Chapter 5 The Setup

Wesley was Matthew's childhood friend and the person who knew most of his secrets. Apart from his assistant John, Wesley was the one Matthew trusted most.

Wesley led Matthew to the hotel's rooftop pool area, where a crowd of attractive men and women had gathered, all dressed in revealing swimwear. The beautiful women wore sexy bikinis, holding drinks while chatting or playing by the water's edge.

When Matthew appeared poolside, he immediately caught the attention of many women.

"Good evening, Mr. Brown."

"Evening, Lucy. Your butt's looking fuller lately—been hitting the gym?" Wesley grinned.

"Catherine, your tan's looking a bit dark. Want me to help you apply some sunscreen at the beach tomorrow?"

"Jessica, you look sexier than ever. Want to make tonight unforgettable together?"

Wesley knew every woman there, greeting them all enthusiastically. But after exchanging pleasantries with him, their gazes inevitably shifted to Matthew.

Matthew felt the women's appraising and heated stares, frowning in displeasure as he glared at Wesley.

"Did you really have to put the stuff here? You know I hate these kinds of situations."

"Wesley, honey, is this your friend? He looks so handsome. Does he have a girlfriend?" A blonde beauty in a leopard-print bikini approached with a drink, giving Matthew a flirtatious look.

"He doesn't have a girlfriend," Wesley replied.

The woman's eyes lit up with interest.

"But he just got married today."

Her excitement immediately dimmed.

"Sorry to bother you then, Wesley. How about we grab a drink tonight?" The blonde turned her flirtatious attention back to Wesley, since his single status was common knowledge.

"Absolutely. Wait for my call tonight." Wesley winked at her, making a phone gesture with his hand.

After the woman left, Matthew turned to Wesley with an irritated expression.

"If you brought me here just to watch me make a fool of myself, I'll kick you into that pool right now."

Wesley quickly raised both hands in surrender.

"Alright,, just kidding around. Come on, this way."

Wesley patted Matthew's arm and led him to a lounge chair area. Several bodyguards stood around the chairs, keeping others at a distance.

"You asked me to keep an eye on certain family members before you went abroad. I've done that. Here's what I found." Wesley tossed a manila envelope to Matthew.

Matthew opened it and scanned the documents inside, his expression turning into a mocking smile.

"Looks like the family needs some internal housecleaning. There are always parasites who think their bloodline entitles them to devour the family fortune."

"Sometimes a big tree isn't cut down from the outside—it dies from being eaten away by termites. When you handle this, don't mention my name. I don't want to make enemies," Wesley shrugged, then suddenly flashed a mischievous grin. He leaned closer to Matthew and whispered, "Did you only come back today to look at these files? I heard your new bride is quite beautiful."

Matthew tucked away the documents and looked at Wesley's curious expression with cold indifference.

"That was just to fulfill the elders' wishes. They wanted to see me married. You know I'm allergic to women."

Wesley threw up his hands again.

"Alright,, but aren't you going to explain anything? Everyone's saying you're impotent. If I had that condition, I'd find a place to hang myself."

Wesley made a looping motion around his neck, then yanked hard. His head tilted to one side, eyes bulging and tongue hanging out, mimicking a hanged man.

Matthew watched his friend's ridiculous performance while picking a grape from a nearby table and popping it into his mouth.

"Shakespeare once said you only care about a few people in your lifetime. No need to waste energy on irrelevant audiences."

"Did Shakespeare actually say that?"

"I have no idea. Let's just say he did."

Wesley rolled his eyes.

"I really feel sorry for you, man. You'll never experience the pleasures of women."

Wesley stood up from the lounge chair and headed toward the pool.

"Hey, ladies! Look who's here—tonight's prince! Which Cinderella wants to give me her glass slipper?"

With that shout, Wesley cannonballed into the pool, creating a splash over six feet high. Beautiful women surrounded him like mermaids.

"Buddy, look at this—now this is fun!" Wesley splashed around in the water, his hands roaming over the bodies of the women around him. The pool filled with feminine laughter and soft moans.

Matthew shook his head at Wesley's antics, grabbed the documents from the table, and turned to leave.

Meanwhile, Olivia was beginning to feel unusually warm in the karaoke room. She glanced at her watch and noticed Celeste's deadline was approaching, so she decided to head home.

"Sorry, everyone, I have to go. You know how it is—I'm a newlywed and need to make a good impression on the Howard family."

Olivia shrugged apologetically as she said goodbye to her friends. They politely escorted her to the door, and Esme offered to drive her home, but Olivia declined.

"No need, I can get home by myself."

Olivia smiled as she refused, actually worried that if Esme came home with her, Celeste might say something unpleasant.

Esme nodded and watched Olivia enter the elevator. Once the doors closed completely, a mocking smile crept across her lips.

"I hope you have a wonderful night, my dear best friend."

Esme pulled out her phone and made a call.

"She's in the elevator. The rest is up to you."

A man's lewd laughter came from the other end.

"Don't worry. I'm very experienced at this kind of thing."

Standing in the elevator, Olivia suddenly felt a wave of heat wash over her body, her breathing becoming rapid and shallow.

"What's happening to me? Why is my heart racing so fast?"

Olivia gasped for air, confused by the strange sensations. Her whole body felt itchy, and she desperately craved someone's touch.

Just then, the elevator doors opened to reveal a buzz-cut man standing outside. He looked Olivia up and down with lecherous eyes that gleamed with evil intent. Olivia leaned against the elevator wall, her breathing becoming more labored. She could sense the malicious intent radiating from the man in front of her.

"Hey beautiful, you look pretty thirsty. Need me to help you out?"

The man stepped into the elevator and grabbed Olivia's hand, trying to drag her out.

"Get away from me! I don't know you! Where are you trying to take me? Let go!"

Olivia struggled desperately, but she felt her head becoming more dizzy and her body growing weaker, as if she might collapse at any moment.