When Love Comes Late

She then bent down to unbuckle his belt but hesitated before her fingers could touch it.

Lacking the boldness to proceed, she retracted her hand.

Instead, she wrapped her arms around his waist and whined playfully, “You helped me with my top, and I helped with your shirt.

We’re square.

I’m not doing more.

The rest is up to you.

”

Observing her bashful demeanor, Matthew swallowed hard.

He then grabbed his tie and playfully blindfolded her with it, murmuring, “Stop being so alluring.

Don’t use that tone or look at me that way, or we won’t make it to the hot spring.

”

Stella blushed deeply, realizing what he implied, and promptly clamped her mouth shut, daring not to make a move.

Matthew quickly slipped into his swimming trunks and removed the tie from her eyes.

Stella was met with the sight of his sculpted body, which left her speechless and wide-eyed.

Pleased with her reaction, Matthew teased, “What do you say we skip the hot spring?”

Stella was jolted back to the present by his suggestion.

Considering the possibility of a long and exhausted day, Stella feigned calmness and declared, “I’m heading there now!”

With that, she dashed out of the room in a hurry.

As Matthew watched her hurry away, a resigned smile graced his features, his gaze filled with warmth.

The resort was famous for its soothing hot springs.

Consequently, the bathing facilities were segregated by gender and further divided into varying levels of opulence.

Matthew, naturally, found himself in the most exclusive VIP section.

There, he and Neville relaxed against a stone at the edge of the hot spring pool, each nursing a glass of red wine.

Neville, swirling his wine, couldn’t resist probing, “That guy from earlier, a romantic rival perhaps?”

Matthew didn’t refute the suggestion, merely sharing, “His name is Sanford Quimby.

He’s the head designer at Sanz Group and was a student sponsored by Stella’s father.

”

His brow furrowed slightly as he instructed, “Keep tabs on him for me, and investigate a little deeper.

”

Neville pressed on.

“What specifically should I investigate into? Are you worried he’s up to something with Stella? If that’s the case, I have no way of knowing.

”

Matthew cast a cold glance at Neville and remarked, “He knows I’m Tobin.

Do you really think he’s as straightforward as he appears?”

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Neville’s light tone shifted to one of earnestness.

“Understood.

I’ll start the investigation right away.

”

Stella and Miley were relaxing in the hot spring pool reserved for women.

It had been a long time since their last meeting, and Miley had picked up quite a few updates about Stella through Neville.

Miley’s emotions flared upon learning about Joann’s aggressive behavior toward Stella.

Her eyes brimming with tears, she exclaimed, “I can’t believe Joann would go to such Lengths to kill someone! Thank goodness you managed to escape.

I can’t even imagine what could have happened if you hadn’t.

”