SWNOVELS Chapter 41: Usurping Matthew’s Place
Dolores shared her location with him and then got up from the bed. Coral happened to come in and said, “The meal is ready.”
“I will not have lunch at home. I have to go out to attend to something” Dolores tied up her messy hair and walks towards the
door. After changing her shoes, she hurried out.
She didn’t want Sampson to come to the house to pick her up, so she walked to an intersection and waited for him there.
Sampson, who looked very different from his usual self today, came quickly and didn’t let Dolores wait for too long.
Since Dolores got to know him, Sampson had always been in casual wear or white gown and it was the first time for her to see
him in a business suit.
Sampson got off the car and opened the door for her.
Dolores was not in a hurry to get on the car. She asked, “Is it an important meeting?”
He was dressing formally after all.
“Not exactly.” Because he didn’t give a shit about it.
Dolores stooped to board on the car. Both of them didn’t mention about the topic again.
Sampson was driving the car while Dolores was wordless.
The ambience in the car was somewhat weird.
“No need to be nervous. You can just follow me later.” Sampson tried to strike up a conversation.
When the ambience was too quiet, it appeared to be extremely awkward.
Especially when this happened after he had confessed his feelings for her.
Dolores agreed without hesitation, but it was just for the sake of his care for her and had nothing to do with feelings.
Sampson turned around to study her. Her ponytail, her palm-sized face, her delicate nose and her pink lips... every bit of her
looked delicate. She had really grown up and was no longer that little girl.
“Lola, do you despise me because I’m too old?” Sampson curled his lips into a smile.
Dolores chuckled, “Sampson, you’re not old. You’re just a twenty something.”
He was not even thirty years old.
Sampson reached out to stroke her hairs, “It’s said that girls are more thoughtful. It’s true.”
Dolores took his hand away and asked, “Why do I have a feeling that you’re taking advantage of me?”
“Did I?” Sampson smiled.
Dolores pretended to be angered and ignored him.
As they were talking, the car stopped in front of a building. The large display screen was displaying the history of DF Corporation
and a row of luxurious cars were parking at the entrance. Dolores felt nervous out of no reasons.
The red carpet stretched to the door. At each side of the door, there stood two men in black suit and one senior in the middle of
them to welcome the guests.
Seeing that Sampson was coming over, the senior took several steps forward, “Second master.”
Dolores looked askance at Sampson. She had known that he had an extraordinary identity, but she hadn’t expected that he
would be from the Herbert family that was in control of DF Corporation.
Comparing to the Herbert family, the Nelson family could be regarded as an up-rising star. But it had many generations of
talents. When it came to the generation where Matthew was in, it became a leading company in B City.
And even DF Corporation, a time-honored brand that had lasted for a hundred years, was not a patch on it.
WY Group engaged in diversified industries. The Excellence Investment Bank, which was co-invested by WY Group and Hong
Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, was renowned internationally.
Sampson nodded slightly as a reply to his greeting.
“Let’s go.” He then turned around to look at Dolores, “Are you unaccustomed to it?”
Dolores nodded honestly.
“Actually, I’m not accustomed to it too.” Sampson smiled. He had no interest in business after all and the companies controlled
by his family were all operated by his elder brother.
“Why were you staying in A Country back then? Did you get hurt in a relationship?” Judging from Sampson’s family background,
he should not have appeared in A Country and worked as a psychologist in a small clinic.
Sampson was stunned at the moment as he hadn’t expected this sudden question from her. He was amused, “Why do you think
that I came here to cure the pangs I got from a relationship?”
“Wasn’t Maria your girlfriend?” She remembered that his mother had mentioned about this name when they were in the villa back
then.
From his mother’s words, she could tell that Sampson seemed to care about Maria so much.
And Maria was definitely the name of a girl because it sounded cute.
When hearing this name, the smile on Sampson’s face gradually disappeared and his face darkened, “Her name is Maria
Herbert and she’s my younger sister. I’ve lost her when I was young and haven’t found her yet.”
Dolores opened her mouth trying to say something. She had assumed that Maria was his ex-girlfriend, and she didn’t intend to
bring about his unpleasant memories.
“Sorry...”
“No need.” Sampson smiled again.
In the sumptuously decorated hall, people were toasting and chatting with each other. Men were wrapped in business suits while
women were in the most beautiful make-ups and dresses in an attempt to put up a front for their male companions.
Nevertheless, Dolores wore no make-up, which was quite out of place.
“Sampson.” Camilla had chosen a lady from a building materials company to be Sampson’s companion for today’s banquet, but
Sampson refused it.
And now he brought this girl to the party.
“Mom, she’s Dolores Flores.” Sampson introduced Dolores to his mom.
This was a big event after all, so although Camilla felt discontented when seeing Samson bringing this girl here, she didn’t show
it in the public. Instead, she wore a decent smile on her face, “Oh, let’s go there and make acquaintance with some people.”
Sampson had been abroad all year round and the public almost forgot that the Herbert family had two sons. They only remember
the first son of the Herbert family, Warner Herbert.
The crystal chandelier, which was hanged down from the center of the ceiling of the second floor, illuminated the room and
looked dazzling.
There were a group of people in the middle of the hall, among which the most eye-catching one was the tall and slender figure
surrounded by the crowed. Although Dolores was quite far away from them, she was able recognize who that man was.
She became strung up out of no reasons.
Sampson patted her hand, “Relax. I’m by your side.”
“You know he will be here in advance?” Dolores looked into his eyes.
“I just want to tell him that you have someone to back you up.” As he was speaking, he held up Dolores’ hand and walked
towards Matthew.
“The business world is the stage for younger generations like you in the future.” Simon Bridges, the previous president of Hong
Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation who seldom attended activities after his retirement, let out a hearty laughter while
saying, “Of the young generations, the most promising one is undoubtedly Matthew.”
“Mr. Bridges, you flatter me.” Matthew put one hand into his pocket. With Helen wrapping her arm around his and the other hand
holding a red wine glass, he looked dazzling and attracting under the lights.
“I heard that WY Group has established...” The one who was speaking was Warner. When he saw his younger brother who was
walking towards them with a girl, he was started.
“Sampson, who’s this,” asked Warner.
Sampson led Dolores to come over, “She’s my girlfriend.” When he was speaking, he stole a glance at Mathew.
It was as if he was usurping Matthew’s place.
Since Matthew was unwilling to admit Dolores’ identity as his wife, he would take this chance.
Dolores hadn’t expected that Sampson would say this in the public.
Out of instinct, she tried to withdraw her hand which was grabbed by Sampson.
But Sampson found her intention and tightened the grip to stop her escape. He smiled and asked, “What are you afraid of?”
Dolores felt inexplicitly guilt-ridden and even didn’t dare to lift her head.
Smiling, Warner introduced Sampson to the crowd, “This is my younger brother. He had been abroad all year round and is now
back. I would appreciate it if you can give him a hand in the future.”
Helen clenched her fists, “Ms. Flores...”
Matthew slowly raised his eyelids. He quickly glanced over Dolores’ face and then maintained his indifferent and aloof look.
Dolores, who was originally unsettled, gradually calmed down herself under Matthew’s ignorance.
She felt that her nervousness before was quite ridiculous.