"Raymond, let's sit over there!" Emily pointed to the empty seat next to Melinda.
Raymond was slightly taken aback. He also wanted to see what kind of man could make Melinda smile so brightly.
So, the two of them walked towards Melinda.
When Melinda looked up, she saw Raymond and Emily walking side by side.
She noticed that the seat next to her was empty and thought to herself, "Are they going to sit here?"
A hint of smugness flashed in Emily's eyes as she pretended to be happy and greeted, "Melinda, what a coincidence! You're here too!"
Melinda glanced at her coldly and then turned to look out the window. She had long been numb to Emily's insincerity.
Emily, feeling awkward, could only smile bitterly and then sat down.
Raymond sat down gracefully across from her, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Harry next to Melinda, a hint of hostility in his eyes.
"Ms. Sharp, where do you conduct your research?"
Harry, unaware that he had caught Raymond's attention, continued to chat with Melinda, "Can I treat you to a meal or a cup of coffee sometime?"
Melinda gently tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled shyly, "Sure!" Her response made Harry feel flattered, and he quickly patted his chest and promised, "I didn't expect Ms. Sharp to be so approachable. Let's keep in touch."
Seeing the two of them chatting happily, Raymond felt inexplicably irritated.
He locked his complex gaze on Melinda, only to find that she hadn't looked at him once.
She could smile so beautifully at a stranger like Harry, but she had never genuinely smiled at him.
Did he not deserve her smile?
Thinking of this, Raymond could no longer sit still.
He stood up and walked straight to Harry, his voice deep and powerful, "Sir, could you please give up your seat? I have some matters to discuss with my subordinate."
Harry, immersed in his pleasant conversation with Melinda, was suddenly interrupted and felt annoyed. When he looked up, he was stunned.
Isn't this Raymond from the Thomas Group? Why is he here? And it seems he has something to do with Melinda?
"Mr. Thomas, please sit."
Harry reacted quickly, immediately giving up his seat and gesturing for Raymond to sit.
He was secretly relieved that he hadn't done anything inappropriate with Melinda earlier, or he would have been in trouble.
Melinda felt a pang of annoyance as she watched Raymond sit across from her.
She glared at him and said coldly, "Mr. Thomas, it's after work hours. Let's not talk about work."
After saying that, she turned her head away, ignoring him.
"Talking to a boring man like him is less interesting than discussing work."
Raymond unceremoniously mocked Harry, his tone full of disdain.
Harry was left speechless and could only smile awkwardly.
"Mr. Thomas is right. I'm just a boring person. Ms. Sharp, let's keep in touch."
After saying that, he left dejectedly.
Melinda couldn't help but laugh as she watched Harry leave. She turned to Raymond and teased, "Mr. Thomas, did you really just mock him like that?"
Raymond raised an eyebrow, looking proud, "Did I say anything wrong?"
Melinda sneered, "Yes, yes, Mr. Thomas is always right."
After saying that, she picked up her bag and left.
Raymond watched her leave, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
At that moment, Emily walked over with a tray.
A sly look flashed in her eyes, and she smiled slightly, as if planning a scheme.
She deliberately got close to Melinda, so close that she could almost feel Melinda's breath.
Suddenly, she let out a scream, lost her balance, and fell to the side.
The tray in her hand flew out, drawing an arc in the air, and crashed to the ground with a bang, the food scattering everywhere.
Raymond heard the commotion behind him and immediately turned around.
He saw Emily on the ground, the broken tray, and Melinda's cold gaze before she walked away.
Emily, looking aggrieved, squatted on the ground but was helped up by Raymond, "Are you hurt?"
Emily looked up, showing a regretful and aggrieved expression, "No, but look at Melinda..."
Raymond, seeing her suppressed grievance, felt a pang of regret.
Meanwhile, Melinda, knowing that Emily was deliberately acting, didn't bother to warn him.
At that moment, William walked out of the VIP room.
He glanced around and immediately saw Melinda and Raymond in the crowd.
He walked briskly towards Melinda, put his arm around her shoulder, and smiled, "Did you miss me?"
Melinda was startled, but when she saw it was him, she laughed, "You scared me!"
William, a rare handsome man, dressed in a pristine white suit, looked like a prince from a fairy tale, elegant and noble, making it hard to look away.
His unique charm was captivating.
He smiled charmingly, "Melinda, you look beautiful tonight!"
He then took Melinda's hand, "Let's go to a private room on the second floor. It's too crowded here." The two of them left the banquet hall hand in hand, leaving Raymond and Emily staring at each other.
In the luxurious private room on the second floor, the atmosphere was serene.
William leaned casually on the sofa, his voice filled with deep longing. Although they hadn't seen each other for half a year, their relationship was like that of old friends, with no barriers.
To Melinda, he was just a close friend, never having any romantic thoughts. Their two years together made their relationship more like that of good friends, too familiar to make a move.
But William's feelings for Melinda went far beyond that. He deeply loved her and wanted to marry her and take care of her for life.
He looked at her, his gaze deep and determined, as if she was the only one in his life.
However, Melinda was just idly playing with the bracelet on her wrist, which William had custom-made for her.
William looked at her, a hint of tenderness in his eyes, "You finally decided to wear it?"
Melinda glanced at the bracelet, "It's so expensive, of course, I have to wear it."
William chuckled softly, about to say something when his phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the caller ID, frowned slightly, but still answered, "Hello, Dad."
On the other end, William's father, Dexter Barnett, spoke sternly and firmly, "William, all the elders are here. Come and greet them."
William looked at Melinda, a bit helpless, "Dad, can I spend some time with my friend first?"
"Etiquette cannot be neglected." Dexter's voice was even more stern.
William sighed helplessly and looked at Melinda, "Looks like I can't escape tonight."
Melinda smiled and urged him, "Go ahead. Now that you're back in the country, we have plenty of time to meet."