Chapter 143: Chapter 145

Chapter 145 Not At A Disadvantage At All Upon hearing her response, Matthew cast his eyes downward toward his chest.

The startling sight had stemmed entirely from the scratches Aurelia had inflicted in her overwhelming distress the previous night.

I’m not at a disadvantage at all.

During the tumultuous evening, both parties had sustained minor injuries as a result of each other’s actions.

After ensuring Aurelia was comfortably settled on the bed, Matthew proceeded to open the wardrobe. He was greeted by the sight of a few sparse and plainly–styled garments strewn haphazardly within. His eyebrows knit together in a frown.

Such few clothes?

He then turned to look back at Aurelia, who was sprawled on the bed, her face visibly marked by fatigue. “What would you like to wear?” he inquired.

Exhausted to her core, Aurelia managed a yawn before indicating a particular outfit. “Just put on that long black dress for me.”

Inside the wardrobe, there was only one black dress to choose from. Without the need for further selection, he simply pulled it out.

Matthew then nonchalantly gathered her underwear and undershirt, placing them atop the bed.

“I’ll change my clothes first, he announced.

Hardly had Matthew departed the room when Aurelia found herself staring at the underwear he had laid. out before her.

With a resigned sigh, she covered her eyes with her hand, trying to block the intrusive thoughts of Matthew handling her undergarments. The confusion rendered her momentarily unable to organize her thoughts coherently.

Curtis stood in front of the imposing Gardner Group Building, his eyes taking in the soaring skyscraper and the steady stream of individuals entering and exiting the premises. He could easily envision Aurelia busy at work inside.

The more unappealing Melanie seemed to him, the more he found himself reflecting on Aurelia’s finer qualities.

Now overwhelmed with remorse, Curtis felt as though his insides were being corroded by his feelings. Just then, his mobile phone rang. He extracted it from his pocket and accepted the call, “Mom.”

“Have you visited Aurelia?” his mother inquired urgently.

“Not yet, Mom. I was just reflecting on how, if it weren’t for Melanie’s constant seduction, I might never have betrayed Aurelia.

We had planned to marry right after college, to build our life and home together,” Curtis shared, the pain evident in his voice as he contemplated what might have been. His regret seemed to overwhelm him instantly, engulfing him in waves of torment.

1/3 15:30 Sat, 29 Jun Chapter 145 Net At A Disadvantage At All Finished Listening to this, Gina experienced a sharp twinge of sorrow. “Curtis, you aren’t to blame. Melanie is the real culprit here, always scheming to seduce you while you remain entirely blameless. And Aurelia, she professed her love for you, even wanted to marry you, yet she couldn’t forgive your one mistake. That makes her at fault too,” she argued, pausing to take a sip of water before continuing. “The care I received in the hospital was mediocre at best, despite the expenses. Aurelia took far better care of me.

Try to persuade her, speak to her softly. She’s been through much and isn’t the same as she once was. It’s admirable that you still want her back. Urge her to return and take care of me in the hospital.”

In her eyes, her son was without fault, and she harbored expectations that if Aurelia failed to demonstrate gratitude by returning, she would not allow them to reunite.

Curtis, however, was skeptical, thinking his mother was far too optimistic.

Aurelia would’ve forgiven me already if she wanted to. Besides, she’s working for Gardner Group now. The situations and people she encounters now aren’t the same ones the past her would’ve encountered.

“Mom, if I manage to reconcile with her, you’ll need to treat her with more kindness,” he stated seriously. “She’s employed now, so she likely won’t have the time to look after you in the hospital. We can hire another nurse if necessary.”

He had recently come into a substantial sum of money, a million from Melanie, but after settling various debts, he was left with just over four hundred thousand. It still wasn’t enough.

“Fine, fine, whatever you decide, I’ll agree. It’s good that you know how to value your wife,” Gina responded, rolling her eyes unseen, waiting impatiently for the reconciliation between her son and Aurelia, which would allow her to have Aurelia back at the hospital under her care.

What kind of job could possibly be more important than me?

Gina was eagerly awaiting the day when her son would begin working, anticipating that Aurelia would then stay at home to tend to her and their future family. Once Aurelia was back under her influence, she was confident in her ability to manage her effectively, just as she had managed others in the past.

After ending the call, Curtis made his way toward the Gardner Group Building, where a new security guard, unfamiliar with him, was now stationed. “I’m looking for Aurelia, could you please call her for me?” Curtis asked.

The guard hesitated. “I haven’t seen Aurelia today; she must have taken a day off.”

Curtis was startled. “She took a leave? Today is Monday, she would normally be at work unless something urgent came up.” He suspected that Aurelia had instructed the security to block his visits, as each time he appeared, there would be a new excuse for her absence.

It seemed she was utterly disappointed in him.

Given the circumstances, he decided to wait.

In approximately two hours, the workday would end, and he was curious to see how Aurelia would manage to evade him then.

“You might want to give her a call, see if there’s an issue,” suggested the guard.

If he knows she’s not at work, he should’ve given her a call. Why is he asking me about her whereabouts? What a weird www.

2/3 Chapter 145 Not At A Disadvantage At All Finished Curtis shot the guard a frosty look, then moved to a corner from where he could clearly see the building’s exits, and settled in to wait. He took out his phone and dialed a number.

Aurelia had already blocked him, and even a change of his number hadn’t prompted her to answer his calls.

Instead, he called Melanie, who was currently shopping in a mall with a man who had once pursued her during their university days and was now doing so again.

When Curtis’s call came through, Melanie frowned, excused herself from her companion, stating she needed to use the restroom, and took the call there.

“There’s no need for you to call me again,” she stated flatly.

“It’s necessary. Check your WhatsApp: I’ve sent you a video. Take a good look. Melanie, you appear so innocent, but I never imagined you’d be up for anything.” Curtis retorted with disdain.

She’s certainly not picky. How utterly disgusting!

“Curtis, are you courting death?” Melanie snapped back. “I gave you a million to delete that video. Are you trying to push me to get a lawyer? Will you only be satisfied when you’re in jail?”

After receiving the money, Curtis did not delete the video. Melanie was infuriated but not easily intimidated by his attempts to blackmail her repeatedly, If it were a matter of cunning, Curtis‘ tricks were simply child’s play in her eyes.

“This is a new video,” Curtis explained, “Each time I see it, it disgusts me. So, I thought you might like to enjoy it too. This time, you can pay less, just half a million, and I’ll delete it.”

“Make sure that video is worth half a million, Curtis, or you’ll regret it,” Melanie threatened heatedly, her voice full of exasperation.

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