Chapter 667
He was looking at Howard as he spoke, and the words left Howard at a loss for how to respond.
Still looking at the man, Eugene added in a cold and indifferent tone, “Mr. Smith, you’ve indeed not been very responsible. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have failed to visit your daughter even when she was hospitalized.”
Howard was momentarily stunned by the words, but he quickly pulled himself together and put on a surprised and distressed expression.
He asked Melanie, “What? Mel, you were hospitalized? I called you several times and sent you many messages, but you didn’t respond at all.”
He got to his feet as he said that and continued, “How are you feeling now? Do you need to go back and get checked again?”
A sardonic, mocking smile appeared at the corner of Eugene’s mouth as he said, “If you had been a bit rougher that day, I guess you could’ve gone to the hospital and expressed your fatherly love.”
Eugene was sarcastic by nature and did not hold back in ridiculing Howard. Since Howard did not mention his actions toward Melanie, he did not mind bringing it up himself.
Howard’s face soured, but he said nothing. The person who had spoken earlier piped up, “What do you mean by that? Howard didn’t lay a hand on her at all. Have you no idea why he’s so angry?”
Gaston seemed even more agitated than Howard right now. Eugene’s eyes narrowed as he looked at him expressionlessly. He was about to say something when he felt a slight movement beside him.
Melanie placed her hands on the table, her fingers fumbling slightly. She then slowly looked at Howard. She sighed almost imperceptibly as if she had a headache.
“We haven’t seen each other in ten years ever since you divorced Mom. You didn’t try keeping contact at all. You just disappeared,” she said finally.
“You said you did it for my own good, but I’m not a child anymore. I think we’re fine just being like
how we were during those ten years.‘
After saying that, she sat down, her mood noticeably lower. She did not seem as tough as she was
before. There was even a hint of sadness to her. Combined with her frail appearance, she quite
effectively stirred sympathy.
The three ladies at the table looked at her with softer and more compassionate eyes. However, there
was no emotion in Melanie’s own lowered ones.
She had learned from Dylan that being strong was not the only way to solve problems. Sometimes, showing weakness could be a tactic as well.
“Come on, let’s finish our meal before discussing anything else. The young lady has just been discharged from the hospital. Is there anything that can’t wait until after dinner?” someone could not
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Sam glanced at Melanie meaningfully and nodded. “Mr. Scott rarely visits Oskon City. Allow me to extend my hospitality.”
Eugene raised his glass and clinked it with Sam’s, the emotions in his eyes light.
Melanie knew then that the matter could almost be put to rest now. She had only come to make her
stance clear.
She calmly turned her head and noticed that Howard was still looking at her. Lowering her gaze for a moment, she was about to shift her focus away when the door to the private room was pushed open again.
A young man in formal attire strode in with an aloof demeanor. He had a strikingly handsome face.
The moment Matthew entered, his gaze landed on Melanie before shifting to Howard.
Sam smiled and beckoned to Matthew. “Come, Matthew, sit here.”
Matthew nodded. “There were some matters at the company I had to attend to. I just got them done.”
Sam looked at Eugene and said with a smile, “Matthew mentioned to me last time that he and Mr. Scott were discussing a partnership.”
Melanie and Eugene exchanged glances, both sensing each other’s thoughts.
Sam and Matthew?
Matthew’s cold gaze swept over them, but he was not looking at Eugene. Instead, his eyes were fixed
on Melanie.
Frowning slightly, Melanie could sense that something was off. She glanced back at Howard, only to see him wearing a calm expression as if he did not recognize Matthew at all.
Logically speaking, considering Howard’s personality, he would have made a big show to highlight his status upon seeing Matthew.
Noticing Melanie’s gaze, he glanced back at her. His expression carried a hint of eagerness, which
appeared rather poignant.
Melanie looked at him and suddenly realized what was wrong. She had just been thinking about how Howard had dressed up today. Now, she noticed the issue with it.
Matthew and Howard shared some resemblance. To someone familiar with them like her, it was easy
to spot the resemblance.
However, Howard had deliberately dressed up today, changing his hairstyle and outfit. He even wore glasses, masking those few similarities he had with Matthew.
The others present did not look like they noticed anything and showed no surprise at all. Was Matthew not Howard’s son, though?
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“A few days ago, I heard some rumors about Mr. Scott and Miss Smith. I was quite surprised at first, but now seeing both of you here, it all makes sense.”
Melanie’s thoughts were interrupted by an emotionless voice that pulled her back.
Matthew sat opposite her, staring directly at her. His slender fingers meticulously opened a packet of tissues. It was a seemingly simple action, yet it exuded exceptional elegance.
Before Melanie could say anything, Gaston chuckled and chided, “You can’t say such things. They just clarified things here. It’s not a big deal. If anyone dares to spread rumors again, they could be sued for
defamation.”
Howard sighed, resting his forehead on his hand. He shook his head and said, “I see now. It was indeed my past mistakes that led her to misunderstand me so deeply. I don’t have the right to
interfere in her matters now.
“Gaston, you don’t need to say anymore. I’ll be satisfied as long as she’s happy in the future. Nothing
else matters.”
After saying this, he looked at Eugene with a determined gaze and said almost pleadingly, “I just hope you can treat her well, Mr. Scott. Don’t neglect her just because you’re tired of her. As her father, the thought pains me.”
