Hawke Corporation, Elara Don was busy contacting the sales department to renegotiate a contract with the flower base.
Midday.
"Charlotte, someone outside is looking for you."
A colleague passed the message to her. Elara Don was suspicious, but she smiled politely when she saw the visitor.
It was her.
Evan Miles's sister-in-law, Abigail Lane's sister, Melody Lane.
A girl who had feelings for Evan Miles.
"Miss Collins, anything I can do for you?"
She wasn't familiar with Melody Lane, but because of Evan Miles, she had met her a few times abroad.
Every time, she could sense the unfriendly vibes from Melody's eyes.
She didn't know why she was seeking her out this time.
"I heard from Ethan that you work here, and since I have some free time today, I thought I'd invite you to lunch and have a chat."
Melody Lane was wearing a tailored high-end dress with exquisite makeup, slightly raising her chin with sheer heiress demeanor.
Elara Don hesitated slightly and agreed, "Alright."
Though she didn't really want to have any interaction with her, her curiosity was piqued about what Melody wanted.
The two of them went to an upscale restaurant nearby.
The waiter led them to a seat by the window.
"Charlotte, the dishes here are quite top-notch. You can't find these abroad. Take a look and see what you'd like. Don't be polite. Today's on me."
Melody Lane ordered a few dishes and handed the menu to Elara Don.
She seemed generous, yet condescending.
Elara Don found it amusing, glanced at the dishes Melody had already ordered, deemed them sufficient, and handed the menu back to the waiter.
"I have a small appetite and even less when dining with unfamiliar people. The dishes Miss Collins ordered are enough. Let's split the bill."
Melody Lane's expression changed, her smile almost faltered.
"I never expected, Charlotte, you seem soft and gentle, but your words are sharp. No wonder Ethan can't stop thinking about you."
Is she getting to the point now?
Is she here because of Evan Miles?
Elara Don took a sip of water, "Miss Collins, you didn't come here just to have a meal with me, did you?"
We're all seasoned foxes; why play tricks?
"Since you asked directly, I won't waste words with you."
Melody Lane's face was cold and arrogant, "Charlotte, our family and Ethan's family are discussing our engagement. Can you stay away from him?"
Evan Miles is going to marry Melody Lane?
Elara Don was slightly taken aback and then said, "Miss Collins, you don't need to treat me as a rival. Evan and I are just regular friends."
"Regular friends? A regular friend would allow Tilly to call you mommy? A regular friend would have Ethan pick up and drop off your son every day?"
Melody Lane snapped, "Charlotte, I've seen many women like you. You've got a low status, grabbing onto a wealthy man as a lifeline. Aren't you shameless?"
Elara Don: "..."
She was genuinely speechless.
She pursed her lips, trying to find the right words, when Melody continued, "Alright, no more nonsense. Name your price. How much will it take for you to stay away from Ethan? I consider this charity, spending some money to give a beggar a handout."
Giving money to a beggar!
Elara Don's face turned completely cold.
"Miss Collins, not considering whether Evan and I are genuinely just friends, even if there were something between us, it's not for you to negotiate. If you have money, donate it to the poor mountainous regions; at least save yourself some face and make Ethan look at you differently. I have to get back to work and can't keep you company."
She regretted agreeing to dine with her in the first place.
All for unnecessary distress.
Elara Don stood up, ready to leave.
"Hold on, I haven't finished my words yet. Where do you think you're going?"
Melody Lane blocked Elara Don from leaving.
Elara Don frowned, "Miss Collins, what exactly do you want?"
"I..."
Melody Lane opened her mouth, and catching a glimpse of a figure in her peripheral vision, her eyes sparkled. She grabbed Elara Don's hand, her appearance pitiful, "Charlotte, I really like Ethan. I beg you to let him go."
Elara Don felt a sharp pain in her hand, letting out a hissing sound, instinctively shaking off Melody.
Melody exclaimed, took two steps back, and fell directly to the ground.
Elara Don: "..."
She seemed not to have used much force!
No!
Was Melody pinching her fingers earlier?
Causing her to reflexively shake her off?
"Miss Collins, you..."
"Mel!"
A man's voice came from behind, and moments later, Evan Miles stepped quickly to Melody's side and helped her up.
Elara Don's extended hand froze there, observing Melody's pitiful expression, suddenly understanding.
This act, Melody performed very well.
Evan Miles probably thought she deliberately hurt Melody, right?
"Ethan, don't blame Charlotte, it's my fault for not standing properly and accidentally fell down; it's not because she disliked me and pushed me."
Melody clung to Evan Miles's hand, looking delicate.
Evan Miles frowned deeply, looking at her, then at Elara Don.
Some people, must they frame others in such a cheap way?
Elara Don felt utterly speechless.
Just as she was about to speak, a low male voice sounded nearby.
"What a great drama, someone should really consider a career in acting."
This voice...
Elara Don paused, just realizing when she felt a warmth on her waist, surrounded by a familiar male presence.
"Didn't you agree to have lunch with me? Dining with a pretentious tea girl doesn't ruin your appetite?"
It's Damon Hawke!
What nonsense is he talking?
When did she agree to have lunch with him?
Elara Don was taken aback, glancing sideways at him and touched by the amused look in his eyes, her heart uncontrollably racing.
This man, why is he smiling at her with such affection?
And holding her?
Like they're a couple!
Release her now!
"Who are you? How can you speak like this? Ethan, look at them..."
Melody Lane's face changed repeatedly, looking at the well-dressed Damon Hawke and then at the few higher-ups with inexplicable expressions standing behind him, whining to Evan Miles.
Evan Miles pressed his lips tightly, glaring at the two embracing, his expression equally unpleasant.
Didn't she say she didn't like Damon Hawke?
But now, in this scene...
"Mr. Miles, it seems you've already thought about the cooperation matters between our companies. However, I really doubt your taste in women. Your choice in past girlfriends was poor, and now, it's even worse than before."
Damon Hawke completely ignored Melody, with a cold curve at the corner of his thin lips, strongly wrapping the stiff Elara Don's body, turning and leaving in strides.
Evan Miles's face changed again, his jaw clenched tightly.
What did Damon Hawke mean!
Was he telling him that he is aware of the current situation, for the sake of the cooperation between both families, and thus chose to stay away from Elara Don while choosing Melody?
Just his taste is poor, choosing a woman worse than Elara Don?
How arrogant could he be!