<b>Chapter 358 </b>


    When N arrived at theb, it was close <i>to </i>the start of her shift.


    She had just changed into her whiteb coat and walked in when she saw Melody with her head down, furiously typing on her phone, her face flushed.


    Hearing footsteps, Melody suddenly looked up. Upon seeing N, she quickly hid her phone behind her, looking somewhat guilty.


    “N…” she said.


    “Mm, let’s get ready for the experiment,” N replied.


    Noticing N’s nonchnce, Melody couldn’t help but think about the harshments she had seen in the group chat about N, which made her blood pressure rise.


    They hadn’t interacted with N personally, so why were they speaking about her like that? Moreover, Melody was certain N wouldn’t get involved with someone like rk again.


    However, the leaked photo did seem to show rk hugging N, and they did appear quite intimate.


    Melody wanted to ask N about it but feared N might think she didn’t believe her, like those others. Her preupation with the issue made her slow in her work, often causing N to call her several times before she would respond.


    After several attempts, N frowned, put down her equipment, and looked at Melody.


    “Melody, what’s wrong with you today? You seem distracted. If you’re tired, you can rest in the office for a while and return when you’re feeling better,” she suggested.


    Focus was crucial for experiments, and Melody’s current state would only slow down the process and increase the chance of errors.


    Meeting N’s calm eyes, Melody bit her lip and looked down. “N, I’m sorry, I…”


    “It’s okay. If you’re tired, just let me know next time. Don’t push yourself. Go take a break,” N said gently, her tone showing no sign of me for the slowed progress.


    Melody felt warmed by N’s understanding and became even more determined about her thoughts. She looked up at N and said, “N, I’m so distracted today because of this photo…”


    Melody opened the photo from the group chat and handed her phone to N.


    When N saw the photo, she frowned.


    Before she could say anything, Melody interjected angrily, “Someone from the PR department took this photo and posted it in thepany’s group chat. Now, a lot of people in thepany’s gossip group are bad–mouthing you.


    “They’re iming you’re trying to rekindle things with rk after being dumped by Mr. Damon and even calling you shameless. I was so upset that I ended up arguing with them. N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    “This issue has spread beyond thepany, and many people probably know about it by now.


    <b>+25 </b>


    “N, what’s really going on between you and rk? I believe you wouldn’t get back together with him, but every time I try to exin, they just point to this photo…”


    Seeing Melody’s anxious attempt to defend her, N felt a bit touched.


    “Melody, thank you. You don’t need to worry about this. I’ll handle it,” N assured her.


    Melody asked, “So what’s the real story behind this photo?”


    N hesitated momentarily before replying, “I can’t tell you the full details right now. I’m sorry.”


    She couldn’t be sure if the knife rk had pressed against her waist was real. She had been too nervous at the time, and it was possible she could have mistaken it.


    If rk had used a stic knife for cutting cakes, it would have been apletely different situationpared to a real knife.


    If N revealed the specifics now and it got out, rk might turn things around and make false usations, especially since no one had seen for sure whether the knife was real.


    Upon seeing that N wasn’t willing to speak, a trace of disappointment crossed Melody’s eyes. Still, she forced a smile. “Okay, no matter what, I believe in you.”