Chapter 522 Confronting Matthew

“It’s not that,” Matthew replied. “I just never pictured the designer Tylin being a man.”

Arabella nodded in agreement. “Honestly, same.”

Seeing Matthew didn’t add anything else, she let out a quiet breath of relief.

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Truth was, she’d been caught off guard–she hadn’t expected Horizon Corp to extend a collaboration offer to her studio. Colton hadn’t mentioned anything about it yet, so the news had genuinely surprised her.

“Mr. Stewart, I should get going if there’s nothing else,” Arabella said once they’d wrapped up the work discussion. There wasn’t much point in sticking around.

She figured she’d head out and give Colton a call to ask about the details of the collaboration.

“Alright,” Matthew acknowledged with a slight nod.

Arabella turned and made her way out of his office.

A few moments later, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” Matthew said.

The door opened, and to his surprise, Naomi stepped inside. Matthew’s expression tightened. “What is it?”

“Matthew, I’ve already submitted my proposal and design drafts to the business department,” Naomi began.

“You don’t need to report directly to me. If it’s relevant, the department will notify me,” he replied coolly.

Naomi felt a sharp twinge in her chest but forced herself to keep her composure. “I’m not here about work. I was already in the building, so I thought I’d stop by and see you.”

“That’s unnecessary,” Matthew said bluntly.

Her eyes tinged with red, Naomi spoke with evident hurt. “Matthew, we don’t have to be like this. Even if the engagement is off…. even if I’m not the Hamiltons‘ biological daughter, we still grew up together. Doesn’t that count for something? At least as friends?”

“It might have,” Matthew said, his tone icy. “But after what you pulled at your birthday party, that possibility is gone for good.” She had tried to trap him that night. If it weren’t for the Hamiltons‘ standing, he wouldn’t have let it slide so easily.

Naomi’s heart sank. She rushed to apologize. “I wasn’t thinking clearly back then–I was just so scared of losing you. But I’ve had time to reflect, and I know what I did was wrong.”

“That’s not the point,” Matthew cut her off. “What matters now is that you stay out of my way from here on out.”

“Matthew, do you really have to be this cruel?” Naomi’s voice trembled, on the verge of breaking down.

He met her gaze squarely. “There were never any feelings there to begin with.”

“Why?” Naomi took an unsteady step back. “Is this because of Arabella?”

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fronting Matthew

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“This has nothing to do with her,” Matthew stated flatly. “You know I asked to call off the engagement long before she ever cam back.”

“Heh.” Naomi let out a bitter laugh. “Right, you did. But then what happened? Once your fiancée turned out to be Arabella, you suddenly stopped pushing to end it. Why is that?”

She pressed on, her voice rising slightly. “What changed when Arabella took my place as your fiancée? Are you in love with her? Naomi knew Matthew well enough–the Hamilton family’s influence didn’t sway him, and he could’ve easily disregarded their grandfathers‘ agreement. That left only one explanation… one she couldn’t bear to accept.

Matthew’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly before he replied evenly, “You’re reading too much into it.”

“Then can you swear to me,” Naomi challenged, refusing to back down, “that you don’t have feelings for Arabella? Can you swe that the future Mrs. Stewart will never, under any circumstances, be Arabella?”

His face turned stone–cold. “I don’t owe you any explanations.”

“Matthew…” Tears began to spill from the corners of her eyes. “How is that any different from admitting you care for her?”

Either way, his response felt like a knife twisting in her chest.

It hurt. It truly, deeply hurt.

“Andy!” Having wasted enough breath, Matthew pressed the intercom. “Please see her out.”

Andy entered promptly. “Ms. Hamilton, the business department will reach out if there are any updates regarding the collaboration. For now, please follow me.”

“You can’t even face my question, so you’re throwing me out?” Naomi said, wounded. “Since when did you become so cold?”

Matthew didn’t reply, nor did he look in her direction again.

Andy lowered his voice beside her. “Ms. Hamilton, it’s best not to upset Mr. Stewart further. You still want that project to move forward, don’t you?”

Naomi paled, a wave of regret washing over her.

She’d let her emotions get the better of her and acted recklessly.

Today wasn’t the day–why did she have to confront Matthew like this?

She drew a steadying breath and put on a composed, almost docile expression. “Matthew, I won’t take up any more of your time. I spoke out of turn–I’ll go home and collect myself.”

Matthew remained silent. Not daring to linger, Naomi turned and left.

Once outside his office, she clenched her jaw in frustration.

Why had she lost control like that?

“Naomi, get a grip,” she whispered to herself. “You don’t have the standing to act like that anymore.” Especially not with Matthew. Who did she think she was, throwing a tantrum in his office?

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11:52 am POM

Chapter 522 Confronting Matthew

“Ms. Hamilton, you should probably head out now,” Andy’s voice gently reminded her once more.

Now fully composed, Naomi offered him a stiff nod. “Andy… thank you. For earlier.”

“Not at all, Ms. Hamilton,” Andy replied politely.

Her teeth still gritted, Naomi couldn’t resist asking, “I saw Arabella earlier. What was she doing here? Has she left?”