Melvern didn''t interrupt my words but regarded me with an appreciative gaze.


    I continued, "I''m someone who sees things in ck and white. And my opponent, Liora, is an extremely tasteless woman."


    He gazed at me, still not interrupting and seemingly interested in hearing more.


    "She''s been arrogant and persistent from the very first day we met, like a crazy dog biting everyone in its path. Even my patience has limits. Since she disregarded the respect I''ve shown her, it''s be a life- or-death struggle between us."


    My tone carried a hint of disdain.


    "You invested in someone like her to undermine me, then you came to me iming to be a friend. Tell me, why did you do that? I''m not one to turn a blind eye. I have my own principles," I asserted myself. I smiled while I said all this, but my words were sharp and far fromforting.


    Melvern looked at me andmented, "You''re very straightforward. That''s why I came to see you."


    "Tell me, then." I kept it short and to the point.


    "Firstly, I didn''t know about the history between you and Liora. Secondly, I invested in her with the intention of returning to the city to work. I didn''t know about all these underlying reasons." Melvern gazed at me, his eyes carrying a touch of resentment. "Believe it or not, she didn''t make those grievances clear to me. I only found out after returning to the city."


    While I was skeptical, it didn''t seem impossible that Liora would be able to conceal that information from him. But Melvern probably wasn''t a good person either. "And you''re right. Liora is tasteless! I genuinely didn''t know that my investment would be used as leverage in a power struggle."


    I continued eating and listened to Melvern''s reasons, but even after considering these factors, I remained unsatisfied.


    "Are you really so careless with your investments? Or is it that your moneyes too easily?" I asked, staring directly at him. "I don''t think that''s it, is it?"


    He was rendered speechless by my question and offered only a light smile.


    "Since you acknowledge that Lioracks integrity, the only reason you made an investment without asking for her reasons can only mean one thing: close acquaintanceship! But if you really do know her like that, it''s hard to believe that you didn''t know her intentions," I continued, smiling and taking a sip of water to ease the tension. "Of course, I''m just dealing with the matter at hand and have no right to interfere in your personal rtionships."


    Melvern smiled at me. "I have a question for you, Ms. Chloe."


    "Go ahead."


    After some hesitation, he asked, "How do you intend to handle Liora?"


    I chuckled, leaned back in my chair, and looked at Melvern. "What she''s done is beyond my ability to handle."


    My answer was cleverly phrased but very clear.


    "It''s no wonder you didn''t ept my equity, Ms. Chloe," he remarked.


    "I had no reason to spend money on something that didn''t belong to you,'' I said bluntly. "What you did wasn''t exactly straightforward either. Were you trying to scam me?"


    Melvernughed.


    11


    "Can you tell me why you''re helping Matthew then? Is it just because of Liora?" He asked.


    "You''re giving Liora too much credit.


    It''s only a matter of time before Liora meets her fate. I have no reason to show off. Matthew is the father of my child. Plus, his mother entrusted me not to harm him and free him before her death. I made promise. I have to stand by my word,"


    I answered truthfully. I hadn''t expected him to ask that.


    a


    He scrutinized me, seemingly judging the sincerity in my words.


    Then, he frowned. "So if it weren''t for Matthew, you wouldn''t have taken action against her?"


    I fell silent. His question was intriguing, and I couldn''t quite grasp the underlying meaning.


    "I have no reason to stoop as low as her. I won''t bother anyone if they don''t bother me. But she crossed the line, and I have no reason to endure that." My response was ambiguous.


    "Alright. Let''s get back to eating. The food''s getting cold."Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Melvern suddenly changed the topic. He picked up his utensils again and appeared to enjoy his meal heartily.


    This time, he seemed much more at ease.


    I didn''t say much more to him. I just continued eating my lunch.


    But deep down, I had a vague sense that he might have found the answers he was looking for.


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