At Melissa's mention of Jessie, Marcus glanced upstairs.

He remarked, “Even if Jessie struggles, she needs to move on.

Albert's marriage is solid. Even if Jessie goes to Heron, it won't change anything. Albert has a wife now. You're her friend and you should tell Jessie to let go of him and move on with her own life.

And if you keep coddling her, she'll never get over it” As he spoke, Melissa studied his face.

Marcus smirk. “What? Have you never seen a handsome guy like me before?” Melissa admitted honestly, “Nope, never” Marcus’ intense gaze held hers for a moment. Then, he dabbed his lips with a pristine napkin, ruffled Matthew's hair, and said, “I'm off to the office” Matthew immediately scooped up Minnie, chiming, “Bye, dad.” Marcus chuckled. He figured Matthew just wanted more time with the dog. Like mother, like son, with a mind of his own.

Less than an hour after Marcus departed, Julie showed up.

Julie was ready to lend a hand if Melissa needed it. Plus, having Yvonne

stay with them would be a good arrangement.

Julie even opened up to Melissa, saying, “You know what I'm thinking?

Shawn's raking in the money now. I'm worried he might blow it all, so Janet needs to stick by him. That's why Yvonne's staying with me.

With no kiddos around, they can focus on their careers. And I can also help you taking care of Matthew.” Melissa inquired about Shawn's progress. She was genuinely pleased for him.

Just then, Matthew dashed over, wrapping Julie in a tight hug, bringing tears to her eyes.

Julie missed Matthew dearly too.

With Julie there, Melissa felt at ease heading to the office.

At noon, Melissa called but another servant picked up. The servant stammered, “Miss Green's up. She's with Matthew, waiting on Julie to cook them something.” Melissa breathed a sigh of relief. That was good news.

After hanging up, she sank into her leather chair, pondering Jessie's situation.

Bringing Jessie back wasn't just about providing her shelter. Jessie was in hot water with her folks. But they wouldn't dare cause a scene at Marcus’ place.

Melissa owed Marcus yet another one.

As she mulled over this, the desk phone rang. It was the secretary's sweet voice. “Miss Brown, Mr. Fowler, CEO of the Fowler Group, wants to tee off with you this afternoon.”

She was obviously referring to Marcus.

Golf? They had breakfast together this morning. Why didn't he mention it then, instead of having his secretary to make the call and relay the message? After a moment's thought, Melissa replied, “Three in the afternoon, then” After hanging up, Melissa tapped out a message on WhatsApp.

“Lame-ol” She even added an eye-roll emo.

It took Marcus about half an hour to reply.

“You weren't like this last night when I was on your bed. You wanted me bad” Melissa's cheeks burned red.

Marcus had nailed it. She had desires too.

With Marcus parading around like that every day, who wouldn't feel something? Before three in the afternoon, Melissa received more news.

And it was good news.

Alan agreed to invest in the Waston Group's project, which came as a pleasant surprise. Melissa quickly called for a meeting, instructing the PR department to spread the word.

Sure enough, before the stock market closed, the Waston Group's stocks soared.

Albert even called personally. “Melissa, you've proven me right. This is a gamechanger” With a small grin, Melissa replied, “As long as I don't disappoint.” After hanging up, Melissa was in high spirits.

Then, Marcus rang her. He sounded peeved.

“Why haven't you come yet?” Melissa checked the time; it was already five.

She apologized to Marcus, “Sorry, I got held up. How about we reschedule?” Marcus’ voice dropped as he replied, “You know what? If you let me have you tonight, we'll reschedule this to next time.

Melissa was both shocked by Marcus’ words.

She could hardly believe her ears that he had said such words publicly.

Moreover, she knew she was Marcus’ only woman throughout the years, s0 he shouldn't have been this smooth in flirting, right? So how could he speak in such a wild manner? But since Melissa was in a good mood, she replied with a snort, “Just wait and see” This response did not annoy Marcus.

Instead, he said offhandedly, “Come on over. We can still play a few rounds before we lose the light” Melissa didn't say no.

But since she didn't want to go with him alone, she took her secretary with her in the company car.

By now, the twilight was beginning to approach, but the scenery still looked marvelous and the evening breeze felt cool on everyone's skin.

Hence, Melissa changed into sportswear and a loose jacket before beginning the journey. When they arrived at their destination, she pulled off the jacket and handed it to her secretary before grabbing the golf club.

To her surprise, eight people were also present at the golf course with Marcus.

All of them were senior executives of Fowler Group.

What was most surprising to Melissa was that among them was an old acquaintance of hers, Ryan. She couldn't comprehend why Marcus had allowed Ryan to keep working for him since he didn't like him very much.

He had even recently promoted Ryan to the position of manager and now, he had allowed him to come to the golf course.

But Melissa didn't say anything or ask any questions.

Though she and Marcus were not on an equal footing, they were still rivals in the business world. As for Ryan, the only thing he could do now was to pick golf balls for his boss, Marcus.

But the way Ryan was so submissive and eager while he did this made Melissa very surprised.

She couldn't help but take more than a second glance at him. But Ryan, on the other hand, didn't even look at her. It was as if he didn't know her.

Apparently, Marcus was very good at bringing people under his control.

At this point, Marcus walked over to Melissa and said to her in a serious tone, “Miss Brown,

you've really kept us waiting." He was only pretending to sound displeased, and Melissa also responded in a similar manner, “Oh, I'm so sorry. Something urgent came up and I just had to stay and take care of it” Marcus didn't say anything in response. Instead, he just went ahead to briefly introduce the people around him to Melissa. Most of them were senior members of Fowler Group who had been with the company since Korbyn was CEO. They were not young men by any stretch. Hence, they were all highly experienced. But despite their age, they had no wish to retire.

