True Love Waits

Chapter 1299 Art Theft

"Mom, you're dead wrong!" Erica looked up to face her mother. Blair was changing the bed sheets, never missing a beat. Her daughter corrected her earnestly. "Mom, I apologized to Matthew every time it was my fault. What more do you want?"

But Blair didn't see it that way. "I really don't believe you."

Erica felt helpless. "I'm telling the truth, Mom. Just like last time when we were on a business trip to South City, I followed him all the way and apologized endlessly. He finally forgave me because I was sick!" Blair denied her explanation right off. "Matthew's not an unreasonable man. I'm sure your apology was less than sincere."

'What? Mom, how could you say a thing like that?' Erica rolled her eyes when her mom was looking elsewhere.

Carlos and Debbie stayed in the Li family's house for a couple nights. On the last day of their visit, Erica came back to the hospital for a checkup. After making sure that the baby in her belly was safe and sound, the four of them took a private plane back to Y City.

In Y City

Debbie had floated the idea of letting Erica live in the Huo family's manor, but Matthew nixed that idea. He took Erica back to their own villa. He'd hired several maids to take care of her.

He didn't want anyone to disturb him or his wife. Even his parents couldn't promise that. The maids could sleep on the first floor. A skeleton night crew was put in place as well. If anything happened, they could be upstairs at a moment's notice.

Two days after returning from her parent's place, Erica resumed her studies.

Matthew's original plan was to hire tutors for her to learn at home, but she turned him down. What fun would that be, staying home every day? That would be too boring, so she decided to attend classes like a normal student.

The pregnancy didn't change Erica's basic nature, though maybe she was a little less stubborn than she usually was.

Yes, just a little.

She still did many of the same things she always did. She continued to stop by that little snack shop and bought spicy and sour rice noodles. Matthew would never approve, so she wouldn't tell him. She also still got into it with this or that classmate, so she'd spend time humiliating them.

When Matthew finally trusted her enough, she grabbed Hyatt and visited a fellow student.

In the school library

The girl opposite Erica and Hyatt was understandably nervous. What did Mrs. Huo want

senior, and was an

around the bush, Erica showed her some pictures on her phone. "These pics look

the girl nodded and answered honestly, "Yeah. I worked on those last year. They were supposed to be homework and I was going to turn them in, but all of a sudden they were gone.

some more pictures. "And what about

signed these? Phoebe Su? Those

she took your

in the world wouldn't I be pissed?" Her

I have the cash for a lawyer..." She was just a struggling student. She did have a part-time job, but she might not be able to

"Don't worry about money or a lawyer. As long as you're willing to sue her, you can just testify in court on the day

fronting me?" The girl really didn't have money,

collect the evidence that can prove they are your paintings.

the girl a charge. She grabbed Erica's hand and exclaimed, "Wow,

doing this for nothing.

put Phoebe at a disadvantage, she had someone investigate the skeletons in her

back home and find everything I can!" The girl let go of her hand, turned and left

as the girl left, Erica's phone rang. It was Matthew. "Where are

relaxed voice. Obviously, she

much and ask Hyatt to carry your camera. Call me if you need

you can do..." Erica adjusted her tone

it," he said,

heard of the Ninth Photography Competition

"Yeah. You entered, right?" He

to get anything prepared." The girl's voice sounded very pitiful. She had been busy gathering evidence to use against Phoebe, then Yvette was getting married, and then she got pregnant,

she couldn't

you to..." He trailed off. 'The North Pole? No, the best time to shoot

Settling on an idea, he offered, "I know a beautiful beach. The sea water there is

eyebrows, Matthew said, "Then

This idea