Melanie returned to her room in a daze, acutely aware now of how beauty could cloud one's judgment. Asher's gentle gaze had suggested her to rest well and not overthink things, and she found herself complying without hesitation.
Melanie, "..."
Tilting her head, she pondered. It wasn't entirely fruitless, she supposed. At least she'd experienced firsthand what it meant to retreat without achieving anything. Moreover, she realized that confessing took a tremendous amount of courage.
In the following day, Leonard finished his work early and awaited the arrival of Aria's boyfriend at home. Melanie observed Leonard's delight with a complicated heart, wondering how he would feel if he ever discovered Aria and Ethan's scheme against the Snow family. She felt helpless about the situation.
In the living room, Aria fidgeted anxiously. Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she turned to Melanie. "Melanie, where's Asher?"
Meeting Aria's gaze, Melanie casually replied, "He's busy and left early."
Since learning of Aria's confession to Asher, Melanie had mentally labeled Aria as a romantic rival. Well, technically not, considering Aria was with Ethan now, but Melanie remained vigilant. With Asher staying at the Snow family, she couldn't risk Aria having second thoughts.
In truth, Aria's feelings for Asher hadn't fully dissipated. His intimidating threat had made her reconsider, but she couldn't help but wonder why someone as fierce as Asher could be so gentle with Melanie. The more she thought about Asher, the more she couldn't shake him off, even with Ethan always by her side. Ethan and Asher were entirely different individuals.
While lost in thought, Aria's phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, her face lit up with a smile.
"Uncle, Ethan's here. I'll go fetch him."
"Okay," Leonard consented, knowing it was inappropriate for him to greet Ethan personally.
Melanie, appearing nonchalant, took a seat on the sofa, unenthusiastic about Ethan's visit.
Not long after that，Aria escorted Ethan inside. Melanie glanced up briefly, noting his gentle demeanor, akin to a refined gentleman, but beneath that facade lay a dark heart. Appearances could indeed be deceiving.
Ethan and Aria took seats across from Leonard. Aria made a brief introduction, and Vivienne descended from upstairs, casting a cursory glance at Ethan before sitting beside Leonard. After some polite small talk, Ethan swiftly engaged Leonard in conversation, showing skill in pleasing others and reading the room.
Feeling bored, Melanie grabbed her phone to play, eventually sending Asher a text message.
Meanwhile, in a private room elsewhere, Asher, amidst a discussion, briefly checked his phone upon hearing a notification and responded. His counterpart across the table was taken aback.
"Whose text message are you answering now?You're replying to Melanie, aren't you?"
Asher confirmed with a casual hum, not looking up.
"Tsk tsk, that's harsh, throwing romance in the face of a single guy like me."
Finishing his message, Asher lifted his gaze to Spencer. "Being single or not isn't the point. Besides work, there's something else I need to tell you."
Spencer paused, sensing Asher's seriousness. "What is it?"
Since the accident, Asher seemed like a man completely different. Always diligent in his work, he had become even more focused, shedding his youthful aura for a premature maturity that commanded respect, his demeanor radiating confidence that compelled obedience...
