Since he's the CEO of Quinn Group, that whole cocky vibe and bossy attitude he had earlier suddenly makes a lot more sense.

Serena hadn't really looked into this guy before, but she knew about Quinn Group. It was the powerhouse in Westbridge's business world, basically running the show when it came to the local economy. Any big-name company probably had their investment backing.

Back when Serena took econ as an elective, the Quinn Group came up so often in case studies that she still vaguely remembered some things.

But now wasn't the time to overthink it. She knew full well she needed Matthew's help to get out of here, so she instantly gave in and put on her most pitiful act-teary eyes and a trembling voice: "I'm sorry, Mr. Quinn, I didn't mean to talk back to you. I've just always been a bit... reckless with my words. Too used to doing things my own way. Please don't take it to heart. You're generous, I'm sure you'll let it slide..."

"Enough," Matthew interrupted, clearly over her drama.

"What's the situation at the venue now? And that woman...?" His voice was cool, detached.

"Madam Quinn probably got worked up and didn't feel well, so I had David take her home. I've called for Dr. Eric to be there to check on her. As for the guests, I had Connor stay behind to handle things," the man in the suit reported smoothly.

Matthew nodded, satisfied with the update.

"But... Madam Quinn made it clear before she left-you have to return home tonight. If you don't show up yourself, there'll be trouble," the man added, glancing toward Serena with a very telling expression.

Matthew thought for a second, then casually threw an arm around Serena's shoulder and smirked, "I'll just take her back with me."

"Perfect, sounds great!"

Honestly, Serena didn't care what his deal was. As long as she got out of here, it was all good.

"Lucas, get the car ready in the underground lot. I'll take her to change and we'll take the private elevator down."

With that, Matthew and Serena exited The Grand Court Hotel. Since it was the Quinn family's vehicle, no one dared stop them, and Serena finally got away from the mess.

Just a few minutes after leaving the hotel, Serena caught sight of the subway station ahead and quickly perked up. "Hey, Lucas, right? Can you pull over by the subway? I can take it from there."

Lucas didn't respond. Instead, he glanced into the rearview mirror, silently waiting for direction from Matthew in the back seat.

"Trying to ditch me that fast?" Matthew said casually. "Turn around and take Ms. Dawson back to The Grand Court Hotel."

Serena's survival instincts kicked in immediately. "No!" she blurted out, then scrambled to gather herself and forced a sweet smile. "You're my life-saver, Mr. Quinn. Whatever you say goes."

Matthew raised an eyebrow, his voice cool. "Come home with me."

Serena froze. "Huh? Go... home?"

"You just said I'm your life-saver," he said, his tone teasing. "So if your rescuer's in a bit of trouble, shouldn't you make a tiny sacrifice and help out?"

Seeing the mischievous look on his face, Serena instinctively hugged her arms and narrowed her eyes. "What exactly do you mean by help out...?"

Matthew leaned in slightly, lifting her chin with his fingers. "Offer yourself to me, of course."

"Pervert!" Serena snapped, shoving his hand away, her cheeks flaming red. She shot an annoyed glare at Lucas, who was clearly trying to stifle a laugh.

Matthew couldn't help but chuckle. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, blessed with both looks and status, he had women falling for him left and right-elegant socialites or sultry vamps who all knew how to play the game. But this bashful, honest girl? He'd never met one like her.

Serena felt so thrown off by his teasing that she couldn't even get a word out, and just stared out the window in silence.

The car slowed briefly as a soft "beep" sounded, and the automatic gate began to slide open.

It was only then that Serena noticed how dark it had gotten. The car had pulled into a massive courtyard, right next to a fountain between the gate and the villa.

Before her stood a standalone white mansion, five stories tall, lined with crabapple trees along the walls. Smack in the center of the grand entrance was a huge golden "Quinn" emblem.

Serena looked up at the imposing house, her legs suddenly a little weak. The walls looked over two meters high-good luck trying to climb out if she needed to flee.

As soon as the car stopped, two tall young men in black suits and white gloves stepped out from behind the gates and opened the door with a polite greeting, "Mr. Quinn, Mrs. Quinn."

Serena was startled by the title and quickly waved her hands. "No, I'm not, I'm not."

Matthew immediately grabbed her hand, fingers tightly interlocked, and said in a low voice, "Shut up. From now on, you're Mrs. Quinn."

The second they walked in, Serena was stunned by the sheer luxury inside the villa.

Past the entrance garden, they stepped onto a massive rug that had to be over twenty square meters. The traditional-style sofa set and the tea table by the side looked expensive-not that Serena could tell what material they were made from. Nearby sat a marble dining table, and the staircase winding upstairs was tastefully matched with the overall color theme-low-key but high-class. Huge, blinding light fixtures lit up the space, and in one corner, there was even a private elevator.

Serena's eyes darted around the hall. The lighting made her a bit dizzy, making everything feel so surreal. She gave her thigh a hard pinch.

Ouch... Definitely not dreaming.

A middle-aged woman greeted them with a warm smile. "Mr. Quinn, Mrs. Quinn, welcome back," she said, taking the bags from Matthew and Serena.

Matthew gave a calm nod, "Hi, Susan."

Susan smiled kindly. "Mrs. Lawrence Quinn is waiting for you and the young lady upstairs, sir."

