Chapter 255 A New Home 

At last they approached the end of the paved drive, and a truly breathtaking residence sprawled ahead. An immense, rambling estate in classic Georgian architecture rose before them in warm, red brick and hunter green trimming. A grand portico flanked by stunning colonnades and gardens framed the entrance. 

But it was the verdant acreage beyond the home that truly captivated Vivian’s gaze. Thick copses of ancient oaks and maples, winding creeks and walking trails – a veritable forest encapsulating the entire estate. She had always dreamed of a home surrounded by nature, an oasis from the city’s brutal busyness and noise. 

Surely that was mere coincidence, and yet Vivian couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that nothing here was accidental. 

As if confirming her suspicions, when they pulled around to the main circular drive, the double front doors swung open to reveal a small receiving party awaiting them. Moving crew members pushing trolleys of boxes and furniture, overseers calling out directions crisply. 

Joe appeared at the rear door, his hand extended to usher her out in that deferential yet gruff manner of his. 

“Your new home, Mrs. Shaw. Mr. Shaw arranged for your belongings to be moved and set up in advance for your convenience.” 

With a flutter of trepidation, Vivian stepped across the curved drive’s cobblestones and ascended the front steps, trailing her fingertips along the ornate wrought iron railings. She paused at the entrance, regarding the flurry of staff conveying every possession she owned her life’s humble belongings dwarfed by the sheer scale and grandeur around them. 

Clearly, Mathew had sought to recreate her domestic circumstances faithfully, yet elevate them to an entirely new stratosphere of luxury. But just how closely had he studied her, assessed her preferences and habits? 

The double doors yawned open invitingly, and Vivian found herself subconsciously holding her breath as she crossed the threshold into 

the estate’s interior. What she found within stole what little remained of her composure. 

Sweeping archways framed an expansive, lavishly appointed great room done in earthy botanical tones of Hazel and ochre. Every detail and accent had been meticulously considered, from the raw oak millwork to the overstuffed furnishings and statement lighting fixtures with driftwood -inspired finishes. It was as though her deepest subconscious desires for a dream home had been extracted and brought to manifestation before her widening eyes. 

“Oh my…” The hushed murmur slipped unbidden past her lips as she turned in a slow circle, gaping at the pristine renovation surrounding her. How was any of this possible unless…? 

Unless Mathew Shaw had dredged up extensive background information, digging deep into her history and psyche to craft this environment tailored explicitly for her. The realization gave her pause, a unwelcome shiver trickling down her spine. 

Just how far had this man’s plans extended to entrap her? 

The massive estate was blessedly silent and dim when Mathew arrived home well past 11pm. He strode through the grand foyer, loosening his tie with one hand as his footsteps echoed faintly off the gleaming marble floors. 

A soft glow emanated from the great room up ahead. Faint bluish light flikered over the ornate millwork and mahogany bookshelves lining the walls. As Mathew neared the entrance, he could just make out a solitary figure curled up on one of the overstuffed sofas. 

Vivian sat with her legs tucked beneath her, the glow of her phone screen painting her features in stark shadow and angles. She appeared utterly absorbed in whatever she was reading, not even glancing up at his approach. 

Moving with practiced quiet stealth, Mathew circled around behind the sofa until he was directly over her shoulder. Sure enough, her thumb was scrolling rapidly through what seemed to be a group text conversation. A small furrow creased her brow as she read, lips pursing briefly. 

“Why don’t you just respond and put them in their place?” Mathew’s low rumble of a voice cut through the silence, making Vivian jump nearly a foot in the air with a strangled yelp of surprise. 

She whipped around, clutching her phone to her chest as her eyes blew wide. For a fraction of a second, he saw naked fear flicker across her expression before recognition set in and she visibly forced herself to relax. 

“Jesus, you scared me half to death…” she exhaled shakily. 

Mathew merely arched an eyebrow, not rising to the bait as he circled around to the front of the sofa. Settling into one of the facing armchairs, he fixed her with an expectant look, gesturing vaguely at her phone. 

“Well? I asked why you don’t respond to them and shut it down.” 

Vivian opened her mouth, then closed it, seeming to gather her composure. She tossed her loose chestnut waves over one shoulder and lifted her chin proudly. 

“Because those comments people don’t matter anymore. I don’t owe them anything, let alone an explanation or defense of my life choices.” 

Her jaw clenched defiantly as she glared back at him. “Does that answer your question, Mr. Shaw?” 

There was an edge of frost to her tone that Mathew couldn’t help but respect. Whoever these 

group chat detractors were, she seemed resolved to rise above their pettiness and Drama wit the utmost poise. Exactly the sort of unflappable public presence that would befit the wife h intended to project her as. 

Before he could respond, however, her eyes flicked down to his hands, widening fractionally Mathew followed her gaze to see he’d unconsciously been toying with a small rosewood box spinning it idly between his palms. 

“Is…Is that for me?” she asked uncertainly, the icy veneer slipping for just a moment. It wa his turn to simply arch an eyebrow enigmatically 

With a tap of his index finger, he triggered the latch, allowing the bevel–cut lid to fall open Nestled within on abed of crushed navy velvet was a magnificent diamond riviére necklace each colossally–sized gemstone cut to perfection and expertly graded. The sort of priceless heirloom bauble meant to make even aristocrats gasp with stunned envy. 

Vivian’s mouth dropped open a fraction, equal parts enthralled and unsure what to make of such an ostentatious gift. 

Mathew held the box out mutely, watching with masked amusement as she tentatively reached out with trembling fingertips to run them over the top most diamond’s shimmering facets. 

“This is…it’s breathtaking…” she whispered, the words tumbling out unbidden. 

With a silent nod, Mathew rose fluidly and crossed the space between them in three long strides. Vivian froze, instinctively shrinking in on herself an inch or two as his imposing form 

towered over her seated on the sofa. 

He bent down, reaching behind her neck with one hand to deftly unhook the delicate clasp, draping the necklace around the slender column of her throat. Vivian seemed to stop breathing entirely as he brushed her hair aside to bring the gleaming rivière to rest atop her collarbones before fastening it securely. 

Fixing her with an inscrutable look, Mathew straightened once more, returning a pace to better admire how the necklace looked draped across her glowing, flushed skin. 

“You’ll wear this to the exhibition tomorrow evening,” he stated calmly, not leaving any room for debate. Vivian blinked rapidly, giving a mute nod of assent. 

With a final lingering look, Mathew spun on his heel and strode for the doorway leading to his study, casting one last comment over his shoulder as he disappeared around the corner. 

“Get some rest, my dear. Tomorrow is another big debut for Mrs. Shaw.” 

Left alone once more in the den’s dimly lit quiet, Vivian blew out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Her slender fingers drifted up to toys along the rivière’s gems in restless agitation. 

What game was he playing, bestowing such lavish diamonds and tokens of affection upon her? 

Chapter 255 A New Home 

More importantly, what role did he truly intend for her to play in this twisted deception of theirs? 

4/4 

Her thumb idly unlocked her phone, allowing the group chat messages to spill back into view. More contemptuous jabs and snide commentary from those catty voices of her past greeted her. Ordinarily they might have provoked a spark of retort or indignant rage within her breast. 

But now? In the wake of her induction into Mathew’s glittering world of opulence, what did any of those insignificant opinions truly matter? 

Vivian swiped the chat messages away with a flick of finality. Whatever plans and plots Mathew Shaw had in store for her, she would have to handle it.