"I'm not getting you anything if you're not going with me."

Her brow furrowed.

“Um... Well, fine, then. I don't really need anything." She was sure Matthew would have plenty of acquaintances at this event, but they'd all be strangers to her, so she would rather not go

Matthew's face turned hard as he tried to restrain his anger. When had he ever been turned down by a woman again and again Like this? Never

“Well, I won't force you to go," he said at last.

“But men usually go to this kind of activity with a female companion; it's not proper to just go alone. So if you won't come, I'll just have to find someone else."

“Okay then," she said. Her tone was a bit testy. Even so, she seemed more interested in finishing her banana than the conversation.

Matthew was even angrier now, and he stewed in his frustration, trying to think of a way to coax her into coming

Suddenly she turned to him, her eyes wide.

“Are you going to take

Phoebe with you?"

Erica figured that if she didn't go to the charity auction with

Matthew, her husband would definitely ask Phoebe to accompany him.

Matthew didn't answer right away. Phoebe's name hadn't even crossed his mind at that point.

Nonetheless, he nodded calmly, "Well, yeah. I wouldn't want to waste my time looking for someone else."

Erica handed him the banana peel and said, "If you throw that into the trash can for me, I'LL go with you."

It was really childish, but she just didn't want to leave her seat.

“If you don't want to go, don't force yourself to do so." He remained in his seat.

“I want to! Why wouldn't I want to go? How could I refuse such a good opportunity?" If she didn't go, she would be creating an opportunity for her husband to spend his time and money on Phoebe! ‘No way! That woman had treated me like that. Why should I create opportunities for

Phoebe to be with Matthew?'

After getting the answer he had hoped for, Matthew stood up to dispose the banana peel.

He took out his phone and made a call. After making some arrangements, he returned to Erica and watched TV with her for a while.

Half an hour later, the doorbell rang. Erica, who had dozed off in

Matthew's arms, woke up with a start when she heard the doorbell.

"Who is it?"