"No, no. I mean, I can't leave now." Erica shook her head like a rattle drum. She just couldn't leave the village without finishing her mission.

"Are you sure?" Matthew asked with a frown. He couldn't fathom what was preventing her from wanting to leave this place.

"Yes, I'm certain!"

He put out the cigarette. Silence descended as the couple glared at each other. They had seemingly reached a stalemate. Owen stepped forward and said boldly, "Mr. Huo, it's late. Why don't we rest here tonight and talk about it tomorrow?"

'Talk about it tomorrow?' Matthew cast a cold glance at Owen and then at the woman who was clinging to the car door. "Lead the way!" he ordered gruffly.

Erica gritted her teeth and quickly straightened up. "Okay."

She thought that Matthew would sit in the car and follow her, but he didn't. The man strolled behind her, shadowed by his bodyguards. The drivers trailed behind them in the vehicles.

When she reached home, Pike's men were waiting for her at the door.

She ignored them and walked forward to open the door to the courtyard.

Pike and his men didn't have time to catch Erica even though she was right in front of them. Their hearts thumped when they saw the man trailing her. Where did this rich and powerful man come from?

After the door opened, she stepped aside and addressed Matthew with a smile, "Mr. Huo, this way, please."

Like Erica, Matthew didn't bother with the stunned people at the door. At her invitation, he reluctantly stepped into her yard.

While the couple could just ignore Pike and his gangsters, Owen couldn't. He winked at the two bodyguards and ordered, "Get rid of them."

"Yes, sir!"

After inviting the CEO, who didn't fit in here, to her room, Erica remembered something important. "Make yourself comfortable. I need to step out to do something."

The man, who had been surveying her house, which was less than thirty square meters in size, frowned. Confusion coursed through him, and he turned to glare at her, expecting an explanation.

After a pause, she clarified, "I asked Tessie to hide outside. She doesn't know that I have returned. I need to find her."

"Tessie?" He frowned.

"Yes." The woman blinked innocently.

The man's eyes lingered on her for a moment, and then he realiz

hildren in these past few years.

She had helped Erica during her recovery from childbirth. Once Erica became busy with shooting and other things, Tessie looked after the children.

As for Chantel, she had signed a contract with the Global Entertainment and started her career soon after the closed-door training. With the Li family backing her and Matthew's aid, she became famous shortly after her debut.

Once she became a big star, Chantel flew around the world and participated in all kinds of activities and programs.

Every time Erica went to a new place, she would contact Chantel. Therefore, except Tessie, who had been her companion all this time, Chantel was the only other person who knew of the mother and sons' whereabouts.

Chantel would also transfer a large amount of living expenses to them every month so that they could live comfortably.

However, Erica needed money for other things too, so it was never enough. In the end, she sent the four children to Matthew.

"Erica, please help me. I'd rather stay here than go back to the slum." That place had given Tessie enough nightmares to last her a lifetime.

Erica waved her hand and said, "Don't worry. You can stay wherever I am from now on! The kids have run away, and no one can help me. I'm counting on you!" Erica needed an assistant to help her with simple tasks such as carrying the camera and other equipment.

"Okay." Tessie caved. She knew that Erica wouldn't lie to her. So with a sigh of resignation, she followed her back home.