Chapter 19 : 95 E55 vouchers " Brandon , I dreamed someone was bullying you . I wanted to help , but I couldn't do anything . How can I help you ? How can I protect you ? " Shelby covered her face with both hands and sobbed . The thought of Brandon being bullied tore her apart a thousand , ten thousand times worse than it did him . Facing a woman who cared about him that much , Brandon couldn't bring himself to blame her . He felt that if Matilda hadn't attacked Shelby first , Shelby never would've fought back in a way that hurt both sides . She couldn't just sit there and take the beating without defending herself . Brandon gently pulled Shelby's head against his chest . " From now on , I'll be more careful . I'll protect you so you don't get hurt again ." But his words didn't match what was in his heart . All he could think about was the look of pure hatred Matilda had given him . A wave of irritation clogged his chest . ***** At eight that night , Zack called and asked , " Why haven't there been any updates on Matilda's social media ? " Brandon answered darkly , " It's over . Don't bring it up again . " Zack was stunned . " Just let it go like that ? No wonder you've been strung along for six years - you're too soft . " Brandon ignored him , still thinking about Matilda . The outfit she'd worn today was high - quality and not cheap . He wondered where she'd gotten the money . " Did Tessa give her the funds ? " Brandon asked . " No way , " Zack replied without hesitation . " I know every cent Tessa has ." That didn't add up . Matilda married Brandon right after college . Everything they owned was bought during the marriage , and she hadn't taken a thing when she left - not even shoes , clothes , or bags . She didn't have a job either . There were only seven or eight famous chip companies in the country , and he had already warned them all- hiring Matilda meant going up against Crossen Technology , Foreign companies were out too . Six years ago , Matilda hadn't gone abroad because of his proposal . And now , with Lola in the picture , she was even less likely to go . If she wanted to return to her field , there was only one option - come back to his side , By his plan , after six days away from home , Matilda should've been down and out . But instead , she looked strong , dressed well , not the least bit panicked . Brandon couldn't figure out what had gone wrong . 9:17 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 19 : 95 55 vouchers He was lost in thought when Zack's startled voice snapped him back . " Brandon , Matilda just posted . Damn , you need to see this . " Brandon opened her account . She had uploaded three posts in a row . The first : [ Tell me , what kind of family relationship is this ? ] - with surveillance footage from Rose Villa attached . Brandon was shown reading while Shelby lay on his back . Then another clip of him stepping out of the shower , Shelby clinging to his arm as they walked back into the room together . The second was the raw video of the argument in the study . The third was a five - minute audio recording . So that day when Matilda had called the police , it had been to force Shelby to admit she'd maliciously edited the video . Shelby called in a panic , her voice hoarse . " Brandon , Matilda tricked us both . She's twisting everything - we're finished if this gets out ." Brandon's cool fingers clenched around the phone . He thought Matilda was still being unrealistic . ***** On her end , Matilda was glued to her account's stats . Brandon moved faster than she'd expected . Within ten minutes , the platform flagged her posts : [ Violation of laws , regulations , and behavioral norms . Content involves harmful values and will no longer be promoted . ] She'd known it was coming . Against power , ordinary people were like cars with no gas - no matter how determined they were to move forward , they couldn't even push past a finger of those in control . Matilda craved a smoke , but her hotel room was non - smoking . So she went downstairs , sat by the fountain plaza , and bit down on her cigarette like she wanted to tear into someone's throat . Then a pair of spotless white sneakers stepped into her line of sight . Matilda slowly lifted her head , squinting her tired eyes at the newcomer . Allen sat down beside her . Matilda pulled the cigarette from her lips , turned away as she exhaled , and stubbed it out . She preferred smoking alone , in silence . With company , the numbing effect lost its edge . " Dr. Saunders , what are you doing here ? " Allen answered evenly , " Jolene isn't home , and I don't have many friends in Itera City . So I figured I'd try my luck finding you ." His gaze held a quiet warmth . " Seems like my luck isn't bad ." 9:17 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 19 95 55 vouchers Matilda tried to smile politely but couldn't . " Dr. Saunders , you'd better not come looking for me . Might end up with bad luck instead . " Her head lowered , her back slightly hunched , eyes wet but still stubbornly holding back . Allen saw everything . The urge to kill Brandon nearly boiled over . He said gently , " Sometimes , too much good luck turns into bad . I'll give you half of mine ." As he said it , he lifted his right hand and set it lightly on her shoulder . Whether to comfort her or really share his luck , it didn't matter . His palm was warm . Matilda felt the heat spread from her shoulder through her whole body , like it was reigniting every deadened part of her . Allen pulled his hand back , his voice mysterious . " You'll have good luck very soon . " Matilda was amused by his childish act . She laughed softly , her gaze drifting toward the lights across the city . Allen watched her . " Have you looked at houses in Maple Heights ? " Matilda shook her head . She knew the money from Mr. S would have to be repaid one day . Not knowing his true intentions , she had already spent enough - she didn't dare think about Maple Heights . " The agent is still looking into suitable neighborhoods , " she said . Allen understood . Since it wasn't her own money , she would stay cautious . He needed to come up with another way . After sitting together for about half an hour , Allen said he needed to drive back . Matilda looked at the dark night sky and worried he'd get lost . His daughter had said that he was hopeless with directions - he couldn't even follow GPS . Allen read her mind , his eyes unusually soft . " Don't worry . I've memorized the way to you . " Matilda's expression stayed calm , but inside , it felt like something fragile had popped . She ignored the feeling and turned to leave first . Allen called after her and tossed something . Matilda caught it with one hand . It was a golden bell . " Shake it , and good things will happen ," Allen said . Before bed , Matilda picked up the bell with unexpected reverence . She even whispered a prayer , " Please , bless me . Let all my wishes come true ." She shook the bell hard several times . With trembling fingers , she opened her app - her trattic had exploded . 9:17 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 20 Chapter 20 :