Chapter 160:

🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙 🍙

Matt’s POV

“You’re stupid for believing her, Matt. She’s manipulating you.”

I stared at my twin brother. “What if it’s true? What if Dad was really involved in Eva Foster’s death?”

Mason laughed, positioning himself to take his turn. He threw the dart and it hit the bullseye. “Don’t be stupid, Matt. If it was Uncle Wes, I’d believe you. But Dad? Nah!”

Right! I couldn’t believe it either, but I had heard it from his own mouth.

I swallowed hard. I wanted to tell Mason what I had discovered, but I didn’t want to hurt him too. We both looked up to Dad as we grew up. He was the kindest man we knew, and we never saw him make mistakes… or maybe we were just blinded by our love for him.

Mason handed me a dart, smirking. “Don’t let that b**** get into your head, Matt. She’s stealing everything from us. Who knows if she’s just acting innocent? And have you seen that bastard Pierce Anderson? I heard they’re best friends, and Kelly just stole him from his fiancée.”

I gritted my teeth. We heard every little rumor circulating about our family. Our name had been dragged into the scandals Kelly was involved in.

I threw the dart at the board and stared at where it landed. Mason laughed behind me and slapped me on the shoulder.

“See? That girl will only distract you.”

No. Kelly couldn’t distract me. The one who could distract me was Emily, Kelly’s friend. I wasn’t sure if she was really trying to betray Kelly. Every time I saw them together, I felt like Emily was just trying to lure me in.

I’m not stupid. I graduated with Latin honors—not that I’m bragging, but I know how to analyze people’s emotions. However, I still found it hard to understand Emily. She felt like a living dead. She didn’t show emotions. Her eyes were always… empty but full of hatred.

Unable to take it anymore, I grabbed my phone and dialed Emily’s number.

galnovels .com hosts great stories

We had a one-night stand, and she didn’t seem to care. It’s not like I was being emotional or sentimental about it. I’ve had flings before, but Emily was different. Maybe it was her eyes. Maybe I wanted to see how those eyes would look if they weren’t full of hatred. I was curious to see how they would look if they were full of life, not dull and empty.

“Tss!” I hissed when the first call ended without her answering. Annoyed, I tried again… and again… and again, until I heard her voice, tinged with annoyance.

[If someone didn’t answer your call twice, don’t call a third time. That’s rude!]

I clenched my jaw. “You’re the one who’s rude. Are you avoiding me?”

He laughed sarcastically, making me even more irritated.
[Yes.]
“Why?!” I growled.
[Jesus! If it isn’t obvious, I’m avoiding you because I don’t like you.]
“You don’t like me? Then why the hell did you sleep with me?”
[I sleep with every hot man who is interested, Matt. Don’t feel special.]

I balled my fists as my eyes sharpened. “No, Emily. Not after you tasted me. I’ll make sure you never kiss another man. I’ll make sure of that!”

I was furious. Our conversation continued, and it felt like she was deliberately pushing me to my limit. I don’t know why, but with her, I felt like I was losing control.

I went back to Mason after Emily ended the call. He was sitting at the bar, drinking whiskey.

“You seem pretty angry. Woman? Who is it?” Mason asked without lifting his gaze.

I gritted my teeth and poured whiskey into an empty glass. I had no intention of answering him.

Mason chuckled. “I hope it’s not a serious case. Women will only ruin you.”

I shook my head and pressed my lips together. I understood him, but I didn’t want my experiences—or any circumstances—to ruin me.

“Mason…”

“If you want advice, I won’t talk to you, brother,” he replied.

I hissed. “I just want to know if you’re interested in managing the family business once Dad wins against Kelly.”

Mason looked at me and smirked. “Brother, I have no idea about managing a business. Between the two of us, you’re the prodigy. So, if anyone deserves the position besides Dad, it’s you.”

Shaking my head, I chuckled. “I’m not into business, Mason.”

He smirked. “I don’t understand why you studied psychology when you’re so good at business.”

I just grinned and gulped down my drink. I wanted to tell Mason everything, but I couldn’t bring myself to mention any of it. Maybe soon. I hoped he’d understand when the time came.

Pierce’s POV

“Daddy!” Snow screamed as a wild wave ruined the sandcastle they were building.

Pierce laughed heartily and carried little Snow away from the shore, her face scrunched up in a pout.

“Daddy, the waves are mean!” she protested.

Pierce chuckled and set her down, moving her further from the water.

“Let’s build the castle here instead.”

“But we already started!” Snow protested.

“Let’s just do it again. Bigger this time.”

“Really?” Snow’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she sat on the sand.

I couldn’t help but smile while watching them. I was lounging on a sunbed when someone sat beside me.

“Hey!” I greeted Emily with a smile.

She sighed heavily and reclined on the lounger, looking annoyed.

I chuckled. “He called again?”

She pushed her sunglasses up, showing me just how much she was rolling her eyes, making me laugh again.

“God, Kelly! Your cousin is so persistent. He called five times today. I’m so annoyed! How can he not forget the night we spent together? Was he a virgin when we slept together?”

I bit my bottom lip as an older couple walked by and shot us a disgusted look.

“Calm down, Emily.”

“How can I calm down?” She groaned. “This morning he said he would make sure I never forget his touch, and just now, he threatened me that he’d tell you about what I’m planning behind your back if I don’t meet him tonight.”

I burst into laughter. “Really?”

She frowned. “He graduated with Latin honors, he’s a psychologist, but he’s plain stupid.”

I raised an eyebrow. “He had you investigated?”

“Yeah, that idiot,” she huffed. “I’m telling you, I’m going to play with your cousin until he loses his mind. Don’t hate me for that, Kels.”

I smirked. “Not a problem for me.”

I turned back to Pierce and Snow but couldn’t help noticing a woman in a bikini trying to strike up a conversation with Pierce.

Ha! I shouldn’t have let him take his shirt off, showing off those ripped abs. Damn!

.

.

.