Chapter 34


    After leaving that evening, Matilda couldn’t shake the unease that settled in her stomach. She grabbed


    her phone and typed out a message to Mason, expressing her regret that their coboration might be


    off the table. She also hinted, with a touch of subtlety, that he should stop using Yvan’s name as a


    means to reach out to her.


    The next day, Mason read her message, a wry smile spreading across his face as he dialed Yvan’s


    number. “Your ex is telling me to mind my own beeswax. What’s our y?”


    On the other end. Yvan’s grip on his phone tightened, his chuckle cold as ice.


    What was their y?


    There was only one thing to do. If Matilda wanted to y hardball, he’d just have to see how long she


    could hold her ground!


    After hanging up, Yvan got his people moving. Soon, a knock came at his office door, and a figure


    walked in, deferential as ever. “Mr. Boyd, the funds have been transferred to Ms. Thompson’s


    ount…”


    “Have you spread the word?” Yvan’s eyes narrowed. “Anyone who dares to work with Matilda is signing


    their own death warrant.”


    “It’s done.” The secretary, the same one from five years back, Carl, hesitated. Despite Yvan having


    sent money to Matilda, Carl couldn’t help but feel a pang of conscience. He had seen the couple’s rise


    and fall, and now, when they were finally crossing paths again, it was a showdown.


    Choosing his words carefully, he ventured, “Mr. Boyd… this approach with thedy…”


    “Lady?” Yvan scoffed. “Watch your words. Matilda is nody of mine.”


    Carl stood silently, head bowed, yet not humiliated.


    Yvan’s gaze turned murky. “Carl, how long have you been my assistant?”


    “Five years,” Carl responded with neither subservience nor defiance. His position by yvan’s side, his


    trust and esteem, had alle on Matilda’s rmendation. Without her, he’d ce nowhere.


    “I know you’re grateful to Matilda, but Carl, you work for me now, and she… she’s just an ex–wife.”


    Yvan arched an eyebrow, his presence alone exerting pressure. “Some thoughts are better left


    unentertained.”


    “I understand.” Carl bowed his head again, his fists clenching the fabric of his pants.


    How long would it take to witness a happy ending between Matilda and Yvan? Perhaps it was not


    meant to be in this lifetime.


    What a fine person Ms. Thompson was…


    1/2


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    Chapter 34


    After Carl left. Yvan watched the door close, his heart still in turmoil. He couldn’t stand to see Carl’s


    pitying nces toward Matilda. Even knowing that Carl wouldn’t dare make a move on her, those looks


    still stung.


    Carl’s efficiency and top–tier skill set made him indispensable, and he had indeed be Yvan’s most


    trusted aide. Yvan had to admit that Matilda had done him a favor back then.


    So, out of respect for Matilda, Carl remained unwaveringly loyal to Yvan. He knew that during the years


    Matilda was behind bars, Carl had spoken up for her, likely out of a sense of injustice. But why? Why


    should his subordinates revolve around this woman? Was it solely due to some old debt of gratitude?


    Yvan’s fingers curled into a fist unconsciously. He moved to stand by the floor–to–ceiling windows of


    his office, gazing down over the cityscape. From this vantage point, the city felt. both unchanging and


    ever–evolving.


    He had to admit, in the five years Matilda had been gone, life had been dull, tedious, and desperately


    lonely.