Chapter 16

Just a few steps away stood Olivia. The off-shoulder white dress accentuated her curvy figure, effortlessly drawing attention. Her makeup was natural, highlighting her soft, round-shaped green-blue hazel eyes and delicate features. Her soft chestnut wavy hair, cascading down to her mid-back, added to her ethereal charm. She looked like an innocent angel, pure and graceful.

At Olivia's interruption, her friends finally noticed Melisa. Their initial surprise at her appearance quickly faded, replaced by the same familiar disdain—as if merely laying eyes on her had somehow tainted their vision.

Olivia leaned in, whispering something to them. They exchanged reluctant glances, their expressions unreadable. Yet, at Olivia's insistence, they eventually let her go.

How can Olivia still be so kind to that filthy thing?

The thought flickered in their mind, unspoken but clear.

Olivia's face carried a soft, warm smile, but the hidden malice in her eyes did not escape Melisa's notice.

"Sis, you look beautiful," she said gently, her tone laced with apparent admiration. "But you used to hate it when I dressed a little revealing. Did your preference change?It looks beautiful."

Her words sounded curious,even admiring as she looked at her sister beautiful look but those words had another meaning and those ladies knows what it mean.

Melisa's smile didn't reach her eyes as she spoke softly. "You always have a unique way with words, Olivia. I don't recall ever saying something like that. Careful, though—people might start thinking you enjoy making baseless speculations." Her tone remained gentle, but the subtle sharpness in her words left no doubt that she had seen through Olivia's scheme.

Olivia's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure despite the frustration bubbling inside. When did she learn to fight back?

"Sister, you're misunderstanding me," Olivia said sweetly, her voice laced with feigned innocence. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was just happy to see you change your usual simple style into something so elegant."

Melisa swirled the wine in her glass, her expression calm yet unreadable. "People tend to change in order to survive," she said lightly, glancing at Olivia. "Otherwise, their simplicity makes them an easy target."

The air between them shifted as Olivia's friends exchanged glances, sensing the subtle edge in Melisa's words. Olivia's fingers clenched slightly at her side, but she let out a soft, almost amused laugh, as if the exchange had been nothing more than harmless banter. Yet, the flicker of irritation in her eyes betrayed her.

Olivia bit her lip as if hesitating. "Sister, what do you mean by that? I was just trying to have a conversation with you." Her voice softened, almost trembling. "You know… Mom and Dad have been so worried about you. You haven't even called home once…"

"Oh? They didn't seem so worried when they pushed me into your place without hesitation." Melisa's voice carried a mocking edge.

Olivia's expression faltered for a split second before a cunning light flickered in her eyes. She quickly stepped forward, gently taking Melisa's hand. "Sister, they had no other choice…" she said, her voice laced with feigned helplessness.

"But they could have withdrawn from the marriage peacefully," Melisa countered, effortlessly shaking off Olivia's hand.Olivia stumbled.

Melisa knew she hadn't used much strength—Olivia must be faking it.

The hand Olivia had expected to catch her never came, and she fell embarrassingly. A flicker of frustration crossed her face before she quickly masked it with a pitiful expression.

Instead of helping her, Melisa simply observed as Olivia glanced past her, her eyes filled with silent plea.

Curious, Melisa turned around—only to find Leonard standing there.

'Oh… so that's why she fell. To frame me.'

Melisa had clearly expected Leonard to interrogate her, to at least question Melisa—but instead, he acted as if he hadn't even noticed Olivia's fall.

"Melisa, there's someone who wants to meet you," he said casually.

Without hesitation, he took her hand and led her away, effortlessly pulling her out of the circle of accusing gazes.

Melisa glanced down at their joined hands, her voice quiet as she asked, "Aren't you going to ask why I pushed her?" She wasn't sure why she brought it up. Shouldn't she be relieved that he ignored it?

Leonard gave her a brief glance. "Did you?" Then, without waiting for her answer, he added, "If you did, she must have said something unpleasant."

As if that explanation was enough for him, he looked ahead, his grip on her hand unwavering.

Melisa glanced back just in time to see Olivia being helped up by her worried friends. Olivia's expression was a mix of shock and disbelief as she looked between Leo and Melisa, as if unable to comprehend how he ignored her.

Melisa shifted her gaze back to Leo, his broad back steady and unwavering as he led her away. There was something reassuring about the way he carried himself—strong, composed, and unaffected by the chaos behind them. A quiet warmth settled in her heart,making her feel light.

After a few seconds,Melisa asked in a seemily curious voice to dispel the strange atmosphere "So, who is it that you wanted me to meet?" .