"There's also a possibility that Mom is doing something for my sake," Selina thought.
Later on, Selina called Matthew to inform him that she would be staying over at the Whitlock family home for the night.
She didn't explain further to Matthew, and he also didn't question her.
After she hung up the phone, she saw the maids return with Hayden in hand.
He was supposed to be in kindergarten but had been excused early by his teacher as he was feeling a bit under the weather.
Natalie had wanted to pick him up but was worried for Selina, hence she let the maids do so.
When Hayden arrived, their private doctor came to examine him.
Fortunately, there was nothing wrong with him.
The doctor said that it was due to the hot weather and strenuous physical activity, he just needed some rest.
Hayden was a very observant child.
He sneaked a glance at Selina and asked, "Aunt, the doctor said that I am ill, but why do I feel that you're more of a patient than me?"
Normally, Selina would have shot him a clever retort.
However, she was not in the mood now.
She just forced a smile at him.
Natalie quickly grabbed Hayden's hand. "Don't disturb your aunt. Go do your work." Natalie shooed him away.
Hayden made a face at Selina.
He immediately said in an innocent voice, "Aunt, don't be upset. Here, I'll make a face for you."
Selina's smile became even more forced.
Natalie quickly pulled Hayden away.
After a while, Natalie came back alone.
"Selina, don't mind him, he's just a child," she said.
"It's okay. I know he's just trying to make me happy," Selina replied.
She paused for a moment and added, "Natalie, you can go and join Hayden."
"I'll stay with you. Hayden has someone with him," Natalie answered.
"I just want a moment to myself," Selina said.
Natalie stood up after some hesitation. "Alright then, I'll let you have a moment," she replied.
After Natalie left, Selina sat on the sofa for a while.
She gathered the courage and took out her phone.
Since she had overhead so many conversations about Matthew, she guessed that it must also be the same on the Internet.
As expected, the whole Internet was criticizing Matthew.
There was even an anti-Matthew Facebook Group that encouraged others to refuse any products sold by the Perry Group.
Selina's heart sank.
Everything had changed.
She remembered the last time she browsed through Facebook, there was only praise for Matthew, some even said that he was a one in a million Mr Perfect.
In the blink of an eye, all the praise had turned into criticism.
Selina felt more depressed.
She couldn't bear to look anymore.
She put down her phone and went for a walk in the garden.
She sat on one of the benches, lost in thought.
The sky gradually darkened.
Selina was brought out from her thoughts by the sound of a car.
It was followed by a few voices.
They sounded like Matthew and Tobias.
Selina exited the garden.
She walked behind the both of them.
Neither of them were aware of her presence.
Selina returned to her senses.
She stared at Matthew.
"What's wrong?" Matthew raised his eyebrows.
His expression was calm and he even had on a smile as if he didn't have a care in the world.
Selina knew that he was just putting on a brave front.
No matter how strong he was, it was impossible to be not affected in this kind of situation.
"Matthew, how's everything holding up? How's your company?" Selina choked out.
"Everything's fine, don't worry," Matthew answered.
"Are you sure?" Selina questioned.
"Of course." Matthew still had a faint smile on his lips.
As Matthew just stood there under the sunset afterglow, his ethereal features were almost glowing.
"That's good then," Selina mumbled.
Matthew grabbed Selina's hand. "So don't worry, I'll take care of everything," Matthew assured her.
During dinnertime, Bowie and Francia also came down to join them.
This was the first time Bowie had met Matthew as he had been with Selina the day before yesterday while she was sulking in her room.
She was immediately infatuated with him.
Her eyes were glued to Matthew.
Everyone else was consumed in their own thoughts, hence no one noticed her abnormal behavior.
After dinner, Bowie dragged Francia into the room.
"Mum, that man was so handsome, his looks are literally out of this world," Bowie's voice trembled.
In Bowie's mind, Matthew was far more handsome than Lothar and any other man she had ever seen.
It was as if Matthew's features had been carved by god himself. Bowie felt her soul tremble at the thought of him.
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