Chapter 53

He spoke as he flipped through the document Melanie brought. Then, he threw it at a corner of the table. “So, you don’t deserve to be treated differently.”

Melanie had been eating in the company’s canteen with Yana and would go for the cheapest set meal. LeapCo had a proper canteen, and the welfare of their employees was reasonably good.

Yana was curious. “Melanie, why have you been eating at the canteen recently?”

Before Melanie could answer her, Yana responded to her own question, “Oh, | understand. Is it because of the penalty issue?”

Melanie grunted in response to her question.

Not only did Yana feel that it was unjust for Melanie, but even others working in the same department felt the same way.

However, they dared not ask Melanie and only talked about it behind her back.

Melanie happened to hear the gossip about her when she was about to walk out of the toilet cubicle. Stunned, she stopped in her action of opening the door.

“If | were Melanie, I'd be so angry. She has to get three months of salary deducted when it’s not her fault at all. If | were her, |

would've resigned. Melanie is capable and can get a job. anywhere easily.”

“She can’t resign. Melanie seems to have signed a labor contract with LeapCo,” said another woman.

Only when the voices faded did Melanie walk out.

She had indeed signed a labor contract with LeapCo, and Cedric was the one who made her sign it.

On Friday, Melanie went to the nursing home, paid the fee for the next term, and transferred Peachie’s medical expenses for the month to Dylan.

When she left the nursing home, her grandfather stuffed a bank card into her palm.

Melanie’s forehead creased. “Why are you giving me this?”

“| can’t let you bear all of Peachie’s medical expenses. I’m her grandfather, after all.” The old man sighed. “There isn’t much money in it. Maybe it'll only be enough for a few months’ worth of medical fees.”

When Melanie returned home, she saw Eugene, who seemed to be going out.

He froze when he saw Melanie. “Did you take the afternoon off?”

“Yes. | had something to deal with.”

Eugene looked at her before parting his lips and saying, “Tomorrow night at Jepton Hotel.”

Stella’s birthday was tomorrow, and Melanie thought he would go with Viola.

He had already walked away when she was about to ask Eugene if they had to leave together.

The next day, Melanie waited for Eugene at home until 5:30 pm, but she did not see him. Thus, she drove to Jepton Hotel herself.

She only realized Eugene had already arrived when she was at the venue.

Beside him was Viola who was dressed gorgeously. She was welcoming the guests with Stella and Eugene.

Stella looked at Melanie with a sneer. Melanie handed her the gift she brought. “Happy birthday, Mrs. Scott.”

She knew Stella despised her and the gift she brought.”

Although Cedric looked down on Melanie’s status, he did not care to make things difficult for a woman. He just said sternly, “Go in since you're already here.”

*Many of Eugene’s friends attended Stella’s birthday party.

When Melanie entered the hall, she saw Simon and the others.

Viola led Melanie to Simon’s table and said, “Simon, Melanie is here. Eugene is busy, so please help us take good care of Melanie.”

It was the first time Melanie was a guest at a banquet of the Scott family. She lowered her eyelids, hiding her surging emotions.

Just as she sat, Eugene approached her and knocked on the table in front of Melanie as he looked at her. He said indifferently, “Come over and help.”