Chapter 93
Melanie glanced at the caller ID: Nathaniel. She glared at Olivia one last time, pushed the test tube back into her hands, and warned, "Think more carefully about what you say. Don't make a fool of yourself!" Then she turned and walked away.
"Where have you been?!" Nathaniel demanded over the phone.
"I was in the lab," Melanie replied, upset by his tone. "I was trying to help. Since Lily isn't willing to help, I can't just leave you to deal with this alone. MN Inc. is our company, and I don't want to see it fail."
"No one said the company is failing. Stop being so negative. Get ready; I'm coming to pick you up." Nathaniel hung up abruptly. Melanie stared at her phone before returning to the lab. She paused at the entrance, deciding it was pointless to try convincing Olivia. She needed a backup plan.
Moments later, Nathaniel arrived. Melanie was already waiting. She deliberately mussed her hair and reddened her eyes to look exhausted. "Nate…"
Before she could continue, Nathaniel exclaimed, wide-eyed, "Why do you look like that? Didn't I tell you to be prepared?"
"I was…" Melanie pouted, getting into the passenger seat. With teary eyes, she explained, "Worried about the company. I know you're stressed, and I am too. I was trying to help in the lab."
"Do you have any results?" Nathaniel asked, his optimism tempered by low expectations.
Melanie pressed her lips together and shook her head. "I've tried many things, but nothing's working. The original formula is complicated; changing even one ingredient yields countless results. We're unsure if it's an ingredient problem or…"
She was upset with Nathaniel, but he was thinking, "All right, Mel. Let's drop it. Lily wouldn't have led us on if it were easy, and she wouldn't be so smug. I'm taking you to meet someone who might help."
"Who?" Melanie asked, surprised.
"It's… wait. There's still time. Let's get you cleaned up. It's our first meeting; you can't look like this," Nathaniel said, shaking his head. "Okay!" Melanie nodded, buckling her seatbelt.
Nathaniel's mood improved, watching Melanie's gentle movements. She was undeniably pretty, gentle and doe-like—the kind of woman men wanted to protect. He recalled her lovingly nestled in his embrace, his heart fluttering. Lily, on the other hand, was too independent, strong-willed, and had her own agenda—as evidenced by her betrayal. The thought of Lily only annoyed him.
After buckling her seatbelt, Melanie noticed the car wasn't moving. She looked up, puzzled. "What's wrong?" Nathaniel turned abruptly, lifted her chin, and kissed her hard.
Meanwhile, Justin's sudden appearance prompted Lily to change her plans and go straight to Imperial Hills.