Jessieâs response was a mix of sorrow and sarcasm.
âPlease, Melissa, donât treat me like a child.
Iâm far from being your little boy.
â
Melissa offered a weak smile, her thoughts briefly touching her own complicated situation with Marcus.
How could she offer advice to someone about love when she couldnât even figure out her own relationship with Marcus.
Melissa had always stayed out of Jessie and Albertâs tumultuous relationship, but tonight felt different.
While Elsie watched over Jessie, Melissa made a decision to step in.
She found a quiet spot downstairs and dialed Albertâs number.
He was in Heron, likely not expecting a call at this late hour.
Albert picked up, his tone laced with surprise.
âMelissa? Is there a problem at the company?â
She shook her head, even though he couldnât see her gesture.
âNo, itâs not about work.
Itâs about Miss Green.
â
Melissa hesitated, her voice laced with concern as she finally said, âMiss Green is quite intoxicated, and frankly, sheâs not in a good state⦠Sheâs having serious doubts about her engagement.
Mr.
Waston, do you truly have no concern for her wellbeing?â
The silence that followed weighed heavily on Melissa.
She was acutely aware that she was overstepping boundaries with Albert, her superior, and the anxiety of the potential repercussions gnawed at her.
When Albert finally spoke, his voice conveyed the gravity of his own circumstances.
âMelissa, things here in Heron are complicated.
Iâve recently entered an arrangement with that woman, agreeing to marry her niece.
It seems to be the most viable solution for all involved at the moment.
â
âBut Mr.
Waston!â
Melissa interjected, taken aback by the revelation and its implications for Jessie.
She struggled to find the words, eventually managing to convey, âMiss Green⦠she might still be holding out hope for you.
â
Albertâs response was dismissive, a stark contrast to the emotion swirling around the situation.
âThe wedding is set for tomorrow.
I havenât shared this with you or anyone else in Duefron for specific reasons.
But if she is still waiting⦠let her know she shouldnât waste her time on me anymore.
â
Melissa could barely hide her shock, her voice a mix of dismay and urgency.
âMr.
Waston!â
Overwhelmed by the weight of the conversation, Melissa couldnât suppress her outrage.
âDonât you think thatâs too cruel to her?â
Albertâs silence stretched painfully long.
Just as Melissa thought he wouldnât respond, he finally said, âPerhaps this is for the best.
â
With that, he ended the call, leaving Melissa standing alone, grappling with the harshness of the situation.
Reflecting on the cruelty of Albertâs decision-to marry another for the sake of consolidating his position within the company-Melissaâs sympathy for Jessie deepened.
It was a stark reminder of the ruthlessness that sometimes lay behind the facades people maintained.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed Jessie on the staircase, her expression eerily calm and devoid of the turmoil Melissa had expected.