Chapter 10 Proceeding Step By Step
After Noelle left, Dominic spoke in a sarcastic tone.
“Oh wow, our dear Mr. Matthew has taken a fancy to someone. Why didn’t you follow her and help carry her bags?”
Matthew shot him a glance. This idiot. She didn’t bring anything with her, so obviously, she’s heading out to buy certain stuff. It would be awkward if I were to tag along.
Yes, he was interested in Noelle. From the moment he saw her walk in, it was as if a man who viewed the world with cold detachment had finally found a light that drew him in.
The moment he took her hand and helped her up, he felt an urgent desire for the very first time.
The problem was that she clearly had no such thoughts. If he pursued too aggressively, she might find it off–putting.
“Don’t call her ‘Ellie‘ from now on.”
Dominic’s eyes widened.
“Bro, you haven’t even won her over yet. No, wait, you haven’t even started pursuing her. This is just you crushing on her all by yourself.”
Tsk tsk tsk. Is Matthew completely bewitched? Already marking his territory? He not only bloomed but exploded into full bloom.
He then added lazily, “Sure, she’s staying at your place, but she didn’t sell herself to you.”
Matthew ignored him and went upstairs to check if Noelle’s room lacked anything, leaving Dominic lounging in the living.
room.
Dominic kept rambling, “Hudson, do you think Matthew has lost his mind?”
Hudson smiled kindly, his tone carrying a hint of relief.
“Isn’t this a good thing? Mr. Matthew finally looks a bit more human.”
Dominic crossed his arms and suddenly thought of a classic cliche line.
“Hudson, don’t tell me your next sentence is going to be, ‘Mr. Matthew hasn’t smiled like this in a long time‘?”
“Mr. Sholl, please have a seat. I’m going upstairs to see if Mr. Matthew needs any help.”
With that, Hudson left, leaving Dominic standing there alone.
A chill ran down Dominic’s spine. Great. Everyone in this house had gone insane.
He pulled out his phone and created a new group chat. The three people he added in seemed utterly confused.
Dominic started frantically tagging them. The gossip about Matthew was too much to keep to himself.
Joseph: Isn’t there already a group? Why make another one?
Zeke: No Matthew? Are we isolating him?
Wheelock: …
Charming Dominic: I have gossip about Matthew. Do you guys want to hear it?
Charming Dominic: Beg me, and I’ll reveal it.
Joseph: Screenshot taken.
Charming Dominic: Can’t you take a joke? I’m not telling you guys about Matthew hiding a beauty in his house now!
Zeke: Go on, tell us more.
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Chapter 10 Proceeding Step By Step
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As someone had taken the bait, Dominic’s desire to share surged. He dramatically exaggerated the entire sequence of events about how Matthew, that cunning old fox, had lured a young girl into his home.
Now, the others were genuinely curious. What kind of woman had captured Matthew’s interest?
Over the years, plenty of women of all types and backgrounds had tried to win over this unattainable man, but he had never spared anyone a second glance.
Some had even thrown themselves at Matthew, only for him to take ruthless measures to get rid of them.
Wheelock: Is she still there? I want to take a look.
Zeke: Is she still there? I want to take a look.
Joseph: Is she still there? I want to take a look.
Charming Dominic: Hey, I’m sharing gossip with you guys. Don’t you dare turn back on me. Matthew is decorating her room personally.
Charming Dominic: Ellie went out to shop. I’ll sneak a picture for you when she’s back.
Zeke: Ellie?
Charming Dominic: That shameless Matthew won’t let me call her ‘Ellie, but she’s so little. How else am I supposed to address her?
Wheelock: How young is she?
Charming Dominic: Eighteen or nineteen? She’s just starting university this year.
The group fell silent. Shockingly enough, Matthew was robbing the cradle.
Dominic was still ranting in the chat, but the others were already coming up with excuses to visit Matthew’s place.
When Matthew came downstairs, he saw Dominic furiously typing on his phone and looked at him in disdain.
