he first time Melanie met Tobias, she knew at first glance that this man was not as easy to deal with as he looked.
Evelyn insisted on following them because she claimed that she wanted to learn from Eugene how to communicate with clients. As they were not business competitors, Eugene agreed.
She sat right next to Eugene, and the only empty space left at the table was the one beside
Tobias.
There was a look in Melanie’s eye as she moved a few steps to the side. She did not plan on taking that seat.
Evelyn leaned in close to Eugene and said out loud on purpose, “I don’t think it’s very nice of you to be standing there like this, Miss Smith.”
Melanie glanced nonchalantly at Evelyn with documents in her hands. Evelyn continued, “ People might think that you have a problem with Mr. Carter because you refuse to sit next to him.”
She raised an eyebrow and replied, “I’m only a secretary who works for Mr. Scott. It’s not appropriate for me to be sitting next to Mr. Carter.”
Evelyn’s expression froze. She was here under the guise of Eugene’s secretary. No secretary would act so intimately with their boss out in public.
There was a knowing look in Tobias‘ eyes when he looked at Evelyn. He immediately said to Eugene in an understanding tone, “You’re a young man indeed, Mr. Scott.”
Eugene remained stoic and said nothing.
He looked up at Melanie sharply and said in a direct manner, “Get out if you don’t want to be here. Stop being contentious.”
Eugene was being curt with her just like he did in the meeting room this morning when he berated her in public. He was not considerate of Melanie’s feelings at all. She wondered who had angered him this time.
He had vented at Melanie twice today, and no matter how much she could tolerate this, she eventually felt a little mad about it. Melanie looked at Eugene, and her fingers clutched the documents tightly.
Just as she was about to say something, Tobias, who had seen enough, began to smooth things out. “Mr. Scott, you sure are an energetic young man full of fire. I see you’re still able to flare up when facing such a pretty secretary.”
He smiled at Melanie. “It’s not dangerous to sit next to me. Please feel free to sit, Miss Secretary.”
Tobias‘ smile was phony. Melanie’s fingers had turned white from gripping too hard on the documents.
For some reason, she suddenly felt like she wanted to throw up. Melanie placed the documents in front of Eugene and turned to leave the café. 213
She could hear Evelyn saying behind her, “How nice it is to be your secretary, Eugene. She can
Chapter 83
leave anytime she wants.”
When Melanie walked out of the café, she suddenly had no idea what to do.
It was the first time she was protesting against Eugene after working for him for so many
years.
Melanie turned back to glance at the café. She had no idea where to go.
2/2
She frowned and felt frustrated, but she was not willing to return to the café to see Eugene and Evelyn.
As she was hesitating, she suddenly remembered the paper Xander had given to her.
Half the afternoon was now gone. Melanie searched on her phone and found an exhibition still ongoing. It was fifth on the list Xander had shared with her.
Melanie bought the tickets online and took a taxi there.
It was not far from where she was, and the journey took only ten minutes.
The exhibition looked ordinary, and the pieces displayed were paintings. Melanie looked at the artist’s name and saw that they were painted by the same person.
It must be an artist she did not know.
What was worth mentioning was that the exhibition hall was decorated quite interestingly. The concept was well thought out and impressive. It was good enough to elevate the ordinary paintings into something much better than they were.
Melanie stopped at the last painting that was hung mid–air. It was a huge portrait. That was when she heard a cold and distant voice say, “Excuse me, we’re about to close the exhibition.”
She turned toward the voice and saw Xander, whom she had just met earlier, walking toward
her.
Chapter 84
