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Chapter_31
An Unexpected Gain
At last, there was a breakthrough regarding Johnson’s whereabouts. Ivanna’s report shocked me to the core. It turned out Johnson had been frequenting Amethyst Apartments, a newly developed upscale residential community. This information brought back the memory of that mysterious key—the one that had never seemed to fit any lock. I wondered if it could be the key to one of the units in that complex, but I was reluctant to accept it as a reality.
For years, I had been with Matthew, enduring everything together. We’d discussed in great detail finding a better place for Ava to grow up, even talked about moving to a larger apartment in a reputable school district. Yet, despite all our conversations, he had always brushed it off, delaying any action. Now, to discover that he had actually bought a unit in Amethyst Apartments? It shattered everything I thought I knew about him. How could he, after all our struggles, go behind my back and make such a decision?
His actions left me in disbelief—either he was completely clueless, or worse, he was just another man acting like a heartless animal.
Once the location was confirmed, I knew I couldn’t act rashly. Ivanna had someone follow him discreetly, and after confirming the house was empty, she urged me to come over. With an excuse in hand, I hurried to Jade Estates, where Ivanna led me to the penthouse.
When I saw the apartment, I felt my legs weaken, as if I couldn’t stand. I stood at the door for what felt like an eternity. Ivanna cursed Matthew under her breath, and I just stood there, frozen.
The key shook in my hand as I tried to insert it into the lock. With a soft click, the door swung open, and I stepped inside. I couldn’t move, the overwhelming emotions flooding over me. Ivanna had to pull me inside. It was a beautiful apartment—well-designed, charming even—but it wasn’t meant for me. It was the place I had dreamt of, the place I had planned to buy with our savings. But instead, it was for someone else.
I stood there, bitterness in my voice. “This is where the money went… How foolish was I to let this happen right under my nose? He did something this big, and I had no idea.”
Ivanna, sensing the danger of losing control, stepped in. “Don’t get too worked up. There’s a saying, right? Beware of the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Now’s not the time to lose your cool. We need to figure out how to get it back—at least reclaim the money.”
She looked around, assessing the situation. “It looks like they’ve almost finished the renovation. The space is decent, probably around 300 square meters. Matthew really spared no expense. All this… for a woman. Probably didn’t do this much for his own mother. Ugh! Chlo, don’t get too upset. He’ll get what’s coming.”
I gazed around at the lavish decor, the tastefulness of it all. My hands clenched into fists as I growled, “I want the house, the money—everything.”
Ivanna’s eyes widened in surprise, but she smiled. “Exactly. We want it all back! I’ll get to work on finding out who owns this property. Maybe we can find some clue about that woman.”
I glanced one last time at the apartment before turning away. I needed to discuss next steps with Ivanna, especially after learning about Johnson’s recent visits to the house. I had to confront him.
At home, Ivanna handed me a set of makeup products. “If we’re putting on a show, we need the full package. We can’t let that scumbag notice anything. We need to make sure he doesn’t suspect a thing.”
I hugged her, grateful for her support. “Thank goodness I have you!”
Ivanna snorted and pushed me away gently. “Oh, spare me! You thought I was involved with that jerk not too long ago. Go on and handle it yourself!”
I nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. I wasn’t going to let Matthew or anyone else control this situation any longer.
When I arrived home, Matthew took one look at the shopping bags in my hands and raised an eyebrow. “You went shopping for these? Are you turning into one of those cliché women who buy these things?”
“Of course! I’m a woman, after all,” I replied with a mischievous grin. “Can’t let a mistress use my money, can I?”
I leaned in closer, teasing, “Does it hurt you for me to spend a little? If I’m not spending it, who are you saving it for? Don’t tell me you have a secret lover.”
Matthew smiled, his tone dripping with mock affection. “Nonsense! I’ll never feel bad when my wife spends. When have I ever felt that way?”
I cursed him silently. He had no idea what was coming. I had once been careful with money, but now I wouldn’t hold back. If he wanted to play this game, I’d play it better.