Let me go, Mr. Hill [by Shallow South] Chapter 398 âThatâs right, I feel bad for you too,â Melanie echoed, âBesides, sometimes men say what they have to say for dignityâs sake.â
âIndeed, itâs important that a man guards his reputation. Ah, Young Master Campos, when I first arrived in Canberra and heard about the infamous rumor about you and the female university student, I thought the poor girl was going to have a change of fate. As it turns out, I was wrong.â
After pausing for a brief second, Catherine said seriously to Melanie, âMy younger sister, since itâs your engagement ceremony today, Iâd like to give you a genuine word of advice. Every woman will turn old or ugly one day. Beautiful women are everywhere yet inner beauty never fades away. This is the real secret of maintaining a long-lasting marriage.â
âYouâre right, my wife.â
Shaun said before turning to look at President Thompson. âI bet you understand this really well. After all, President Thompson, you always go after girls as young as 18. I heard youâve found yourself another young girl recently. Mrs. Thompson must know that sheâs old, thus she turns a blind eye to it all. Sigh.â
All of a sudden, Catherine pretended to be angry and glared at Charlie. âYoung Master Campos, youâre a good friend of President Thompson but I hope youâre not going to follow his way of life. You mustnât disappoint Melanie, alright? â
Charlieâs face was overcast after being humiliated like this at his own engagement ceremony. Melanie, who was quite smug earlier, also felt ashamed now.
She initially thought that Charlie was a pretty good man yet did not expect him to have a past with a young university student. The thought of it made her nauseous.
âNo way. It was love at first sight between us. Iâll love and protect Melanie forever.â Charlie smiled unnaturally.
âI see. Well, Young Master Campos, it mustâve been difficult for you before this, trying to maintain this one-sided love. After all, you had to watch the love of your life pestering another manâ¦â Catherine quickly covered her mouth with her hand. âAh, pretend I didnât say that.â
âCatherine, are you doing this on purpose?â Melanie became furious. âI had poor judgment in the past.
Charlie is so much better than Shaun in every way.â
âI understand.â Catherine nodded affirmatively. âEspecially now that Liam has taken over the family business. Otherwise, I donât think youâd even throw him a second glance.â
âStop with the nonsenseâ¦â
Melanie regretted inviting Catherine after seeing the color slowly draining off Charlieâs complexion.
She had thought of ridiculing Catherine but certainly did not expect the latter to have such a sharp tongue.
How could she be so arrogant even with the facial disfigurement?
âItâs alright, Melanie. Letâs go. We have more important guests to greet. People of their status donât deserve too much of our time.â Charlie could not be bothered to keep on with the act any longer.
âYouâre right.â Melanie linked arms with the man and walked toward the Hill family.
However, the two of them seemed a little awkward with each other after what they had just learned.
Upon looking at their receding silhouettes, Shaun pinched the tip of Catherineâs nose playfully. âNot bad at all. You even found out about Charlieâs past with the university student. How did you know about that?â
âFreya told me. Sheâs become acquaintances with several missus and madams of the affluent society and heard a lot of gossip from them,â she replied with a smile. âYouâre pretty good yourself for finding out about President Thompsonâs love affairs.â
âI know the personalities of those presidents too well.â
The two of them walked toward the crowd hand-in-hand.
In the past, Shaun would definitely be surrounded by people within seconds but all he received today was looks of ridicule and disdain. Many of them even gossiped about Catherine.
âDonât take it personally. Soon⦠all these people will come to curry favors with you,â he whispered.
âIâll pass. I donât like being fawned over.â
Catherine pouted and saw Joel walking toward her. He looked at her face with pity. âCathy, why didnât you tell me about your face? What actually happened? Shaun Hill, you kept saying you wanted to marry my daughter yet this is how you protect her?â
Shaun frowned, looking displeased.
Joel continued yelling angrily, âI shouldnât have listened to your sweet promises. I shouldâve just left with herâ¦â