A Trojan Horse I had to keep Johnson here.


    He was my ace in the hole.


    As for why I didn’t insist on keeping everyone else, I wanted to leave myself an escape route.


    I wanted Matthew to reconsider his actions without pushing him to the point of no return.


    To my surprise, the next person to speak up was Henry, Matthew’s father.


    “Why bring this mess into the office? Can’t it be discussed at home? It seems like people have lost their


    sense of decorum,” Henry said in amanding tone, his nose in the air.


    I spoke respectfully but firmly, “Dad, is that directed at me? You’ll see soon enough if I have ‘decorum.”


    But you should listen and watch closely.


    Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Whocks decorum here?‘ Matthew immediately grew ufortable.


    Perhaps it was because I had never spoken like this since joining the Murphy family.


    They were used to my soft–spokenness.


    I stood up and said, “Matthew, are you ustomed to,my mild nature? Do you think I’m a pushover?


    Do you think you can take advantage of me wherever you please?” My lips quivered uncontrobly.


    Matthew believed the ATL Empire project was in the bag, so he adopted a more forceful attitude toward


    me.


    He had abandoned his image as the ideal husband and was ready to throw me under the bus.


    Matthew seemed taken aback by my behavior.


    He squinted at me, trying to read my thoughts.


    When Mnie saw I was being assertive, she yelled at me to deflect attention, “Chloe, don’t stir up


    trouble.


    It was you who ran off with another man, not me.


    Do you think you’re special? “You’ve been meeting another man behind my brother’s back.


    How dare youe here and make stuff up? Then she looked at Henry and said, “Dad, let’s go.


    Don’t listen to her nonsense.” “Leaving already?” Ivanna blocked Mnie’s path and crossed her arms.


    “Are you feeling guilty now? You jumped in with someone else’s man without hesitation.


    Why are you scared now?” “Get out of my way! Who do you think you are? You have no right to


    meddle!” Though Mnie protested, she avoided Ivanna and stood with her father.


    I grew visibly imitated.


    Ivanna, you’ve gone too far.


    I won’t tolerate your meddling with the because you’re close to Chide.


    You’re an outsider, so don’t think you cante +15 BONUS “That depends on whether you have a clear


    conscience or have done something you shouldn’t have,” I added “That’s nonsense!” Mnieshed


    out at me.


    “I warn you, stop making things up.


    Don’t turn the tables when you’re the one who made a mistake.” Ivanna almost charged at her in anger,


    but I pulled her back.


    My gaze locked on Mnie as I asked, “Why don’t you tell them why I ended up in the hospital?” Her


    lips curled into a mocking smile.


    “All I saw was you lying in another man’s arms, looking quitefortable.


    You were hugging him tightly in broad daylight.


    As for what happened next, I have no idea!”