Chapter 24 Jolene ran over first and hugged Matilda's legs . : Matilda looked down at her , and the disappointment she had been feeling turned into joy . Jolene was always so affectionate whenever she saw Matilda . ( 95 ) E55 vouchers Oddly enough , even though Matilda had never been fond of kids , she wasn't turned off by it . Instead , she felt an odd urge to take Jolene home with her . Allen studied Matilda for a couple of seconds before asking casually , " So you've already moved in , huh ? " Matilda looked at him , her expression nowhere near as warm as when she spoke to Jolene . " You live here , Dr. Saunders ? " " Yes . That's why I recommended this place to you - I know it well because I live here , " Allen replied smoothly . At first , Matilda thought he was leading her around by the nose , but after hearing that , she thought it made sense . Jolene quickly picked up on the key point in their conversation and looked up at Matilda . " Are you going to live here ? " Matilda stroked Jolene's head , her voice softening without her realizing it . " Yes , I'm in Building 3. " " What a coincidence ! My home's on the top floor of Building 3. What floor are you on ? " Jolene asked . Matilda answered in surprise , " Second - to - last floor . " She lived right below Allen . That really was a coincidence . Matilda glanced at him again . Allen explained calmly , " I'm renting too . Your apartment was introduced by the agent , not me . I only suggested you move into this community ." With that , he cleared himself completely . Matilda remembered what the agent had told her . " Only Building 3 in Maple Heights is for rent , and it's hard to rent out . Right now , only the top floor has tenants . No wonder - it's too expensive . A year's rent could buy a small apartment outside the fifth ring ." " Matilda , you're right under my house ! Can I come find you in the future ? " Jolene asked eagerly . Thinking about the food at home and the gifts she had prepared for Allen and Jolene , Matilda said , " You can come right now ." Jolene cheered , jumped , and ran ahead happily . Matilda and Allen walked behind her , their steps falling in sync . 9:18 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 24 ... 94 55 vouchers " Only Jolene and I have been living in Building 3. It's been pretty lonely . With you here , it'll feel a lot better , " Allen said . Matilda replied politely , " I can live here because my money came easily , Dr. Saunders . You're different ." Allen smiled . " Not really . My money isn't earned by me either . " Matilda was surprised . " Don't you always turn down bribes ? " Allen coughed lightly . " I spend my parents ' money ." Matilda prided herself on being quick with words , but this time she had no comeback . She said dryly , " Dr. Saunders , you're really an honest man ." She had already turned off the facial recognition on her smart door lock , only keeping the fingerprint and password system . She invited Allen and Jolene in , but they stood awkwardly at the door for a while . Matilda quickly caught on . " I don't have extra slippers at home . Just come in as you are . You haven't eaten yet , right ? How about barbecue on me ? " As she spoke , she opened the package of groceries that property management had delivered and froze . The beef and lamb were fresh but uncut , and the vegetables were all whole . What a pain . Allen watched her stare at the produce like it was a riddle she couldn't solve . The sight was surprisingly cute . With a faint smile , he said , " Next time we'd better tell the restaurant to wash , cut , and marinate everything in advance . " Matilda nodded obediently . " Then this time , how about we just go out ? " She had to admit - she was a total kitchen disaster . She couldn't even chop vegetables . The only reason she knew how to bake rose petal cookies was because she lost a bet to her dad and had to learn as punishment . " Let's eat here , " Allen said , rolling up his sleeves . " I'll cook . You peel the potatoes . " The fact that things had come to this was unbelievable . She and Allen had barely known each other , and yet here he was , rolling up his sleeves and moving around her kitchen like he belonged there . Matilda dragged a bag of potatoes to the sink . Unsure how many to peel for three people , she asked humbly , " Is this enough ? " Allen glanced over . " Too many ." She put some back , but Allen said too few . 9:18 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 24 ... 94 55 vouchers She adjusted again . Finally , Allen approved . She chopped them into chunks and dropped them into a pot with water . Allen said there wasn't enough water . She added more . He said now it was too much . When she poured again , her hand slipped , and potato chunks spilled into the sink along with the water . Allen gave up with a helpless little laugh . " Okay , go watch TV with Jolene ." Matilda happily agreed and fled the kitchen . She could handle all those dense transistors with ease , but not a pot of potatoes . Cooking really was impossible . Next time she hired a housekeeper , she'd have to offer a bonus . At dinner , Matilda wanted to drink the red wine she had set out to breathe . Allen warned , " Better not . What if you get drunk and- " " And what ? " Matilda caught the faint red on his face . The steam from the food had fogged his glasses , hiding the look in his eyes . After a pause , Allen muttered it was nothing and lowered his head to eat . Matilda only drank one glass and stayed clear - headed . After dinner , Jolene stuck to Matilda , chatting away , while Allen volunteered to do the dishes . Matilda handed Jolene the camera , and the girl hugged and kissed her nonstop . " Matilda , you're so nice . Being your kid would be the happiest thing ever . " Matilda thought of Lola and felt a pang of sadness . She stroked Jolene's little face and said softly , " Not every child is as grateful as you , Jolene ." Allen came out of the kitchen after washing his hands . " Daddy , look ! The camera Matilda gave me ! " Jolene showed off proudly . Matilda expected Allen to politely decline , but instead he said , " That's a wonderful gift , Jolene . You can open it now - start with the manual first . " " Okay . " Jolene sat on the carpet , fiddling with the camera . She liked the floor better than the couch . Watching her , Matilda noticed she had the same habit . Allen sat across from her and said , " I can tell Jolene really loves it . Thank you . " " You're welcome . You've got one too , " Matilda said with a smile . Allen looked surprised , then broke into a grin . " I have one too ? Really ? " 9:19 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 25 Chapter 25