At Hawke Corporation, Elara Don was busy contacting the sales department to have them renegotiate the contract with the floral base.
It was noon.
"Charlotte, someone is looking for you outside."
A colleague delivered the message, and Elara Don, puzzled, smiled politely upon seeing the visitor.
It was her.
Evan Miles' sister-in-law, Abigail Lane's sister, Melody Lane.
A girl who had designs on Evan Miles.
"Miss Lane, what can I do for you?"
She wasn't familiar with Melody Lane, but due to Evan Miles, they had met a few times abroad.
Every time, she could see unfriendly messages in the other's eyes.
She didn't know why she was looking for her this time.
"I heard from Evan that you work here. I happened to have some free time today, so I thought I'd invite you to lunch for a chat."
Melody Lane wore a custom-fitted dress and had exquisite makeup, her chin slightly raised, exuding an air of a high-society lady.
Elara Don hesitated slightly before agreeing, "Alright."
Although she didn't really want to get involved with her, she was curious about what Melody Lane wanted.
The two went to a nearby upscale restaurant.
The waiter led them to a window seat.
"Charlotte, the food here is top-notch, the kind you can't find abroad. Look, see what you want to eat. Don't be shy, it's on me today."
Melody Lane ordered a few dishes and passed the menu to Elara Don.
She had a condescending attitude of charity.
Elara Don found it amusing. Seeing that the dishes ordered were enough, she handed the menu back to the waiter.
"I have a small appetite, and with someone I'm not familiar with, I have even less appetite. The dishes Miss Lane just ordered are enough. Let's split the bill equally."
Melody Lane's expression changed, and her smile nearly faltered.
"I didn't expect, Charlotte, that you seemed so weak, yet your mouth is so sharp. No wonder Evan can't forget about you."
Had she hit the nail on the head?
Was she here because of Evan Miles?
Elara Don took a sip of water, "Miss Lane, you didn't come to see me just for a meal, did you?"
With both sides being old hands, what was there to play around about?
"Since you ask me that, I won't waste words."
Melody Lane looked cold and proud, "Charlotte, my family and Evan's family are discussing our marriage. Could you keep your distance from him?"
Was Evan going to marry Melody Lane?
Elara Don was slightly taken aback, then said, "Miss Lane, there's no need to treat me as a rival. Evan and I are just ordinary friends."
"Ordinary friends? Would ordinary friends let Abigail call you mommy? Would ordinary friends have Evan pick up and drop off your son every day?"
Melody Lane said sharply, "Charlotte, I've seen many women like you. Those who have a humble background cling to a rich man as if he's a lifeline. Don't you have any shame?"
Elara Don: "..."
She was really speechless.
She pursed her lips, about to form words, when she heard Melody Lane continue, "Alright, I won't waste words with you. Name your price. How much would it take for you to stay away from Evan? I'll just consider it as charity, paying off a beggar."
Paying off a beggar with money!
Elara Don's expression turned completely cold.
"Miss Lane, not to mention that Evan and I are truly ordinary friends, even if there were something between us, it wouldn't be your place to negotiate with me. If you have money, donate some to impoverished rural areas, and save some virtue for yourself, so Evan will look at you differently. I have to go back to work, so I won't keep you company."
She felt she had too much free time, why did she agree to have lunch with her?
What a waste to trouble herself.
Elara Don got up to leave.
"Wait, I'm not finished yet, why are you leaving?"
Melody Lane blocked Elara Don's way.
Elara Don frowned, "Miss Lane, what exactly do you want?"
"I..."
Melody Lane opened her mouth, and upon noticing a figure in the corner of her eye, her gaze shifted, and she grabbed Elara Don's hand, pleading pitifully, "Charlotte, I really like Evan. I'm begging you to let us be together."
Elara Don felt a pain in her hand and hissed, instinctively shaking off Melody Lane.
Melody Lane let out a cry, stepped back two steps, and fell directly to the ground.
Elara Don: "..."
She didn't seem to use much force, did she?
No!
Was Melody Lane pinching her fingers on purpose just now?
Causing her to instinctively shake her off?
"Miss Lane, you..."
"Melody!"
A man's voice came from behind, followed by Evan Miles striding to Melody Lane's side and helping her up.
Elara Don's outstretched hand hung in the air, watching Melody Lane's aggrieved expression, she immediately understood.
This scene, Melody Lane played very well.
Evan Miles would probably falsely assume she deliberately hurt Melody Lane.
"Evan, don't blame Charlotte, it was my fault for not standing still and accidentally falling, it's not because she dislikes me and pushed me."
Melody Lane held onto Evan Miles' hand, looking weak and delicate.
Evan Miles frowned deeply, looking at her, then at Elara Don.
Some people, do they have to stoop so low to set others up?
Elara Don was utterly speechless.
She was just about to speak when a man's low, magnetic voice sounded beside her ear.
"What a show. It's a pity that some people haven't ventured into the acting industry."
This voice...
Elara Don was slightly stunned and hadn't realized yet when warmth enveloped her waist, familiar masculine scents surrounding her.
"Didn't you agree to have lunch with me? Isn't it sickening to eat with a pretentious green tea bitch?"
It was Damon Hawke!
What nonsense was he spouting?
When did she agree to have lunch with him?
Elara Don was stunned, glanced sideways at him and caught his smiling eyes. Her heart couldn't help but skip joyfully.
This man, why was he smiling at her so indulgently?
And why was he holding her like this?
Like a couple!
Let go now!
"Who are you! What are you saying? Evan, look at them..."
Melody Lane's expression changed through varied shades, looking at Damon Hawke, who was impeccably dressed, and the few executives behind him with inscrutable expressions, she pulled on Evan Miles coquettishly.
Evan Miles' thin lips were tightly pressed, looking at the two of them embracing, his expression also not looking good.
Didn't she say she didn't like Damon Hawke?
But now, this scene...
"Mr. Miles, it seems you've considered the partnership between our two companies carefully. However, I doubt your taste in women. You had poor taste in choosing girlfriends before, and now it's even worse than before."
Damon Hawke ignored Melody Lane, his thin lips curved into a cold arc, and with a domineering grip on Elara Don's tense body, he turned and walked away in long strides.
Evan Miles' expression shifted, his jaw tight.
What did Damon Hawke mean!
Was he telling him that he was astute enough, knowing to stay away from Elara Don for the partnership between their two companies, opting for Melody Lane instead?
But his taste was bad, choosing a woman even worse than Elara Don?
Did he have to be so arrogant!