Chapter 12: We’re Good Friends, like Brother and Sister

He knew all too well the type of woman Dolores was!

The thought of the coffee-stained documents made him head straight to his study to retrieve them for the company. He needed to ensure a new copy was printed out for him.

Upon entering the study, he immediately sensed that someone had been there.

Apart from Coral and Abbott, no one else was allowed in the room. Even Helen had never set foot in there. Who could have intruded? Had Dolores secretly sneaked into his study?

Matthew strode over to his desk and noticed a stack of handwritten documents on the surface. They appeared to be translations. He picked up the stack and carefully examined the words. They were orderly and elegantly written. With a furrowed brow, he contemplated the possibility that Dolores had written them.

Could she really read the language from A Country? Matthew found it difficult to believe.

As he placed the papers back on the desk, intending to find Dolores and inquire about what happened, a small note fell out from the documents.

The note contained a short paragraph:

"I apologize for entering your study without permission. The coffee spill was my fault, leading to the destruction of your documents. I did my best to salvage them and translated the content into English for your understanding. Please accept this as my apology for the accident."

Dolores had written it.

Matthew clenched the note tightly, causing it to tremble, and read it repeatedly. It, too, was handwritten. His anger at her intrusion into his study had somewhat subsided.

He gazed at the neat handwriting, suddenly overwhelmed by curiosity about Dolores. How did she possess such knowledge of a rare language?

Matthew placed the note back on the desk, gathered his belongings, and headed to the office.

When Dolores woke up, it was already noon. She felt a bit embarrassed for oversleeping.

Coral had prepared some food and placed it on the table, smiling gently. "I've been the only one here for so long. The young master never sleeps past the early hours. Since you moved in, this place feels a little more lively."

Dolores returned Coral's smile. "Didn't Ms. White used to come here often?"

Coral's expression froze momentarily as she pondered. "She wasn't always here. The young master was distant toward her..."

Even Coral was perplexed by Matthew's sudden change in attitude. Why did his demeanor toward Helen take a sharp turn for the better after just one business trip? He had never shown any interest in her all those years, so what caused him to develop feelings in just a few days? Coral couldn't come to a definitive conclusion.

Dolores recalled a saying about how difficult it was to understand a woman's mind. She reckoned it could apply to men as well, including someone like Matthew.

Since Dolores hadn't been able to secure the job, she decided not to waste her life sitting at home. She knew she needed a stable job to support herself and provide for her mother.

With little savings left, Dolores realized she had to settle for low-paying jobs for now.

She came across a high-class restaurant that was hiring waiters and waitresses. It didn't require any academic qualifications. As long as she was quick-thinking and responsive, she could handle the position. She needed to earn at least some money, so she decided to interview for the job.

Despite not completing her university courses, Dolores had attended university and possessed the practical skills needed for such work. She was exceptionally quick-witted as well.

The restaurant manager hired her, and she could start working the next day.

Securing the job relieved some of the stress she had been carrying. Dolores felt a sense of relief. She left the restaurant and walked through the city.

Under the twilight sky, the fading sunlight painted the sky with vibrant shades of orange and red. The last remnants of daylight cast a warm glow on the streets. Dolores' shadow stretched long beneath the radiant sun.

She walked alone, feeling a tinge of loneliness on the bustling streets.

"Dolores."

Dolores turned her head to locate the source of the voice. She spotted Sampson striding confidently toward her.

"I thought I was imagining things," Sampson grinned.

"Dolores." She was astonished to see Dr. Herbert again. "Why are you still in town?"

He hesitated, his gaze fixed on Dolores. "I'm here for work."

Dolores recalled the encounter at the hospital. The hospital administrator had been persuading Sampson to join their team, so she understood why he hadn't left the city.

"The hospital must have offered you an enticing package, right?" Dolores asked, a hint of envy in her voice.

Taking care of her mother and dealing with their challenging circumstances had forced Dolores to drop out of university. It was difficult for her to find a decent job at the moment.

Sampson smiled warmly at her. "It wasn't too bad."

If Dolores hadn't made the decision to stay in the city, he wouldn't have stayed either, no matter how attractive the package was.

In the city, there were too many people and memories he'd rather forget.

Dolores looked up at the expansive sky as it gradually darkened. It had already been two months since she had arrived there.

In that moment, uncertainty and helplessness washed over her. Reclaiming what was rightfully hers wasn't an easy task. She had come to realize that after paying a hefty price.

Sampson could sense her inner turmoil. He reached out and gently brushed away some stray strands of hair from her face.

"You can share any troubles you're facing with me."

Dolores shook her head, reminiscing about the days when he had been a great support to her.

They had spent time together, albeit for a short period, and he still had a sense of what she was thinking. She wanted to bear her burdens alone without relying on anyone.

"You're too stubborn."

She truly was stubborn, and it pained him to see her like this.

Dolores pressed her lips together, her heart stirring at his words. It wasn't that she didn't want to seek help; she was afraid that she couldn't repay the kindness she received.

After all, she was quite impoverished.

"It's getting dark now, Dr. Herbert. Aren't you heading home?" Dolores asked.

She had always addressed him as Dr. Herbert since they had known each other.

"Lola," Sampson gazed at her intently. "Can you please stop calling me Dr. Herbert?"

He continued with a serious expression, "Call me by my name or anything else you like. We've known each other for a long time and are more like brother and sister than anything else. 'Dr. Herbert' makes us sound like strangers. What do you think?"

Dolores contemplated his words. He was older than her and had always watched over her like an elder brother.

"Should I call you brother then?"

"Yes," Sampson seized the opportunity and pulled her into a comforting embrace.

He smiled tenderly, "Just call me your brother."

"Matthew, isn't that Ms. Flores?"

Matthew, who was behind the wheel, usually paid little attention to pedestrians. However, when Helen pointed out a couple, he shifted his gaze toward them...