Ghost Billionaire
Chapter 73: Women and Pride

Chapter 73: Women and Pride

"You—" Catherine’s face twisted. "What did you just say?"

She immediately thought of everything Matthew had done to Lenox. All the arrogance, the disregard, the manipulation. She took a breath and repeated herself as if maybe he hadn’t understood her.

"I said I’m apologizing. And I already forgave you for everything," she said. "And I am willing to give you a chance. A chance to be with me." Isn’t this what he wanted to hear?

She waited, expecting some kind of relief to wash over his face. Gratitude, maybe. But instead, Matthew frowned.

"Are you deaf?" he said. "Or just stupid?"

"What?"

"What makes you think I want your apology?"

Then, without waiting for a response, he stepped past her.

"Matthew, wait!"

He stopped. Turned halfway. "What? Is there something else?"

Catherine blinked. "I don’t understand. I’m here apologizing. I’m giving you a chance. And you’re acting like I insulted you." He’s supposed to be happy, thank her for giving him that chance! Yet he actually...

Matthew didn’t answer right away. He tilted his head slightly, then let out a quick breath. Obviously, it was because of the ghost girl that’s noisily cheering for him. How annoying, he thought.

"You’re delusional," he said.

Catherine flinched. "Excuse me?"

"You think I’m supposed to drop everything just because you said sorry and decided to offer me a ’chance’ to be with you?" Matthew shook his head. "I’d rather drop dead than be with you, so take that chance and shove it. Go find someone else to play your games with."

That hit her like a slap. Her face turned red. Her chest rose and fell quickly. Without thinking, she lifted her hand and swung it toward him.

Matthew caught her wrist mid-air.

"There are cameras," he said. "Try that again, and I’ll sue you."

"You— let me go!" Catherine stared at her hand, still caught in his grip. "How dare you — "

Matthew didn’t let her finish her words. He let her hand go and then he turned and walked away.

She stood there, stunned. Her hand dropped to her side.

"Matthew!" she called after him. "Don’t you dare walk away from me!"

This time, he didn’t stop.

She stomped her foot and started following behind him."Matthew, I’m talking to you!"

Still, he kept walkings not even glancing back.

Catherine stood alone in the hallway, jaw clenched, eyes wide. She had no idea what just happened.

Matthew didn’t look back as he walked toward Dean and Adam, who had been waiting just outside the service hallway. The two of them looked ready, like proper assistants. Matthew laughed inwardly.

They must have thought Matthew would forgive Catherine. Watching him walk away without even glancing back surprised them both.

"Hey, Catherine’s calling you," Dean raised an eyebrow.

Matthew gave them a bashful smile. Ignoring Dean’s comment, he looked at Adam and said, "Thanks for your service, gentlemen. You’ve been excellent assistants."

Adam’s jaw clenched. "Beat it. Stop making it sound so weird! We’re only doing this because you forced us to."

"You are making it sound like I scammed you into serving me," Matthew said. "And here I thought this was completely voluntary."

"You scammed us out of our money!" Adam hissed.

"Did I? How come I don’t remember doing such a thing?" Matthew said. Then before anyone else could say a word, he added, "Well, you have to wait until the party is done. After all, you still need to drive me home. Right, remember what I told you earlier? I need it later. Be prompt. I might just give you some tip, if you are."

"You— "

With that, he left the two standing in the lobby and headed toward the venue, handed over his invitation, and was allowed inside.

"You said we could get our money back using that woman?" Dean asked. He eyed Catherine, who ran towards the washroom.

"He is loving the attention," Adam gritted his teeth. He had predicted Catherine approaching Lenox and Matthew. After all, those two men were her greatest backers. Who would have thought that Matthew would ignore Catherine? "He must have wanted her to beg him." Which might not happen because of Catherine’s pride.

His gaze darkened.

"Then what are we gonna do now?" Dean asked.

"Simple... we make Matthew pay that woman off," Adam said before he took his phone and started calling someone.

Meanwhile, Matthew strolled toward the gala with a grin on his face. In his previous life, he had walked into this same event glowing because Catherine had given him a "chance." This time, he was glowing for a different reason. He finally got to say everything he’d been holding back, right to her face.

"Hey, where’s Catherine?" Lenox asked, walking up to him. He made a move to step closer, but Matthew shifted back, keeping his distance.

"I don’t want anyone thinking I shoved you again," Matthew said. "She’s outside... probably crying her heart out. Let her know the glam team does retouches. No need to panic."

"You—" Lenox froze, trying to process it. "What did you do to her?"

Matthew let out a short snort. The program hadn’t started yet. Students were still milling around, chatting, snapping photos, laughing. A few heads immediately turned at Lenox’s raised voice.

"Why are you implying I did something wrong?" Matthew asked, his smirk still in place. "There are cameras all over the place. Check them if you don’t believe me."

"I—" Lenox clenched his jaw. Matthew looked relaxed, too relaxed. Didn’t Catherine apologize to him? He expected the two to walk towards the gala next to each other, with Matthew acting as Catherine’s escort.

Currently, Matthew looked carefree, and he didn’t like that. Did Catherine mess it up?

Wasn’t an apology enough? Did she say something stupid again? Women and their pride... it always complicated things, he muttered to himself as he turned and left the hall.

There was no point trying to reason with someone like Matthew. Whatever had changed in him, it was clear. This wasn’t the same Matthew from before. Lenox needed to act now. He couldn’t let this continue. Not if he wanted to keep what was his.

Seeing Lenox leave, Matthew turned and found his seat. He specifically asked to be seated next to a few people he wasn’t that close to. One of them was Teddy.

He approached the circular table and grabbed some juice from the nearby waiter. To his surprise, however, the waiter handed him what looked like a small piece of paper. He opened it, read its contents, and smiled.

So... it begins.