Chapter 23 Chapter 23 E 95 55 vouchers When Shelby noticed the spark of confidence and charm back in Matilda's eyes , she clenched her teeth in anger . Her gaze fell on the children's camera lying on the ground , and she jabbed a finger at it . " Is this supposed to be a gift for Lola ? The other day , she was telling me her mom didn't even get her a birthday present . " But this isn't right . Lola doesn't like kiddie cameras , and this doesn't even look like a Crossen Technology product . " Brandon glanced down and saw the logo - it was from Lurith Tech . Lurith Tech ran in the same fields as Crossen Technology , but they lagged behind in every area . The latest news said they were on the edge of bankruptcy and about to restructure . Brandon figured Matilda buying a Lurith Tech product meant one of two things : she was strapped for cash , or she wanted to tick him off . Either way , she'd be disappointed - he couldn't care less . Snapping out of the sting from Lola's words , Matilda shot them a cold look and bent down to pick up the watch and the camera . But Lola ran up and kicked the camera across the floor . Matilda's anger flared . " Lola , pick that up ." " I won't ! I don't want your stupid camera . " Lola stuck her tongue out , then grabbed Brandon's hand with one hand and Shelby's with the other as they walked off together . After a few steps , Brandon turned back like it was casual . Matilda stood there , brows tightly knit , lips pressed in a hard line . She looked like she wanted to lash out but couldn't bring herself to do it . Years ago , she'd been buried too long under the rubble . Then , giving birth and finding out her parents had died - it had been too much . The damage to her body could never be undone . Lola was the only child she would ever have . Brandon believed that she would come back for Lola , no matter what . His lips curved with confidence , like everything was already in his hands . Matilda stooped to pick up the camera and brushed it off . Staring at Lola's proud back , she shut her eyes against the ache in her chest . She told herself to pretend she wasn't good with kids in this lifetime - that she had never even had one . ***** 9:18 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 23 ( 95 ) 55 vouchers At Maxwell Villa , Tessa was busy . She had never been to Matilda's new place , the first home that truly belonged to her . Wanting to make it warm , she picked out two sets of bedding her grandfather had prepared for her wedding -high - end foreign brands - and had Samuel load them into the car . Then , she bought some potted plants . Since Matilda couldn't cook , Tessa spent the afternoon making waffles and other dishes , packing them neatly in food containers so Matilda could store them in the freezer . With these , Matilda would have enough to eat for a week . After that , Tessa planned to cook more and bring them over again . Changing into fresh clothes , she stepped out full of anticipation - only to bump straight into Zack , who had just gotten back . " Where are you going ? " Zack asked , his tone as flat as ever . Tessa's heart jumped . She hid the food containers behind her back . " Just out to buy a few things . " Zack closed the distance between them . " What things ? You have to go yourself , huh ? " Tessa edged backward . " Grandpa's birthday is next month . I'm going to pick out a gift ." " Oh ? Is that so ? " Zack lowered his gaze , his tone unreadable . Tessa wasn't good at lying , and her face flushed all the way down her neck . She didn't dare meet his eyes . She hated it when he got close . She knew Zack was careless with women , and his body reeked of cheap perfume . " Go then , but be back before dinner , " Zack said . Tessa wanted to say she wouldn't be back for dinner . But she knew Zack wouldn't allow it . Even if their marriage was in name only , Zack had a need to control everything . She had no choice but to obey . Keeping the containers hidden behind her , Tessa turned sideways and shuffled out with little steps . The moment she was outside , she bolted . Zack lit a cigarette , glanced at the driver , and tilted his chin toward Tessa's retreating figure . " Follow her . " He already knew she was sneaking off to see Matilda . Earlier , he had spotted Samuel loading potted plants into the BMW , and now Tessa was carrying food containers . The only people she would go to such lengths for were her grandfather and Matilda . 9:18 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 23 It only meant Matilda had probably found herself a new place to live . ( 95 ) 55 vouchers Matilda knew Tessa was coming and had already opened a bottle of red wine to breathe . She couldn't handle much alcohol - two glasses at most - so she only opened one bottle . When the doorbell rang , she checked the intercom screen . It was the property manager and the butler . She opened the door . They stood with practiced smiles , bowing politely . " Ms. Warren , welcome to Maple Heights . We'll be at your service anytime . " These are the barbecue ingredients you requested . We've delivered them free of charge , and the utensils are in the pink bag . " Also , here are entertainment vouchers for Maple Heights - movies , bars , gym , recording studio , archery range , boxing gym , tennis court , dance classes , piano and violin lessons , AI room , buffet restaurant- " The property manager rattled it all off in one breath , his face red from holding it in . He only stopped when he was out of air . Matilda didn't need the introduction - she already knew Maple Heights well enough . The luxury apartments were all equipped with Crossen Technology's smart home systems and robots . Even if an elderly resident fell , it would automatically alert the smart center . In short , it was top - tier . Since outsiders weren't allowed in , Matilda had to go downstairs herself to meet Tessa . As soon as Tessa arrived , she hurried to put the food in the freezer . Then she arranged the plants neatly around the apartment and made the bed with the new bedding . She didn't even sit down before getting ready to leave . Matilda hated seeing her go but understood her situation , so she didn't push Tessa to stay . Instead , she slipped the watch into Tessa's bag . After saying goodbye , she stood alone for a while , surrounded by the beautiful but unfamiliar environment , before slowly heading back to her building . The children's play area was lit up so brightly it almost hurt to look . A few kids were swinging on the swings . Her eyes landed on a little girl with double buns in her hair . Strangely enough , Matilda had only met Jolene three times , yet she recognized her instantly just from her back . She walked over and called softly , " Jolene . " 9:18 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 23 : Jolene turned , her bright eyes taking in Matilda's new hairstyle . སྤྲ ༢ ( 95 55 vouchers After studying her for two seconds , Jolene's whole face lit up . " Matilda ? Daddy , hurry ! Matilda's here ! " AD