Chapter 446

Growing Suspicion

“Yeah,” Arabella replied.

Matthew glanced at her, his tone carrying a hint of something. “That friend of yours… I think I’ve seen him before.”

Arabella’s stomach dropped. Had he spotted Colton just now?

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She forced a small smile, playing oblivious. “Really? That’s strange. We hardly ever meet up. I don’t think you could have, Mr. Stewart.”

“The designer. Tylin.” Matthew said the name slowly, deliberately.

Arabella’s teeth clenched. So he had seen him.

“You must have him confused with someone else, Mr. Stewart.” She kept her voice light. “That friend of mine runs a small business. He doesn’t know anything about design. Definitely not Tylin. Besides-” she added, “my friend’s a guy.”

Matthew’s eyes sharpened. “So Tylin is a woman?”

Arabella realized her mistake instantly. In her rush to distance Colton, she’d stepped right into it.

“Huh?” She blinked, all innocence. “Isn’t Tylin a woman? I always assumed so from the name. Just figured it was a girl…” She trailed off with a little laugh.

Matthew studied her. Her expression gave nothing away. His brow furrowed slightly.

Had he been wrong? Maybe Tylin really had nothing to do with her or her friend.

“Andy,” he said quietly, “set up a meeting with Tylin at the office tomorrow.”

“Got it,” Andy replied from the front.

Arabella’s heart sank again. He wasn’t letting this go.

She pulled out her phone, keeping her movements casual, and dialed Colton’s number. It rang once. Twice. She let it ring.

“So,” she said, turning to Matthew with polite curiosity, “are you thinking of hiring Tylin for something?”

“Would that be a problem?” he asked.

She smiled. “Of course not. That’s your business, Mr. Stewart. Nothing to do with me. By all means.”

Matthew looked down at her, something unreadable in his gaze. “Would you like to sit in on the meeting?”

“Not necessary.” She waved it off. “I’ve only ever dealt with Tylin through DMs. And I don’t have any projects right now that need a designer.”

“Pity.” His voice was quiet, watchful. “You should meet him, though. Tylin isn’t quite what the name suggests.”

Arabella held his gaze. “If you say so. I really did think Tylin was a woman all this time.” She shrugged lightly. “But meeting in person isn’t a big deal for me. Male, female–doesn’t matter. I just like the work.”

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8:58 am Ppp.

Chapter 446 Growing Suspicion

Matthew didn’t push further. “Mm.”

Arabella ended the call, slipping the phone back into her bag. She had no idea if Colton would catch on.

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She had no choice. She couldn’t call or text him directly–not with Matthew watching her every move. One wrong action, and she would only deepen his suspicion.

The car pulled up to the facility.

“We’re here, Dr. Hamilton,” Andy announced.

“Oh–right.” Arabella opened the door and stepped out, exhaling quietly.

Then Matthew got out too.

She turned, puzzled. “Mr. Stewart? Something else?”

“Thought I’d check in on Bruce. See how he’s progressing.” His tone was perfectly casual.

“Okay.” She didn’t question it. “I was going to do the same. Let’s go.”

They walked into the lobby together.

“Dr. Hamilton.” The receptionist greeted her, then added almost offhandedly, “Oh–so Mr. Stewart did end up picking you up after all.”

Arabella stopped. “What?”

“He stopped by this morning,” the receptionist explained. “You weren’t in yet, so he left. Guess he went to get you.”

Arabella glanced at Matthew. He’d said he was just passing by.

Matthew was already heading for the elevator, expression unchanged.

She followed, “You came by this morning?”

“Was in the neighborhood.” Same line.

Arabella nearly rolled her eyes. “In the neighborhood here, in the neighborhood there. Are you just always in my neighborhood?”

“What?”

She smiled brightly. “Nothing. Just wondering how Bruce’s progress is going.”

“We’ll see.” He stepped into the elevator. She followed,

Andy stayed in the lobby. He was starting to piece things together. Matthew had come specifically for her. Best not to insert himself.

“Hey.” The receptionist leaned toward him, lowering her voice. “Is something going on between your boss and ours?”

Andy gave her a blank look. “No idea.”

She huffed. “Ugh. Useless.”

Andy’s expression shifted to something more serious. “Word of advice? Watch what you say. Mr. Stewart was in a good mood today.

If he hadn’t been, you’d be out of a job for running your mouth like that.”

“I don’t work for Horizon Corp,” she pointed out.

“He’s an investor here.” Andy said it like he was doing her a favor.

The receptionist raised an eyebrow. “So… why was he in such a good mood today?”