with relief. His illness would finally be addressed.

"May 20th, a date symbolizing eternal love."

Stanley’s face lit up. A set engagement practically guaranteed marriage.

"The 20th of May."

They began to eat. The atmosphere was lively, except for the subdued couple. Matthew would report to Wealthwave Group the next morning.

Meanwhile, in the adjacent Utopia Suite, Tessa and Randall dined. Tessa received a call from Jennifer.

"Is the divorce finalized?"

Tessa, forgetting to tell her, said, "Yes."

Jennifer was surprised at the speed. "Now get revenge on Matthew for beating Xavier. Have Randall's men give him a good beating!"

Tessa remembered Xavier's beating and her humiliating dismissal from the car at the courthouse. Matthew had changed. Once gentle, now violent. He'd always tolerated her, but this time, he’d used luxury cars to humiliate her. Was this his true nature?

"Don't worry, Mom. He dared to touch Xavier; he won't get away with it."