"Is that so?" Lucas scoffed, seemingly unconvinced. He pulled Melody into a hug and turned to leave.


    Melody could not help but steal a nce back at Sherman as a helpless sigh escaped her lips.


    Lucas released her only after he led her to a secluded spot.


    Lost in thought, Melody bumped into a pir and cried out, "Ouch!"


    Lucas subconsciously reached out to help, but his expression sank and he stopped himself mid-way when the memory of Melody and Sherman''s cheerful conversation appeared in his mind. Melody clutched her head in pain.


    "What''s the matter?" Lucas sneered. "Did you get distracted by your ssmate?"


    "You don''t have to be so snarky about it. We''re just ssmates." Melody''s unhappiness grew when he made snidements at her while she was in pain.


    Lucas narrowed his eyes. The usually demure Melody shot back at him for Sherman''s sake gave him a clearer idea of how deeply Sherman mattered to her. It was all the worse that she had those sorts of ambiguous feelings toward other men when she was already married!This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Lucas felt like it was a sign of disrespect.


    "You seem to have a knack of charming men wherever you go," he sneered.


    "It was just a harmless conversation over our time at high school!" Melody countered exasperatedly.


    Lucas snorted. "Know your ce, Melody. Your actions reflect not only on yourself but on the Riveras too."


    His reminder brought Melody back to her senses, and she realized that she had overstepped her line. "I''m sorry. I was too careless. I''ll be more attentive to how I carry myself in the future."


    He took a step closer as his imposing presence pressed down on her. "Mind your attitude, too. Remember, I just loaned you three million. Shouldn''t you prioritize me over that senior of yours?"


    Melody looked up at him. His condescending gaze highlighted the power imbnce between them.


    "Like you said, it''s a loan. I''m going to pay it back to you with interest anyway," she said defiantly.


    "Oh?" He reached out, ced his hand on her waist, and pulled her closer to him. "What sort of interest are we talking about?" He ignored her struggling and looked at her from head to toe. "What are you worth? Is it your body?"


    "Mister Lucas!" Melody felt offended and pushed him away with all her might. "Just because I owe you money doesn''t mean I''ve sold my dignity to you. I''ll find a legitimate way to pay you back, no matter what it takes!"


    Her uncharacteristic outburst only infuriated Lucas, who scoffed. "I''m just stating a fact. What else can you offer that''s worth all that money?"


    "Lucas!" Melody''s anger boiled over.


    He pulled her back into his arms and asked, "Why are you so reluctant to offer your body up as a means of paying me back?"


    Melody red at him and felt the urge to stop his uncouth remarks with a p.


    "Need me to repeat the question?" he mocked as he leaned in closer. His face was inches away from kissing hers.


    He paused for a moment and so was mesmerized by her inviting lips that he was lost in a daze for a moment.


    "Lucas." A gentle voice broke Lucas'' trance and snapped him back to reality. He released Melody and then turned to face the source of the voice.