.
Dolores was dumbfounded. There was no anesthetic in the first aid box. And even if there was, she wouldnât know how to use it. She wasnât familiar with the drugs, but at least she knew that anesthesia had to be administered by a doctor.
So how is it going to stop the pain?
âWhy donât you go to the hospital? I see your injury is quite seriousâ¦â
Hot, moist breath enveloped them. His mouth closed instantly and Dolores was stunned for a moment. She reached up but he grabbed her hand before she could push her away and stopped her from moving. His kiss was more intense than before. Doloresâ body tensed and she closed her eyes to savor the taste and wondered if it would be the same as that night. At that moment, her heart was pounding as if it could jump out of her chest at any moment.
She wanted to forget that night, but she clearly remembered the feeling.
Compared to Matthew, she remembered it clearly but Matthew was in a daze. He was barely aware of his surroundings and was unclear about the details of that night. He barely felt what was happening and only knew that he had had sex with a woman and that he had ruined her innocence. He was responsible for her.
The desires Dolores gave him were perfect and something Helen had never given him.
âArenât you afraid?â her eyes were exceptionally inviting as if they were full of water, bright and deep. He looked deeply at her, âDidnât you know it was very dangerous?â
He was very surprised that she pounced on him.
Dolores held her breath. Scared, how could she not be? Except that in that situation, she did it without much consideration. If she had thought about it calmly for three seconds, she might not have done it.
Now she wondered how Beulah could do something without considering the consequences. What drove her to do this? Did something happen when Matthew visited the Flores Family with her the other day?
Matthewâs gaze drifted to her moist lips and although she still despised him, it wasnât as bad as the past. Was she getting used to his kiss?
âWhatâs on your mind?â Matthew took over the bandage and covered her wound.
Dolores was distracted and saw that he was bandaging the wound and said, âYou havenât cleaned the woundâ¦â
âItâs okay.â He said calmly.
Dolores looked at his actions and said aloud her doubts, âHas Beulah lost her mind? To think that she dared to cause trouble around hereâ¦that day, you touchedâ¦â
Matthew looked at her coldly and deeply, what did she mean, did she doubt him?
It was a mystery to Dolores that Beulah would cause so much trouble with no regard for her own safety. Something big had definitely happened, otherwise she wouldnât behave in such a foolish manner.
âI didnât!â she practically screamed, who did she take him for, did she think he would sleep with any woman?
âThen why was he here to cause trouble and he seems to be after your life? As dumb as what she did was, she wouldnât have done something so crazy if she hadnât been forced over the edge.â
Dolores couldnât quite figure it out, but Matthew knew she must be related to Randolph. Her eyes darkened. Matthew didnât say anything and Dolores thought he didnât know.
âAll right. Iâll go do my job now.â She continued to hesitate and picked up the first aid kit. Matthew acknowledged, thought of something and reminded her, âRandolph might look for you in these two days.â
Dolores froze and turned to look at him, âHow do you know that?â
After she said it, he seemed to realize something, âWere you involved in what happened to the Flores Group?â. She didnât know the details but she was sure it had something to do with Matthew. Otherwise, Beulah wouldnât be so unhinged.
âWhy did you do it?â Dolores didnât pity Beulah or Randolph but she didnât understand Matthewâs actions.
Matthew scoffed, âYou put up with her abuse but you wonât let me act on it?â
Dolores took a deep breath and pondered what business of the night this grudge was based on. She thought about it silently and then decided that this man could not be offended.
Just as Dolores picked up the medicine cabinet and was about to leave the office, someone knocked on the door.
Matthew got up and sat down at his desk and then calmly said, âCome in.â
Abbott walked in with some documents and was surprised to see Dolores in the room.
âThis is all the information about the Flores Group.â Abbott handed the documents to Matthew.
Dolores stopped when she heard about the Flores Group and wanted to find out what she didnât know.
âDo you want to take a look?â asked Matthew when he saw her expression.
Dolores nodded and answered truthfully, âYes.â
Matthew didnât take the documents and motioned with his chin to Abbott, âGive them to her.â
Abbottâs eyes and mouth widened in surprise â when had Dolores ever become acquainted with Mr. Nelson? Her eyes twitched and, for a moment, she didnât understand Matthewâs instructions.
âAbbott?â Dolores stretched out her hands and called to him when Abbott didnât give her the papers.
âOh? Oh, here you go.â Abbott handed her the documents, âThese are the sales figures for the Flores Group over the years.â He said disdainfully, âItâs getting worse every year.â
Not that Abbott despised Randolph, but he deserved virtually no respect.
The Flores Group went from a family business to a corporation. It was Randolphâs grandfather who started the business. Although the rise was not meteoric, its expansion was steady and sure over the years.
But as far as Randolph was concerned, there were two major crises after he took over 20 years ago. The first was 19 years ago and the company nearly went bankrupt. Then he married Jessica and managed to avoid bankruptcy. This time it was Randolph who put the company in jeopardy and it may not survive this crisis even though Matthew did not cause any problems.
Dolores knew something was going on at Randolphâs company but didnât know it was that serious. In the past she had wanted Randolph to divorce Beulah and he had been reluctant. But now her situation had to be serious enough to force Beulah to that extent. She did not wish for any revenge but she had a strong feeling of sadness.
He put down the documents and left the office with the first aid kit.
Just as Matthew predicted, Randolph was waiting for Dolores when she returned to the villa after work. Perhaps it was the actions of someone who needed help. He brought the things he didnât give her last time and that piano.
Coral learned that he was Doloresâ father and was naturally very hospitable to him.
âYour father has waited a long time for you and said these are your favorite possessions. He has brought them to you to make you feel more at home.â Coral poured tea for Randolph and said as Dolores arrived home.
Dolores turned to look at Matthew, but he was expressionless as he unbuttoned his jacket with one hand. Dolores reached out to help him, âYour arm hurts. Iâll help you.â
Matthew acknowledged and withdrew his hand for Dolores to âserveâ him.
Coral looked at them both and her smile became very radiant, her wrinkles deepening as she smiled. They were looking more and more like a newlywed couple, she thought.
Randolph stood up and felt helpless. He hadnât expected Dolores and Matthewâs relationship to be so good. Even now he still didnât think Dolores was pretty enough for Matthew to take a liking to her.
Dolores hung up Matthewâs jacket, walked over to him, and said casually, âAre you here for something?â
Randolph realized that she had not addressed him as âfatherâ since she had returned. She kept referring to him as âyou.â Was she holding a grudge against him for sending her overseas?
âLolaâ¦â Randolph hesitated before saying it. He was about to lose everything and perhaps be imprisoned. Would he now worry about his dignity?
Dolores sat next to Matthew, for she knew she had to put on a show in front of Randolph to make him see that her relationship with Matthew was very good.
âI didnât bring all your things last time. This was your motherâs wedding presents. I brought it especially for youâ¦â
âSay what you need. I donât think you came just to bring me these things because of your parental love.â
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