“Why are you still here?”
Dominic put on a wounded expression.
“Am I not your friend anymore? I’m waiting for Ellie.”
Under Matthew’s death glare, he quickly corrected himself.
“Little Noelle, okay? I’ll treat her to dinner when she comes back.”
Then, he suddenly looked smug.
“Listen, Matthew, when it comes to this, you can’t compare to me. Do you know which restaurants are the best? Which places do young ladies love the most?”
His expression screamed, “Beg me, and I might just tell you.”
Matthew couldn’t be bothered to entertain him. Even though he hadn’t known Noelle for long, he was certain she wouldn’t enjoy the kinds of places Dominic was talking about.
After finally kicking Dominic out, Matthew headed into the kitchen. He knew how to cook.
He had learned many things in his life, but his interest in them never lasted long.
Cooking was one of those fleeting pursuits.
He sent the kitchen staff home, dismissed the bodyguards and housekeepers to the other side of the residence, and started preparing the meal himself.
By the time Noelle returned, Matthew had already made four dishes and a soup.
“Ms. Yersley, shall we eat?”
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Chapter 10 Proceeding Step By Step
Noelle was a bit surprised. Was he waiting for me so we could eat together? Are we that close?
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She was indeed hungry, and since the host had invited her, she didn’t refuse. She washed her hands and sat down at the table.
They sat across from each other and ate. Noelle took a few bites, and her eyes lit up. She didn’t have many hobbies, but enjoying good food was definitely one of them.
Matthew watched her, feeling satisfied. Seemed like he had made the right move. She was quite the little foodie.
Noelle looked at him and sincerely praised, “Mr. Harris, your chef is really skilled.”
Matthew chuckled.
“Thank you for the compliment, Ms. Yersley.”
Noelle sensed something was off in his tone. She suddenly realized that when she had come in earlier, Matthew had been the one serving the food, and there had been no one else in the kitchen.
“You made this?”
When he confirmed it, Noelle grew curious.
“Do you always cook for yourself?”
She wondered if he was afraid others might poison him.
“Usually, the chef handles it. Today was an exception to welcome you, Ms. Yersley. Does it suit your taste?”
Noelle nodded enthusiastically.
“Mr. Harris, your cooking is excellent.”
“Then, in return for this meal, may I ask something of you?”
Noelle didn’t think she had anything to offer him, but she still nodded.
“Go ahead, Mr. Harris.“,
“Don’t call me Mr. Harris. Change the way you address me.”
Noelle froze. “That’s the request?”
“Yes, that’s the request,”
“Then, Mr. Matthew?”
“Outsiders address me as ‘Mr. Matthew“”
Noelle considered herself an outsider, too.
If ‘Mr. Harris‘ and ‘Mr. Matthew‘ won’t do, does he mean I should address him by his name? Won’t that be impolite?
Matthew watched as she furrowed her brows, deep in thought. Just as he was about to speak, he heard her softly say, “Matt?”
Matthew’s entire body tensed. His grip on his fork tightened, and he took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He couldn’t help but flash a wry smile at how he almost lost his composure and embarrassed himself after Noelle called him “Matt“.
Noelle watched him remain silent for a long moment. She wondered if he was still dissatisfied.
That afternoon, Queena told her to address him as “Matt“.
Matthew looked at the puzzled girl across from him. Far from being displeased, he was more than satisfied.
However, he preferred she call him that in a different setting. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the thought away.
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Chapter 10 Proceeding Step By Step
“Elle, just ‘Matty‘ will do.”
Noelle hesitated. Something about this felt a little strange. Why is he calling me “Elle“? Are we that close?
Still, she did as told. “Matty.”
Matthew was pleased.
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“You don’t mind me calling you Elle, do you? My mom calls you that. Since you’re calling me Matty, it would be too formal for me to still call you Ms. Yersley.”
Noelle nodded blankly. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, but she couldn’t quite figure out what it was.
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