Chapter 374 Be With Me Instead +15 BONUS âMr. Harlow, where did you go just now? Why didnât you let me come with you?â Sylvia immediately clung onto Harlow upon his return.
âScram!â Harlow glared at her before leaving in frustration.
Sylvia tried to hide her indignation and composed herself, straightening out her necklace, before approaching a group of ladies and exchanging pleasantries with them.
Coincidentally, the ladies were complaining about Melanie. When Sylvia joined them, they asked, âDid Mr. Leo give Melanie Jones the gown and jewelry sheâs wearing?â
âYes, he did.â
Everyone knew Sylvia was Harlowâs new girlfriend, and would certainly be aware of things going on in the York family. Her words could be trusted.
âHow shameless! How dare she accept such an extravagant gift!â
Some of the ladies were outraged and raged at Melanie behind her back, while deliberately looking at another woman who was the focal point amidst the group of ladiesâKelly Murray, the heiress of the Murrays.
She was the only one who remained silent in the group, but the jealousy burning in her eyes was frightening.
Last year, the Murrays and the Yorks worked together in trade and transport. The Murrays seized the chance to pair Kelly and Leo, but Leo rejected them without any hesitation.
His rejection embarrassed Kelly thoroughly in Medonia. She had recently been hearing rumors of Leo pursuing another woman, and was dying to know who it was.
Now, she finally had the chance to see Melanie in the flesh.
Sylvia could tell that Kelly hated Melanie to the core, and immediately chimed in, âExactly! I wonder why Leo even fancies Melanie Jones. She comes from such a lowly family, and is so moneyâminded. How could she compare to a true heiress?â
The moment she said that, Kelly crushed the wine glass in her hand. All the ladies in the group exchanged glances as the expectation for a good show grew in their eyes.
Melanie freshened up her makeup and took a breather before leaving the toilet. That was when she bumped into Harlow at the entrance of the gents.
He smiled darkly as he waited for her to draw her, surveying her from head to toe. He said unceremoniously,â This is the gown that Leo gave you?â
Melanie remained silent.
âLet me ask you a question: do you like Leo as a person, or do you like his money instead?â
+15 BONUS Harlow put his hands behind his back as he sauntered over, smelling like alcohol. A wave of nausea overcame Melanie as she pinched her nose and looked away.
Harlow scoffed. âIâm telling you, if you like him as a person, he doesnât have many years left to live. But if you like his money, I am loaded too! Why donât you be with me instead?â
âYou probably have no lack of women, Mr. Harlow.â
Melanie took a step back for some fresh air. The smell of alcohol on Harlow was so strong, it was as though he had been soaking himself in a pub for 30 years without any fresh air! Information on Harlow York told her that he changed partners as frequently as the number of times he slept.
Harlow and Leo were truly polar opposites.
âThose women are just playthings!â Harlow said in disdain.
âWhat about me?â Melanie asked.
âYouâre not the same. Youâre someone Grandpa likes. Whatâs more, the little interlude just now made it clear to me how capable you are. Youâll be marrying into the York family just the same if you marry me. With us joining hands, I promise youâll have much more than if you end up with Leo!â Harlow boasted as he beat his chest, as if everything was under his control.
âI didnât expect you to be so masochistic,â Melanie said by way of rejection.
Harlow glared at her, enraged. âI havenât settled scores with you for cursing me the previous time to be terminally ill! Donât be ungrateful!â
Melanie looked back with a smile. âDoes that mean you really got yourself checked?â
The look of embarrassment on Harlowâs face deepened her smile. âHow are you sure that the doctor you consulted is good enough? If heâs not as skilled as I am and failed to diagnose you properly, it could delay treatment and lower your chances of recovery.â
âMelanie Jones!â
Harlow stepped forward, and raised his hands to slap her.
Melanie took a step back, subconsciously wrapping her arms protectively around her stomach. She couldnât afford to be hit right now...