Chapter 25 Chapter 25 94 55 vouchers " Why would I lie to you ? You gave me the golden bell , so of course , I should give you something back ," Matilda said casually as she handed Allen the watch . When Allen took the box , his breath hitched , though his eyes stayed sharp and focused . He could feel his heartbeat speed up . " A watch ? " Matilda stayed calm . " You're a doctor - it's handy for keeping time . " " Can I wear it now ? " Allen asked . Matilda thought he looked like a kid , eager to try on his gift right away . " Of course . " She nodded . As soon as Allen slipped on the watch , a warm rush of satisfaction filled his chest . He narrowed his eyes and studied it carefully , a small smile tugging at his lips . Just then , from Jolene's side came an excited cry . " It's a Lurith Tech pink instant camera ! I love it so much ! " Allen tore his gaze away from the watch and said lightly , " That model is a classic . Lots of kids overseas use it . " " Too bad Lurith Tech didn't keep up with the times , " Matilda replied . " You can hardly find their name anymore . " " I've got a friend in Lurith Tech management . Want to hear some insider news ? " Allen asked . Curious , Matilda nodded quickly . " Horton Group acquired Lurith Tech ," Allen said . Matilda was stunned . " Horton Group ? They don't make electronics or deal with semiconductors . Why would they buy Lurith Tech ? " " Well ... " Allen trailed off without finishing . But Matilda's heart was already racing . If Horton Group had taken over Lurith Tech's chip production lines , they would definitely need chip engineers . This could be her chance . ***** At Rose Villa , Brandon was in a good mood that night - not just because of the watch Matilda was planning to give him , but because it meant she was finally lowering her head . He felt like a rider who had just broken a wild horse , filled with a sense of triumph . Then Zack showed up with bad news . " Matilda is living in Maple Heights now . " Brandon's brow furrowed . Maple Heights wasn't just about money . To live there , one had to verify their assets , submit credit reports , and even clear a criminal background check . 9:19 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 25 94 E55 vouchers Even if Tessa had helped her , there was no way she had over ten million dollars to put Matilda in Maple Heights . " Where'd she get the money ? Did you look into it ? " Brandon's voice was icy . " I did . Gambling . She's got guts - she played with some guys from Foghide Alley and walked away with over 6 million dollars , " Zack said . The second Brandon heard Foghide Alley , he shot up , grabbed his jacket , and headed for the garage . Even the cops didn't go to Foghide Alley alone . Everyone there had skills , and they operated like an underground family - tight , silent , ruthless . Brandon thought that Matilda must have a death wish to stir them up . He slammed the gas , and his car flew out of Rose Villa like an arrow off the string . Upstairs , Shelby came down with Lola just in time to see the taillights fade . " It's so late - where's Brandon going ? " she asked Zack , who was sprawled on the couch , glued to his phone . Without looking up , Zack said , " To Maple Heights . To find Matilda . " Lola's face fell . " Why's Daddy still going to find Mommy ? He won't forget to take me to Greenapple Kids tomorrow , will he ? Aunt Shelby ? Aunt Shelby ? " She looked up and froze at Shelby's face . Shelby's lowered lashes threw deep shadows under her eyes , her gaze sharp and dark , her chin lifted high- like some poisonous snake straight out of a cartoon . Lola shivered . " Aunt Shelby , what's wrong ? " Shelby snapped out of her dark thoughts and flashed a bright smile . " Nothing . If your daddy doesn't take you , I will . Come on , let me tuck you in . " Lola wrapped her arms around Shelby's neck . As she felt Shelby's warmth , the fear faded away . Upstairs , Shelby handed Lola to Tully , then grabbed her keys and headed to Maple Heights herself . Meanwhile , Brandon's car was parked on the roadside as he made an angry call to Greg . " Demand the first debt payment from Matilda tomorrow . " He hung up hard . Ten minutes earlier , when he had tried to drive into Maple Heights , the guards stopped him . He said he was looking for his wife and even brought the property manager over . Recognizing him as the CEO of Crossen Technology , the manager was polite and even offered to contact Matilda for him . 9:19 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 25 55 65 vouchers Through the video intercom , Matilda's cold voice cut in . " That's my crazy ex - husband . Don't let him in - hell dirty the place . " A few security guards snickered . For the first time in his life , Brandon lost face in public . His chest burned with rage . ' Matilda , you've got nerve ! ' he thought . ' The second you move into Maple Heights , you think you're above me , huh ? I was worried about you . But tomorrow , I'll ruin your good days . Then we'll see how long you stay proud . ' In the shadows , Shelby watched Brandon's stormy moods and knew she had to find a way to drive Matilda out of Itera City . The next morning , Matilda opened her eyes to find a debt collection message from Crossen Technology . If she didn't pay within three days , the House of Heart in Domburgh would cut off medical services , the packaging factory would fire its disabled workers , and her name would go on the credit blacklist . The contract was in black and white . There was no way out . Once again , Matilda was flat broke , relying only on the card from Mr. S to scrape by . Her mood was rotten , her stomach sour . She craved fruit to settle it , so she called the buffet restaurant to ask if they had pomegranates . They said they didn't have any at the moment but would stock some before evening . Matilda told them to forget it - she only wanted them now . After hanging up , she glanced at her empty balance and felt a wave of despair . Then she opened her email and reached out to Micronel Tech in Grivoria , who had sent her an offer before . She couldn't keep banking on Horton Group . And with the scandal hanging over her name - not to mention Brandon interfering - there was a good chance they wouldn't hire her . Soon after , she got an email back from Micronel Tech about setting up an online interview . But still in a foul mood , she scheduled it for eight that night . To clear her head , Matilda went for a walk . At Moonstar Lake Park , she came across a group of children feeding the swans . The boys wore blue overalls , the girls blue dresses , all with matching red caps . They looked like a little crowd of mini Super Marios . Matilda couldn't help but smile to herself . What a coincidence - those were the uniforms from Greenapple Kids .