Melody rubbed her temples as she sat on the sofa. She felt drained, and she was just about to close her eyes for a moment''s rest when her phone buzzed with a message. Thinking it was a reply from Lucas, she opened her eyes slowly and picked up the phone.


    [Hey, Melody. Have you slept?] The message was from Sherman, rather than Lucas.


    She typed back in a neutral reply. [Not yet, but soon. Thanks for sending me back today.] [You''re wee. We should keep in touch. If you need anything, don''t hesitate to ask.]


    Melody stared at the phone for a while and sent a polite emoji in response before setting it aside.


    She was not naive. Sherman''s attitude toward her during their encounter felt like more than just friendly nostalgia. s, she was in no position to reciprocate.


    All of a sudden, the sound of a car engine resonated through the silent night. Melody got up and walked toward the balcony.


    Lucas had returned, and she wondered if he had seen her message. Beatrice was still waiting downstairs, and she already knew that the olddy was going to ask him some questions. Worried about exposing her lie, Melody considered going down. However, she hesitated and drew her hand back when she reached for the doorknob.


    Perhaps it would be better for them to just wait and see.


    Tired from the day''s events, Lucas entered the house and headed upstairs after taking off his shoes.


    "Lucas," Beatrice called out from the living room. "Why did you return sote?"


    "There was an issue at thepany. Why are you still up, Grandma?" Lucas asked and turned to look at the olddy.


    As Beatrice approached, a whiff of unfamiliar perfume reached her nose. That scent certainly did not belong to Melody as she never used any perfumes.


    "Come with me to the study. We need to talk," Beatrice said as she walked toward the study with a sullen expression.


    Lucas frowned and thought over it for a moment before following her in.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    "Sit down," Beatrice said firmly. "Melody is a good girl, Lucas."


    Lucas raised his eyebrows. "Why are you telling me that all of a sudden?"


    He wondered what it was that Melody did to be praised in such a manner.


    "Where did you go after the banquet?" Beatrice pressed, seeing his intention to avoid the topic.


    Lucas thought for a moment before answering, "Something came up at thepany, so I had to go there. Why is that an issue, Grandma?"