Chapter 54
Chapter 54 Jealousy
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“And Dad and Grandpa even promised to give her a company and a pharmaceutical plant. How did she get so lucky…” The more Naomi talked, the more a sense of unfairness swelled inside her.
She had worked hard for years to earn Jonathan’s trust and was eventually entrusted with a small design firm.
Arabella had only been back for a few days. How had she managed to win over both her grandfather and father at once? Naomi couldn’t make sense of it.
“What did you say?! Uncle Jonathan and Ryan are giving her a company? Am I hearing this right?” Ruby was even more stunned by this later piece of information.
“You heard correctly. I was there and heard it myself,” Naomi said, jealousy plain on her face. Suddenly, the coffee in Ruby’s hand seemed to lose its flavor. “She really landed on her feet p>
For a moment, Ruby burned with envy.
Arabella had been home only a short while, yet she was receiving more than Naomi ever had?
What made it worse was that Ruby herself wasn’t getting any of these benefits.
It was genuinely frustrating.
“If what you’re saying is true, then the person who went back to the hospital with Matthew was very likely Arabella. After all, she did go by Macdonald‘ before,” Ruby finally began to accept that Arabella might indeed have medical training.
“Now that I think of it, they left Hamilton Manor together and then came to the hospital to see Robert.
“So Robert has met Arabella…
“But then why is he still trying to set you up with Matthew?” The pieces were coming too fast, and Ruby’s mind felt close to overheating.
“No, no. Let me just… process this.” Ruby took a large gulp of coffee, as if to clear her head. Hearing Ruby’s analysis, Naomi grew even more unsettled.
She had been fairly confident that Robert favored her, but now, turning things over in her mind, she wasn’t so sure anymore.
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Chapter 54 Jealousy
After a moment of quiet, Ruby suddenly said, “I think I get it now p>
Naomi turned to her with wide eyes. “Get what p>
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“Maybe Robert has met Arabella, but he doesn’t yet know who she really is. So in his mind, you’re still the more suitable match–the one from the right background. That’s why he scolded Matthew and told him to keep seeing you.” Ruby looked at Naomi with conviction, as if her speculation were fact.
Watching Ruby speak with such unshakable certainty, Naomi found herself caught between
belief and doubt.
“But then why didn’t Matthew tell Robert about Arabella’s identity, if he already knows?” Naomi asked, still confused.
Ruby frowned in thought. “Maybe Matthew isn’t interested in Arabella either.
“He’s playing by the ‘no trouble, no fuss‘ principle–that’s why he kept it quiet. It lets his plan to end things with your family run smoothly. If Arabella were to step into the picture, though? Even if he broke things off with you, he’d still be shackled to her. And I’d bet that’s the last outcome he’s after.
“But he didn’t expect Robert to refuse and insist he keep seeing you.
“So compared to Arabella, Matthew must feel more familiar and at ease with you.” Ruby laid out her theory at length, analyzing every angle for Naomi.
“I suppose that makes sense. After all, Matthew and I have known each other for years. Our history isn’t something just anyone can replace.” Naomi couldn’t help sighing softly.
It seemed that in Matthew’s eyes, she still held more value than Arabella.
The thought eased her heavy mood slightly.
“Still, we need to stay vigilant about Arabella. She has regular access to Robert now. If she schemes in any way, you could end up on the defensive,” Ruby reminded, not forgetting to warn Naomi against complacency.
“Alright. I’ll visit Robert more often these next few days–keep him company so Arabella doesn’t get a chance. Once he’s discharged, she won’t have a reason to be near him or Matthew anymore.” To protect her connection to Matthew, Naomi knew she had to guard against Arabella.
“I think that’s smart, though it might mean putting in extra effort for a while,” Ruby said, giving Naomi a sympathetic look.
At the moment, she didn’t have a better plan.
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Chapter 59 Jealousy
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In the executive office, Matthew’s phone chimed with a notification. He picked it up, saw Naomi’s name, and without reading the message set it back down. He returned to the contracts on his desk.
Back in the cafe, Ruby had been scrolling through her phone for what felt like an hour, growing, rewless,
Naomi, how much longer is Matthew going to take? It’s been an hour already. Why don’t we just go up? Ruby asked, feeling Naomi was being too deferential.
Naomi glanced toward the entrance. “Let’s wait just a little longer. Maybe he’s wrapping things up and will be here soon?
Fine. Ten more minutes. If he’s not here by then, we’re going up,” Ruby said, resigning herself to another stretch of boredom on her phone.
Naomi kept glancing at the door. Every time it opened, she looked up, hoping to see that familiar, tall frame.
About ten minutes later, a tall figure finally appeared in the café entrance.
When Naomi saw it was Matthew, she nudged Ruby under the table. “Stop scrolling. He’s here *
Hearing Matthew’s name, Ruby immediately put away her phone and sat up straight, suddenly as composed and demure as could be
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.