Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_28
The Walls Are Listening
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at myself. Here I was, thinking I could somehow salvage this situation, while Matthew and his mysterious woman were busy transferring assets behind my back. When had I become so naïve? Ivanna had been right all along. I was the fool, standing there beside him, counting his money as he practically sold me off. I didn’t even know who the woman was, or how cunning Matthew could be. But honestly, her identity wasn’t my priority anymore. The truth was, I’d already lost.
Most people in my position would obsess over who the other woman was, but I had realized long ago that it didn’t matter. The outcome was always the same: I had lost. All that mattered now was the money—the money that had somehow disappeared into thin air.
“I just want to know where that money went,” I told Ivanna firmly.
She smiled reassuringly. “I already have someone looking into it. Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.”
I nodded, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was on the edge of something much darker. I returned to work, my mind consumed with plans to reclaim my company and bring Matthew down from his pedestal. That was the only thing that mattered now.
No one seemed to notice when I left and came back, not that I expected them to. After all, I was the boss’s wife, and I had every right to come and go as I pleased. The office was quieter as lunchtime approached, and everyone was preparing to leave. I decided to check on Matthew—after all, it was rare that I had the chance to ask him about anything anymore.
When I arrived at his office, his secretary was gone, and the door was half-open. I could hear voices inside. Matthew was still there, but what I wasn’t expecting was to hear Johnson’s voice, clearly mocking.
“Don’t worry. I’ve prepared all the information you requested. You’re a genius, Mr. Murphy,” Johnson said. “Still, I don’t think Madam is interested in the details. She’s hardly ever at the office. From what I see, she just works here to keep an eye on you.”
I froze, my blood running cold as Johnson’s words echoed in my ears. They were talking about me, clearly unaware that I was standing right outside.
“About the money,” Johnson continued, “I’ve taken care of it according to your instructions.”
My heart raced, and I instinctively stepped back, making sure they wouldn’t notice me. I had to hear more.
“Remind the finance department to stay on top of this,” Matthew instructed. “I don’t want any discrepancies. She’s been on edge lately, always getting upset.”
“Don’t worry about that, Mr. Murphy,” Johnson reassured him. “I’ve already informed the finance team and dealt with the suppliers. Everything’s been sorted out. If anything goes wrong, we can just say the project failed. Losing money is just part of business.”
His casual dismissal of everything, including my concerns, made my blood boil. “When it’s time, just act like you’re worried, and play along. What can Madam do? She hasn’t worked in so long, she won’t figure anything out,” Johnson said with smug confidence.
I could feel my fists clenching as I stood there, hidden, listening to them plot my downfall.
Matthew’s voice lowered. “I haven’t decided on the next step yet…”
“Are you still tying up loose ends?” Johnson asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“I can’t show up there,” Matthew muttered in frustration. “Just keep an eye on things. None of these people are easy to handle. Not one of them is reasonable!”
Finally, Matthew sighed. “Alright, you can go now.”
I quickly stepped away, my mind reeling. I had been standing there for too long. My pulse raced as I made my way back to my office, trying to calm myself. When I finally collected my thoughts, I called Matthew.
“Hey, honey, what do you want for lunch?” I asked, my voice as casual as I could manage.
“Are you in the office?” Matthew’s voice was warm, as if everything were normal. “What do you feel like having? Maybe we can go out together?”
“Sure!” I replied, eager to keep the facade up. “I’ll come find you.”
I walked out of my office, but as I rounded the corner, I bumped into Johnson. He looked startled, clearly not expecting to see me. His face faltered for a moment before he quickly composed himself.
“M-Madam!” he stammered.
I smirked, playing along. “What’s wrong? You look like I caught you red-handed. Why so anxious?”
“Uh, no, not at all!” Johnson quickly defended himself. “I thought you weren’t around.”
“I just got back,” I teased, a small smile playing on my lips. I softened my tone. “I’m going to lunch with Matthew. Care to join us?”
Johnson hesitated, then quickly shook his head. “I–It’s okay. I don’t want to be a third wheel. You two lovebirds should enjoy yourselves.”
His response was so quick and obedient, it made me feel a little sick.
Later, when I met Matthew for lunch at one of my favorite Italian spots, I tried to keep my composure. As we waited for our food, he casually asked, “What were you up to this morning?”
“I went to check out some properties,” I said, keeping my tone neutral. Then, without skipping a beat, I asked, “By the way, when will we get the money back?”
Matthew’s face tightened slightly, but he smiled through it. “Soon,” he said, though I could tell his mind was elsewhere. His words meant nothing to me anymore, not with the truth I had overheard.
In that moment, I knew there was no going back. The walls were listening, and they were telling me everything I needed to hear.