But Matthew refused to believe her. “How can there be so many coincidences in one day?” he snapped. “So an old man just appeared out of nowhere? It could all just be a trick Sanford used to get close to you.”
Stella shuddered. It was clear that Matthew didn’t want to see reason.
Feeling that it wasn’t the right time to have this argument, she reached for the car door to get out.
But Matthew’s arm immediately shot out to stop her. He was about to say something when his phone rang.
It was connected to the car’s Bluetooth system, so Stella was able to see Lindsay’s name on the small navigation screen. “Aren’t you going to answer?” she asked in a mocking tone. “If you don’t answer and something happens to Lindsay, the Wheeler family is going to blame me again.”
Matthew didn’t appreciate her snarky comment, but he was also concerned that Lindsay might be facing an issue on her side. So, while holding on tightly to Stella to prevent her from escaping, he pressed the answer button.
Lindsay’s sickly sweet voice rang out in the car. “Hello, Matthew. My treatment went really well today. Are you free? How about we have dinner together?”
Stella’s lips twitched, and her eyes flashed with sarcasm.
She struggled to free herself from Matthew’s grip. She had no interest in sticking around to listen to Matthew’s conversation with Lindsay. It was unbearably humiliating.
But Matthew only tightened his hold, causing Stella to cry out. “Ouch! Hey, that hurts!”
Lindsay immediately caught her voice over the line. “Matthew? Are you still at the office?”
Matthew paused for a moment before saying, “I’m still in a business meeting. I don’t have time tonight, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Lindsay could tell that he was lying, but she still responded amiably, “ALL right. Make sure you don’t drink too much and get a proper rest. See you tomorrow.”
Matthew gave another short hum before hanging up.
Stella glared at Matthew, her eyes burning with a mix between rage and grievance. “Are you deliberately trying to make my life miserable? How sweet and considerate of Lindsay to say all that to my husband while I’m right here! Do I not exist to you at all?”
Matthew frowned, his expression turning back to his usual indifference. “Lindsay didn’t say anything wrong; she didn’t overstep her boundaries. She grew up under my grandmother’s care. We have a sibling-like relationship, nothing more. It’s perfectly natural for us to care for each other.”
Stella exploded. “Great! So Sanford was sponsored by father when he was studying, and now, he’s a supplier for my fashion brand. He isn’t overstepping any boundaries, either, so there is nothing wrong with us spending time with each other. What gives you the right to prevent me from interacting with a business partner when you just do whatever the hell you want without taking me into consideration?”
Matthew’s frown deepened into a scowl. He felt like Stella was comparing two different situations. It wasn’t even worth comparing.
“None of that matters,” he said firmly. “The important thing is that you keep your distance from Sanford. I don’t want to see you together again.”
Stella was so infuriated, she was shaking all over. “Aren’t you going to divorce me, anyway?” she spat at him. “Who I choose to be friends with is none of your business!”
Stella reached for the car door again, but Matthew had already locked all the car doors.
“Unlock it!” she screamed at him. “I don’t want to see your face right now.”
Matthew’s expression was ominous. “Whose face do you want to see, then? Sanford?”
Knowing there was no point in arguing with him, Stella leaned over to press the driver’s side lock.