Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Another Good Man
Due to this sudden bad news, the D&C Group’s anniversary celebration had to be postponed until a later date. Now, people who had business with the D&C Group were visiting the funeral home to pay their respects to the group’s now-deceased leader. The funeral home was filled with enthusiastic laughter, as most of the people here deeply hated Devan. Just as Victoria had always hated her father for making things difficult for her. They still didn’t know the reason behind the group’s recent continuous losses due to someone’s selfishness.
Victoria and her two enemies are tasked with welcoming the guests. She still wants to expel these two enemies, who have been acting hypocritically in front of the guests, even though she believes her father’s death was caused by her stepmother. However, she is still trying to find evidence that proves her stepmother killed her father.
Meanwhile, Matthias had no right to greet the guests. He could only act as a guest paying his last respects. However, he helped his wife with all the funeral arrangements, especially as he covered all the expenses. This was the only contribution he could make, and he continued to pray for his father in law.
After hours of welcoming guests paying their last respects, Victoria began to feel extremely weak from not having eaten. A side effect of her overeating, she was still unaccustomed to it, and her body nearly collapsed. Fortunately, her husband was now always with her, even though he acted as a guest. Eventually, she was able to eat peacefully, thanks to him, who had scolded her.
"Tory, it looks like I have to scold you so you won’t be so stubborn!"
Victoria pursed her lips. "You don’t need to scold me, though. I’m definitely going to eat."
"I’m really worried about you, actually. Even though you’ve been acting strong all this time, you’re actually sad."
In fact, her husband’s guess was spot-on. She admitted that her husband had always had a sixth sense, able to read her thoughts. However, it was a shame that she still couldn’t read his mind. She needed to learn from Charles about the problems she was facing regarding their unsanctioned relationship.
"Matthias, don’t you want to leave now? Everyone seems uncomfortable seeing you here."
Matthias smiled casually and patted his wife’s shoulder. "I don’t care what they say. What’s certain is that I want to be with you here. It would be annoying if I left you alone, acting as if you weren’t married."
"But that’s the reality. We’re not married in their eyes."
"I don’t want to look like we’re not a couple. I hate hearing that. If this keeps up, I want to go public with our relationship."
Victoria folded her arms. "Are you kidding?"
"I’m not kidding. Because I can get angry too. Anyway, I’ve had to be your personal bodyguard lately. You’re pregnant. If your condition doesn’t improve, I’m worried you’ll actually faint."
"It’s okay. You’ll be busy with work anyway."
"Matthias, just leave your wife to me."
Ansel’s sudden appearance in the middle of their conversation made Matthias’s eyes widen. He was actually quite surprised by Ansel’s presence, as if he were a ghost wandering around in broad daylight. He hadn’t heard any footsteps approaching them.
Meanwhile, Victoria greeted her ex-fiancé with a beaming smile. "Ansel, I didn’t expect you!"
Ansel smiled warmly, gently stroking his ex’s head. "Of course I’ll come. Even though I’ve never met your father in person, I still have to pay my respects. He’s your father."
"Thank you for taking the time to come here." Victoria invited her ex-fiancé to sit across from her.
Meanwhile, Matthias could only stare silently, his wife seemingly stolen by another man. However, that didn’t mean he was still hostile towards Ansel. Now, he could only rely on Ansel to help protect his wife whenever he wasn’t by his side.
"Ansel, thank you for coming." Matthias handed Ansel a bowl of porridge. "You should eat too."
"Thank you, Matthias. I didn’t expect you to welcome me so warmly. Usually, you always get annoyed when you see me."
"Because I’m sure you won’t steal my wife again. My wife has openly expressed her desire to live a married life with me."
Ansel laughed awkwardly as he enjoyed his chicken porridge. "Matthias, you seem very confident. I’m not sure I’ll help you protect your wife."
"Because I’m sure you’ll protect her while I’m at work. Plus, you’re so welcomed by everyone here. You deserve respect. Meanwhile, I’m just a troublemaker. You are really a good friend to her."
"Don’t say things like that, Matthias! I’ll feel even more guilty!" Ansel snapped, his eyes furious.
Matthias patted Ansel on the shoulder as he got up from the chair. "I’ll leave my wife with you. If she feels nauseous, you should give her something warm to drink. And don’t let her work too hard."
"Why are you acting like this as if you want to leave her?"
"Because there is something important I have to do now."
*****
Now only Ansel and Victoria were left enjoying lunch together. Ansel was actually very sensitive to his ex-fiancée, who seemed constantly gloomy. He admitted he couldn’t comfort her like Matthias could. However, he had promised Matthias that he would protect her.
"Wow, it looks like we have a very handsome guest now!" The stepmother’s voice was quite loud, making Ansel and Victoria surprised.
Meanwhile, Ansel could only smile kindly as he shook hands. "I’m so sorry for your passing, Auntie."
"You’re a very good boy, Ansel. I’ve always liked you. You’re actually more worthy of marrying Victoria than Matthias."
Fransisca immediately nudged her mother’s hand awkwardly. "Mom, you should just stop. We shouldn’t be fighting at the funeral."
"By the way, would you please accompany Victoria to hear the reading of my husband’s will?"
Ansel swallowed nervously. "Auntie, actually I–"
"Should I force you to play Victoria’s husband now? I’m so sick of seeing my daughter cheating on me with another man. You must marry her."