Chapter 177

Delivering Information on a Silver Platter I raised an eyebrow and strolled over. Melanie stood there, arms akimbo.

It had only been a few days since we last met, but her baby bump had grown noticeably. It protruded confidently, just like her. I thought it was an impressive sight, chuckling to myself. It seemed she come to deliver information to me on a silver platter.

“Oh, Mrs. Melanie, you’re here! Don’t get so worked up. Be mindful of the little prince in your belly.”

I said “prince” because the Murphys believed Melanie would have a boy.

She turned to glare at me. When she saw me approaching, she fired back, “Hah! Don’t act all high and mighty with your sarcasm!”

“That’s so rude of you, Melanie. You should consider prenatal care. Your words and actions aren’t good for the baby,” I taunted, pretending to be unconcerned, “You’re someone’s ‘wife‘ now, so you should.

consider how you act in public. Your brother would be distressed if anything terrible happened to you.”

The initially angry receptionists chuckled and looked at me with gratitude.

“What brings you to Tanum Corporation?” I asked. “Come with me to the office. You might not know yet, but we’re full on staff now. I thank you and your brother for taking those old guys with you. My team is much younger now.”

“Don’t get cocky, Chloe. Stop thinking you’re all that just because you secured two contracts. You better watch yourself. Do you think you got the Echelon Group contract out of thin air?” Melanie’s eyes reddened with anger. “You only got it because Matt pitied you.”

“Oh my, your brother is so attentive. Well, I’ll send you two a big gift when you get married. Don’t worry, I’ll be nice to you and your brother.” I exaggerated my sarcasm, hitting every nerve by referring to Matthew as her brother.

The employees in the room would laugh whenever I said “brother.”

Everyone knew Melanie had seduced her brother. Sure enough, many also knew the two were not blood-

related. Still, they grew up as siblings.

“You shut up!” Melanie caught my sarcasm and stomped toward me.

“What are you here just to argue with me? Are you upset that your brother got me the project? Don’t be so petty. I heard you’re cozying up to Echelon Group. Is that single contract worth all this fuss?

your brothers hard I to arrange this. So, aren’t you afraid I might refuse to telse on the I stared into Melanie’s eyes. Indeed, she widened them as she stared back at me. “How did you know?”

Her response confirmed my suspicion that Matthew had conspired with Echelon Group to trap me.

Melanie looked as if she was trying to analyze the truth in my words. I knew she wasn’t as educated and sharp as me.

Most of her intelligence was toward pleasing men. With Matthew’s pampering, she didn’t need to develop her intellect further.

I My mind raced as I added, “Isn’t that common in business? Do you two think I’m that person’s weakness? Fifty thousand square meters isn’t enough. Tell Matthew to put in more effort if he wants to make a deal with me.

“Humans do have endless greed regarding wealth. I was with him for many years, so I know how his rotten mind thinks.”

“C–Chloe, how do you know all this? You better tell me now! Eche-“Melanie stopped, looked around, and swallowed whatever she wanted to say.

It seemed I had hit the mark. Indeed, they were trying to use me to test Atlas, wanting to see if I was hist I weakness. Still, I wondered why they would suspect me. It couldn’t be because of Matthew’s baseless speculation.

As I had told Melanie earlier, I would look down on Echelon Group if things were this simple. There had to be something fishy going on here.