Chapter 72

In the end, Melanie did experience a slight allergic reaction and developed small rashes on her chin. This happened to coincide with Eugene taking leave. Apart from some essential work, she stayed indoors.

By the time her chin rash cleared up, Viola was about to return to Jepton since she did not have that many leaves to take.

Melanie was surprised that Eugene did not accompany her back when she initially thought he would have.

Viola seemed uneasy leaving Melanie and Eugene alone. Before leaving, she spent a long time talking to Eugene before finally saying to Melanie, “Melanie, |’ll have to trouble you to take care of Eugene. You know what his temper is like. Please watch over him for me.”

Though her words were polite, there was a hint of the caution she felt toward Melanie.

After seeing Viola off, Melanie accompanied Eugene to meet with a client they had arrangements with. Eugene drove this time, and Melanie remained silent while reading some documents. The car was quiet.

The sudden ringing of her phone broke the silence, and Melanie frowned as she answered the incoming call. Lately, Dylan had been contacting her more frequently. This time, she was sobbing. “Mel, your sister is unwell again.”

Melanie’s grip on the phone tightened. “Didn’t | transfer 10,000 to you before?”

Dylan hesitated before choosing her words carefully. “Mel, could you please transfer another 20,000? Peachie is calling for you every day.”

Melanie instinctively felt that something was off. “I’ve already transferred money to you several times this month.”

Dylan continued to sob but refused to explain what happened. She eventually ended the call after making a short commotion over the phone. Melanie did not say much about Dylan’s situation, and her brows remained furrowed.

Eugene heard the call. With a brow raised slightly, he asked, “Got a problem?”

Not wanting to divulge too much about Dylan to others, Melanie merely pressed her lips together and remained silent.

Eugene did not press her further. He was indifferent as he remarked again, “Don’t let it affect your work.”

The client they were meeting was Peyton Turner, a capable middle-aged woman who had reportedly started her career in Prime City despite being from Jepton. Peyton greeted Eugene with a composed smile. “Eugene, your mother, Stella, and | were classmates.”

Eugene nodded. “She often mentions you.”

“This is my daughter, Evelyn. Has your mother mentioned her to you?” Peyton pulled the woman standing behind her forward.

After being pulled out, Evelyn swept her gaze over Eugene before extending her hand. “Hello, I’m Evelyn.”

Eugene's expression remained unchanged as he politely and somewhat distantly shook her hand.

Standing behind him this entire time, Melanie was ignored until Eugene and Peyton began discussing business. It was only then that she handed over the documents she had been holding onto.

Peyton's gaze fell on Melanie, and she casually asked Eugene, “Is this your secretary?”

Eugene replied, “She'll be in charge of some matters at the Prime City branch in the future.”

After discussing business, Peyton generously extended a dinner invitation to Eugene as a gesture of hospitality. Eugene accepted, but then Peyton added, “Your mother and | are friends, so consider this meal a private gathering.”

She looked at Melanie and said, “Miss Secretary, you can go back to the hotel and rest for now.

“4 It was a polite way of saying that Melanie was not included in the invitation. Melanie glanced at Eugene, and he nodded. “You can go back.”

The Prime City branch’s major client was Peyton. As long as everything went smoothly on her end, the branch would remain stable. Melanie returned to the hotel, but thoughts of Dylan’s phone call lingered, leaving her with a sense of unease.

She decided to call her grandfather, intending to warn him should Dylan call. However, as soon as she mentioned it, her grandfather fell silent and sighed. “She called me this afternoon, crying and saying that Peachie’s condition was serious and that she needed money.

Melanie’s heart sank. “Did you give her any money?”

“| gave her 20,000.”