Chapter 603 Winona Ignores Him
Zachary was like an old dad, always reminding Winona about everything she needed to be careful about.
Soon it was time for the security check, and Zachary's reluctance to let her go hit its peak, impossible to hide.
In the busy airport, surrounded by a group of middle-aged museum-goers, he pulled her into a tight hug. "Winona, take care, stay safe, come back soon."
Winona was about to say something when Zachary let go and nudged her towards the security checkpoint. "Go on, hurry up."
If she didn't go in now, he wouldn't be able to resist taking her back home.
Winona felt confused.
So all that reluctance was just an act? He sure was quick to push her away.
Without even saying goodbye, she turned and walked away, as decisively as possible.
In the waiting lounge, Caleb finally had a chance to talk to Winona. "You and Mr. Bailey seem really close."
Winona thought of Zachary's poor emotional intelligence and scoffed internally, but she didn't show it to Caleb. Instead, she smiled with a hint of helplessness. "He can be so infuriating that you want to hit him."
Caleb chuckled, speaking from experience. "That's how couples grow together. I always thought Mr. Bailey was more reserved."
Caleb's previous interactions with Zachary were only because of Winona. Even though Zachary had put himself in a lower position to ask for help, he didn't seem weak, and his voice was always cool and indifferent.
Winona nodded. "Yeah, he is."
They had booked a direct flight from Dreamopolis to Aetheria, which took eleven hours. Plus, it was economy class, so by the end of the trip, their backs were sore, and their legs felt twice as thick.
As soon as her phone turned on, Rebecca's message popped up: "Winona, did you get there yet?"
"Is Aetheria super beautiful? I'll come to find you after I'm done with work for a few days. Don't go sightseeing without me, wait for me!"
Zachary also sent her messages, one with the address of his property there, and two more texts.
"Sweetheart, did you get there?"
"Sweetheart, why aren't you replying to my messages?"
There was a half-hour gap between the two texts.
The flight had been delayed by half an hour, but Winona didn't tell him.
She could imagine Zachary's pitiful look when he sent the messages.
Winona scoffed. Where was that arrogance when he was rushing her to leave?
She replied with a simple "Okay," then switched to Rebecca's chat: "Hey, I just got off the plane. I'll video call you tomorrow after I wake up."
She had wanted to video call, but it was already midnight back home, and she was exhausted. Despite trying to sleep on the plane for over ten hours, she hadn't managed to doze off. All she wanted now was to grab her luggage and get to the hotel to sleep.
They had arrived early and hadn't informed the committee, so no one was there to pick them up.
Besides Winona, the other contestants were all middle-aged, over forty. For convenience, Caleb had sent his assistant to lead the group and arranged for a translator.
The assistant called the pre-arranged driver.
Winona's mind was blank, following the group like a zombie, not wanting to expend any effort.
The hotel was a bit far from the airport. She had just gotten into the car when Matthew called. "Did you get off the plane?"
"Just got in the car heading to the hotel," Winona said, hearing the sound of papers rustling on the other end. She guessed Matthew was still working late. "Is there something you need?"
Since she and Zachary had made their relationship official, Matthew rarely contacted her unless it was for work. Winona knew he was trying to avoid any awkwardness.
Matthew said, "Yeah, I need your help to check a design, see if there's anything wrong."
Winona replied, "Sure, send it over."
"Thanks, it's not urgent. Look at it when you have time." He had calculated that Winona had just gotten off the plane and was likely on her way to the hotel, so he called.
A few seconds later, the images were sent. "Thanks, Winona. I'll pay you for reviewing the design once it's finalized."
Winona said, "Matthew, no need. I'm just taking a look, no need for payment. I haven't even treated you to a meal for the salary I got from you. Consider this a thank-you."
She hadn't known before, but later she understood that Matthew had set a high standard for her pay. If anyone else wanted her designs, they'd have to match his rate.
Matthew chuckled. "You should treat me to a meal then."
They chatted for a bit before he got back to work.
Winona said, "You get back to work. I'm almost at the hotel. I might not have time to look at the designs until tomorrow. We'll talk then."
The last part was just being polite.
Matthew replied, "Alright, get some rest."
Zachary realized the next evening that Winona was ignoring him. She hadn't replied to his messages or answered his calls. If she hadn't sent him an "Okay" message upon arrival and if Caleb's assistant hadn't confirmed they were in Aetheria and checked into the hotel, he would have thought something had gone wrong during their trip.
Initially, he thought Winona was just exhausted and catching up on sleep, which was why she hadn't contacted him. But later, he realized she was deliberately ignoring him.
At the Night Club.
Zachary glared at Matthew, who was leisurely sipping his drink. "So, she has time to reply to your messages but not mine?"
He had been complaining to Samuel about how Winona's work was so exhausting that she didn't even have time to send him a message. Then Matthew chimed in, "Is Winona really that busy with the competition?"
That one sentence made Zachary realize something was off. After pressing for details, he found out that Matthew had not only called her but also discussed a design draft with her.
The comparison was stark, and it made Zachary furious.
Matthew saw Zachary's murderous look, as if he wanted to tear him apart. "I paid her."
"Goddammit..."
All his manners and upbringing vanished in that moment. He couldn't believe his wife valued money over him.
He had money too, and it was all hers. The amount Matthew paid her was nothing compared to the gifts he had sent her. Yet she prioritized Matthew over him for that little bit of money.
Zachary turned abruptly to Anthony, who was playing on his phone. "Call your girlfriend and ask if Winona has contacted her since arriving in Aetheria."
He might not be able to compete with money, but surely he could compete with Rebecca. Even if he couldn't surpass Rebecca, he should at least be on equal footing.
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