Chapter 129: Emily is Back

Melinda was in her room, lost in a book, when her phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.

Her eyes widened as she read the message.

The photo showed a woman who looked eerily similar to her, nestled in Raymond's arms.

Why did this woman look so much like her?

Her eyes stung, and warm tears began to flow.

Melinda had no idea that Emily had undergone such extensive plastic surgery. She didn't recognize her at all.

She tossed her phone aside, feeling agitated. Just then, she heard the sound of a car engine outside. It seemed Raymond was back.

She fixed her gaze on the door, and soon enough, Raymond's tall figure appeared. Melinda narrowed her eyes, like a cat catching a mouse, arms crossed, watching him intently.

"What's wrong?" Raymond asked, feeling a bit uneasy.

He had been pleased to see Melinda waiting for him on the couch, but her expression was off.

"Nothing, just thinking Mr. Thomas looks quite handsome," Melinda said with a forced smile.

Raymond raised an eyebrow. "Were you waiting for me?"

Melinda turned to get some water. "No, I just came down for a drink."

"I'm thirsty too. Pour me a glass."

"Are you incapable of doing it yourself?" Melinda poured only one glass and headed back upstairs.

Raymond was left speechless.

Was she annoyed with him?

They say women can change their mood faster than flipping a page. She was fine betóre he letť.

Raymond followed her upstairs and stopped at her door. "Where's Sam?"

"Playing with his Legos in his room," Melinda replied, holding a book.

Raymond walked in and reached for the glass of water next to her, but she stopped him. "Don't touch that. It's mine."

He had already taken a sip. Seeing her angry but silent, he asked, "What's wrong?" Melinda, seeing he had actually drunk from it, suppressed her irritation. "Fine, you drink it. I'll get another." She silently cursed Raymond.

"Why get another glass of water?" Raymond sat across from her, staring deeply. They had kissed so many times, and she was still acting distant?

It made him both angry and anxious.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

Raymond was straightforward. He wanted to solve problems immediately.

"I should have let you fend for yourself yesterday. But think about it, you wouldn't have lost much, just some energy. She would have been the one at a loss!" Melinda blurted

out.

Raymond was confused.

Something was definitely wrong. Melinda wouldn't be this upset otherwise.

"Melinda, if you want me dead, at least tell me why," Raymond said softly.

He was desperate to resolve this.

Since they were already at this point, Melinda decided to be honest. She showed him the photo on her phone. "Next time you find a woman, don't pick one that looks like me. It's disgusting."

Raymond's eyes narrowed. Emily had sent her the photo?

"Melinda, can't you tell who she is?" Raymond asked quietly.

"I know her?" Melinda was surprised.

"Emily." Melinda almost dropped her phone.

She quickly picked it up and examined the photo closely.

"Why did she make herself look like me?" No wonder she felt a strange familiarity.

Raymond's voice held a hint of confusion. "Jealousy?"

"She wouldn't," Melinda muttered under her breath.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I have no feelings for her," Raymond explained, his eyes pleading.

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No feelings, yet holding her so tightly? Who would believe that?

Looking closely, only Emily was holding Raymond. He wasn't holding her back.

What was she jealous of? Melinda felt a bit foolish and embarrassed. "Mr. Thomas, are you still thirsty? I'll get you another glass."

Raymond felt pressured and nervous by her anger.

Melinda didn't envy Emily's successful surgery. It was too risky, with potential long- term consequences.

"Don't be mad. I really don't have any other intentions." Raymond moved closer, his eyes searching hers.

"I'm not mad. It was my fault," Melinda admitted, realizing she had no right to be jealous.

"I'm tired. I'm going to bed." Melinda wanted to be alone.

But as she stood, Raymond grabbed her wrist, pulling her onto his lap and into his arms.

"You..." Melinda's eyes widened. What was he doing?

"Still think I'm disgusting?"

Raymond held her tightly.

"No," Melinda said, trying to stay calm.

"I don't believe you. Prove it."

Raymond was insistent.

"How do you want me to prove it?" Melinda asked, confused.

Raymond smiled, pulling her closer and kissing her.

Melinda's mind went blank. Couldn't he respect her a bit?

She pushed him away, grabbed her phone, and retreated to her room. She needed to

think.

Next time, she should consider the consequences before provoking him.

The next morning, Melinda was sleeping soundly when she received a call.

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It was Delilah.

She informed her that Tenley had been sentenced to five years.

It wasn't supposed to be that long. Raymond must have used his connections. The marketing manager involved in the deal was also sentenced to three years.

To save himself, the procurement manager claimed Tenley approached him first, selling

him the test data. Aifei Pharmaceuticals Group sued Tenley for violating trade secrets, seeking both criminal and civil penalties.

In the end, Tenley was fined $50 million and had $1.5 million in illegal earnings confiscated.

Melinda wasn't surprised. Tenley had a personal grudge against her and sold the lab data out of spite. She deserved it. She'd never be able to repay the huge fine.

Tenley's properties, cars, and her parents' house were all auctioned off. "Now everyone in the lab who badmouthed you is scared. They underestimated Mr. Thomas's love for you," Delilah said, making Melinda feel warm inside.

"I heard the Aifei Pharmaceuticals Group president is begging Mr. Thomas for mercy every day," Delilah added, making Melinda feel guilty for how she treated Raymond yesterday.

After hanging up, Melinda got out of bed and checked on Sam, who was still asleep after playing too hard last night.

She put on a coat and went downstairs. Outside, the city was covered in a blanket of snow from the night before.

Melinda smelled coffee coming from the kitchen.

She tightened her coat and walked towards the kitchen.

Seeing Raymond's back, she suddenly wanted to hug him. Once the thought crossed

her mind, she couldn't resist. She opened her arms and hugged him from behind. Raymond turned around, surprised but pleased. "Morning," he said softly.

"Morning," Melinda replied, her voice muffled against his back.

Raymond turned around to face her, his eyes softening. "You okay?"

Melinda nodded. "Yeah, I just... I just wanted to say I'm sorry for last night."

Raymond smiled, pulling her closer. "It's okay. I understand." Melinda felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you," she whispered. Raymond kissed the top of her head. "Let's have breakfast. We can talk more later." Melinda nodded, feeling a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time. As they sat down to eat, she realized that maybe, just maybe, things were going to be okay.