Chapter 23: Just Because Of A Flower Garden…

Matthew traversed the span of thousands of miles to reach Australia, all for the ownership of a flower garden. He was uncertain about the significance of this garden, only aware that it currently resided in another's hands, and that his foster father desired it.

Flora strolled alongside him, her eyes darting about, enveloped by an air rich with the subtle aroma of flowers.

"What are you daydreaming about? Watch your step..." Matthew's voice barely finished echoing when the girl at his side stumbled over a rock.

With a swift gesture, he reached out to steady her, sighing deeply: "I told you to be careful... Really... even the children aren't this clumsy."

Flora's heart pounded wildly, her face flushing a vibrant red. Unconsciously, she tightened her grip on the sleeve of the man's shirt. His masculine cologne melded with the surrounding floral fragrances, intoxicating the space around them. Within that mesmerizing aroma, it seemed she could detect a peculiar scent.

Their intimate posture caught the eye of a middle-aged man. He chuckled, striding towards them, his voice tinged with amusement:

"This young lad, absent for years and now showing up with a girlfriend... and such a close one at that. Your foster father can rest easy." His voice held a hint of wistfulness: "I remember when you first arrived at X, you were just a kid smelling of milk. In the blink of an eye, you've become the head of X."

"Uncle Lionel, you flatter me." Matthew gently released Flora, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Extending a hand to the middle-aged uncle, he continued: "I also remember the days when you and my foster father were nothing more than street ruffians. Time flies indeed; now you both have become successful businessmen."

Flora, standing by his side, paled at his words. This was the first time she'd witnessed someone disguising their insults as compliments in such a manner.

The man named Uncle Lionel merely laughed it off, adjusting the collar of his shirt nonchalantly. His face, chubby with age, wore a kind expression.

"Truly the son of Brian Charles. Only you could speak to me in this way... Enough about this, let's get inside." With that, he led the way into the interior.

Matthew, taking the hand of the baffled girl, followed Lionel leisurely. His lips held a hint of a smile, but Flora detected something off. His mood didn't seem all too good.

Perhaps it was her imagination, but she felt an unusual heaviness about him.

"Before we discuss business, since we haven't seen each other in a while, let me play the host properly. Let's explore the flower garden, then share a drink or two."

Having traveled this far, they were naturally inclined to follow their host's arrangement.

The flower garden was vast, filled with an array of colorful blooms, each type cultivated in its own separate area. Flora took a deep breath, her chest swelling with excitement. Yet, the strange fragrance persisted, growing stronger than before.

"Do you smell something odd?"

Matthew glanced at her, a slight smile on his face: "An odd smell? I'm just an ordinary businessman. When it comes to flowers... you probably know better."

His statement wasn't wrong. Flora's family used to own a large flower garden. Although its scale had been reduced significantly, she was, after all, a professional in the field.

Her sense of smell was also remarkably attuned to the fragrance of flowers. That strange scent, if her memory served her well, bore an uncanny resemblance to the poppy flowers she had chanced upon a long time ago.

She furrowed her eyebrows tightly: "Matthew, you're not involved with the underworld, are you? I smell poppies..."

"Using my full name, huh? It seems...since you've left S.E.I, you don't think much of me anymore, do you?"

Matthew didn't rush to answer her question. Instead, he took a step towards her. His robust arm circled her waist, pulling her towards him. Their bodies instantly pressed against each other.

"Behave yourself..." His deep voice resonated in her ear: "There are many people here watching our every move. If you don't want to mess up my work and consequently implicate yourself, don't cause a scene."

As soon as he finished speaking, he bent down and hoisted Flora up. Her pliant body nestled comfortably in his arms.

If she didn't resist, it could even be considered a harmonious scene.

"Put me down...have you lost your mind?"

"Hush...many eyes are on us... Let's go change into something more appropriate, we have a party to attend later." Of course, he didn't let her go; it's not every day he gets a chance to play the rogue with her like this.

Escorting Flora to the dressing room, Matthew resumed his familiar stoic face, summoning a subordinate for a chat.

"What types of flowers are planted in this garden? For what purpose?"

The subordinate replied with a straight face: "Boss, didn't you read the brief? This garden mainly cultivates various aromatic plants for perfumes and pharmaceuticals..."

Matthew raised his hand to cut him off before he could finish. That wasn't what he wanted to know.

"I mean... are there any poppies planted here?"

"Impossible. The garden is under strict government surveillance, we could never plant poppies." Everyone knows crossing the government isn't easy, especially for foreign businessmen who aren't locals.

Matthew heaved a sigh, nodding his head. He hadn't expected his underling to know more.

But if Flora's sense of smell wasn't mistaken... The toxicity of poppies is potent, inducing hallucinations and leading users into unconsciousness. With just the right amount, one could surreptitiously control others.

