Seeing N’s change in expression, Damon asked, “What’s wrong? Did you remember something?”
“Mr. Sumner, I need to check on something. I’ll head back now,” N said.
As she turned to leave, Damon’s gaze grew serious. He stood up suddenly and grabbed her wrist, speaking softly. “N<b>, </b><b>you </b>can rely on me. I’ve made things clear with Reba, and we’ve broken up. I hope you can give me <b>a </b>chance to protect you.”
His words were earnest, but N pulled her hand away as if she had been pricked.
“Mr. Sumner, from the moment we broke up, there’s no going back. Whether you’ve broken up with Reba or not, I won’t reconsider,” she said.
With that, N turned and walked out.
Watching her leave, Damon slowly tightened his fists, his expression showing a hint of defeat. He knew N was deeply disappointed in him and wouldn’t easily give him another chance.
…
After leaving Damon’s office, N went straight to find Melody.
Theb had been busy recently, and N usually skipped lunch. She stayed in theb while Melody brought her meals from the cafeteria. If she remembered correctly, her excessive sleepiness had started around the time Melody began bringing her food.
If it weren’t for the data leak, she might not have noticed the issue.
Faced with N’s questioning, Melody looked both incredulous and hurt. “N, since the data leak happened, I’ve believed in you and never suspected you. Now you’re questioning if I’m the one who leaked the data and framed you?”
N pressed her lips together and said firmly, “Melody, I’m just asking you to recall if anything unusual happened when you brought me meals. I’m not suspecting you.
Melody forced a smile. “I only went to get the food after I finished eating, and I always picked a random window. I’d bring the food back to the office directly. If you don’t believe me, you can check the surveince footage. I can guarantee that the food I brought you was fine.”
N frowned. Could she have been overthinking it?
Since Melody suggested checking the footage, it seemed she wasn’t lying. However, her recent sleepiness was indeed strange.
Seeing N’s silence, Melody added, “N, I understand you’re distressed. If I were in your shoes, I’d feel <b>the </b>same. But I assure you<b>, </b>I never tampered with the food.”
“Okay, I understand. Don’t overthink it. I just need to rule out all possibilities. I don’t mean to <b>suspect </b><b>you</b>, N rified.
11
Melody hummed in response.
+25 Bonus
After parting ways with N, Melody took a cab home. On the way, she reviewed her recent actions and was certain there was no issue with the meals she had brought.
Just as she was beginning to rx, a sudden realization shed in her mind, causing her face to turn pale.
“Excuse me, turn around and take me to Magnifique Garden,” she requested urgently.
During the ride to Magnifique Garden, Melody called Gabriel, her voice trembling as she arranged a meeting.
When Gabriel arrived at the café near the neighborhood, he found Melody sitting by the window, staring nkly outside and lost in thought.
As Gabriel sat down across from her, Melody snapped back to reality.
Noting her paleplexion, Gabriel looked concerned. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? You look terrible.”
Melody took a deep breath and said slowly, “Gabriel, recently you’ve been ordering coffee for me and N and asked me not to tell her it was you. The real reason you didn’t want her to know it was you isn’t because you’re worried she wouldn’t drink it, is it?”
Cede
<strong>Cede</strong> is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.