Chapter 2

Matthew gave me a diffident glance. Given how loud Maya and I had been outside, it was only natural that he'd overheard some of our conversation.

"What are you talking about, Maya? Nicole's my sister!"

Maya's mind raced, and her tears fell instantly.

"I'm sorry. I only had good intentions! If I hadn't met you…"

Matthew's heart went out to Maya immediately. He shot me a disapproving look. "Nic, Maya didn't know any better, so don't stoop to her level. She grew up in a tough environment, so she can't help that it's rubbed off on her."

Playing along, Maya stared at me miserably. "I'm sorry, Nic. I shouldn't have said that. Back in my hometown, women like you get criticized a lot. That's why I… Actually, I was just saying it for your good. Besides, Sam really is a nice man…"

My head throbbed as I gritted my teeth.

When Maya saw the look on my face, she cowered in Matthew's arms fearfully.

Matthew furrowed his brows. "How could my sister possibly marry Sam?"

Maya buried her face in Matthew's arms like a frightened cat, not saying a word or looking up. She simply let out a few muffled sobs.

Matthew sighed deeply when he saw her like that. "Nic, Maya didn't mean any harm. She's just very straightforward with her words. Don't worry—I'll guide her properly and help her fix all her bad habits. Just… don't tell Mom and Dad about it for now, okay?"

I suppressed the fury burning within me as I met Matthew's pleading gaze.

"Fine. You'd better keep an eye on her, then. Make sure she doesn't come to me again. It'd be best if you only bring her over after she's learned some manners!"

Before Maya left, she snuck a glance at me. The look in her eyes seemed far from friendly.

The anger I'd barely managed to suppress bubbled up once more.

The butler, Arnold Townsend, stopped me, giving a meaningful shake of his head. "This won't work, Ms. Gibson. Just wait until Mr. Gibson learns his lesson on his own."

I supposed Matthew's life had been too comfortable. I figured I would just wait and see how long his relationship with Maya lasted.

In the end, I didn't mention the incident to Mom or Dad. When they asked me about it, I just said that the meeting went fine and that we could talk about it again after Matthew and Maya had dated for longer.

That night, I was removing my makeup at my vanity table when I realized that a necklace I'd left in the corner had disappeared.

I didn't want to assume the worst of people. However, when I checked the surveillance footage, I saw Matthew pointing my room out to Maya when he took her for a tour around the house. Afterward, I saw her entering the room on her own. When she came back out, she looked sneaky and guilty.

I was extremely disappointed. How could Matthew fall for a woman like her?

Then, I happened to come across something she posted online. In her posts, she put on the persona of a rich woman, and she just happened to be wearing my missing necklace.

I showed Matthew the video when he returned home at night.

He was aware that the necklace was a gift from my fiance, Dylan Quall. It was the only one of its kind in the entire country.

Matthew was appalled and rather mad. He called Maya to confront her right away. But when he heard her crying, he gave in.

"Nic, Maya didn't do that on purpose. She was just curious. Considering the environment she grew up in, please forgive her."

I couldn't believe my ears. I was so angry that my hands shook.

"You're unbelievable!" I screamed.

That night, I packed my things and moved to a place closer to my office so I wouldn't be constantly driven mad by Matthew.