He remembered his mom always saying that to win someone over, you should start with their kids and women.
"Sam, you're such a good boy," Leo praised.
As they chatted, Melinda and Leo had already entered the neighborhood.
Raymond and Stuart were approaching from the other direction.
"Mr. Thomas!" Sam broke free from Melinda's hand and ran towards Raymond.
Leo's expression stiffened; he hadn't expected Raymond to be there.
"Sam, I'm sick, I can't hold you," Raymond said to Sam.
"Are you sick? Did you take your medicine?" Sam asked with concern.
"Yeah, I did."
Stuart bent down and said to Sam, "Hey buddy, how about I take you to the playground? Let Mr. Thomas and your mom have a chat."
Sam thought, great, with Raymond here, Leo might leave!
He nodded, "Okay."
Watching Stuart take Sam away, Melinda turned to Leo and said, "Mr. Schmidt, let's go upstairs."
Raymond raised an eyebrow; Melinda really did bring men home casually.
"Ms. Sharp, I think I'll head back to the office," Leo said, wanting to leave.
Melinda knew he had an urgent need, and she didn't want to offend Raymond over this.
She suddenly grabbed Leo's arm. Through the thin fabric, their body heat transferred to each other.
Leo could clearly feel Melinda's warmth.
His heart raced uncontrollably.
"Mr. Schmidt, you don't need to be afraid of anyone in my home."
Melinda held Leo's arm and walked past Raymond.
The tension between the men began to ignite.
"Melinda..."
A furious male voice came from behind her.
She turned to see Raymond's dark expression and raised an eyebrow, asking, "Mr. Thomas, is there something you need?"
"Mr. Schmidt, I have unfinished business with her. Please leave," Raymond said, looking past Melinda at Leo.
Leo smiled, "Alright, I'll go."
Then, looking troubled, he furrowed his brow, "Um... I really can't hold it anymore. Can I use your bathroom?"
Melinda thought Raymond wouldn't agree, but to her surprise, he glanced at Leo and said, "There's a row of stores at the entrance of the neighborhood."
Leo waved to Melinda, "I'll be back. You two talk."
After Leo left, Melinda looked at Raymond, frowning slightly, "Mr. Thomas, what do you want?"
"Melinda," Raymond's face darkened.
"Mr. Thomas, I told you before, I don't want to see you again. Why are you still here?"
Melinda turned to leave.
Watching her walk away, Raymond clenched his fists in silence.
His chest tightened inexplicably, and he clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white.
His heart ached like it was being pricked by needles.
He started coughing violently.
His tall body bent slightly, hunched over in distress.
Melinda had walked several dozen feet away when she faintly heard coughing behind her.
She turned her head.
She saw Raymond hunched over, clutching his chest, looking pale and squatting on the ground.
In the next moment, she turned and ran back.
"Raymond, are you okay?"
Melinda squatted down and reached out to support Raymond's arm.
"I'm fine," Raymond stood up straight.
Standing up, Raymond's pale face showed a hint of exhaustion.
His expression was indifferent, and his gaze at Melinda was unfathomable.
Melinda's heart felt like it had been hit hard.
She held Raymond's arm, "I'll have Stuart take you to the hospital."
She reached for her phone.
Raymond's handsome face twisted, "I'm not going."
Melinda's hand paused.
Raymond's refusal was without a hint of hesitation.
Melinda was a bit angry, "Do you know how dangerous it is to continue like this?"
"Then let me die," Raymond said coldly.
Melinda was furious and picked up her phone to call, but before she could dial, Raymond grabbed her hand.
"I'm fine," Raymond's deep voice was weak, "No need to trouble Stuart."
Melinda frowned at him.
"Your face looks terrible, you should go to the hospital," Melinda insisted.
"I know my own body. I just need to rest for a while," Raymond took her phone and walked straight to her building.
By the time Melinda realized it, Raymond had disappeared into the elevator.
She shook her head helplessly. She didn't want to see him, but how did he end up clinging to her?
In the elevator, Melinda's gaze was fixed on Raymond beside her. He had indeed lost a lot of weight in just a few days, his complexion was poor, with dark circles under his eyes and stubble, as if he hadn't groomed himself in days.
After Melinda opened the door, he followed her in, grabbed her cup, and poured himself a glass of water.
Sitting on the couch, he leaned back slightly, closed his eyes, and looked exhausted.
Melinda watched him, thinking: Is he faking it?
Raymond suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze clear.
"Don't let me see another man around you."
"Don't make me say it a second time." Seeing Melinda not respond, Raymond repeated, his tone much colder this time. If she dared to refuse, he would go crazy.
Melinda had no choice but to compromise.
After making the agreement, she got up to leave.
Raymond extended his long arm and grabbed her waist.
Melinda paused.
"I'm staying here tonight," Raymond said, seeing the shock on her face.
"No," Melinda rejected before Raymond could finish.
"I'm pursuing you because I want a home," Raymond's words fell lightly, "If I die, will you be happy?"
Same old story.
Melinda sneered, "Whether you live or die has nothing to do with me."
Hearing this, Raymond tightened his grip on her waist, as if crushing her bones.
"Do you really want me to die?" Raymond's deep gaze locked onto her eyes.
Melinda's heart trembled. Was this man really that sick?
The curve of Melinda's lips faded, and she said anxiously, "You owe your life to my dad. Shouldn't you live well?"
Her words lacked sincerity, but Raymond felt her concern.
"Fine, I'll try to live a long life," Raymond replied seriously.
Melinda glanced at her phone; it was already 6:30, and Raymond still hadn't left.
"It's late. I need to prepare dinner for Sam. You and Stuart should go."
"I'm not leaving," Raymond insisted.
"Then you'll go hungry, because I'm not cooking for you," Melinda warned.
"Alright, I'll stay," Raymond squinted.
Melinda went to the kitchen. While measuring the rice, she eventually gave in and cooked a portion for Raymond.
As for Stuart, he definitely wouldn't stay for dinner.
A few minutes later, Stuart returned with Sam. Seeing Raymond, the little guy was delighted.
"Mr. Thomas, it's great to have dinner with you."
"Mr. Thomas, I brought your medicine. Remember to take it," Stuart reminded before leaving.
After Stuart left, Melinda looked through the glass at Raymond on the couch. Did he need her supervision to take his medicine?
On the couch, Raymond watched her in the kitchen. He wasn't worried about not having dinner tonight.
He knew she had softened.
In the kitchen, Melinda prepared the ingredients and heard voices from the living room.
"Sam, don't tell your mom about my illness."
"Why not?"
"I'm a proud man. I haven't won her over yet. If she knows, she'll feel pressured."
"Okay," Sam said, half understanding.
Melinda listened silently in the kitchen. This damn man was using his illness to manipulate her.