Chapter 287 Sheâs Filthy +15 BONUS After hearing Melanie out, Annie chuckled over the phone. âSomeoneâs getting in hot soup this time!â
âThis is the price for provoking me the moment she returned to Harbor City. Consider it a generous gift from me,â Melanie said indifferently.
âMelanieâs unique gift of a harsh lesson. Itâll be a kicker!â Annie hung up with a chuckle.
Melanie kept her phone and went to the washroom to freshen her makeup before emerging once more looking fabulous.
Things were warming up in the banquet. Even Olivia, who had been trying to keep a low profile since the banquet, started to flaunt around like a peacock, exuding irrepressible charm.
That was because a big shot had just arrived at the banquet hall.
Melanie turned to see the impeccably clean and neatâlooking man. She didnât expect to see Leo York here.
Leo looked even fairer and lankier from afar. He occasionally coughed into a napkin, looking like he was unwell.
Many grandchildren of the Yorks died early, while those who managed to survive till adulthood suffered from physical ailments.
Melanie had long heard about the familyâs condition, but these weaknesses werenât considered so in the eyes of outsiders.
It was the Yorks they were talking about, after all. The family had endless funds and connections that could help them extend their lives.
Realization dawned upon Melanie how prepared Olivia was this time. She had ignored all other men because she was preparing herself for Mr. York.
Yet, after hovering around Leo and trying many times amidst the romantic melody in the air, Olivia failed to get Leo to even glance at her.
Instead, Leo noticed Melanie at a corner. He exchanged glances with Melanie, and walked over to her with a smile on his face.
âMs. Jones, may I have this dance?â Leo reached out to her, gallantly extending his harm to her.
âBut of course.â
Melanie reached out to put her hand in his.
Gasps resounded in the hall. Did Mr. York used to know Melanie Jones? Why did he ask her for a dance?
Their hands were about to touch in the air, drawing attention from the surrounding crowd. Suddenly, a disharmonious female voice broke the dreamy atmosphere in the air.
âMr. York! You really shouldnât be asking her for a dance!â
Olivia strutted over on her limited edition heels as she glanced at Melanie in disdain.
+15 BONUS âWho are you?â Leo was displeased. âWho are you to dictate who I dance with?â
âIt doesnât matter who I am. Youâll understand why once I explain my reasons to you,â Olivia said with a wave of her hand.
Someone behind her stepped forward, and handed her a small remote control.
Olivia posed flamboyantly as she pressed a button on the remote control. A news report flashed onto the big screen, drawing everyoneâs attention to the photos featured on it.
In the photo, Melanie was surrounded by Medonia policemen. People who were envious and jealous of her just seconds ago started whispering under their breaths.
âA while back, the president of Shadow Group, Mr. Charles Miller, died from an electric shock attack due to a taser. Iâm sure everyone has heard about that? Melanie Jones wasnât far from Charles Miller when the attack occurred. Sheâs the key suspect of this case! She was nabbed by the police, and she even got locked up!â
Olivia narrated the news report as it played on the big screen while the guests at the banquet watched on.
It was a news report before the culprit confessed to his crime. Melanie was indeed reported to be the number one suspect of the case, and it corroborated with Oliviaâs claims. However, Olivia exaggerated the details.
Everyone started to look at Melanie with increasing doubt.
Leoâs pale face darkened, as he sneered in frustration. âWere you at the scene? Neither did you witness it with your own eyes, nor do you know what happened thereafter. Youâre trying to frame Ms. Jones.â
âMr. York, I know that youâre a germaphobe and cleanliness is of top priority for you. Do you think a woman like Melanie Jones, whoâs always involved in scandals and criminals, can be clean?â Olivia said.
She refused to let things go, and continued to poke at Leoâs heart with the words she had prepared since long ago.
Leo wanted to say something further, but Melanie stepped forward and whispered into his ear, âMr. York, do you want to help me?â
âOf course, I do.â
âPlease ask your subordinate to lend me a laptop, then,â Melanie asked, calm and collected.
Leo didnât understand what Melanie was doing, but he didnât question her. Instead, he instructed his subordinate to do as Melanie asked. Very soon, his subordinate came back with a laptop in hand.
Melanie swiftly sent a message to Annie. âThe time has come.â
She lifted the hem of her skirt and bent over as her fingers flew across the keyboard. She navigated to the front page of a foreign news website...