Chapter 524 How Much Longer Do You Plan to Hold Her
Zachary was itching for a smoke, but he realized he didn't have any cigarettes on him today.
Normally, he could handle the craving, but today was different. The more he tried to ignore it, the more on edge he felt. And Timothy's nonstop talking wasn't helping. "I'm going out for a smoke," Zachary finally said.
Timothy just stared at him but didn't say anything.
The Bailey family had set up a smoking area on a small balcony outside, and Zachary noticed a shadow behind the thin curtain. Not wanting to intrude, he decided to head to the garden instead.
He didn't have a coat, and as soon as he stepped outside, the icy wind hit him like a slap in the face. Snowflakes stung his skin, and the cold air snuck in through his collar, cuffs, and pant legs, making him shiver. Within a minute, he was freezing, his hand shaking as he held the cigarette, his lips turning blue.
The cold was so intense it numbed his irritation; he couldn't think about anything else. The wind made the cigarette burn faster, and once it was done, he didn't feel like going back to the party. Instead, he decided to take the emergency exit to the upper floors.
Upstairs, Winona was surprised to see Matthew step out of the bathroom. He was in a hotel bathrobe, the belt barely tied, and water dripping from his hair.
He looked just as surprised. "What are you doing here?"
Winona explained, "A staff member told me Lydia had fallen in the garden and was brought here to rest. I knocked, but no one answered, and the door was open, so I came in."
Matthew nodded. "I asked my assistant to get me some clothes, so I didn't close the door. I don't even know Lydia."
It was clearly a setup.
Winona didn't know what the plan was, but she knew she shouldn't stick around. Just as she was about to leave, the door suddenly swung open, hitting her in the back and almost knocking her over.
Matthew caught her, but the movement made his robe loosen, revealing his toned chest. Winona didn't notice; she was focused on the person who had barged in.
Was this person a friend or foe?
Winona quickly realized the whole thing was staged for Zachary to see. Someone wanted to create drama between them.
The only person who came to mind was Timothy, that creep. It was such a cliché, like something out of a trashy romance novel where the villain tries to ruin the heroine's life.Zachary's eyes narrowed as he saw Matthew's hand on Winona, and her hand on his waist. The whole scene looked way too intimate, and it pissed him off.
With a stern voice, Zachary asked, "How long were you planning to hold her?"
Winona suddenly realized she was still leaning on Matthew and quickly straightened up. "Sorry," she muttered, not even sure who she was apologizing to.
Matthew let go of her, clearly trying to provoke Zachary. "If you hadn't slammed the door, we wouldn't be in this situation."
Winona shot him a glare. "Stop talking nonsense."
Then she turned to Zachary. "I almost fell, and Matthew caught me. Could you be a bit gentler next time you push the door?"
Matthew chimed in, "This is a hotel with cameras everywhere. You just barged in like that? Aren't you worried about exposing yourself and getting drugged into a mess?"
Zachary's eyes locked onto Winona. Only she knew about Timothy drugging him, so she must've told Matthew too?
He was furious but knew he couldn't argue with her in front of others, or it would give them more ammo. So he directed his anger at Matthew. "Did I ask you? Why are you butting in?"
Matthew shrugged and tied his belt properly. "Someone's starting to suspect you. This whole setup is to test your reaction. They've probably got people at every exit ready to block you. Be careful not to get drugged and turned into a fool. There's no deep affection for a long-term patient. If you become an idiot, I'll be the first to tell Winona to dump you. But you don't seem very smart now, pretending to be someone else with such bad acting skills."
Zachary's frown deepened.
What did Matthew mean by "no deep affection for a long-term patient"?
Zachary shot back, "Are you just bitter because you don't have a woman and don't want others to be happy?"
Matthew's eyes showed a deep pain, but only Zachary, who had known him forever, could see it. "You guessed right."
The sound of the elevator arriving echoed down the hallway. It was on their floor.
The hallway was quiet, and with the door open, even the faint sound of the elevator opening was clearly audible.
Suddenly, a rush of footsteps headed their way. The room was close to the elevator, and in no time, they were at the door.
Zachary frowned. "It must be reporters. If we go out now, it will damage Winona's reputation."
Rumors could destroy someone without needing any evidence or logic, just malicious speculation.
Two men and a woman alone in a room were enough to spark imaginations. Plus, with Matthew looking like he had just taken a shower, it was even easier to misunderstand.
Even though Zachary had great influence, he couldn't control what people said or thought. He owned a media company and knew well the power of rumors. They could elevate a vile person to a revered figure or drag a kind person into the mud, never to rise again.
The footsteps were already at the door.
Zachary glanced at the wardrobe, opened the door, and pulled Winona over, instructing, "Get in."
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