Chapter 484
Melanie was worried she would be late, so she left early.
Carla told Melanie that she had to accompany someone shopping before she was able to meet up with Melanie.
Melanie arrived first, and Carla was 15 minutes late.
However, Carla was not alone.
Stella was holding a bag and looking arrogantly at Melanie as she sat opposite her.
Melanie was unperturbed. She looked up at Carla. “Madam Franklin.”
Carla smiled. “I’m sorry to have made you wait, Miss Smith.”
She did not explain why Stella was there, and Melanie did not ask about it either. She pushed the menu to Carla, saying, “I didn’t order anything yet because I’m unsure of what you like. Do have a look at the menu.”
Before Carla said anything, Stella spoke up nonchalantly, “I guess some people are getting better at putting up pretenses now that they have the support of the old man. How interesting.”
Carla frowned and looked at Melanie. “I’m so sorry. I was supposed to be shopping with my friend today and had to change my plans at the last minute. I apologize for the trouble.”
Her words sounded apologetic, but she did not sound sorry at all. She was smiling the entire time.
Melanie maintained her expression and replied with indifference, “It’s the weekend today, but you’re still kind enough to meet with me. That’s already very nice of you, Madam Franklin.”
Compared to how sharp Stella was, Carla was much more sophisticated.
She made some small talk with Melanie and gently brushed off the topic.
Melanie was here for work purposes, and she did not comment on anything else.
Besides her initial interruption, Stella did not say anything else. She waited for Carla and Melanie to be done talking business before she said coolly to Carla, “I’ve already given in to you on this. This restaurant is making me lose my appetite. Let’s change to a more hygienic place.”
Carla knew her very well and smiled as she cajoled her, “What’s wrong? Didn’t you say before that the food at this restaurant is pretty good?”
“It doesn’t matter how good the food is. How can I eat anything when I’m eating with undeserving people?”
Her words were clearly meant for Melanie, and her fingers paused. She looked up at Stella. Stella’s chin was held a little high, and she looked down at Melanie without denying anything.
Melanie looked indifferent. She said softly, “I’m sorry to have made you uncomfortable, Mrs. Scott. I didn’t expect you to be shopping with Madam Franklin today.”
If Stella did not want to see Melanie, why would she come to this restaurant with Carla?
She could have gone home on her own.
Melanie did not display much emotion. Stella looked at her and slowly frowned. She was about to lose her temper when Carla said nonchalantly, “Eugene will be here soon. Be nice, Stella. Otherwise, it’ll be difficult for me to always be stuck in the middle of both of you.”
Melanie’s eyelashes stopped fluttering.
Stella asked, “Did you ask him here?”
Carla pointed at the dark sky outside. “It’s already raining, and it’s probably going to turn into a storm after we’re done eating. I wouldn’t dare to drive in such conditions, so I got Eugene to stop by and pick me up.”
Stella snorted coldly. “He’s never this obedient when I want to see him.”
“You’re the one who insists on arguing with him.”
Melanie listened to Stella and Carla talk about Eugene. She lowered her eyes, wondering what excuse she could use to leave.
She did not want to see Eugene. Viola’s words to her in the hospital had disgusted her.
However, Carla was a client, and it was not appropriate to leave halfway through a meal when she was with a client.
Melanie did not express anything much, but she felt exactly as Stella said. She no longer had any appetite.
Chapter 485
