Jayden clicked his tongue in irritation. "If I'm not mistaken, this makes the second time we've been beaten by K. The first time, we managed to intercept one of their critical data packets, and in retaliation, they wiped out our entire company network for a whole week. Darren must've had insane luck to recruit someone that skilled. Honestly, it's such a waste of talent. K would have been far better off working with us instead."
Matthew let out a derisive snort. "And what makes you so sure you know who's actually in charge?"
"What?" Jayden's face turned solemn. "Are you saying K is the one in charge?"
"Who can say?"
At daybreak the following morning, the first light began to spread.
After getting dressed and ready, Cathleen came downstairs and was surprised to see Matthew seated on the couch.
She stopped in her tracks. When had he returned the night before? She hadn't heard him come in at all.
Matthew looked worn out. Because of his long-term insomnia, he depended on medication to get even an hour or two of sleep each night. That morning, just as he had finally drifted off, a call from his grandfather abruptly woke him.
His grandfather had phoned to tell him that Cathleen needed to go to the university to finalize her enrollment and insisted that he take her there.
When Matthew noticed Cathleen coming down the stairs, he rose to his feet. "Let's go."
Cathleen was confused. "Go where?"
Matthew's brow furrowed. "Don't pretend you don't know. Didn't you call my grandfather and get him to order me to take you to campus?"
Cathleen didn't know what to say. When had she ever asked his grandfather to intervene? Besides, she hadn't even had breakfast yet.
"It's still early," Cathleen replied, turning toward the kitchen. "I'll leave after I eat."
Matthew's expression hardened. "I don't have time to sit around waiting for you."
Cathleen tied on an apron, took out ingredients from the refrigerator, and paid no attention to Matthew, who remained standing in the living room.
A trace of frost flickered across Matthew's eyes. In the past, people either went out of their way to please him or tried to keep their distance. Everyone wanted his approval, yet at the same time, they feared him.
Cathleen was the exception. To her, he wasn't someone intimidating; he might as well not have existed.
Oblivious to Matthew's thoughts, Cathleen focused entirely on making her breakfast.
She prepared a simple plate of scrambled eggs with toast. Since Matthew hadn't asked for any, she only made enough for herself.
Then, despite the cold, piercing look Matthew directed at her, she ate at an even, unhurried pace.
By the time they finally got into the car, thirty minutes had gone by.
The back seat was roomy enough to accommodate three people, yet Matthew occupied most of it. He radiated an intense, stifling presence, his entire manner distant and unapproachable.
Cathleen sat close to the door, her back straight and posture composed.
Outside the window, the early morning haze was slowly clearing, revealing crowded streets packed with cars and people, a sharp contrast to the stillness and isolation of the mountain villa.
Cathleen had stayed up later than usual the night before and felt the lack of rest. Knowing the drive to the university would take some time, she closed her eyes, hoping to get a bit of sleep.
She had always been highly perceptive, so the moment she sensed someone leaning against her, her eyes flew open.
She wasn't sure when the car had come to a stop. Noticing she was awake, the driver quickly raised a finger to his lips and whispered, "Ma'am, please let him rest a little longer."
Unaccustomed to being addressed that way, Cathleen instinctively rubbed her ear, feeling awkward. Physical closeness, especially of that kind, had never sat well with her.
She hesitated briefly, but ultimately resisted the urge to pull away.
Matthew's head was only lightly resting on her shoulder. However, given his height and the way she was pressed against the door, it gave the impression that she was tucked into his arms.
They remained like that for roughly a minute before Matthew stirred. His arm moved on instinct, wrapping around her and drawing her completely against him. Still asleep, he moved so that his head settled naturally in the curve of her neck.
His warm breath brushed against her ear, bringing their faces just inches apart. From that distance, she could clearly make out the sharp lines of his profile.
Even while asleep, he carried an air of authority. The slight crease in his brow and the firm set of his jaw made it obvious he wasn't someone to take lightly.
The moment didn't last long, though. Not long after Cathleen woke, Matthew began to wake as well.
She quickly slipped out of his arms, pushed the door open, and stepped out of the car in one smooth motion.
Matthew's eyes turned icy, his eyes already sharp and alert, with no trace of grogginess.
The temperature inside the car seemed to plummet instantly.
The driver swallowed hard, then asked cautiously, "Sir, should I drive in?"
Matthew cast a brief look at Cathleen, who was standing near the university gate, and replied curtly, "No. Head back to the office."
When Cathleen turned around, the car was already pulling away at speed, leaving exhaust trailing behind it.
"Cathleen!" someone called out from a distance.
Cathleen immediately recognized the voice; it was Ashley.
