He kept a close eye on Matthew, trying to read his mood as he spoke. "Matthew wanted to check out Vista Tech, see if their tform can handle the de system. We figured we''de find you."
Typical-always looking for an in.
Matthew''s eyes shed with a trace of sarcasm. He turned to Reese. "Let''s go. We''ll check it out together."
Bailey hesitated, clearly uneasy. "Matthew, is Reese...ing too?"
"Why? Is Vista Tech not weing her?" Matthew arched an eyebrow, his tone unmistakably icy. "Because if that''s the case, then forget it. I''ll just assume Vista Tech''s tform can''t run de."
Bailey''s face changed instantly. He rushed over, grabbing Matthew''s arm. "No, no, don''t get the wrong idea! That''s not what I meant at all!"
"It''s just that... Reese is still Mr. Ratcliff''s wife. If word gets out she''s with us on business, it might not look good for you."
"Whether it looks good or not isn''t up to you," Matthew replied, his face darkening at the mention of Sebastian. “So, are we going or not?"
"Let''s go," Bailey said quickly, making an awkward gesture for them to move ahead.
Reese just smirked, stepping toward the elevator without waiting for anyone.
Matthew watched her with a half-smile, then followed.
Bailey caught up to Matthew, dropping his voice. "Matthew, Reese is stubborn and proud. She''s really not worth your time.
"Besides, she only has eyes for Mr. Ratcliff. I doubt she really cares about you. She''s probably just trying to use you for her own ends. Don''t let her fool you."
"My business isn''t yours to worry about, Mr. Meyer," Matthew cut in, shooting Bailey a warning look before stepping into the elevator behind Reese.
When they got to the car, Matthew held the door for Reese first, then stood outside, his stare practically drilling holes in Bailey.
"If you really don''t want us both there, Mr. Meyer, then—"
Bailey panicked, waving his hands. "No! Matthew, I swear, that''s not what I meant! Let''s go, let''s go now, straight to Vista Tech!"
He hurried into the elevator, ring at Reese as he passed.
Reese distracted herself by lightly rubbing the red marks on her wrist, ignoring Baileypletely.
She was here now, and she was definitely going to Vista Tech. That was the only way she could prove her worth-and im the shares her mother left her.
Thirty minutester, the car pulled up in front of Vista Tech.
Sofia was already waiting by the entrance, dressed in a white
??
sundress, her hair in soft curls and She looked
makeup perfectly done
every bit the picture of gentle elegance.
Her expression changed, though, when she saw Matthew get out and walk around to open the car door for Reese. Her eyes narrowed with thinly veiled contempt.
The whole city knew about the
drama between Ramos Corporation and Ratcliff Global. Sofia had figured that without Sebastian, Reese would
be down and out. She had would
expected Matthew to be sticking around.
She could only cover up her resentment with a forced smile, stepping forward. "Reese, hello.
"You and Matthew are still so close, huh? He even brings you along to his meetings..."
Reese didn''t even nce her way, just kept walking straight into the building.
Sofia tried to get in another jab, but Bailey shot her a re that shut her up.
"Sofia! What are you saying?" he snapped. "Reese and Matthew are here to work. Don''t start anything!"
Sofia pursed her lips, but she didn''t
dare argue. She turned toward
Matthew, forcing out, "Matthew, I''m sorry I was just joking. Don''t take it to heart
"I''m not the one you should be apologizing to." Matthew''s voice was cold, his eyes
on Reese. He left no room for argument. "You owe her an apology."
Sofia''s expression froze. She stared at Matthew in disbelief, then nced at her father for help.
Bailey ignored her desperate look. He leaned in and muttered, "Just apologize. Don''t make things worse."
Sofia bit her lip, ring daggers at Reese''s back, and squeezed out the words, "I''m sorry."