A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 232

The door closed behind her with a hollow click. Yvan felt utterly abandoned, like a man stranded on an island that was once lively but now eerily silent.

Carl, who had always disapproved of how Yvan treated Matilda, couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him now. Amidst the wreckage of his own making, Yvan looked so desperately lost, trying to hold on to something already gone.

"Mr. Boyd, let it go," Carl finally said, breaking the heavy silence.

What's the point of all this pain now? Carl thought. You were the one who turned your back on Matilda without a second thought.

Let it go, man. It was fate, and it's come to an end. You've made your mistakes, and she's moved on.

But Yvan choked up, his voice hoarse with emotion, "I can't allow it! I won't let another man touch her!"

She was his! Even discarded, she was still his! Nothing that belonged to Yvan had ever been claimed by another. Matilda had loved him for years; how could she be swayed by some nobody?

Yvan's pride kept deluding himself, as if trying to comfort an unseen ghost, "It's not possible... She wouldn't run off with someone else..."

His eyes were bloodshot with fury, and after repeating those words like a crazed mantra, he grabbed Carl by the shoulders, his gaze lethal, "Dig up everything you can on Orson! If he dares touch Matilda, I'll ruin him!"

When Matilda got home, still shaky from the encounter, Orson stepped out of the car, glanced at the dented vehicle, and muttered, "That's quite a punch."

Matilda didn't respond. Inside, Logan's face was a picture of woe, clearly affected by Yvan's outburst. Orson, unusually chatty today, ventured, "What's the beef with that guy?"

She sighed heavily, "I'm not in the mood to talk, or cook. Just have some instant noodles tonight."

Orson's expression was a puzzled frown. What's with her? Why is my dinner caught in the crossfire? I feel totally innocent here.

But when he translated his feelings to his face, Orson still chose a lazy lift of his eyelids and said, "Let's order takeout."

"Sure," Matilda replied, only to be handed a phone by Orson.

"What's this for?" she asked.

"To order the food," he said nonchalantly.

Logan perked up, "Uncle Orson's treating us?"

Orson grunted in affirmation, though speaking this much seemed like a chore to him. "I might have added fuel to the fire with Yvan, so I'll cover dinner as an apology."

The next morning, Orson was up early, a rare occurrence. Matilda, fresh from brushing her teeth, bumped into him as he came out, tousling his hair. He was dressed in a thin shirt, hunched over, squinting his fine eyes, looking like a supermodel from an international magazine.

After a long moment, Matilda finally asked, "Orson, who are you really?"

He turned to face her. "Why do you ask?"

She furrowed her brows. "I think you might be more than you let on."

"You guessed right. I'm actually a vampire," Orson said with a lazy smirk, leaving Matilda somewhere between laughter and exasperation. Was he ever going to give her a straight answer?

But as long as Orson posed no threat to Logan, that was all that mattered. His cool demeanor over the past few days and his patience with Logan were reassuring. Maybe there wouldn't be a repeat of the kidnapping incident...

Matilda realized her fears were getting the better of her, making her jump at shadows whenever an enigma entered their lives.

Today, she had an interview at the company, alongside Orson. The studio proclaimed them the faces of the brand, bringing prestige and allure. People would see a handsome man and a beautiful woman who could also make killer games and think, "Damn, that's impressive."

So they arrived on time for the interview, not wanting to be late. The appointment was for nine, but out of courtesy, they showed up at half-past eight. Orson wore a thick hoodie paired with dress pants, looking every bit the celebrity.