Chapter 28 An Encounter

A City was bustling with people and traffic round the clock. The presence of the towering skyscrapers elevated the opulence of the beautiful city.

People of A City led a monotonous life and the afternoon tea time was precious to them. It was a brief break from the humdrum where they could spend time with their loved ones.

Holley usually invited her friends to the coffee shop to gossip and brag about herself.

Jonas hadn't left the company in the past couple of days. He had been spending every minute of every day there. His schedule consisted of waking up, doing work, and going back to sleep. He didn't have the time for anything or anyone. Holley went to the company every day to see him.

"Let's go out for a cup of coffee. You should start trying different flavors," Holley said.

She was wearing a white shirt and black straight-leg pants that accentuated her perfect figure. The simple outfit seemed extravagant on her. She had applied a subtle coat of makeup, making her look elegant.

Holley had morphed into Melinda. She was bubbling with charm and grace, unlike her usual provocative self.

She knew that Melinda had taken a part of Jonas's heart when she had left him. Although Holley hated that Jonas still missed Melinda, she tried hard to become like her and win a place in his heart.

Jonas was in a daze when he looked at Holley. He remembered Melinda who was a dainty beauty when they first met.

He nodded and accepted Holley's invitation absentmindedly as his mind was whirling with the thoughts of Melinda.

Holley's eyes widened with shock but she couldn't help but feel disappointed. She knew that Jonas had agreed to have coffee with her only because she was looking like Melinda. Holley had the confidence that she could replace Melinda and earn an irreplaceable position in the Gu family.

Jonas followed Holley to the coffee shop in the shopping mall across from his company. Holley had picked a secluded place as she knew that Jonas liked his privacy.

She quickly ordered coffee and his favorite dessert.

Holley was raving about the coffee shop but Jonas continued to read his magazine in silence. He wasn't in the mood to talk with her.

"Do you want the usual?" Kent asked

"I heard there is a new coffee here. I want to try it."

Melinda sat at the table across the window and placed the bag behind her. She was wearing a red dress that made her look vibrant and full of life.

Kent put his briefcase on the seat and went to place the order.

Jonas's lungs constricted when he heard Melinda's voice. He stopped reading the magazine and looked at Melinda who was staring out of the window with her chin resting on her palm. A gentle smile graced her lips.

He hadn't seen her in a long time and couldn't take his eyes off her. His heart was beating frantically but he continued to ignore the emotions that were bubbling inside him.

Holley was shocked to hear Melinda's voice and turned to look at her. There was an unusual calmness in her face.

Holley had speculated that Melinda would be miserable after being kicked out of the Gu family. But Melinda seemed happier than ever.

She looked dazzling.

Jealousy and anger resided in the pit of Holley's stomach. She quickly darted towards Melinda's table and glared at her and Kent. Melinda knitted her brows in confusion.

Her tranquil eyes were pure and innocent. Melinda had fought her way into the Gu family by getting married to him. Jonas couldn't help but question her innocence.

"Ah, Miss Mo, long time no see. Looks like you and Mr. Jiang are together now. I envy the way you manage to skip from one man to another."

Holley smirked. She hadn't expected Melinda here and couldn't hide her emotions.

"Haven't you always envied me?" Melinda asked coldly.

Holley had been trying to hook up with Jonas for a long time. She couldn't stop hating Melinda even after she had walked out of his life. She wouldn't rest until she destroyed Melinda completely.

Holley was taken aback by Melinda's words.

She fisted her palm and managed to smile at her.

"Yeah, I do envy you. Mr. Jiang has been taking care of you even though you've been chucked out of the Gu's mansion. You're incredibly lucky,"

she said, insinuating that Melinda was having a secret affair with Kent.

Holley wanted to provoke Jonas but he seemed to ignore her.

Melinda frowned. Everyone was looking at them curiously and she hated to be the center of attention. Fortunately, a waitress walked in with a cup of coffee.

"We don't have an extra seat for this lady. Kindly arrange a seat for her elsewhere,"

Kent said, smiling politely at the waitress.

Holley's jaw dropped in shock. She was furious to see Kent and Melinda completely ignore her. Her eyes turned red with rage. She pounded the table with he

r fists and glared at Melinda.

