Melinda lazily hummed, "Mr. Thomas, do I need to report things outside of work to you?" She didn't want to involve any other relationship with Raymond.
However, Raymond had no intention of letting her off easily.
He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp, and his tone carried a hint of suspicion, "I heard you got in through William's connections. So, what exactly is your relationship with him?"
"You haven't answered my question." Raymond's voice was persistent, questioning Melinda again.
Melinda gently swirled the wine glass in her hand, took a carefree sip, and her eyes revealed a hint of defiance, "Why should I tell you?" Her voice carried a trace of disdain.
After speaking, she turned and left, her dress swaying lightly with her steps, as if bidding farewell to the detested Thomas.
Raymond watched her departing figure, his eyes narrowing, thick lashes casting a shadow under the light, a trace of displeasure flashing across his handsome face.
Not far away, Emily had been secretly observing Raymond's movements, her eyes gleaming with calculation.
Seeing Raymond return from the terrace, she held a wine glass and swayed her graceful figure towards Melinda, only to see several men toasting her.
Emily hatched a plan, deliberately bumping into Melinda, causing the wine to spill instantly on Melinda's dress.
"Ah!" Emily exclaimed, falling into Raymond's arms, accusing Melinda with a grievance, "Melinda, you went too far, pushing me?" Her eyes welled up with tears, as if greatly wronged.
Melinda held her wine glass, stunned for a few seconds, watching Emily's poor acting, she almost wanted to give Emily an acting award.
Sure enough, everyone looked at Emily with sympathy, casting reproachful glances at Melinda. In this vanity fair, people were always easily deceived by appearances.
Raymond spoke coldly, "Ms. Sharp, apologize to Emily." His voice was not loud, but it was full of authority.
Hearing this, Melinda looked up at Raymond, her bright eyes staring straight at him, "What if I say no?" Her voice was firm and stubborn, with no hint of backing down.
A trace of coldness flashed in Raymond's eyes, he frowned, but at this moment, Emily turned her head, holding back her aggrieved expression, "Forget it, Raymond, I'm fine. Can I change clothes in your car?"
Change clothes in the car?
Melinda felt a wave of disgust, it seemed Emily was scared by her words and wanted to do something with Raymond, especially on an occasion like today.
She said coldly, "She fell on her own, what does it have to do with me? This venue has surveillance, right? We can check it to see who's lying."
Raymond glared at Melinda, "Melinda, don't go too far, or I can have the security here escort you out."
"Fine, I'll leave first." Melinda's voice was full of disdain.
Emily was worried that if the surveillance was really checked, her lie would be exposed, and Raymond might really leave her.
Emily said guiltily, "Raymond, forget it, let's just say I fell on my own!" Then she put on a look of self-sacrifice.
Melinda watched this scene, feeling a wave of nausea, luckily she hadn't eaten much.
Anyway, the jewelry had been auctioned to William, she had no reason to stay here, and the time for the temporary nanny was almost up, she was also worried about Sam.
At this moment, a young man claiming to be William's assistant came over, offering to take Melinda home. Melinda didn't hesitate, following the assistant out of the banquet.
A few minutes later, Melinda stood by the roadside, William's assistant intended to give her a ride, but she politely declined with a smile, insisting on taking a cab herself.
A silver Rolls-Royce Phantom suddenly braked sharply, the screeching tires cutting through the air, startling her heart into a leap. The car door swung open, a strong hand quickly reached out, gripping her wrist tightly.
She gasped in pain, looking up abruptly, a pair of extremely dark eyes were staring at her.
Raymond's face revealed coldness and displeasure.
"You..." Melinda struggled, trying to break free from the iron grip, but it was futile. Raymond's strength was astonishing, she couldn't compete.
Pulled into the car by Raymond, Melinda's wrist was already sore from the grip, she rubbed her wrist, glaring at Raymond, "Let go of me, what do you want?"
Raymond's face was cold enough to freeze, "Do you want everyone to laugh at you?"
Melinda's stubbornness flared up, "I didn't do it, why should I apologize?" She knew Emily was Raymond's girlfriend, but she wasn't wrong, she wouldn't back down.
Raymond looked at her, frowning, "Melinda, you studied abroad, don't you have any manners?"
"Manners? How dare you say that to me, can't you see? It was your Emily who fell on her own." Melinda argued vehemently.
After speaking, she turned to get out of the car. However, her arm was grabbed by Raymond again, causing her heart to race.
"If you don't let go, I'll call for help." A trace of determination flashed in Melinda's eyes, she knew these rich people valued their reputation the most, and this was her only leverage at the moment.
Hearing this, Raymond let go, "Melinda, you'd better behave and not cause trouble." His face was only a hand's breadth away from hers, his deep eyes flashing with danger.
Melinda had never been so close to any man, except for that absurd night five years ago. Raymond had touched Emily, no matter how handsome he was, it made her feel sick.
Raymond, however, was momentarily stunned as he approached her, he smelled a familiar scent from Melinda, a scent that took him back to that night five years ago, the woman then had the same scent, making him lose control.
A surge of inexplicable impulse rose in his heart, wanting to kiss Melinda's tempting red lips, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Raymond, you bastard!" Melinda glared at him angrily, then turned and got out of the car.
She quickly hailed a cab, exhausted, she just wanted to go home, hold Sam, and sleep well, letting all the troubles temporarily fade away.
When Melinda entered her home, it was already ten o'clock at night, she could see the temporary nanny playing with Sam in the living room. Sam's clear and melodious laughter instantly dispelled much of Melinda's fatigue.