Chapter 23 Recruiting Allies Ivanna shook her head , saying , " The surveillance footage I got was too blurry . Also , I couldn't see the woman's face because Matthew's arms blocked her face . " " Do you have the footage now ? " I asked . ( 1 She quickly sent me the footage , and I saw many people on the street that night . Matthew's figure in the video was fleeting . He wore the same overcoat I had ironed for him , making his tall figure stand out in the crowd . 2 His left arm was around a woman in a pink top . His large frame obscured her figure , so I zoomed in on the footage , but it made no difference . I still couldn't make out the woman's face . 1 " He's quite the schemer , " I said as my tears clouded my vision . 2 Ivanna silently approached and sat beside me before putting her arm around my shoulder . I held the phone , choking on my tears as I said , " That night , I saw his figure on a live stream on TikTok . I sent him the video link immediately . " 2 I paused , tried to calm down , and spoke again . " Matt found a restaurant , removed his jacket , and stood in the hallway when he video - called me ! Hahaha , I can't believe how sly he is . He lied to me so effortlessly ! " 6 I laughed maniacally as I poured myself another glass of wine and downed it . Ivanna didn't stop me , either . 3 " You shouldn't have lied to me , Ivanna . I ... " 2 " When you saw Matthew and me at the cafe , I was only giving him a piece of my mind and warning him not to break your heart . That's why I didn't want you to know that I met him alone , " Ivanna explained and sipped her wine . 3 I suddenly broke down as all my pent - up anxiety , fear , and helplessness erupted . I told Ivanna everything I knew , including what had happened after he let Ava fall last night and the continued lies . 4 " What do you plan to do ? " Ivanna asked , her voice calm . " I can't just let Matthew bully me like this . He hurt me , so he must pay for what he did . Not just for me but for my daughter . I want to reclaim everything that's rightfully mine ! " " Are you serious ? " Ivanna asked again . I firmly nodded as Ivanna analyzed all the possibilities with me . I felt stiffened with every word and understood the reasoning she presented . She feared I might lose everything I had if I took such a resolute stance . 1 However , could I return to how things were if I didn't take action ? The answer was clear to me . No ! Thus , I nodded . and said with determination , " I've made up my mind , Ivanna ! " 4 She stared at me intensely before saying , " I'll help you ! " 1 My mind was clearer than usual when I left Ivanna's place . Later , Matthew returned home and played with Ava in our cramped living room . 3 Since Ava was a naive child , she babbled to him about how lovely Ivanna's big house was . I feigned ignorance and pretended to be preoccupied with preparing dinner . However , I expressed how much I liked Amethyst Apartments . 1 Meanwhile , I secretly observed Matthew . Though he tried to seem engaged , I knew he wasn't entirely focused . 1 During dinner , he intentionally asked me why I suddenly visited Ivanna . I responded casually , but I could tell he was uneasy about me visiting her . 1/2 Chapter 23 Recruiting Allies +25 BONUS The following day , I dressed meticulously before dropping Ava off at daycare and heading straight to my company building . When I arrived , I entered Matthew's office , but he wasn't there yet . 5 Johnson saw me and hurried over . " Madam , why are you here ? " ( 6 ) I looked at his fawning smile and recalled the disgusting image of him in my phone , thinking about how he was part of Matthew's repulsive circle . I said , " I'll be working here starting today . " S " Uh ... working ? " My statement caught Johnson by surprise , and his expression stiffened . " What ? Is it that surprising ? " I asked deliberately . " N - Not at all , Madam ! You should've returned to work long ago ! I certainly haven't forgotten how powerful you were back then ! " Although he nodded smilingly , I knew he wasn't sincere . " Prepare an office for me , " I demanded . 1 Johnson hurriedly left , and I knew he would inform Matthew about my arrival.1 ན་ དུ་ རང་ ར