Chapter 178 K's Daughter
Brianna left quickly, leaving Matthew alone in his room, his mind teeming with questions. Her warning not to trust Eagle suggested that she was unaware of Eagle's undercover identity.
For some reason, perhaps deep down, he had come to accept that Dorian really was Madison's brother; Matthew felt an inexplicable trust toward him. So, even if it wasn't to avenge his parents' deaths, he couldn't just run away and leave Dorian alone there.
Only a short while after Brianna had left, Matthew, with his sharp hearing, detected a noise outside the window. He called out sternly, "Who's out there?" To his surprise, he saw Dorian climbing through the window—a fluid, handsomely executed movement that landed him right in Matthew's room.
His room was certainly lively tonight.
As Dorian made himself comfortable on the sofa, Matthew couldn't help frowning slightly. "When did you get here?"
Dorian nonchalantly kicked up his legs in a way that was begging for a thump before leisurely saying, "Oh, just earlier than Miss Smith, that's all. Sorry, I just happened to overhear your big escape plan."
Matthew's gaze bore into him intensely. Although Dorian was apologizing, Matthew didn't get the slightest impression that he actually felt sorry. Eavesdropping on people's conversations was a peculiar habit of his.
"What's with that look? I was just about to walk in when she knocked on the door. What could I do but wait? Besides, I'm supposed to keep an eye on you for my sister. I can't have you losing control and doing something you shouldn't be doing to her—I absolutely won't let that happen." Dorian spoke with righteous anger as if he really was Matthew's protective uncle.
Matthew didn't indulge him; he just snorted coldly and rolled his eyes toward Dorian.
"So you choose to climb through a window rather than use the front door."
"You think I wouldn't prefer to walk in through the main entrance in broad daylight? Every corner has eyes watching—don't tell me you haven't noticed. Do you really believe those guards would let you walk out without 'K's' orders?"
Matthew had also realized that he'd effectively been under house arrest since arriving; he couldn't take a step outside his room.
"So you knew Brianna was here all along?" Matthew asked coldly.
"If I say I didn't know, would you believe me?" Dorian pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a deep drag. Then, like a seasoned smoker, he exhaled through his nose.
"No," Matthew frowned, watching him. He had quit smoking a long time ago and was nearly choked by the sudden strong smell.
"Then why ask me?" Dorian was truly irritating.
"You..." Matthew was so frustrated he felt like he might burst a blood vessel.
"When did you find out she was 'K's' person?" Matthew realized he'd walked into a trap.
"It was when I became 'K's' right-hand man. I knew that K had an adopted daughter who was always working for him. Later on, when I met her, I learned her name was Brianna. But we weren't close or saw each other often. She wasn't always here. If there were tasks, K would contact her directly. The auction was the third time I'd seen her."
"So you guys started contacting each other around that time?"
"No, we reconnected during my second visit to Horizon City during the banquet where we ran into each other. But... I hadn't expected to encounter my younger sister Madison, so you were just another person to me. I could easily have used your parents' death to lure you into cooperation, and then I wouldn't have to care about your well-being anymore."
"And now?" His bluntness made Matthew feel like just a tool, and he asked with a smirk.
"Now, after all, he's my brother-in-law, and I can't have my sister living like a widow, so... you've got to make it back alive," Dorian said, extinguishing his cigarette with unusual seriousness.
"Thanks," Matthew said, his laughter belying his exasperation.
"Don't mention it. Here, take this for protection," Dorian said as he pulled a mini-pistol from his pocket and handed it to Matthew.
Matthew accepted the small silver pistol, which needed to be more inconspicuous enough to go unnoticed in a pocket. Without a word of thanks, he slipped it into the inner pocket of his suit jacket.
Dorian headed toward the window to leave but stopped as if something was on his mind and turned back to ask, "Hey, you're not planning on eloping with that woman tomorrow, are you?"
"Paranoid," Matthew tossed back at him without another glance.
With a mischievous smile, Dorian disappeared into the night.
Matthew sat alone in the room, fiddling with his wristwatch. His cellphone was out of signal, and he could not call Madison, who had surely been worried about him these past couple of days.
In Horizon City.
It was Friday, and Madison had taken the kids back to The Old Residence to keep Mr. Johnson company. After dinner, the little ones had taken to learning to ride their new bikes up and down Garden Lane, a gift from Mr. Johnson. Equipped with training wheels for safety and Uncle Liam's guidance, the four of them had a sweaty, good time riding back and forth on the lane.
Tired after their play, the kids quickly fell asleep following their baths. Madison returned to her room, collapsed on the bed, and stared at her phone, the screen frozen on the last conversation with Matthew.
Since that phone call, there had been radio silence from Matthew—calls didn't go through, and messages on Facebook were left unanswered. Madison reached out to Victor, who was thankfully within reach. Victor reassured her that Matthew had just stepped out and that they were busy with spotty cell service, urging Madison not to worry and promising that Matthew would contact her as soon as he returned.
Listening to Victor, who seemed preoccupied with arranging work matters, Madison wanted to refrain from intruding with more questions and hung up the phone. Despite his reassurances, a creeping sense of unease settled in her heart.
During the day at the studio, Rachel and the others had teased her about suffering from classic separation anxiety due to spending so much time glued to Matthew's side. Now, suddenly apart, she was feeling the stress that comes with it.
She was genuinely anxious about this business trip and felt off somehow. Perhaps Rachel and the others were right—it was separation anxiety caused by missing someone too much.
Madison sighed softly, placed her phone down, turned off the lamp, and curled up under the covers. With closed eyes, she was flooded with images of the times they were together, unable to fall asleep. Eventually, she gave up on trying to sleep, sat up, and, looking down, stroked the ring on her finger. Then, gazing at the night sky through the window, she whispered a silent prayer, "Matthew, take care. I'll be waiting for your return."
In his room, Matthew seemed to hear Madison's voice. He leaped out of bed, pushing open the window to find the outside world's emptiness. Touching the ring on his finger, he thought to himself, "Madison, wait for me."
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