Chapter 264

Silence hung in the air, heavy with unspoken thoughts. Then, Frank threw a tantrum. He looked annoyed, wound down the car window, and tossed his cigarette butt out.

Melanie glanced at him but remained silent, concentrating on driving. "Why didn't you tell me that woman knew kickboxing?" he gritted, his anger evident. Melanie looked at him in confusion, but his menacing gaze startled her, nearly causing her to lose control of the car. "I don't understand," she said. "Who? Who knows kickboxing?" His question made no sense.

"Lily Christian!" The name was seared into his memory. He’d never been beaten by a woman before; the humiliation was unbearable.

Frank considered himself quite the ladies' man. He usually got what he wanted by offering women something in return. If it didn't work, he assumed the offer wasn't attractive enough; he'd simply need to offer more.

Lily, however, was different. He'd promised to make her the champion of this year's perfume competition, offering connections and resources, but she remained uninterested. Worse, she'd hurt him. Frank was furious.

Melanie froze. "Who? Lily?" she asked, thinking she'd misheard. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding. "You're saying Lily knows kickboxing? What kind?"

"How would I know? Weren't you friends in college? You'd know what kind of self-defense she practices!" Frank snapped. Melanie was shocked, realizing what he meant. He claimed Lily was a fighter, but it was unbelievable. She'd known Lily for years and had never seen her fight—or even argue. Swallowing hard, she licked her lips. "You're saying that Lily, the Lily I worked with, knows boxing? That she fights well? She was the one…" Her gaze fell to his injured arm. "She was the one who did this?"

She spoke slowly, as if to a child. Frank, impatient and annoyed, retorted, "Do you think my description was unclear?"

Sensing his displeasure, Melanie quickly replied, "No, no, it was perfectly clear! I just find it unbelievable. How could I not know she was skilled in fighting?"

"You didn't know?" he asked suspiciously. Melanie raised her hand. "I swear I didn't! I've known her for years, but I've never seen her fight. She couldn't even win a relay race! I'm sorry, Frank. I still find it hard to believe. Are you sure you met the right Lily?"

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