Ronan raised an eyebrow, curious.
Emline’s words hadn’t been forgotten― she had claid that she tried to have a talk with Matteo on nurous occasions, only to be rebuffed by him ti and ti again. From what Alia knew, there was no such thing― Matteo had made sure to stay so far away from her that there wasn’t even a chance for her to approach him. Emline had also been very quiet in the days leading up to the wedding.
The only ti she could’ve actually tried talking to Matteo — assuming she wasn’t lying about the attempts — would’ve been at the wedding itself.
Matteo nodded. "She claid she had sothing very important to tell , so I went with her. After hemming and hawing for five whole minutes, she only asked if I was willing to marry you no matter what."
"And?" Ronan prompted.
"I said yes."
Ronan groaned into his hands. "Jesus, what a ss."
"Why?" Matteo asked. "I didn’t want to speak with her, frankly, but she was causing a scene and at the ti, the reporters were starting to arrive. Your grandfather had been insistent. He claid this was Emline’s way of ’saying goodbye to her past’, not that I believed him one bit."
"She would never give up," Ronan said. "You should’ve known better than to follow her. That hotel is owned by the Hawthornes, and with Horace Hawthorne currently unconscious, their family businesses are all under Benjamin Hawthorne’s control."
"He seems rather reluctant to help out his wife and daughter," Alia muttered under her breath, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.
"Even if that’s the case, he will still be eager to get rid of his father," Ronan said with a scoff. "Horace Hawthorne is the only thing currently in the way of him and a billion-dollar fortune. With his old man still alive, he will never have the final say in the house."
Alia knew nothing much about this uncle of hers. All she knew was that Benjamin Hawthorne was her mother’s younger brother. While Horace Hawthorne still called the shots, their family business was largely managed by Benjamin, with only certain projects and decisions needing Horace’s approval.
Otherwise, Benjamin Hawthorne lived a rather low-profile life, unlike his wife. He preferred to stay out of the lilight.
"I was thinking she might make use of this," Alia said. "I won’t be surprised if she used that conversation you had with her to spin a tale in her favor. There were too many reporters present at our wedding― the story of what happened is probably already making rounds on the internet right now."
"It is," Ronan said, frowning as he scrolled through his phone. "It’s not just Lady Vanity― there are plenty of other tabloid sites with new articles detailing Emline’s last-ditch attempt at getting you." He raised his gaze to look at Matteo. "Your reputation is tanking. I won’t be surprised if that bossy stepmother of yours steps in soon to deal the final blow."
Right as Ronan said that, Matteo’s phone suddenly rang. As he pulled the phone out of his pocket, everyone could clearly see Catherine’s na cover the top half of the screen.
"Speak of the devil," Ronan grumbled under his breath as Matteo picked up the call. "I am surprised that the witch even has your number."
"Maybe she got it from Aiden?" Alia suggested.
Matteo said into the phone, "What is it―"
"Get back to the Montgory mansion right now," Catherine said on the other end, not waiting for Matteo to finish speaking. "Your father wants to speak to you."
"He can speak to on the phone," Matteo evenly replied. "I am still at the hospital."
"After what happened just now?" Catherine barked in laughter. "Don’t be ridiculous. You have already ruined the reputation of our family. We expect to see you here in half an hour. Otherwise, you can kiss your dream of burying her goodbye!"
With that said, the call was abruptly cut off, leaving nothing but the cold beep of the disconnected line.
"What did she want?" Ronan asked, concerned.
Catherine hadn’t been soft. There were bits and pieces of their conversation that Ronan and Alia caught even without the call being on speakerphone.
Matteo’s face was as dark as a storm cloud. He took a deep breath through his nose before shoving his phone back into his pocket.
"I need to head to the mansion," he said. He then turned to Alia. "Will you be alright here?"
"I can handle myself," Alia said. "Soone needs to be here when the doctors co out. I can’t trust Emline or Annalise not to worsen my grandfather’s condition otherwise."
"I’ll stay with her," Ronan offered. "You go see what it is they want this ti."
Matteo nodded. As he turned to leave, Alia suddenly stepped forward, holding him by the wrist. He paused in his steps, turning back to et her worried gaze.
"We will be alright," she said. However, there was a shakiness to her voice which relayed just how unsure she was of her own words. No matter how strong a front she put up, anyone would be shaken by the ordeal that just happened.
Matteo closed the distance between them before pulling Alia into his arms. Gently, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, smoothening down her hair.
"We will be alright," he echoed back to her.
With that said and done, Alia could only watch as Matteo’s figure disappeared down the corridor and through the doors.
"What will they want with him?" Alia asked Ronan. "Do you think they’ll use it as an excuse to get rid of Matteo?"
"He has the majority of X’el’s shares," Ronan said. "Unless he gives it up, they can’t vote him out of office, at the very least. Otherwise, he would be returning to X’el right now, not the Montgory mansion."
"Then why must he return?" Alia sighed.
It was more than obvious Matteo wanted nothing to do with his family. He could barely tolerate his younger brother, and that was already the closest relationship he had with any of the Montgorys from the main branch.
"They have had Matteo in a chokehold for years," Ronan said with a sigh. He then looked at Alia from the corner of his eyes. "I guess Matteo didn’t tell you then?"
Alia raised an eyebrow. "Tell what?"
"About his mother and why he even gives a flying fuck about what Catherine and his father want."
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