Chapter 67

Shekken was speechless. So, all that was for nothing? Did Christopher still not believe her? Stepping off the elevator, Christopher's face was dark. What difference would it have made, even if Melody had explained then? She still hadn't told him directly and even asked Sheldon not to tell him. If she felt wrongly accused, why didn't she just call and explain herself? He had already given her several chances. Would it kill her to make the first move?

With frustration and resentment, Christopher drove to the restaurant. Cynthia had arrived early and was flipping through the menu. Although their morning had been tense, she’d invited him to lunch, and he’d enthusiastically accepted. So, there was no real animosity between them. She just needed to stoke the fire a bit more to make him love her as he had back in college.

“Anthony,” a familiar voice called from a table across the restaurant.

The man at the table turned instinctively. When Anthony saw the same pure and beautiful woman as before, he stood, his gaze fixed on her, a smile spreading across his face. After all these years, the woman who had once amazed him in his youth still had the same effect.

“Welcome back, Melody,” he said, extending his hand. Melody shook it.

“Well, well, I see I’m invisible to you,” Heidi teased with a laugh.

“Of course not, Ms. Brown. You’re so beautiful. If I didn’t see you, there must be something wrong with my eyes,” he said with a smile, shaking her hand as well.

“You’re such a sweet talker. Why haven’t I seen you use that charm to win over the woman you like?” Heidi raised an eyebrow.

Anthony instinctively glanced at Melody and smiled.

“That’s probably because I’m not good enough yet. I’ll keep trying,” he said.

Melody sat down on the inner side of the table, with Heidi beside her. The three of them began ordering and chatting casually.

“It’s been two years, Melody. You’ve become even more composed. Your temperament has changed a lot,” Anthony observed with a slight smile.

Melody looked up and smiled gently. “Anthony, you’ve grown more mature and composed too, becoming an outstanding figure among the younger generation.”

“It’s all due to work. Do you think I look worn out but don’t want to admit it?” Anthony joked.

“No, it’s the natural shedding of youthful energy, becoming more restrained and profound,” she replied with a smile.

“You two haven’t seen each other in two years, and now you’re just flattering each other?” Heidi laughed.

“Let’s talk about something else then. Melody, which countries have you been to in the past two years? What places did you visit?” Anthony asked.

“Yeah, Mel. Do you have pictures? Show me!” Heidi chimed in.

Melody felt awkward, experiencing firsthand how one lie leads to a hundred more to cover it.

“I’ve been to Nepal and nearby places. It’s very quiet and simple there,” she lied, then quickly changed the subject. “Anthony, how has your company been developing these past two years? I haven’t kept up with it.”

Anthony’s expression became a bit sad. With a mock-melancholic sigh, he said, “Melody, you really don’t care, huh? Have you forgotten that you have shares in the company? Aren’t you afraid I’ll run off with the money?”

She smiled and replied, “Of course not. I trust your character and abilities. Look, I just returned to the country and was given an apartment.”