Melinda smiled and shook her head. "Frank, you're putting me in a tough spot. I'm not much of a singer or dancer, so I'll pass."
"No worries! You're so beautiful, just standing here is a treat for all of us!" Frank said with a grin. "And Raymond here is the most handsome guy in the room. You two make a perfect pair! Right, Raymond?"
Raymond heard this and gave a small smile, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm just here to keep Melinda company tonight. I don't want to steal her spotlight."
After receiving her award, Melinda left the stage with Raymond.
She held onto Raymond's arm as they walked back to their seats, looking like the perfect couple.
As the event neared its end, Frank stood on stage and announced loudly, "Thank you all for your participation and support! Next, we have a cocktail party waiting for you. Enjoy this wonderful evening!"
The lights came on, and everyone moved to the wine-tasting hall.
Raymond received a phone call at that moment. He spoke softly for a few moments and then left his seat.
Delilah approached Melinda and greeted her. "Melinda, you're so lucky! Raymond really went all out to make you happy."
Melinda smiled but didn't say anything. She glanced around but didn't see Raymond.
"By the way, Celestia is here too," Delilah suddenly mentioned.
Melinda was taken aback, guessing that Celestia might be looking for Raymond.
So, she stood up and walked towards the hallway where Raymond had taken the call.
Sure enough, at the end of the hallway, she saw Celestia and Raymond.
Celestia was looking down, apologizing to Raymond. "Raymond, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have treated you that way before. Please forgive me."
Raymond looked at her coldly, his voice devoid of warmth. "Celestia, your issues have nothing to do with me. Please respect yourself."
Celestia looked up, her eyes filled with tears. "Raymond, I'm begging you. I'll do anything if you forgive me."
Seeing this, Melinda took a deep breath and pretended to be looking for someone. "Raymond, someone's looking for you!"
She then ran over and took Raymond's arm. "Let's go!"
Celestia was stunned by this scene.
She watched Melinda and Raymond walk away, her heart filled with hatred.
"Melinda, just you wait! I won't let you get away with this!" Celestia muttered through gritted teeth.
As Melinda and Raymond walked out of the hallway, she couldn't help but ask, "What did Celestia say to you?"
"Nothing much," Raymond replied calmly. "She just wanted to apologize."
Melinda was momentarily surprised but then understood. She looked at Raymond's profile, feeling a warm sensation in her heart.
She knew that no matter what happened, Raymond would always be there to protect her.
Before they reached the banquet hall, Raymond suddenly grabbed Melinda's wrist and pulled her into an empty private room.
Melinda was startled by his sudden action. She looked at Raymond in confusion. "What are you doing?"
Raymond leaned against the door, his eyes intense. "You said you had something important to tell me. Now's the time."
Melinda was taken aback but then smiled and shook her head. "I just said that to save you. It wasn't serious."
"Really?" Raymond raised an eyebrow. "I want to hear the truth."
Seeing his serious expression, Melinda felt a warmth in her heart.
She walked over to Raymond and looked up at him. "Actually, I do have something to tell you."
"What is it?" Raymond lowered his head, looking into her eyes.
Melinda smiled slightly and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You look very handsome tonight."
Raymond was momentarily surprised but then laughed. He gently pinched Melinda's cheek. "Is that a compliment?"
"Of course!" Melinda nodded earnestly. "You really do look handsome tonight."
Raymond looked at her serious expression, feeling a surge of emotion.
He leaned closer to her ear. "Do you know what I've been thinking about all night?"
Melinda was taken aback, sensing a premonition.
Her heart started to race, and her breathing became slightly rapid.
Raymond looked at her nervous expression and chuckled softly. "You look beautiful tonight."
With that, he lowered his head and gently kissed Melinda's lips.
In the luxurious private room, the atmosphere was intimate and subtle. Raymond's deep eyes were now only focused on Melinda's delicate face.
He gently cupped her face, treating her like a priceless treasure, his voice low and magnetic. "Melinda, do you know what I've always wanted to do?"
Melinda's heart raced uncontrollably. She looked at Raymond, her voice soft. "What is it?"
"Kiss you," Raymond confessed simply and firmly, then leaned in and kissed her tenderly.
Melinda didn't resist, even closing her eyes slightly, allowing herself to be immersed in the deep and passionate kiss. Raymond's kiss, with his unique scent, made her feel a sense of inexplicable peace and excitement.
She thought of the raffle he had meticulously prepared for her, his cold rejection of Celestia, and his constant care and attention. All of this made her unable to resist his charm.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the hallway, Celestia stood alone under the dim lights, her face full of malice and hatred. She felt Raymond's indifference and disregard, filling her heart with resentment and anger.
She knew she had to follow the path Rufus had laid out for her. Only then could she get everything she wanted.
She decided to kidnap Raymond, complete her plan to have a child, and then kill him. She also wouldn't spare Melinda, who had humiliated her.
In the brightly lit banquet hall, filled with chatter and laughter, Emily had no interest in the lively scene.
She was waiting for the right moment to approach Raymond.
She instructed Lena to keep an eye on Raymond's movements and notify her as soon as he was alone.
Meanwhile, after a moment of deep affection in the private room, Melinda felt a bit out of control.
She sensed that Raymond wanted more, but she pushed him away.
Raymond frowned slightly, dissatisfied. "This place is too small. It limits my performance."
Melinda playfully glared at him, adjusted her clothes, and left the private room.
She planned to find Delilah in the banquet hall for a chat, but after searching around, she couldn't find her. Remembering that she needed to pick up her son soon, she decided to leave the banquet hall.
However, just as she stepped out the door, she thought she saw Emily.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she quietly followed.
She saw Emily and Lena hiding in a corner, whispering.
Melinda knew Emily's intentions well. She walked up to them with a cold expression. "Lena, was it Emily who told you to hide my phone last time?"
Lena's face turned pale with fear when she saw Melinda. She trembled and admitted her wrongdoing.
Melinda gave her a cold look. "Then you should resign now. We don't need employees who betray us."
Emily laughed mockingly. "Melinda, who do you think you are? What right do you have to fire my employee?"
Ignoring Emily's provocation, Melinda turned to leave.
But Emily wouldn't let her go. She spat venomously, "Melinda, don't think you've won. I once spent a passionate night with Raymond. I know every inch of his body. And you? You're just someone who'll be discarded when he's done with you. Do you really think Raymond will choose you? Stop dreaming!"