Everyone turned to look at Wayne after hearing Mariaâs words. Then Wayne asked Matthew, âWhat do you think?â
Before Matthew could answer Wayneâs question, Anna said anxiously, âWayne! Matthew canât handle this alone. You must go for him.â
âNo, | can handle it by myself,â Matthew replied.
With a gloat, Wayne tapped Anna on the shoulder as she was about to say something else. Later, Maria exited the room after confirming the launch date. Everyone else then left because Matthew had work to do.
Then Anna and Wayne dined at the restaurant on the hotelâs top floor.
âWhy did you leave Matthew to deal with this on his own? Matthew is still a child!â Anna asked Wayne, who sat across from her.
Putting his knife away, Wayne said solemnly, âMatthew planned the entire Cliatin project on his own. So, if | attend the press conference instead of him, the board will believe that the project has nothing to do with him, whether it succeeds or fails. In other words, despite Matthewâs efforts, the shareholders would still doubt his ability.â
Hearing that, Anna started to sigh. She couldnât help but complain, âI told you earlier that you shouldnât have let Matthew run the company by himself so early! Heâs still a teenager! The shareholders certainly wonât listen to him.â
âAfter you resigned, the companyâs stock price plummeted. Although the share price was then brought back under control, it was still a knock to the head for Matthewâs career. He must be under a lot of stress right now,â 536 Why Did You Run Away? Anna said while shaking her head.
Pouring Anna a cup of tea, Wayne gently said, âMatthew is not as fragile as you think, dear. Have some faith in him. Look, Iâve brought you your favorite cherry pie.â
Wayne, you always believe that a man has to be successful in his career, so youâre harsh on our son. Thank goodness that Matthew is talented in business and heâs willing to follow your steps. Otherwise, it will be torturing for him if you keep pushing him like this. Yet, you never expected much from Tammy. Thinking of that, Anna began to worry about Tammyâs future once more, Jammy begged me to take her to see Matthew before we left. Where is she now? Is she truly worried about Matthew? Or did she simply want to have fun in a different city?
nee As she left the hotel with her favorite song playing through her headphones, Tammy was wearing a black down jacket. She later stopped a cab and told the driver, âPlease take me to Cliatin University.â
Thirty minutes later, before getting out of the car, Tammy handed the driver fifty dollars and said, âKeep the change.â
Tammy followed Google Maps to a convenience store. As soon as she pushed open the door, she heard a soft voice, âWelcome to our store.â
As Tammy looked up, she saw Isabella, who was lowering her head. Tammy instantly smiled, exclaiming, âWow! Isabella, youâve changed so much!â
Isabella looked up, her eyes brightening when she saw Tammy. âTammy! What are you doing here?â
âChelsea, do you know each other?â After getting out of the storage room, Anthony asked, looking at Tammy blankly, then at âChelseaâ beside him. 536 Why Did You Run Away? â)
Isabella removed her apron and handed it over to Anthony. She said, âThis is my sister. | need to leave for a while, Anthony. Iâll explain it to you later.â
Isabella and Tammy then went into a nearby small bar. âAn orange juice, please,â Isabella said to the bartender after ordering a drink.
â| want cocktails,â Tammy winked as she said.
Isabella turned to the bartender and said, âSheâs still a minor. Just give her orange juice.â her eyes at her and saying, âDonât think you can do whatever you want just because your mom isnât here.â
Tammy shook her head. âSays the one who ran away on your wedding day! You just vanished out of the blue and even changed your name! Thatâs insane!â
Isabella frowned as she said, âLetâs drop the topic, okay? Are your brother still doing okay, by the way?â
âHeâs fine. Matthew is a genius, so he can certainly fix this.â
âWhere have your parents gone?â
âTheyâre still at the hotel. To be honest, | donât think theyâll be much help. Weâll only be here for a few days. So, do you want to meet them?â
âOf course not! You didnât tell your parents | was here, did you?â Isabella said nervously.
âNo! Iâm not a blabber like Natalie. | didnât say anything to them.â
âThatâs good,â Isabella said thoughtfully. She felt she couldnât tell anyone, especially Anna, that she was in Cliatin. Otherwise, Jasper would know it right away.
Later, the waiter served them drinks. Tammy sipped her orange juice while chewing on the straw. She asked, âSo, are you planning to stay here 536 Why Did You Run Away? sad forever?â
â| havenât considered it yet, but Iâll stay here for a while. Did you bring everything | asked you to bring?â
Tammy pulled a stack of things from her coat pocket and handed them to her. âI had a friend make this for me. You can buy airline tickets with this fake ID card. But why donât you just use your own ID?â
âNo, Iâm not that dumb. Your parents will certainly find out where | am if | use my ID.â Saying that, Isabella put that ID card into her pocket.
âSo itâs really over between you and Uncle Jasper?â Tammy asked, nodding.
For a brief moment, Isabella frowned in silence. âStop asking questions! | donât want to talk about it.â
âFine! Iâm not even interested in that at all. Who is that guy in the convenience store, by the way? | noticed him staring at Isabella as soon as | walked into the store. | bet that he must be crazy in love with you!â
âNo, heâs not! Heâs my landlord. And he saved my life,â Isabella explained.
âIt appears you have quite a story to tell about this adventure,â Tammy said thoughtfully.
â| didnât invite you here to hear my stories, Tammy! Did you bring me any cash?â
âOf course! Why did you run away without any money? Here, this is my dadâs supplementary card,â Tammy said, pulling a card from her pocket.
âNo! | canât use a credit card. Just give me some cash.â
âHow am | going to get you cash right now? | donât have it!â With a pout, Tammy said in dissatisfaction.