Beyond the Divorce

He walked in and said, "Chlo..."

He paused, noticing the guest in my office, but then continued walking in.

Melvern, who was seated on the sofa, glanced at him, smiling as he spoke, "So it's you, Mr. Arnold. Long time no see."

Arnold looked at him and smiled back. "Mr. Melvern! It's been a while. You're still alive?"

It was clear that they were very familiar with each other.

Arnold, with his usual lack of formality, asked Melvern, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to Ms. Chloe about something," Melvern replied, maintaining a polite demeanor and shifting in his seat.

Arnold walked over confidently and took a seat on the sofa. He looked at Melvern and asked, "What business do you have with my sister? She's engaged in legitimate business, and you're a person of questionable integrity. What legitimate business could you discuss? Stop messing around."

looked like my younger brother was the true expert in straight

with him. Stay clean." Arnold looked at me earnestly, offering his advice. Before I could respond, Melvern said, "You don't need to

you this. Chloe is my sister and my father's precious little girl. You'd better not be getting any ideas about her, Melvern. Stop right now, or I'll make sure your dream of emigrating shatters in Foswood. Mark my words." Arnold's words were blunt, and almost made me feel a little

at Melvern indifferently.

remain composed. There was a faint smile on his face as he leaned

know about the deep connection between Ms. Chloe and the

funny ideas," Arnold said freely. "Are we done talking? If we are, then get

to me, saying, "Chlo, I need to talk to

feeling like I needed to give him a way out. After all, we were all adults, and I had to offer him some respect. "I'm sorry, Mr. Melvern. We had this meeting planned before your

alright. We've known

used to his mischief," Melvern

smooth things over He stood up. "Alright, I won't disturb you any longer. But I hope you can consider what we just discussed. If you're interested, I'll certainly offer my

if I need to." I left