Chapter 609
Chapter 609:
Matthew concluded the discussion with a firm, authoritative tone.
Rebecca, accustomed to getting her way since childhood, could not stomach her father’s interference in her plans to secure the man she desired. In a fit of frustration, she secluded herself in her bedroom all day, refusing to eat.
Lauren, gripped by concern, begged her daughter to come out, but Rebecca’s stubbornness held firm.
Meanwhile, Matthew lingered in his study for hours, sifting through videos related to Gabriela. Each clip deepened his heartache, revealing a pattern of her enduring hardships alone.
To the world, she was merely an orphan, navigating life’s challenges without support.
Now, if he stepped forward and claimed to be her father, would she even welcome him?
Overwhelmed with grief, Matthew stayed in the study for an entire day.
Outside, Lauren’s eyes burned with suppressed resentment. She had not anticipated that, years after Alanna’s death, her daughter would resurface to cause trouble.
How had they slipped through her control back then?
𝘍і𝗻𝖽 ո𝗼𝘷𝖾𝘭 𝖯𝘋𝖥ѕ on
Fuming, Lauren turned away, determined to devise a flawless plan to erase Gabriela for good.
The next morning, Matthew rose early and instructed the chef to prepare an elaborate breakfast to take with him.
The chef stood baffled, as Matthew rarely showed interest in fine cuisine. In his eight years with the Howard family, even artfully crafted dishes barely earned a glance, yet today Matthew not only chose the menu but supervised its creation.
“How odd,” the chef muttered.
Meanwhile, carrying the gourmet breakfast crafted by a celebrated chef, Matthew stepped into the Haynes Group’s office on the fifth floor of the Lakeshore Building.
He had earlier tasked his driver with investigating the building and had learned that this floor was the least expensive, a crowded space filled with noise and clutter. Half of it served as a storage area for odds and ends, creating a less-than-ideal setting.
Frowning at the disarray, Matthew quietly instructed his driver, “Arrange a meeting with the building manager soon. I would like to lease this floor exclusively to keep it private p>
The driver nodded respectfully, and only then did Matthew proceed into the Haynes Group’s office.
A receptionist, unfamiliar with him, courteously requested, “Excuse me, sir, all visitors must sign in as per our policy p>
Before the driver could assertively introduce him, Matthew raised a hand to calm the situation, took the pen offered, and neatly wrote his name in the guest log.
The receptionist, struck by the bold, confident strokes of his handwriting, instinctively adopted a more respectful tone, saying, “Right this way, Mr. Howard p>
She guided him to a waiting area, offered him coffee, and explained, “Miss Haynes is in a morning meeting, so please wait briefly p>
With a warm smile, Matthew replied, “That’s okay, carry on with your duties p>
After she left, he wandered through the office, his poised demeanor catching the attention of employees who assumed he was a high-profile visitor from another firm and refrained from questioning him.
This allowed Matthew to effortlessly find his way to Gabriela’s office, a modest space with simple furnishings.
Standing in the center, he slowly took in the room, noting a worn-out sofa chair, an aged coffee table, and a chipped flowerpot.
When Gabriela returned from her meeting, she was startled to see Matthew fixated on a painting hanging on the wall, lost in a moment of deep contemplation.
Surprised, she asked, “Mr. Howard, what brings you here today p>
Snapping out of his reverie, he managed a smile and inquired, “Is this painting your mother’s work p>
“Yes,” Gabriela replied curtly, hesitant to discuss personal matters with someone she barely knew. “Is there something specific you need p>