Chapter 24: The Towering Figure

Pushing the door open then entered, a spacious and simply styled office revealed itself, with a cleanly polished floor, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire city, and a black leather sofa for guests.

And there was the towering figure behind the desk.

Ursula stood in her company-mandated eight-centimeter heels, her heels throbbing after standing for so long.

However, she remained composed, watching the man not far away, who continued to bow his head over his paperwork. Five minutes passed since she had entered, and he had yet to set down his pen.

As if she didn't exist.

Time ticked by. Even Ursula, feigning calmness, grew restless. After the lunch hour, many people would be around, and it would be troublesome if someone intent on gossip told Dylan.

"Matthew, I've brought the item," Ursula said. At her voice, Matthew acted as though he'd just noticed her for the first time, setting down his pen gracefully, his dark eyes lightly gazing at her. "Weren't you supposed to give something to me? What's the matter, can't bear to part with it?"

Ursula's mind wavered momentarily before she quickly masked the embarrassment in her eyes. She was certain Matthew was doing this on purpose!

"Here." Ursula placed a small USB drive in front of Matthew.

He didn't miss the barely perceptible catch in Ursula's breath. His cool gaze flicked to her delicately high heels as a frown formed between her brows, indicating he had noticed something quite displeasing.

By the time Ursula looked up, his eyelids had closed, his long lashes casting shadows over the emotions in his eyes.
Having been around each other for three years, Ursula had picked up on some of Matthew's subtle mannerisms, like the slight purse of his lips when he was angry—a detail Matthew himself might not even be aware of.

Only someone who cared would take note of these small gestures.

Even though Ursula didn't understand why Matthew was upset, she carefully avoided provoking him, staying silent when she entered. But when she saw his next move, she couldn't help but anxiously ask, "Matthew, what are you doing?"

Matthew paused, lifting his eyes to meet hers, the dark pupils were calmly delivering the word, "Checking."

Ursula's face flushed as she retorted, "There's no need to deceive you. There is only one video inside."

She never expected Matthew to "check" right in front of her. Had the man no sense of shame? Even after several years together, was it really appropriate to play it in her presence?

Sliding the USB drive into his laptop, Matthew's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Without looking, how can I know if you're palming off someone else's stuff on me?"

Ursula was left speechless by his remark. The five- million dollar deal was significant, and it wasn't unreasonable for Matthew to check. But doing it so openly was clearly intended to embarrass her.

Remembering what the money was for, Ursula suppressed the bitterness inside, waiting expressionlessly as Matthew "checked the goods."

Seeing the woman who had just glared at him now regain her composure made any satisfaction Matthew felt evaporate. He hadn't expected her to tolerate such humiliation for the sake of five million dollars.

He became even gloomier.

The video started playing quickly.

Ursula felt like she was about to combust, catching a glimpse of his serious face as he continued to watch. Biting her teeth in quiet frustration, she muttered, "Enough, Matthew, you've checked the merchandise. Can we stop now?"

Matthew, seeing the flushed and agitated Ursula, casually responded, "Not finished yet."

He had thought she had no feelings for him, but it seemed that wasn't the case.

"Matthew, don't push it too far." When Ursula saw the malice in Matthew's eyes, a bitterness filled her heart. She remembered she had initiated the request for the five million, so she couldn't blame him for his anger.

She fell silent, deflated.

Matthew observed Ursula's victimized demeanor, feeling a senseless anger rise within him. She had asked for the money, yet now she put on this wounded act as if the five million were so easily obtained.

Before Ursula had a chance to feel a hint of pity, it was consumed by a sudden blaze of nameless anger.

A series of knocks on the door interrupted the silence, accompanied by a saccharine female voice, "Matthew, what are you doing with the door locked? It's me, Dylan. It's dinner time, let's go out to eat."

The sound stunned the two people inside, or more precisely, Ursula alone. Matthew looked at her as if he had something to say, his expression was serene.

Hearing Dylan's voice, Ursula tensed like a startled bird, every cell in her body on edge. Seeing that Matthew had no intention of ending the video call, she whispered in a hurried, anxious tone, "Matthew, turn it off quick, Dylan is here."

The thought of Dylan finding out about her and Matthew drained her completely, her face was getting instantly pale.

"Why should I agree to you? Don't forget, it was you who threatened me," Matthew replied calmly, seemingly unconcerned about the repercussions of getting caught.

"Matthew, remember Dylan is your girlfriend now," she said, desperation coloring her tone.

In contrast to Ursula's frantic demeanor, Matthew's calm voice carelessly replied, "So what?"

The knocking grew louder, driving Ursula to panic, oblivious to Matthew's deep and penetrating gaze.

She rushed over to his side, hands fumbling in an attempt to remove the USB drive. The more nervous she became, the more her hands disobeyed her, especially with Matthew right there obstructing her.

One thought dominated her mind, Dylan must not find out about her and Matthew.

"Matthew? Matthew, are you there?" Dylan waited outside for a bit and, not seeing Matthew come to open the door, tried the doorknob which remained locked. Clearly, someone was inside.

The longer Matthew took to answer answer the door, the more Dylan suspected that another woman might be with him. The scent of Gucci perfume on the pillows at Matthew's home flashed through her mind, a sudden unease gripping her heart. The knocking intensified, "Matthew, what's wrong? Open the door…"