True Love Waits

Chapter 1424 Matthew Found Out

"Damian, that is one sweet painting! I want it. Would you give it to me? I'm serious. I'll pay you for it," Boswell offered. He really liked the painting on the easel. It depicted a pleasant memory of the kids with their dad. Damian had just put the finishing touches on it, and was standing back, admiring his work.

"Hey, I like it too. A lot. Maybe you should give it to me. I'll double whatever Boswell offers you," Colman said with a wicked grin. Of course he liked it. He thought he looked quite handsome in it. The painting would look nice hanging on his wall.

When he heard his brothers discussing this, Adkins' spirits fell. He also wanted it. He had cash, but he lost half of his money when he adopted a panda. Pandas were not cheap. He was sure he didn't have as much as his brothers did. He had to use his wits to acquire the painting, not his wallet. "We all want it, but there's only one. Why don't we go in on it? Say, five hundred thou each?" he offered.

With an offer like that, Damian's mind was blown. He almost dropped the oil pastel in his hand. The boy had resigned himself to just buying a single panda. But now he'd have the money to buy more than one. As their dad, Matthew felt left out. Shouldn't he have some kind of say in this? He cleared his throat and said, "What about me, boys? I saw it first."

Boswell craned his neck to look up at his father. Matthew towered over all of his sons, because they were so young. "So? Stay out of it, Dad. You've got too much money. There's no way we could match up. Besides, you like Mom the most, huh? Just get Damian to paint a picture of Mom. Then you can drop as much cash as you want on it."

Matthew was floored by this. He didn't know exactly what to say. 'Rika's my wife. I see her every day. Why should I spend any money at all on a portrait of her? Never mind. As long as the boys are happy, I'm good.'

He decided to give in and said, "Yeah, Boswell's right. Damian, after you finish up here, take a good look at your mom. I want to see how true to life you can paint her. Deal?"

Damian was on cloud nine, since his brothers and even his father liked his work. He was so excited he couldn't contain it. He nodded his head like a chicken pecking rice. "You got it, Dad," he said with a sweet smile.

"I knew you'd come through!" Matthew patted his head.

The four kids were too young to have bank accounts, so they asked Carlos to apply for four exclusive VIP bank cards in the bank owned by ZL Group.

As soon as they got their money, they couldn't wait to ask Matthew if they could buy more pandas. Technically, they had the money, but Matthew had to arrange it.

Soon enough, the money changed hands, and they all had pandas. They even named them.

were any number of people who wanted his money. And the women who might pay Adkins had more earthy pleasures in

of the bathroom, Erica carefully placed her camera on the nightstand,

her in his arms and kissed her forehead. "I should be content. I have a wife, great kids,

Erica asked in a weak

Before Matthew could finish, his phone on the

an unknown number. 'That's weird.' He didn't remember giving his number to anyone

still pressed the

Huo. It's Jennifer Zheng. Sorry to call so late." The voice on

a woman! A woman called Matthew in the middle of the night! Erica, who had been sleepy, opened her eyes wide. She stretched

he asked. Matthew knew what Erica was doing. But he had nothing to hide. He tilted his head and drew the phone

heard anything more about the case we

didn't answer the woman's question.

"It's okay if you don't have time. Tell

time. I need to

frightened. She said nothing more and hung up the phone in

to the bedroom. Erica glared at her husband, but he was lost in thought. "How could another woman get your private number?"

me and we'll both know," said

arms and sat up straight. "Humph! And now

believe that another woman would be able to get it if Matthew hadn't given his number to

and pulled her back into his arms. "I really don't know, honey," he said

buying that?" Erica snorted. In the same gentle voice as Jennifer's, she mocked, "Mr. Huo, do you have time? Come on, have drinks with us. We can catch up... Mr.

by referring to him as Mr. Huo. "I heard it this time. Let me guess, she's called before, when I'm not around. Am I right? I never asked you that before. But since I happened to listen in on your phone call this time, tell me