When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 23

“Idiots,” Matteo cursed. “Do I look like I need to lie? Come on, we're going to apologize to Henrietta!”

He grabbed Jolie's arm, pulling her along. She was completely dumbfounded.

Pamela stood frozen for a moment before her husband Dexter’s face darkened. “Do as Matteo says. Let's go apologize.”

Matteo dragged Jolie towards the private lounge. Just before they reached the door, her lips trembled as she asked, “Is she really… a billionaire heiress?”

“Yes,” Matteo said through gritted teeth. “So you better apologize properly and get her to calm down!”

Jolie’s lips were still trembling. Though she didn’t argue, a deeper anger brewed inside her.

She had hated Henrietta from the moment she first saw her. Henrietta was so beautiful that anyone standing next to her looked plain and drab. Jolie had found some comfort in thinking she was just a pretty face from an ordinary family. But now… to find out her family was one of the richest? A hundred billion… what did that even mean?

At the door to the lounge, Matteo let go of Jolie and straightened his tie. He looked at his red-eyed sister. “You will be on your best behavior. You have to get Henrietta to forgive you, understand?”

Jolie could only nod, but she timidly added, “But bro… she said she broke up with you.”

Matteo took a deep breath, trying to convince himself as much as her. “She's just testing me. It's our engagement day. She loves me too much to actually break up with me. This is all part of a surprise she planned. She wants to see if I'll still be patient with her, if I'll insist on being with her even when she's throwing a tantrum. You know how rich girls are—they have tempers and love to play games.”

“But!” Jolie grabbed Matteo's hand as he was about to knock. “What about you and that Artina…”

“Shut up!” Matteo frantically clamped a hand over her mouth, pulling her aside. “Are you trying to ruin me? I only love Henrietta. There's no one else, understand?”

Terrified, tears welled up in Jolie's eyes as she nodded frantically.

“Let him in,” Henrietta said.

Winona opened the door and was surprised to see the entire Coleman family lined up.

Matteo didn't even bother greeting Winona. He rushed past her and dropped to his knees beside Henrietta, his eyes red and teary. “Henrietta, can you please stop playing around?”

He reached for her hand, but Henrietta pulled away. She watched his seamless kneeling with cold eyes. “I'm not playing.”

Pamela stepped forward to mediate. “Henrietta, on a wonderful day like this, don't tease Matteo. Look, he's on his knees for you, he's even crying! A man doesn't kneel or cry easily; he must love you so much! You've been together for years. Couples fight and make up. Whatever it is, let's get through the engagement today. You can deal with him however you want afterward, I promise I won't protect him!”

Henrietta turned her gaze toward Pamela. Before she could speak, Jolie added, “That's right, Henrietta. My brother is so good to you, how could you break up with him? If you do, you'll never find another man who treats you as well as he does!”