<b>Chapter </b><b>53</b>
<b>Matthew </b>only realized btedly that his impulsive purchase might be a bit pricey for Valerie. “<b>A </b>friend rmended this brand. It’s <b>expensive </b>but very practical. Since it’s something to be used long–term, I might <b>as </b>well get a good one.” His exnation <b>was </b>stiff, his face expressionless.
<b>If </b>someone had told him a month ago that the mighty CEO of Noria Group would one day find himself having to exin a purchase to <b>a </b>woman, he definitely wouldugh it off.
Luckily<b>, </b>Valerie didn’t say much. Although they <b>were </b>husband and wife, she didn’t feel she had the right to interfere with his spending. However, she truly had no intention of letting him purchase anything else.
She said, “We’re inviting my brother and sister–inw for dinner tomorrow. If we order now, the delivery will take two or three days, which is definitely toote. So I suggest we go shopping in the market early tomorrow.”
<b>As </b>Valerie wasn’t dwelling on the dishwasher, Matthew secretly breathed a sigh of relief. <b>“</b>I’ll drive you there in the morning then.”
“Okay,” Valerie replied.
The kitchen <b>was </b>already cleaned up. Valerie changed her shoes, took a half–hour stroll on the balcony, and then returned inside to shower.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
Matthew’s room <b>was </b>already closed when she came out, and he really went to bed early, <b>as </b>he said. Valerie wanted to remind him a few more things<b>, </b>like not to be nervous, so her brother wouldn’t notice anything weird tomorrow.
At this moment, <b>it </b>suddenly dawned on her that it was she who was actually nervous. After telling a lie, she would be anxious and apprehensive about what was toe.
To be honest, Matthew <b>was </b><b>a </b>really good partner. In her memory, her parents had been bickering for years. Her father managed the finances, while her mother stayed at home to take care of the kids. Every month, her mother had to beg her father for the living expenses, only to be scolded for being wasteful. Not dareing to confront her dad, her mom would take out her frustration on the kids… More urately, on her.
Her mother doted on her brother, Julian, so the few living expenses mostly went to him. Having been through times of scarcity since childhood, resentful yet helpless, she learned the importance of money early on. She wished that her family could be like her <b>ssmates</b><b>, </b>where the mother managed the finances. If her mom had more money at hand, maybe she’d be treated better, too.
But then, Julian’s situation turned her beliefs upside down. Julian handed over almost all his earnings to his wife to manage. His fruit business <b>was </b>actually pretty decent, raking in a cool <b>2 </b>thousand dors without breaking a sweat. Yet, here they were, still bickering, almost turning into bitter enemies. Julian, the breadwinner himself, was living the most pathetic life.
Valerie thought Julian was right in hisst reminder. No matter what, having the cash in your own hands was the most reassuring. Only money kept you from going hungry and allowed you to stand straight without having to beg from others.
She <b>was </b>determined to make and save money. After fing up and financially independent, she <b>was </b>not about to live her life at anyone’s
<b>mercy </b>anymore. She was never going back to that situation.
Valerie had mentally prepared herself to draw a clear line with cards into her hands.
atthew, <b>to </b>split every bill. But in just a few <b>days</b>, Matthew had already shoved two
Having seen couples calcting against each other<b>, </b><b>eager </b>to empty the other’s pockets down to thest penny, Valerie was quite unsettled by Matthew<b>, </b>who was so proactive about giving money. From a young age until now, no one <b>except </b>Julian had treated her like this.
Valerie mused to herself, Aside from his gloomy <b>face</b><b>, </b>Mr. Grant is a great guy!
The next <b>day</b><b>, </b>Valerie woke up early as usual to <b>clean </b>the hamster cage.
When Matthew emerged, Valerie was cradling the hamster in her palm, her <b>face </b>full <b>of</b>
“My dear little Peanut, why do you <b>seem </b>so <b>listless</b>
these days<b>? </b><b>Are </b><b>you </b>not adjusting well to the new environment<b>?</b><b>” </b><b>she </b>cooed gently, stroking the hamster’s fur with her fingertips,pletely <b>unaware </b>that the culprit behind the hamster’s lethargy was standing right behind her and watching her.
Matthew sneered inwardly, wondering <b>what </b>was cute about that bald, chubby hamster.
<b>*</b>Mr. <b>Grant</b>, you’re awake<b>?</b><b>” </b>Valerie saw Matthew and greeted him with <b>a </b>smile.
Matthew was quite pleased when Valerie immediately put down the hamster and walked toward him, thinking<b>, </b><b>‘</b>It’s just an ugly hamster<b>; </b><b>can’t </b>even file <b>a </bint <b>anyway</b>?
1/1