?Chapter 1022:


    She hadn’t expected Chloe to be this fake—or this shameless.


    But with Everett’s intent gaze on her and the knowledge of how much Everett’s grandfather had helped the Nash family, she held back.


    She forced a polite smile and nodded to Chloe.


    “Thank you.”


    Aelfric, watching closely, leaned over to Melinda and whispered, “Aren’t you friends with Tiffany too?”


    “Huh?” Melinda blinked, caught off guard.


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    “What? What are you talking about?”


    “Take a page from Chloe’s book,” Aelfric said, giving her a pointed look.


    Melinda hesitated, suddenly realizing what he meant.


    He wanted her to walk up to Marissa, shower her with ttery, and maybe impress Paul a little—just enough to keep the Warren and Nash families connected.


    But Melinda had no desire to do any of it.


    Even if Marissa wasn’t the real Tiffany, the idea of ying nice made her stomach turn.


    If it had been the real Tiffany, she’d be even less inclined to pretend.


    “I’m not doing it, Aelfric,” she said, her voice sharp.


    “She’s not even a real member of the Nash family.


    Why should I act friendly? And I can’t stand the real Tiffany either.”


    Aelfric’s face darkened, his jaw tight.


    “I told you to go.


    This is about the family, not your feelings.”


    With Aelfric’s coldmand ringing in her ears, Melinda forced herself forward, her steps heavy with reluctance, and made her way to Marissa.


    After Chloe had left Marissa feeling disgusted, it didn’t take long for Melinda to trigger the same reaction.


    Melinda, mimicking Chloe’s earlier move, took Marissa’s other hand in hers and, with wide-eyed innocence, said, “Tiffany, I’m so happy for you, too.”


    Before Marissa could say anything, Melinda quickly spun around, her face lighting up as she said, “Mr. Nash, Chloe, Tiffany, and I have been best friends forever.


    Now that you’re safely back, I’m just so thrilled for Tiffany.”


    Paul didn’t recognize Melinda, of course.


    Though her smile was radiant and her words sweet, something didn’t sit right with him.


    His instincts told him that, despite her warmth, there was something fake about her enthusiasm.


    Still, hearing that she was another one of Tiffany’s closest friends, Paul kept his tone friendly as he responded, “So, you’re another of Tiffany’s friends? Which family do youe from?”


    With a proud smile, Melinda lifted a hand to point toward the man sitting in the wheelchair.


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