Chapter 10 " Jolene ? " Matilda's voice slipped out , soft and surprised . 1 , ( 95 ) 55 vouchers Jolene , hearing her name , let go of Allen's hand and bounded toward Matilda like a puppy off its leash . " Yup , it's me ! But Daddy saw you first . " Matilda and Jolene both turned to Allen . A warm , lopsided grin spread across his handsome face , his whole vibe radiating a quiet , effortless charm as he sauntered closer . " Well , how's that for a coincidence , Matilda ? " he said , his tone easy , like they were old pals catching up . Most people stuck to Mrs. Warren or Mrs. Grimes - stiff and formal . Allen was the first to toss out her first name like it was no big deal.Matilda didn't mind one bit . She stood , flashing a grin . " Dr. Saunders , grabbing dinner here too ? " Allen nodded , his gaze flicking to the two place settings on her table . " Waiting on someone ? " " They already split . " Jolene's eyes lit up . " Can me and Daddy sit with you ? " Matilda hadn't properly thanked Allen for pulling Kathy through that surgery . She jumped at the chance . " You kidding ? Of course ! This meal's on me . " Jolene slid into the booth's far corner , beaming like she'd won a prize . Allen eased in across from Matilda , settling in with a relaxed confidence . Matilda waved over the waiter to reorder . Allen held up a hand . " Let's just start with this . We'll grab more if we're still hungry . " " Sounds good to me ," Matilda said , nodding . Truth be told , she was itching for a drink more than food . " Dr. Saunders , you down for some wine ? " Allen's lips quirked into a teasing half - smile as he slid his glass her way . " Tough day , huh ? " he asked , his voice gentle but curious , like he was testing the waters . Matilda took a sip of wine , her throat tightening with a bitter edge . " Sorta . Just ... saw someone for who they really are . Threw me for a loop ." Allen leaned in , his eyes locked on hers , listening like he genuinely cared . His voice came out warm , steady . " Maybe it's the universe doing you a favor . Sometimes it shakes things up to show you the truth - not to hurt you , but to set you free ." 9:15 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 10 Matilda blinked at him , her heart catching . Maybe it was his doctor's knack for reading people , but the knot in her chest loosened just a bit . Why waste tears on some lowlife ? ' she thought bitterly . 95 55 vouchers Her eyes lingered on Allen's face a little too long . His Adam's apple bobbed , and she swore his ears turned a soft shade of pink . " I , uh , gotta hit the bathroom , " he mumbled , standing up fast . His tall frame wobbled for a split second , and he started off in the totally wrong direction . Jolene shook her head with a dramatic eye - roll . " My dad's a complete disaster with directions . Total pain in the butt . " Matilda burst out laughing , a real , from - the - gut kind that felt like a release . Jolene spun around , her eyes sparkling like fireflies . " Matilda , you're the prettiest lady I've ever seen ." Matilda's heart melted , but she gently corrected her . " The prettiest lady in your world should be your mom , Jolene . " Jolene's face fell , and she let out a small sigh . " I never got to meet her . " Matilda's mind flashed to Allen taking Jolene to Domburgh Cemetery . " Jolene , can you tell me why you and your dad went to Domburgh Cemetery the other day ? " she asked . Jolene scrunched her nose , thinking hard . " Daddy was giving a talk at Domburgh Medical College . I begged him to take me to the cemetery to see the lanterns light up ." So that was it . Edwina had nothing to do with them . Matilda's phone pinged twice . She opened it to find an anonymous email with an attachment : the raw , unedited video of her and Brandon's blowout in the study . Only Shelby would have this , but she'd never be nice enough to hand it over . Matilda called Cassandra , asking her to trace the sender . Cassandra shot back a quick " On it " before dropping a bombshell . " Those jerks trashing you online ? Their accounts got canned . " Someone dug up their real names , and this afternoon , they got doused with something nasty . Took eight rounds of hospital - grade disinfectant , and they're still scrubbing ." Matilda's jaw dropped , but inside , she was practically fist - pumping . When Allen strolled back , he caught the spark in her eyes . " Good news ? " he asked , that easy grin lighting up his face . 9:15 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 10 Matilda smiled , almost in awe . " Feels like someone upstairs has my back . " " You deserve it , " Allen said , his voice warm and so sincere it hit her right in the feels . ( 95 ) 55 vouchers His words wrapped around her like a warm hug . She raised her wine glass , clinking it with Allen's and Jolene's in a lively , clinking toast that felt like a tiny victory . Through the rim of his glass , Allen snuck a glance at Matilda . The restaurant's soft lights spilled over her hair , casting a warm , golden glow on her face . He caught the flutter of her lashes and the faint mole just below her right earlobe , and his heart did a little flip . ' Here's the raw video . You'll know how to use it . Don't forget - you're your own damn hero ! ' he told himself quietly in his head . ***** With the video and her recording , Matilda had enough to tear the masks off Shelby and Brandon's ugly faces . But the Grimes family wasn't some small - fry in Itera City . They had deep pockets , deeper connections , and the power to bury any scandal in a heartbeat . Even if she leaked it , Brandon would shut it down fast . And it wouldn't guarantee her divorce . So she thought it was better to play it smart , hold onto it , and wait for the perfect moment to strike . Matilda flipped open her laptop and checked Crossen Technology's stock price - lowest it'd been in five years . Daniel was probably hounding Brandon to ditch her any day now . Meanwhile , at Saints International Hospital , in a sleek private suite , Daniel sprawled on the sofa , his face dark as a storm cloud as he glared at Brandon . " Matilda asked for a divorce , and you shot her down ? " he asked . Brandon flicked his eyes toward Shelby . " Don't look at her ," Daniel snapped . " I told her to spill the beans ." Brandon sat off to the side , quiet as usual . He and his dad had never been close - more like strangers with the same last name , Daniel's voice was cold , leaving no room for pushback . " Use this mess to end the marriage . The public will eat it up , and Crossen Technology will come out looking golden ." Brandon finally spoke , his voice low and tight . " I've got it handled ." Daniel exploded , slamming his fist on the armrest . " Handled? What , waiting for her to dump you ? You went against the whole damn family to marry that woman , and now you're dragging your feet to divorce her ? You gonna cut us off again ? " 9:15 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 10 ༢ ( 95 55 vouchers He leaned forward , eyes blazing . " Fine , walk away ! Crossen Technology doesn't need you , and I sure as hell don't need a son like you ! " Brandon rolled into Rose Villa well past midnight . Matilda was still awake , but her bedroom door was locked up tight . No way he was getting in . His temper , already on a short fuse , flared hot . He barked at someone to bust the lock open . Matilda was sprawled on the bed in the inner room , earbuds in , blasting tech news at full volume , completely zoned out . Brandon stormed in , chucked his suit jacket into a corner , and ripped the earbuds out , tossing them to the floor with a sharp clatter . Then he leaned over her , pinning her to the bed , and kissed her hard , all fire and fury , like he was staking a claim . AD