Chapter 22 Maybe because of the pain , Allen's breathing grew tight and uneven . ( ༡5 ) 55 vouchers Matilda's mind went blank for a second . She quickly pulled back , loosened her mouth , and pretended she'd only been chewing on the clementine . When she swallowed , the juice caught in her throat , and she coughed twice . Allen glanced down at his two fingers . Having Matilda's lipstick on them felt like the luckiest thing that had ever happened to him . He decided he wouldn't wash his hands tonight . The rich kids shook their legs and laughed with bad intentions . " Is the clementine sweeter , or are Dr. Saunders ' fingers sweeter ? " one of them teased . " I say Dr. Saunders ' fingers - he's been serving all day , " another chimed in . " Dr. Saunders , let me taste your fingers too , " someone else sneered . Matilda flushed with embarrassment and tossed down her poker cards . " I'm done playing . " Since she was the winner , the club bill for the night would normally be on her . But Allen stepped in first . " I'll cover it . " When he handed over his card , Matilda spotted the lipstick stain still clinging to his thumb and index finger . Her heart skipped a beat , and she quickly looked away , pretending not to notice . Anyway , she couldn't hand him a wet wipe and tell him to clean off the lipstick she had accidentally left behind . If she said nothing , he'd wipe it away when he saw it himself . If she mentioned it , the front desk clerk might overhear and let her imagination run wild . But the clerk saw it anyway and politely handed Allen a heated towel . Allen didn't take it . Matilda's thoughts spun out . She thought doctors were supposed to be germophobic . Maybe Allen thought the towel at the club was dirtier than the oils and chemicals in her lipstick . When they finally left the club , the sky was already dark . Matilda noticed the real estate agent from that morning still hanging around . The agent hurried up the moment he saw her , looking pitiful . " This apartment fits your temperament perfectly . Other clients wanted to reserve it today , but I couldn't bring myself to give it to them. Please , can we sign the contract right now ? " Matilda stayed quiet for a moment , then asked , " Are there any listings in Maple Heights ? I want to live there . " 9:18 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 22 : 95 E55 vouchers The agent froze , then quickly nodded and bowed . " Yes , yes , of course ! I was just thinking this shabby place doesn't suit your cool , noble temperament at all . Maple Heights is perfect for you ." Matilda only shook her head and smiled . Allen's eyes lingered on Matilda like he could never get enough . She wasn't fake or pretentious - she was confident , proud , and stood apart from the crowd . A quiet glow of pride lit up his eyes . Back at the hotel , Matilda did a quick count and realized she had won over 6 million dollars . First , she transferred 150 thousand dollars to Mr. S , then another 150 thousand dollars as thanks for helping her when she had needed it most . Next , she wired a year's rent to the agent . Finally , she texted Tessa to tell her she had found a home now , in Maple Heights . ***** The next morning , Matilda went out . She got her hair restyled , then headed to Grandhaven Mall to shop for clothes . The sales associate stared for a long moment before recognizing her , then greeted her warmly . " Mrs. Grimes 11 Matilda lifted her eyes slightly . " Divorced . Call me Ms. Warren from now on ." The associate was caught off guard but quickly smiled again . At first , she had worried Matilda's divorce would cut down her spending , and she'd lose a big client . But while the old Matilda wore T - shirts that cost a few hundred dollars , this Matilda was choosing outfits priced over 3,000 dollars . She looked sharper , more refined , more alive . After leaving the clothing store , Matilda thought about buying a watch for Tessa . But her eyes first landed on a man's watch displayed in the center . The round face had a classic look - simple but elegant , understated yet luxurious , cool but with a touch of warmth . Her first thought was how much it suited Allen . He had given her a bell - it only felt right to give something back . She wanted to buy it . But the sales clerk explained it was a couple's set , and the woman's watch was displayed in another case . Matilda ended up buying both . The woman's watch could go to Tessa . After leaving the store , she also thought about picking out a gift for Jolene . Jolene and Lola were nothing alike . Lola had been spoiled by her grandparents and Brandon with money . Her two walk - in closets were stuffed with designer clothes and handbags . 9:18 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 22 Z 》 ( 95 ) EX 55 vouchers Kathy once told Lola , " Your mother grew up in a small place . She's petty and will never fit in with high society . You can't take after her . You're a Grimes , a princess . You have to act like one ." So when it came to gifts , Lola only cared about price tags and brands . Jolene , on the other hand , carried herself like someone who had seen more of the world . She had emotional smarts and poise at a young age - a child with depth . Matilda couldn't guess what Jolene might like , so she picked a children's instant camera that seemed pretty good . After paying , she walked out carrying the gift bag - only to have a child crash into her arms . Matilda was afraid the girl would fall and quickly caught her , but the sharp corner of the bag poked the child . The little girl let out a loud , pitiful wail . That crying voice was all too familiar - it was Lola . Matilda hadn't seen her in a week . She quickly set the bag down , squatted , and cupped Lola's face to check . " Where are you hurt ? Let me see . " Lola stopped crying right away . She stared for a long moment before finally realizing it was her mom , with a new haircut . " You're annoying . Nothing good ever happens when I run into you . " With that , Lola shoved Matilda hard without even wiping her tears . Her words and actions cut Matilda to the bone . " Lola , you're not calling me Mommy anymore , huh ? " " You stopped being my mom a long time ago ! " Lola shouted . Matilda felt her heart twist in pain . Just then , Brandon and Shelby came running over , neither of them recognizing her at first . It was only when Lola complained that Matilda was annoying that they finally looked her way . Brandon's eyes narrowed sharply . Matilda's hairstyle was the same as when they had first met . Her soft features , the graceful curve of her brows - it all hit him at once . On the ground lay a man's watch - the very brand he liked . Brandon's lips curled slightly . ' She cut her hair the way I like and bought a watch I like . She even spent all the money Tessa gave her on me . Is she starting to give in ? ' he thought . 9:18 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 23 Chapter 23 E