Chapter 196
Chapter 196 A Private Word
Andy then wheeled Arabella away, following Matthew toward a quieter spot by the large windows at the end of the hallway.
Lucas watched them go, a frown of displeasure settling on his features. With Arabella gore, it was back to business. He turned to Ethan. “My friend still needs that scan. We’d better head down now.”
Ethan gave a brief nod. “Of course.”
With that, Lucas helped Kyle toward the elevator bank.
*****
Matthew stopped by the floor–to–ceiling windows overlooking the city. He turned to face Arabella, his expression unreadable. “Did you tell anyone that I called off the engagement with the Hamiltons?”
Hearing his question, Arabella’s brow furrowed slightly. “No. We had a deal–you wouldn’t speak of my affairs, and I wouldn’t speak of yours.” She studied his serious face. “Why? What happened?”
“My grandfather found out I went to the Hamiltons to break it off,” Matthew said, a note of frustration in his voice.
“He found out? How? Who told him?” Arabella’s questions came rapid–fire.
“I wondered if it was you. But clearly, it was someone else,” Matthew replied, his eyes darkening.
“Besides us, only the Hamiltons knew. So maybe…” Arabella began to reason it out.
“I didn’t say a word. My parents understand the gravity of the situation–they wouldn’t have spoken either.
“That leaves only one other person who was present…”
“Naomi,” they said in unison, their eyes locking in mutual understanding.
“It has to be her,” Matthew confirmed, recalling the visit. “She came to see my grandpa at the hospital. I left to avoid her. She must have told him after I was gone.”
“That fits,” Arabella agreed, the pieces clicking into place.
“How did Robert take the news?” she asked, curious.
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Chapter 196 A Private Word
“How do you think? He was furious. Gave me a hell of a lecture,” Matthew said, exasperated. Thanks to Naomi, he’d caught the blame for no reason.
“What does Roberi plan to do about it?” Arabella asked, holding his gaze.
Matthew looked at her delicate features, remembering his grandfather’s other, more pointed suggestion about Arabella herself. He pushed the thought aside.
“What is it? Robert doesn’t agree with you calling it off either, does he?” Arabella guessed, noting his hesitation.
“Right. He doesn’t approve. He also said…” Matthew trailed off.
“Said what? Spit it out,” Arabella pressed, growing impatient.
“He said after he’s discharged, he’s taking me to the Hamiltons to… smooth things over,” Matthew said after a pause, omitting the rest.
“So your plan to end the engagement is effectively dead,” Arabella concluded.
“You know, Naomi isn’t all bad,” Arabella offered, though the words felt strange even as she said them. “She can be a bit much, but the two of you… you’re not a terrible match.”
“A match?” Matthew’s frown deepened. “Which part of your brain cooked that up? Are you sure you didn’t hit your head when you fell?” He couldn’t believe she was saying anything remotely positive about Naomi. The world must be upside down.
Seeing his sarcastic look, Arabella rolled her eyes. “I’m not in the mood to argue with you today. You’re the one in the hot seat, so I’ll let you have your little victory.
“Anyway, now you know it wasn’t me. I still need to rest, so are we done here? Can I go back now?” She adopted a breezy tone.
Matthew studied her relaxed demeanor for a moment, then nodded to Andy. “Take her back.”
Since she wasn’t the source of the leak, a weight he hadn’t fully acknowledged lifted.
Andy wheeled Arabella back to where Ethan waited. “Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Hamilton. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Thank you, Andy.”
Once Andy was gone, Ethan looked at Arabella with concern. “Are you okay? He didn’t give you any trouble, did he?”
A faint smile touched Arabella’s lips. “Ethan, you worry too much. Matthew just had a question for me.”
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Chapter 196 A Private Word
“Good,” Ethan said, visibly relieved.
“Did Lucas and Kyle go for the scan?” Arabella asked, noticing their absence.
“Yes, they headed down.”
“Then we should head home too.”
“Okay,” Ethan agreed, wheeling her toward the hospital exit.
Finished
In the car, Ethan glanced at Arabella, his expression puzzled. “Arabella, what’s really going on with you and Matthew? Why was he so… attentive today?”
“There’s nothing ‘going on. We literally just ran into each other. Don’t start imagining things!” Arabella shot him a warning look.
“I’m not imagining. It’s just… his behavior was off. It makes a guy wonder,” Ethan said, a slight frown creasing his forehead.
“See? That’s exactly what imagining things looks like! Matthew has always been… intense. I thought he was unusual from the first time I met him.”
“But,” she added, her tone turning more serious, “he did have a specific reason for pulling me aside today.”
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