"Don't you have anything to say? Are you feeling guilty for cheating on your husband?"

Melinda couldn't stand it anymore. "Holley, that's enough. You've crossed your limits. Stop humiliating yourself in front of everyone. Kent and I are innocent and you cannot talk shit about us. You are the one who needs to be ashamed of yourself for hooking up with a married man. Oops, sorry. I forgot that you are a shameless woman,"

she said placidly.

Holley swallowed loudly and looked around before stepping in front of Melinda, trying to intimidate her.

"Stop acting smart, Miss goody-two-shoes. I know that you two have been living together and that you've met his parents."

Holley had seen Melinda with Kent and his parents. She seemed to get along well with Kent's parents and Holley wanted to unmask Melinda's true identity before Jonas.

She couldn't understand how Melinda managed to cast a spell over everyone. People seemed to fall for her charms, especially Nelson. He adored her and had even fought with Jonas for her.

"Miss Huang, why are you quiet? Are you going to say that I'm lying about it?'"

Holley had gone too far this time. Kent couldn't hear her malign Melinda in his presence.

Melinda looked at Kent and opened her mouth to say something. She felt that the damage was already done and there was no point in proving her innocence. But she shut her mouth and turned away.

Holley glanced at Kent with expectant eyes.

"I've seen the two of you go home together. It's the truth."

Holley knew that Kent and Melinda were just friends but she wanted Jonas to believe that the two of them shared a relationship beyond that. She wanted him to despise Melinda and forget her.

"My parents had come to see me and Melinda helped me take care of them. Is there anything wrong?" Kent snapped.

Melinda had never seen Kent lose his cool and was surprised by his response.

Kent hated himself for failing to protect Melinda. She had to endure humiliation because of him.

Melinda hadn't uttered a word against Holley. She had been keeping all the problems to herself without sharing it with anyone. She had been enduring their torture for years without complaining and Kent couldn't keep quiet.

"Miss Huang, I'm not a child anymore. My parents have been urging me to get married. Melinda is helping me deal with them. I know that you won't believe my words. But I have the evidence to prove that I'm telling the truth. I don't cook up stories like you."

Kent took his phone and showed the conversation with his parents. Melinda arched an eyebrow in surprise. She didn't expect Kent to have a record of the conversation.

Holley was intimidated by Kent and didn't bother looking at the conversation.

Her face turned red with embarrassment. The people were witnessing the dramatic turn of events with enthusiasm and Holley was drowning in shame.

"Let me give you a piece of advice. Please keep your mouth shut if you don't know how to talk to people. You'll only end up humiliating yourself."

Holley bit her lip nervously and turned away.

Kent wouldn't let anyone insult Melinda in front of him.

Melinda was grateful to Kent for standing up for her but she was also afraid that Kent might get into trouble for supporting her. Holley was a model who had contacts with big shots. She had slept with wealthy men who would do anything for her.

"Kent, your coffee is getting cold," Melinda said.

She regretted coming to the coffee shop as Holley always created problems whenever she came here.

Kent turned and smiled at Melinda. Holley gritted her teeth when she saw the contrast in Kent's expression.

She had planned to create a misunderstanding between Melinda and Jonas but ended making a fool of herself.

Jonas had been watching the entire thing silently.

He was relieved to find out that Melinda and Kent were not living together.

Everything was a misunderstanding. He had misinterpreted Melinda's intentions. She had only been helping Kent.

Melinda was benevolent and always went out of her way to help people.

Jonas felt that Kent was trying to gain Melinda's sympathy to get closer to her. He despised Kent and wanted to wipe the happy grin off his face.

When Holley went back to her table, she saw that Jonas was distracted. She clenched her jaw and forced a smile.

"Jonas," she called. But Jonas was relishing the moment. He didn't seem to notice Holley.

Melinda and Kent were unconcerned by Holley's presence. They were drinking coffee and chatting happily. Kent finally remembered that he had something to do, so he left with Melinda.

Jonas stood up to leave as well. There was a bounce in his step. Holley couldn't stand the inquiring eyes of people and quickly followed him out of the coffee shop.