Chapter 20 Chapter 20 : 95 55 vouchers Matilda's post had shot to number one . The comments section already had tens of thousands of replies . [ No way ! Are these two really siblings ? They're acting like newlyweds . ] [ What's wrong with being close ? You're the one making it dirty . The blogger's just stirring the pot . ] [ Are you blind ? They're stuck together like glue . ] [ If this is true , then I feel sorry for the wife . A brother and sister ganging up to lie - no shame at all . You fake woman and scumbag guy. Disgusting . I'm never buying Crossen Technology products again . ] [ So gross . That adopted sister is evil . She deserved worse than just one slap . ] There were way too many comments for Matilda to reply to , so she just quietly liked a few . Then she shut off her phone , held the bell in her hands again , and curved her lips into a small smile . Tonight , she could finally sleep well . ***** In the CEO's office at Crossen Technology , Brandon irritably tugged at his tie . He had already spent 1.5 million dollars to try and bury Matilda's post . But the platform's operations director sent the money back , saying it was too immoral to do . Brandon wasn't some rookie fresh out of school . He knew right away someone had stepped in , so he had Greg look into it , thinking maybe Matilda had reported it herself . But what came back surprised him - it hadn't been Matilda at all . It was Horton Group's executive assistant who had blocked it . Horton Group wasn't just big ; it dominated industries both at home and abroad . The social media app was one of its subsidiaries . And Martin Curtis , the executive assistant , was buried under work . He wouldn't waste time on something as small as buying off a trending topic . If he stepped in , there was only one reason : not enough money on the table . Martin was infamous in business circles - greedy , corrupt , living for money and pleasure . He was the right- hand man of Horton Group's top boss , loyal to no one but cash . So Brandon had Greg send another 3 million dollars . But the traffic only dipped for half an hour before Matilda's post shot back up to the top . Clearly , they still thought the money was too little . That was when Shelby stumbled into his office , fresh out of the hospital , barely steady on her feet . " Brandon , I don't care what people are saying online . 9:18 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 20 95 55 vouchers " I'll post later and explain it away - that I lost control , that I depend on you too much , and you just pitied me . Let them trash me , as long as it doesn't hurt you or Crossen Technology . " Brandon's chest tightened . He became even more determined to protect her . " How could I ever throw you under the bus ? Don't worry . Crossen Technology isn't strapped for cash . " " Brandon , I'm sorry . Maybe I shouldn't have come back from overseas . " Shelby's voice was weak , her watery eyes making her look pitiful . " Don't say that . Go back and rest . I'll come see you once this blows over , " Brandon said . " Okay , I'll wait for you ." Shelby wiped her tears , her expression changing ever so slightly . She knew how to play the game - retreat first , then advance - something stubborn Matilda would never get . When Matilda woke up , the bell had gone silent . No matter what tricks she tried , it wouldn't work . Brandon had probably pulled strings again - her account was banned for twenty days . She told herself it didn't matter . The story had spread long enough . In everyone's eyes , Brandon and Shelby were no longer so pure and innocent . That was already better than she had hoped for . So she acted like nothing was wrong . She washed up like usual , did laundry like usual , sent out résumés like usual - and got rejected like usual . On the surface , everything looked normal . Only she knew she was hanging by a thread . At her lowest , she even thought about leaving the country . But deep down , she wasn't ready to give up . The people who had ruined her name hadn't gotten what they deserved yet . Matilda hugged her knees , buried her face , and sat in silence for a long while . Then her father's words came back to her . " No matter how big the problem , don't drown in sadness . " She took a few deep breaths , splashed cold water on her face , and forced herself to get it together . When the real estate agent called about an apartment viewing , she put on makeup and headed out with her spirits lifted . The agent trailed behind her , overselling the place . " Best deal in Itera City - downtown , great location , south- facing , everything you need nearby- " " What about the downsides ? " Matilda cut in . " Well , the downside is also the upside - everything is nearby , " the agent admitted . After walking around , Matilda saw the agent wasn't lying . Bars , hotels , adult shops , pharmacies , card clubs - the nightlife here would be a mess - traffic jams , no jogging at night , and noisy until late . 9:18 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 20 : ( 95 ) 55 vouchers As she hesitated , Matilda spotted Allen stepping out of the card club . His shirt was unbuttoned at the top , dark circles under his eyes like he hadn't slept , his whole face worn out . He froze when he saw her , then came over . " Matilda , what are you doing here ? " " Apartment hunting , " she answered honestly . " Dr. Saunders , you were- " " Jude had an emergency surgery last night and asked me to fill in for him at cards , " Allen explained . Matilda raised a brow . " And ? Did you win ? " Allen gave a bitter smile and pulled off his glasses . " Lost all of Jolene's summer daycare money . " Matilda almost laughed but held it in . " I was just thinking that maybe I used up my luck on you last night , right ? " Allen teased with a blink. Matilda narrowed her eyes . " Dr. Saunders , are you trying to blame me ? " Allen chuckled , stared at her for two seconds , then slipped his glasses back on . " Why don't you come play a few rounds ? " " Me ? " Matilda shook her head . She wasn't in the mood . Allen grinned . " They say unlucky in love , lucky at cards . " Matilda pressed her lips together , a little annoyed . " Do you have to poke at my sore spot , Dr. Saunders ? " Allen playfully tapped his own mouth . " Oh , sorry . So ? In or out ? " " Fine , let's do it . " Matilda swung her bag over her shoulder and strode inside . Love could break her heart , but she refused to lose at the gambling table . 宙