: Chapter 14 : 95 55 vouchers " Matilda , what are you going to do ? " Shelby's body shook uncontrollably . " Aren't you smart ? Figure it out yourself . " Matilda's expression twisted as she suddenly yanked at Shelby's evening gown with a loud rip . Shelby screamed . She threw her hands across her chest , left only in her underwear and pasties . " Matilda , hit me if you want , but please give me back my clothes ! " she begged . " When you ruined my dress , did you think this day would never come ? Shelby , this jewelry set looks better without the dress anyway . Don't scream . Don't make a sound . Just sit tight and wait for Brandon to find you ," Matilda said coldly as she walked out , her eyes flashing with mockery . Shelby curled into the corner of the sofa , hugging herself and crying silently . There was nothing to cover up with , and this was the men's area - anyone could walk in . Footsteps outside drifted past now and then , pounding in her ears like death knells . Shelby didn't dare call for help and only prayed in her heart , ' Brandon , where are you ? Please save me ! Brandon was holding a wine glass , chatting business with others , when a tall figure brushed by . A faint , familiar scent hit him - it was exactly like Matilda's . He looked up , and the figure's back looked just like hers . He was about to follow when someone said , " One of the servers said there's a surprise in one of the men's lounges . Let's go check it out . " Brandon barely reacted - until he heard the " surprise " was a naked woman . That jolted a memory from years ago . His face darkened . He dropped his wine glass and rushed off to find Shelby . " Don't take pictures ! Please don't ! " The desperate cry struck Brandon like lightning . It was the exact same scene from back then - Shelby's hair messy , her body curled up in the corner , tears streaking her face , trembling . Brandon snatched the phone from a man nearby and smashed it against the wall . " Anyone else dare take photos ? Get out ! All of you ! " He threw off his suit jacket and wrapped it around Shelby , forgetting about appearances as he helped her cover up . When Matilda left the venue , she spotted Tessa's car . She waved and walked over . Tessa frowned at her . " Why are you dressed like that ? " " Snuck in to find Shelby , " Matilda said casually . 9:16 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 14 " Shelby ? She is here , huh ? Then I don't want to go in . " Tessa rolled her eyes . " You should . There's a good show waiting , " Matilda said with a faint laugh . Suspicious , Tessa didn't press further . She handed Matilda the washed dress . 55 vouchers When she stepped inside , she noticed people's faces carried strange , gossipy looks . They were whispering about a naked woman and how the Grimes family was swimming in scandals . Still puzzling over it , Tessa turned just in time to see Brandon storming out with Shelby in his arms , his face full of fury . Matilda didn't feel the rush of revenge she thought she would . Those two still hadn't really paid for what they did to her . She headed downtown , hoping the noise and chaos could drown out the emptiness inside . That was how she ended up at Solace Bar . Cassandra had once joked that Matilda was like a warrior woman - unbeatable , except by three drinks . One would make her tipsy , two would get her drunk , and three would knock her out cold . Matilda hadn't believed it . But after three cocktails , stars were spinning over her head . That was when Allen appeared . From her blurred view , he wore a white shirt , his figure blending into the smoky atmosphere . The top button was undone , his sharp Adam's apple showing , making him look like a seasoned , dangerously attractive man . " Who are you ? " Matilda squinted , trying to focus on his face . " Allen , " someone answered . Matilda smiled faintly , her eyes unfocused , and pointed to the side . " Dr. Saunders ." Allen caught her wandering hand and placed it back . " I'm right here . " " I know you are ! " Matilda said stubbornly . Allen gave a helpless smile . " Dr. Saunders , let me tell you a secret . But you can't tell anyone else , " Matilda said . Yet the moment she said it , she raised her voice like she was showing off . " I ripped Shelby's clothes right off her , every single piece . She ruined the dress my mom made me , so I made sure she had nothing to wear . I even grabbed her- " Allen quickly covered her mouth , coaxing softly , " Yeah , I know . She deserved it ." " She deserved it ? " Matilda suddenly looked upset . " But once Brandon finds out , he'll definitely come after me . Dr. Saunders , you're a good doctor . Can't you treat his brain ? Why can't he understand I'd never bully Shelby 9:16 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 14 for no reason ? " Allen lowered his gaze , meeting her sad eyes . " You still expect something from him , huh ? " 55 vouchers Matilda shut her mouth , fists slowly tightening as her thin shoulders trembled , like she was fighting hard to hold back . Allen gently patted her back . " It's okay , Matilda . Forget him . Don't think about him anymore ." Matilda's body gradually relaxed . Before long , she fell asleep leaning against him . Allen already knew where she was staying . He had seen her go into her friend's villa yesterday , then leave , and finally check into a hotel . He bent down , scooped her up , hooked her purse with one finger , and carried her out of the bar . Matilda tossed and turned in her sleep . Nightmares haunted her - Brandon sending her to prison , Shelby tying her up and making her watch as she and Brandon undressed each other , kissing and touching . Pain , anger , humiliation , and longing all tangled together , suffocating Matilda . Her body was drenched in sweat . She felt torn open inside . She struggled hård , but the emptiness only grew heavier . She wanted to scream , to grab something , anything , to fight back against the storm inside . " Matilda ? Matilda ? " someone called softly . She jolted awake , breathing hard . Her eyes reddened within seconds . Without thinking , she grabbed Allen , yanking him down so his chest pressed against hers - solid , heavy , real . Tears shimmered in her eyes as she bit his wire - rimmed glasses off his face . Her voice came out hoarse and broken . " Kiss me . " 田