Chapter 9

Neville's name almost slipped out. Fortunately, Melina caught herself in time.

That was close!

Seeing Jasmine's obviously confused expression, Melina nervously clenched her palms and quickly corrected herself. "This was a gift from my boyfriend. “He’s incredibly wealthy, and he’s never stingy when it comes to me.”

The nearby server couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the comment.

Jasmine paid no attention to these details, still patiently trying to calm her down. "Lina, just take it easy..."

“Jasmine, stop acting like the reasonable one here.” Melina cut her off sharply, her face full of disdain. "Someone like you could never afford a bag like this in your entire life."

She crossed her arms and circled around Jasmine, sneering coldly. "I know what this is. You're jealous. You're jealous that I have better luck than you, that I found a rich boyfriend. It's eating you up inside, isn't it?"

"Lina, is that really what you think of me?" Jasmine's brow furrowed. She found it hard to believe.

Melina continued sneering, pointing at the server. "Isn't that exactly what you think? You're taking this blind fool's side, playing the good person here, but really you're just jealous. You think I can't see through you?"

Jasmine looked at Melina in disbelief, her arrogance making her feel like a completely different person.

Melina's cold, contemptuous expression pierced her heart. Those scornful words stabbed into her chest like knives.

Simon stood up, moving to Jasmine's side to defend her. "Melina, you're way out of line! Jas is worried about you, and here you are, criticizing everything since the moment you walked in..."

"Simon, spare me your lectures ." Melina's face darkened, rudely cutting him off again.

Her eyes swept across them, sharp and unreadable, while a plan steadily crystallized in her thoughts.

Since she had resolved to sever all ties with her past, washing away that cheap scent was only the beginning. To truly move forward, she needed to strip away everything from her former life, even those who had once mattered.

Things had already reached this point. Why not take this chance to let go of the two burdens weighing her down?

Melina made her decision swiftly and declared with finality, "Listen up, both of you. I don't want your fake concern. I don't need you managing my life."

"My boyfriend has plenty of money and treats me wonderfully. If you really care about me, then stop standing in the way of my good life!"

"From now on, let's not stay in touch. I have a better life now. Do yourselves a favor and stop bothering me!"

With that, she grabbed her bag and stormed toward the exit.

As she walked past, she deliberately drove her shoulder into Jasmine, the force unmistakably intentional.

Jasmine, caught off guard, staggered from the impact. If not for Simon steadying her, she would have fallen.

"Jas, are you okay?" Simon supported her, his eyes full of concern. "Melina is so inconsiderate. You were just worried about her, and she wants to cut ties with you."

"I'm fine." Jasmine waved it off, watching Melina's departing figure.

The hurt lingered, but beneath it, there was a strange sense that something wasn’t right.

Melina had always been impatient with her, but lately it seemed worse—starting right when Melina got involved with that boyfriend.

It was almost like she was deliberately picking fights, forcing an argument so she'd have an excuse to sever their relationship.

Was it really just fear of Jasmine's jealousy?

Or was there some reason she didn't know about...

Jasmine kept mulling over the possibilities. Since Simon was right there, she asked him, "Simon, don't you think Lina's been acting strange?"

Simon was still fuming over Melina's behavior and replied irritably, "When has she been normal? From the moment she walked in, she carried herself with an air of superiority, nitpicking and complaining about everything in sight. She didn't even touch the wine you poured for her either."

"And just now, she’s talking about cutting ties and warning us to stay away. Completely out of line!"

Simon had always treated them both like little sisters. Melina's words hadn't just hurt Jasmine—he was furious too.

"Not that," Jasmine shook her head, her voice faltering with uncertainty. "I mean, it feels like Lina desperately wants to get away from me, almost like she's hiding something and is afraid I'll find out."

Hearing Jasmine put it that way, Simon calmed down and frowned, replaying Melina's behavior in his mind. She was right—something was definitely off.

Melina was overly eager, quick to start an argument the instant she spoke. She was so eager that, after delivering those harsh words, she hurried away as though fearing they might object.

"You've got a point." Simon nodded, his tone turning serious. "Could she have gotten into trouble out there?"

"Jas, that rich boyfriend Lina keeps mentioning is highly suspicious. Beyond knowing he's wealthy and lives in an upscale neighborhood, we know absolutely nothing about him."

Jasmine sighed. That was precisely what concerned her, too.

"Don't stress too much about her." Simon patted Jasmine's shoulder. "Let me drive you home first. As for Lina's boyfriend, we should take a closer look at him.”

Jasmine nodded and got into Simon's car, heading toward home.

Meanwhile, after storming out of the restaurant, Melina returned home still seething with rage.

Just thinking about that little stain on her bag made her heart ache. Inside, she was cursing Jasmine nonstop, her irritation simmering beneath the surface.

Melina picked up the red tea on the table, took a sip, then spat it out in disgust, shrieking, "Lily! Lily!"

Lily rushed out from the kitchen, asking cautiously, "Ms. Cross, what's wrong?"

"This tea's gone cold and you just left it sitting there? Why haven't you dumped it!" Melina snapped.

Having been mistreated outside, she was looking for somewhere to vent her anger and took it all out on the housekeeper.

Lily had suffered plenty of abuse from her and said plaintively, "Mr. Cooper asked for this tea. He went upstairs to take a call and just left it there."

"Nev's back?" Melina's eyes lit up with delight. After receiving confirmation, she hurried upstairs to freshen herself up.

She washed up, changed into sexy lingerie, checked herself in the mirror from every angle, spritzed on expensive perfume, then made her way toward Neville’s bedroom with a confident sway

Neville's door wasn't fully closed. As Melina approached, she heard him on a phone call inside and vaguely caught the name Jasmine.

That jinx was like a persistent ghost!

A look of disgust settled on Melina’s face. She inched closer to the door and carefully pressed her ear against it, straining to catch every word.

"That's right, Jasmine's proposal this time was excellent. The details were handled very well, and all the issues I pointed out last time have been resolved."

"She's passed this round. No more revisions needed."

Neville's deep, magnetic voice rang out, his words full of praise for Jasmine.

Melina's eyes widened. Neville was actually complimenting Jasmine!

Before she could recover from her shock, she heard Neville continue, "I'm heading out of town on a business trip in a few days to negotiate a project. Have her notified so she can prepare. When the time comes..."

He was obviously planning to take Jasmine along on the business trip. What if something happened between them...

Melina panicked instantly.