Chapter 4

An hour later, the alarm woke me up.

Resentfully, I put on makeup, pinned up my hair, transferred takeout into lunch boxes, and carried them over to Matias to bring him food.

He was in a video conference, his brows sharp as he listened to reports from his European subordinates.

When he saw me, he beckoned me over, gesturing for me to sit on his lap.

"Why so late?"

He buried his head in the crook of my neck, half-acting spoiled, half-complaining:

"I thought you weren't coming today."

The computer was still playing the formal report on speaker. Even though the mic and camera were off, I still felt embarrassed.

I pushed him away uncomfortably and said:

"You're still in a meeting. Don't do this."

"What's there to be afraid of? We're married. It doesn't matter if others see."

"Don't you think it's indecent?"

He paused before catching on, his face darkening instantly: "Did Violet complain to you again?"

"She's a young woman. Being scolded by you in public would hurt her feelings too... Don't scold her next time, okay?"

Matias fell silent.

After a long moment, he kissed the corner of my mouth:

"I know you're kind, but don't you think she's imitating you in every way?"

"Huh?"

Matias turned on his mic and told them to move the meeting to the afternoon, then turned back to me:

"Even twins can't be identical in behavior and preferences.

"But you like pearls, so she wears pearl earrings every day;

you have a lively, cheerful personality, so she bounces around at work;

you have a rising inflection at the end of your sentences, and she does the same. It's obviously calculated."

"You mean..."

"She's imitating you to seduce me."

Matias said with certainty:

"I've seen plenty of women like her. They take advantage of your trust in them to steal your man."

"You're just too kind, that's why you think she's a good person. She's bullied you since childhood, and your parents favor her. You need to be careful."

As he spoke, his fingers caressed my waist.

His tone was serious and earnest, adopting the posture of educating his naive wife, leaving me thunderstruck.

"Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

I smiled weakly: "Violet isn't that kind of person."

"I knew you'd say that."

Matias sighed in disappointment:

"Kate, I'm the person closest to you. Why don't you believe me, and instead trust her?"

Me: "..."

I was speechless.

Fortunately, Matias didn't dwell on this matter. He just lovingly kissed me and held me while we ate in that position.

When I left, he pulled me in for a goodbye kiss.

After I tiredly walked out of the Williams Group building and had just wiped away the sticky sensation on my lips, I received a call from Matias.

He tore into me:

"Are you a child? Running to Kate to tattle when you get scolded?

And what about last month's report? It's riddled with errors. If you can't do the job, get out! Useless!"

In that instant, I couldn't control the twisted expression on my face.

The next second, another call came in. I answered furiously:

"I already said I'd be right back. Can you stop rushing me—"

"Violet."

A gentle, familiar voice came through:

"It's me, Kate. I'm back."