Raymond admired Melinda's resilience and independence, and he wouldn't give up easily.
There was still plenty of time; one day, he would make her willingly marry him.
Just then, his phone rang again, interrupting his thoughts.
He glanced at the caller ID; it was Emily. He frowned but answered the call.
"Hello, Emily."
"Raymond, I'm so scared. Can you come over and keep me company?" Emily's voice was weak and filled with dependence and longing.
But Raymond remained unmoved and calmly refused, "I'll have Cindy Tate come over to keep you company."
"No, Raymond, I just dreamed about that night five years ago. I miss you so much and want to relive it." Emily's voice was full of ambiguity and desire.
Raymond's cold eyes narrowed slightly.
Five years ago, he had deeply hurt her, and Emily still longed for that night?
He calmly asked, "Emily, have you forgotten how I treated you that night? Wasn't it a nightmare for you?"
On the other end of the line, Emily's breathing became rapid, "That night, I was indeed scared, but as long as I thought it was you, no matter how painful, I felt it was sweet."
Raymond frowned, "I have things to do."
"Okay then."
Emily responded softly and then said, "Raymond, can I join you for dinner tomorrow?"
Raymond agreed and hung up the phone.
Emily's forehead was already covered in a fine layer of cold sweat. She had almost been discovered by Raymond! Just thinking about Raymond's sharp, eagle-like gaze made her heart race uncontrollably.
Recalling Raymond's words, each one felt like it came from an ice cellar, cold enough to make her shiver. From his tone, Melinda must have suffered unimaginable torment that night.
Even so, Emily was insanely jealous. If only that night had been hers!
She would have felt Raymond's strength and power. Just thinking about his strong, tall figure made Emily feel hot and restless.
She longed to be his woman, even if only once! This intense desire burned fiercely in her heart, almost driving her to madness.
But before that, she had to get rid of Melinda.
Emily scrolled through her phone and dialed a number.
"Hello! Have you still not made up your mind?"
Hearing the silence on the other end, Emily became a bit angry. Melinda was hanging around Raymond, and sooner or later, things would be discovered. She couldn't wait for any meticulous plan; she just wanted Melinda to suffer so she could feel better.
"I've been swamped with work lately."
Elsie genuinely didn't want to approach Melinda because Melinda had called her several times, asking for those research materials from back then.
Hearing this, Emily rolled her eyes and immediately transferred $100,000 to Elsie.
"Tomorrow, I want to hear that Melinda has gone mad."
With that, Emily hung up the phone.
Elsie stared at the $100,000 in her account, stunned. She had money now.
Probably blinded by greed, Elsie pulled up WhatsApp and sent Melinda a message.
[Melinda, what are you doing? Are you free to hang out tomorrow?]
After sending the message, Elsie's heart raced, not because she feared rejection, but because she feared Melinda would agree.
[Sure! I have something to discuss with you.]
Seeing the message, Elsie felt at a loss. What if Melinda really asked for those materials? She was so scared that she couldn't sleep all night.
The next day, Melinda wanted to finish her work during lunch break so she could leave early.
Unexpectedly, she saw Emily walking out of the lab with Raymond, the two of them chatting and laughing.
For some reason, Melinda felt a lump in her throat, making her uncomfortable.
She had cursed them both countless times in her heart. Raymond, that bad man, was with her yesterday... and today, he was laughing with Emily.
After finishing her work, Melinda greeted Delilah and left early to pick up Sam.
At the kindergarten gate, she heard that cold voice again, "I'll take you home."
Melinda looked at Raymond in front of her. What was wrong with him lately?
"No need, I have plans with a friend."
Melinda definitely didn't want any contact with Raymond today.
Seeing him at work was enough; seeing him after work too? Was he trying to make her life miserable?
Before Raymond could say anything else, Melinda grabbed Sam and hailed a taxi, quickly getting in.
"Sorry, Elsie, there was some traffic."
When she arrived at the agreed place, Melinda found Elsie already waiting.
"No problem, I just got here too. Is this your child?"
Elsie pretended not to know, looking surprised.
If she had any doubts when she saw the photo, seeing the real person confirmed it 100%.
That night, the man could really have been Raymond.
"Yes, my child, Sam."
Melinda smiled slightly but didn't explain further.
"Oh my! Melinda, you didn't treat me as a friend at all! You got married and had a child without telling me. Are we still good friends?" Elsie held Sam's face, calling him cute while seriously examining him. The more she looked, the more he resembled Raymond.
"At the time, I was abroad, so I didn't think much about it. Today's meal is on me." Melinda's lips curved slightly as she waved, and a waiter quickly came over to take the menu she handed over.
Elsie and Melinda had been college roommates and close friends, but as time passed, their lives had drifted apart. Sitting across from her now, Melinda felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity.
"Elsie, see if there's anything you'd like to eat?" Melinda's voice carried a hint of warmth as she tried to bridge the gap between them.
Elsie was slightly taken aback and looked up at Melinda, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
She remembered how they used to share meals and talk about the future, but now, everything seemed so distant.
"Um, I'll have the signature steak." Elsie smiled slightly, trying to hide her inner turmoil.
Melinda nodded and handed the menu to the waiter. She knew they were no longer as close as they once were.
This meal was probably enjoyed most by Melinda and Sam, while Elsie spent the whole time thinking of an excuse to take Sam away.
"By the way, Elsie, do you remember those materials I asked you to keep back in school?"
Melinda suddenly asked, and Elsie was visibly flustered.
"After all these years and moving several times, I'll have to look for them."
Elsie didn't dare look at Melinda and made up an excuse to brush her off.