Melissa shook hands with each of them as graciously and respectfully as she could.

But these men had heard some rumors about what was supposedly going on between these two. Only a few days ago, they heard that Marcus had broken up with Melissa, but now, he had brought her here to play golf with them. Yet, he had just called her Miss Brown. It was all very confusing. Were they still together or not? Determined to find out the true state of their relationship, one of them said to Melissa, “Miss Brown, I just heard that you received some investment from Mr. Scott's company. Alan is a straightforward man, but he's also very smart. It's not easy to pull off what you've achieved.”

“Well,” Melissa responded with a faint smile, “Waston Group is in business. We welcome investment from all and sundry."

At this point, Marcus cut in and said to Melissa, “Miss Brown, this is the VP of the development department of our group, Ryan Jenkins.

from your hometown, so I thought about introducing you two.” Melissa's

forced a smile on his face

for a handshake, Marcus quickly stopped him by saying, “There's no need to shake hands. Miss Brown is a very reserved person.” Melissa knew that it was

senior members of Fowler Group, she was still the highest representative of her company. Hence, she was on the

expectations, Marcus didn't discuss about

standing on the green lawn with his golf club, he looked really handsome in his

‘s

the terrain briefly, he swung at the ball and holed

Brown?” Melissa was going to tell him what he wanted to hear, but when she saw how he was looking at her with a charming smile and noticed him winking

was

Melissa

him, she was not as fiery as she used to be, so she still went ahead to compliment him. After that, Marcus began to teach her how to play golf. She had learned it in

a very

Melissa was beginning to think that this trip to the golf course was worthy of it. But still, she couldn't understand why he had gone to great lengths to bring her here. Was it just to teach her how to play golf? This was what was

familiar voice suddenly called her

was right there,

lights, Ryan's

was shocked to see him

at his apartment, and when they even had their first intimate

to be doing quite well, Melissa,” Ryan said in a

your relationship with Marcus look good. You know, after Marcus snatched that case from you, I thought you guys wouldn't be together anymore. I never expected that

turn off the faucet from which water had still

of exasperation. “I didn't do anything bad to you, Ryan. I wonder

shameless man. For a long time, he took advantage of her gratitude to his family and never really saw her as someone he loved. But when he discovered how much she had achieved now, he couldn't help but feel a huge sense of loss. In fact, he began

surface, he

his clients over and over. Whenever he encountered difficult middle-aged female clients, he always needed to sacrifice his body. If he couldn't

women's bodies

of money at Fowler

covered an area of about 180 square meters. He now had afirm foothold in Duefron. He even had a young girl that

there was a way

Jenkins family an heir.

had everything he needed, but when Melissa appeared, it

but I'm here,” he said with a bitter smile on his face. “Why do you think I was able to come, and who do you think arranged it?”

all these things because you feel upset, but you were the one who chose this road for yourself,

clear indication that she knew all about his undesirable situation.

she saw him, she acted very calmly. She didn't look down on him nor pity him.

when she was a

point, Melissa felt that she needed to

as she made for the door, Ryan instinctively reached

he said in a light tone, “Minnie bit Jessie. Jessie has

even threatened to put Minnie down.”

broke into a smile and went on, “I told you not to spoil Jessie too much, you know. Did

she continued to

sure what she really wanted to see on his face. Maybe she wanted to see if he was

any chance. Instead, he

and her fingertips

your driver and secretary to go. We can go home in my car,” he

was right behind Melissa at

that he had seen

the truth after all Back then, she

that even though she had a boyfriend, she Liked him more, perhaps he

and you can't, that’s why you hate me with such passion?” she asked him, looking into his eyes with

looked down at her and snorted. “I'm glad you know.” Melissa broke into a smile.

charming, beautiful and

who first fell for him.

the car, Marcus couldn't help

Itwas already getting dark.

the VIP private parking lot. Before Melissa could say Jack, he had pushed her

loosed her long hair and

whisper. She sounded panicked and

his bright eyes looked hard and unpredictable. “What? Don't you want to?” he asked in a

had been a long time since

answer, Marcus ki*sed her slender neck so intensely

if he wanted to bite it

against him. She felt his

public environment and she was feeling mentally stressed. But

somewhere else. She hesitated for a moment before

way that she had never felt

rough than he was before, but still, he was giving her double pleasure. It didn't take long for her to move from resistance to submission. She tamely

to his ear and said softly, “Marcus, you're sweating a lot” Marcus looked down at her and responded with

She felt Marcus had indeed changed a

words in

but on the

just passed. Their breaths, once ragged, now found a tranquil rhythm, as both Marcus and Melissa found solace in

were unnecessary between them. Despite having Matthew and sharing intimacy before, the confines of the car were a frst for them. The

the night's escapades, broke

“ALL right.” ‘s Her words belied her true feelings, coming out more

a glance back at

a flurry, attempted to button her blouse, her

close and took over the task with a finesse that

unable to resist a jest, remarked, “Your fingers seem quite adept.” “Didn't you enjoy them?” Marcus retorted, his smile barely visible in the

glow briefly illuminated his features, highlighting the handsome contours of his face that Melissa had once found irresistible.

on their repeated intimate encounters since her return, a wave of shame washed over her. The complexity of their relationship was something she

mindful of Melissa in the car, took a few quick drags of

stepped out into the night, pausing to offer a gentle reminder over his shoulder. “Just stay in the back seat. Tidy up a bit. Let's not

casting a quick

in the evening, marking nearly an hour since he and Melissa had retreated to the

different, he wouldn't have parted from Melissa so swiftly. After all, satisfaction didn't come easily, especially for

in silence, each

the sight of Matthew on the porch, clutching Minnie in his arms, the puppy's

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