Serena glanced nervously up at Matthew. She suddenly remembered how on the rooftop Matthew had referred to Madam Quinn as "that woman." This kind of big family stuff seemed messy. Who knew what was waiting for her?

Matthew never let go of her hand. He leaned in and said quietly, "Don't panic. Just play along and don't say anything weird."

Serena nodded, worried sick.

"Mom, I brought Serena to see you." Matthew managed to force a slight smile as he greeted Vivian Moore.

Vivian's eyes shifted to Serena. At the same time, Matthew subtly tapped Serena's hand, as if nudging her to start acting.

"Hi, I'm Serena." Her voice trembled from nerves.

Vivian's face wasn't exactly welcoming, but she gave a polite nod and then turned to the maid beside her. "Okay, Susan, show Ms. Dawson around. Let her get familiar with the place. Matthew, stay and talk with me."

Serena's eyes lit up with relief. "Thanks, Susan," she said, immediately letting go of Matthew's hand and trying to leave quickly. But Matthew pulled her back into his arms and gently kissed her forehead with an unusually soft tone. "I'll catch up with you later after I talk with Mom."

That kiss and his strangely tender tone totally threw Serena off. Was he overdoing it or what? Her brain short-circuited, but she managed to nod, playing the part.

Vivian's face darkened. "You set the wedding up at The Grand Court Hotel, picked today on purpose, and blocked out all media. Only close friends from the Quinn and Garland families were invited. You did all that intentionally, didn't you?"

Matthew raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly, which said it all.

Vivian's hands trembled with anger. "From the beginning, you never planned to marry into the Garland family, right?"

Matthew shrugged, clearly unfazed. "Didn't you kind of push it yourself? You were the one who tried to set that up, not me."

Tears suddenly welled up in Vivian's eyes. "If I were your real mother, would you still treat me like this? Are you really still holding a grudge?"

Matthew dropped the casual attitude, now serious but still icy. "You took it too far. I'm heading to the first-floor study-need to talk to David."

Then he turned and left without another word.

In the study on the first floor of the Quinn family's villa.

Matthew and the old butler, David Chapman, both looked tense, brows tightly knitted.

"Mr. Quinn, are we overthinking this? Maybe we misunderstood Madam Quinn. I really think she meant well with this arrangement between you and Chloe," David said with worry.

Matthew walked to the window, stood there for a moment, and said coolly, "Misunderstood? If she hadn't set it all up behind my back, would I have ended up almost marrying Chloe?"

"Yes, I know Madam Quinn was strict with you before, didn't even let you see your father one last time, but maybe she had her reasons. Ever since you came back to the country after your father passed three years ago, even if she's not your real mom, you two have been getting along okay-"

"David," Matthew cut him off, clearly not in the mood to continue.

David quickly lowered his head. "Right, sorry, I spoke out of turn..."

Seeing how flustered David looked, Matthew's tone softened a bit.

"The only reason she treats me nicely is because it was Dad's dying wish. The only reason I've played the dutiful son is that I still feel guilty toward her in some way. If she can keep the peace moving forward, I'll treat her with respect, make sure she lives well-but she better not cross the line."

David looked pained. "Still, it's unfair to you. The last-minute call-off really offended the Garland family. They won't take that lightly."

Matthew let out a cold laugh, "Let them be."

Just then, a voice came from outside the window-Susan Greene calling out, "Mrs. Quinn, what are you doing here? It's dinner time."

Startled, Serena, who had been eavesdropping under the window, shot up in panic. She looked straight into Matthew's eyes-he was standing right inside by the window.

With a sheepish smile, she nervously called back, "Ah... right! Susan, I got a little lost." Then she bolted away like a frightened bunny.

Susan chuckled as she walked ahead. "Whenever Mr. Quinn and David are having a chat in the study, it's best to stay away. He doesn't like being disturbed."

"Yes, yes," Serena replied quickly, following along, heart still pounding. What did she just overhear?

So Matthew and Madam Quinn aren't actually blood relatives, and the engagement was her doing-that's why he called it off at the last minute. That cold-blooded, unreliable rich guy isn't so clueless after all-he's sharp, and clearly played his cards on purpose to humiliate Madam Quinn in public.

Wow. This man's not just a quiet CEO-he's got layers.

And now, stuck in this web of rich family drama, she-a total outsider who can't even defend herself-was right in the middle of it.

Serena suddenly stopped in her tracks, a new worry hitting her. Wait... I know too much now. What if Matthew decides to silence me?

Her voice was shaky as she turned to Susan, putting on a pitiful look. "Um... Susan, I think I left my bracelet back there. Mind if I run back and grab it?"

Thankfully, Susan didn't suspect anything. "Of course, but be quick. I'll go ahead and tell the kitchen to start dinner."

With a sweet smile, Serena chirped, "Okay!"

After Susan walked off, Serena looked around cautiously. With the sun setting, it was now or never to slip away quietly.

But the Quinn family estate was way too big. Everywhere she turned-big gates, side doors-they were all guarded and brightly lit. She'd have to find a dark path without lights to make her escape.

Back in the study, David and Matthew exchanged uneasy glances-they realized someone had heard them.

David hesitated, then asked, "About Ms. Dawson... what should we do with her?"

Matthew sat down at the desk, lips curling into a faint sneer. "It's not over yet. She's not going anywhere."

David nodded slowly, eyes narrowing in thought.