Chapter 430
Melanie recalled Yvonne mentioning on the phone earlier that the patriarch of the Solomon family had been hospitalized and that Xander had to go back to accompany him. However, as soon as Reny spoke, there was a rustle at the door. The next second, Xander walked in.
“Now that everyone’s back, we can cut the cake!” Yvonne said and immediately turned off the lights in the room.
Melanie had not been prepared and panicked out of reflex the moment the lights went out. Then, a faint, familiar fragrance surrounded her the next second.
“When did you come back?” Xander’s low voice sounded.
Melanie relaxed. “I just arrived. I heard your grandfather is sick?”
Xander acknowledged her question with a hum. “He’s in the intensive care unit now.”
Their voices were hushed in the darkness. The singing of the birthday song soon drowned out their conversation, and they said nothing else.
In the dim light, Melanie could vaguely see the flickering flame. Her mind drifted for a moment, but she quickly gathered her thoughts. It was uncertain what she was thinking, but for a moment, she felt like she could not recall anything.
Reny cut her birthday cake before the clock struck 12. Since they were all adults, there was not much interest in the cake. Once it was over, everyone scattered into small groups, each occupied with their own activities.
Melanie and Xander went outside the villa. Chuckling, Xander handed her a piece of cake. They’ve probably cleared the house. Just have a bit of this.”
Melanie looked at him. “You came back on a plane this afternoon, so I guess you didn’t have dinner yet. Plus, you don’t seem well. Did something happen?”
Xander had keen eyes, and Melanie pursed her lips in a bittersweet manner. “Is it that obvious?
If
“I just looked at your eyes. They can’t hide anything,” Xander said.
Melanie had cried when she broke down in the afternoon, so she felt a bit uneasy now. However, she had put on makeup, which only barely concealed the traces. Yvonne did not notice anything, but Xander did.
Melanie accepted the cake but remained silent. She just bit her lower lip lightly.
It was late, and both Melanie and Yvonne stayed at the villa for the night. However, Melanie had trouble sleeping all night.
The next morning, Yvonne looked surprised at her dark circles. “What did you do last night?”
Downstairs, Xander was also present.
He held a tablet in his hands and was reading the news. When he heard them come downstairs, he looked up and frowned. “Didn’t sleep well last night?”
“My shoulder is a bit sore. It didn’t feel right no matter how I tried,” Melanie replied.
This was not a lie. She had not had the chance to go to the hospital for a check–up, and the spot where she was hit during the collision was aching.
Xander glanced at her shoulder. “If your shoulder hurts, go to the hospit—”
Before he could finish, however, Oliver came out from the kitchen. Frowning, he asked Melanie with concern, “Is your shoulder still not better?”
“What’s wrong?” Melanie asked.
Stranching his head, Oliver said, “There was supposed to be a contract today that I wanted you to handle. Since you’re not feeling well, I’ll take care of it myself.”
Melanie paused. “What contract?”
