Chapter 102


    After returning home that evening, Matilda sent the design sketches of her new personalized box bag


    to Micah and Mason. Both were impressed with her creative touch.


    Matilda had tapped into the recent craze for charms,unching a line of customizable. monogrammed


    logo pendants that could dangle from the chains on the outside of the bags. It was fresh, novel, and


    reeked of individuality.


    Micah was over the moon, firing off a couple of “Awesome!” texts and insisted on taking Matilda out for


    another meal to celebrate.


    Mason, on the other hand, was far more reserved. It seemed as if he had always had faith in Matilda’s


    talents, offering a subduedpliment before casually inquiring about her avability.


    With time to spare, Matilda agreed to meet him at a quaint bistro, a ce much quieter than the


    raucous pubs, frequented by couples and friends immersed in intimate conversations under the warm


    glow of dim lighting.


    Mason ordered a ss of amaretto, while Matilda went for a gin and tonic. Their conversation


    meandering from design concepts to personal anecdotes. Eventually, Mason probed into the events of


    five years prior, hoping to glean evidence from Matilda that could overturn the theories circling at that


    time.


    Unfortunately, Matilda could only reiterate her innocence regarding any harm to Rachel, and as for


    evidence to the contrary, she had none. Otherwise, who would dare to send the darling of the


    Thompson family to prison?


    Mason shook his head in disappointment. Clearing Matilda’s name was proving to be a herculean task.


    Unbeknownst to her, he wasn’t just making small talk: he was on a mission to exonerate her.


    Their secretive exchange, however, was being documented by a mysterious tail, who swiftly snapped


    photos and sent them to an unknown contact.


    After finishing their drinks, Mason and Matilda parted ways at the–bistro, each heading home. On her


    way, Matilda received a call from her brother, Gideon. “Hey, little treasure, did you forget something?”


    he teased.


    Matilda, thinking she had missed a work detail, nced at the time–12 o’clock on the dot–and frowned,


    “What’s up?”


    “You’re so forgetful! Gideon eximed from the other end. “Come on, wish your big bro a happy 27th


    birthday already!”


    A smile instantly lit up Matilda’s face, radiant enough to turn heads on the street. Passersby couldn’t


    help but wonder who on the phone could make her so ted, herughter reminiscent of a girl


    unblemished by the world.


    Chapter 102


    Must be a boyfriend, they presumed.


    “Sorry, totally slipped my mind. Happy birthday! I’ll make it up to you tonight,” Matilda promised.


    “Great, let’s get Logan to join us, huh?” Gideon alsoughed heartily. “Or if not, at least drop off a cake


    for him, or the kid’s gonna feel left out again.”


    “I’ll fetch him!” Matilda volunteered eagerly. “If you hadn’t brought it up, I might have forgotten that my


    birthday is also approaching soon.”


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    “That’s why you’re my little heartless one,” Gideon joked. “Be careful tomorrow, and if it gets tricky, just


    call me. I refuse to believe we can’t spring Logan from the Boyd family for one day. And hey, it’ste,


    come home soon. No need to be out dating some wild guys. Can any of them measure up to your


    brother?”


    “Not a chance. You’re the handsomest guy around!”


    After hanging up, Matilda quickly hailed a cab home, filled with a sudden rush of excitement for


    Gideon’s birthday.


    It was only once a year, after all, and definitely worth celebrating, especially considering how much her


    brother had devoted to raising Logan and how he had scarcely thought about his own future.