He leaned in to whisper something into the subordinate's ear.

As Flora exited the changing room, she saw the man nod hastily before quickly heading out with a serious expression. Matthew, on the other hand, gave her a smile, extending his hand.

"Come here."

Matthew hadn't expected Lionel to discuss business over dinner.

As soon as he took his seat, the man across pushed some property documents towards him, smiling: "These are the garden's documents, have a look."

He casually pushed the papers aside. He didn't need to see them to know they were indeed the garden's documents. Besides, even if his counterpart was trying to deceive him with fake documents, that was no longer the most important matter at hand.

The crucial issue was, why had he personally been summoned over such a simple matter?

He considered multiple possibilities internally, while outwardly he simply nodded nonchalantly to Lionel.

"No need to look it over. Uncle Lionel, I trust your business conduct... Your brotherhood with my adoptive father is born of trials and tribulations. You could never turn against each other over money. Once I return, I will personally debunk these slanderous rumors."

Lionel chuckled heartily: "Then, my thanks in advance... My brother belittles me too much, of course I wouldn't jest with a brotherhood that spans decades..."

Flora, seated beside Matthew, lowered her head slightly. She could detect a hint of a gunpowder scent lingering about.

The aroma of gunpowder intensified when Lionel beckoned a beautiful girl over to pour the wine. Strangely enough, within the crimson waves of the wine, she smelled the same scent from before.

It smelled like poppy flowers.

The girl who was called to pour the wine was wearing a form-fitting bright red dress. One hand was draped around Matthew's neck, the other held the wine glass close to his lips.

"You... drink up quickly, and then try this dish..."

Witnessing this "eye-sore", Flora scrunched her brows and unconsciously drained her wine glass.

On the other side, Matthew also drank the wine handed over by the girl.

Lionel smirked, a triumphant glint in his narrowed eyes, before pretending to scold the girl: "This little one, showing no respect! Didn't you see Miss Flora here?... Go back inside."

Flora waved her hand hastily. As a mere "former secretary", how dare she interrupt the CEO of S.E.I enjoying his time with a beauty.

"It's fine, Matthew and I..." Before she could finish her sentence, her vision blurred, her consciousness rapidly slipping away. Flora's body, as if boneless, slumped over limply.

Lionel's smile brightened. He stood up, pulling Flora closer to him. Manipulating an unconscious person was the easiest thing in the world.

"Uncle Lionel, what do you intend to do?"

Matthew looked surprised and indignant, his wide eyes glaring at the man before him. At this moment, his companions also slumped onto the table, losing consciousness.

Lionel grunted: "I poured my heart and soul into this garden, half my life is buried here. You simply took it... I couldn't bear it. The papers I handed to you earlier were genuine, but whether you can leave with them today... I'm not so sure."

"Why resort to such means?" Matthew smirked, calmly pulling a pair of gloves from his pocket and slowly putting them on.

He had merely been playing along with this old fox, pretending for a while. Who would venture into a lion's den unprepared?

His companions suddenly regained consciousness, swiftly drawing their guns and pointing them at Lionel. He gaped in disbelief, shrieking:

"How could... you..."

"How could we not be poisoned, right? Not everyone is as naive as Flora..." Matthew laughed: "After all, my men and I have braved numerous bullet storms together, a few of your petty tricks... I scorn!"

He appeared nonchalant, but Lionel didn't believe that he truly was unafraid. After all, he still held a hostage.

From dawn, he had been observing meticulously. Matthew was deeply concerned about this girl, and he was determined not to let her die before his very eyes. He pulled out his gun, pressed it firmly against Flora's temple, and commanded,

"Everyone drop your weapons now! Matthew, surely you don't want to see your girlfriend's head blown off, do you?"

Matthew glanced at him, a scornful smile on his face.

"Blow it up? That's an interesting idea... If that's what you wish, then I'll assist you in blowing up both you and the girl. What do you think of that?" He withdrew an explosive device from his jacket pocket, his finger teasing the ominous black button.

His other finger, unseen by his adversary, surreptitiously made a signal to his subordinate.

Lionel's face went pale instantly. He thought this girl was Matthew's girlfriend, and capturing her meant controlling him. He never imagined that he could have planted explosives on her.

Such heartless indifference was staggering.

"You can't... how can you be so indifferent to your girlfriend's life and death?"

"My girlfriend? You're so naive that you actually believe she's my girlfriend? No wonder..." He shook his head: "If you don't know who she is, I can enlighten you. I've heard... recently you've been brazenly challenging X thanks to the backing of Edsel Tremblay. This girl is the daughter of Edsel Tremblay."

Lionel's hand trembled briefly, but he was somewhat skeptical. This could be a lie fabricated by Matthew in a moment of desperation.

There had been no rumors in their circles about Edsel Tremblay's offspring.