Melanie, while dining with Asher, received a call from Leonard summoning her home for dinner. Without hesitation, she declined, asserting she was already eating and didn't need to be waited for.
Leonard was baffled. My daughter, have you forsaken your father?
Vivienne remained silent, mentally urging him to stay quiet and not interfere with their daughter's blossoming romance.
Worried about Asher's injury, Melanie didn't rush away. She stayed by his side as he worked from home, only leaving his apartment around five in the evening. Asher watched from the window as her figure grew distant. Glancing at the burn on his hand, he felt no pain. But if he complained, she'd come closer, and he wouldn't mind exaggerating a little...
Back at the Snow residence, Melanie promptly messaged Asher: Home now~
Upon entering, she found Leonard sitting in the living room.
Melanie asked, "Did you finish work early today? Wasn't the company busy?"
Leonard tersely replied, "...Yes, not busy."
Melanie then headed to the kitchen.
Leonard sighed internally, deciding against further interaction. Acknowledging his reduced importance compared to Asher in his daughter's life, he decided to let things be.
Aria, however, followed Melanie into the kitchen.
She inquired, "Melanie, where have you been? I haven't seen you all day."
Melanie, not looking up, responded coolly, "Do I need your permission to go somewhere?"
"No, I'm just curious," Aria stammered, tears welling up. "I don't mean anything else. If you don't want me here, I'll leave."
Aria left the kitchen in tears, expecting Melanie to follow and console her. But she didn't.
In the kitchen, a maid, in a disgusting expression, commented, "Miss, be cautious around her. She looks shrewd and capable, not someone to be trifled with."
Melanie nodded. "Yes, I'll be careful. But I do want to learn how to cook, so please show me..."
Aria, who had planned the next act of her drama, was frustrated when Melanie didn't react as anticipated.
Frustrated, Aria returned to her room, intentionally making enough noise in the living room to catch Vivienne and Leonard's attention.
Leonard grew anxious.
Vivienne subtly stopped him. "Why the rush? Aria might be thinking about her family again. Let her cry in peace. Don't meddle...
"And girls are sensitive. She ran to her room not to be seen crying. So, at dinner, don't mention this!"
Leonard conceded, "You're right."
He resolved to act as if nothing had happened.
Aria cried in her room, waiting for Leonard's consoling knock that never came. Wiping her tears, confusion set in.
Something wasn't adding up!
Why wasn't it going as planned?
Sometime later, Aria's phone buzzed. It was Ethan, urging her to obtain Leonard's project plans.
Enraged, she almost hurled her phone!
How could she casually acquire business plans and strategies? All he did was nag her every day; if he was so capable, he should figure out a solution himself!
Tired of his constant pushing, she called Ethan and unleashed her frustration on him, redirecting all her anger.
