A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 174

"Mr. Simpson... Wait up, Mr. Simpson!" The click-clack of high heels echoed as a woman dashed out after him, but Adrian didn't so much as glance back. He simply pinched a wad of cash from his wallet and scattered it out the car window. The engine roared to life, and he sped away, leaving a whirlwind of bills fluttering behind.

The woman stood frozen, unable to believe what had just happened, as the money danced in the air around her.

Adrian had dropped Matilda off at the hospital at one in the morning. Keaton Johnson was still in the land of nod when a jarring ring of his phone ripped him from his dreams, informing him that someone needed their stomach pumped.

Rushing to the hospital in his white coat, Keaton arrived just in time to see Matilda lying on the gurney. He let out a heavy sigh. "Was she bullied or something?"

Chloe was beside herself with tears.

Adrian, overwhelmed and irritated, shouted, "Knock off the waterworks, will you?"

This only made Chloe cry harder.

Adrian's temper flared. "Shut it, or I'll call Declan over!"

The threat of Declan worked like a charm; Chloe clammed up instantly.

Adrian looked at Matilda inside the room and then at Keaton. They waited outside until, after what seemed like an eternity, Keaton stepped out forty minutes later.

"You'll need to handle her admission paperwork. Alcohol poisoning and a bleeding stomach—if we'd waited any longer, we'd have a real wake on our hands." Keaton peeled off his gloves, glancing at Chloe. "Unbelievable. How can she drink so much?"

Chloe, sniffling, recounted the night's events. Adrian listened, his expression darkening.

"She didn't have any guys looking out for her?" He had always assumed Matilda was never short of male company, but now, in this crisis, it appeared the two of them had been left helpless.

Tears welled up in Chloe's eyes again. "What guys? Matilda used to have her brother Gideon Thompson watching her back, but since Gideon's gone, she's been on her own!"