Second Chance: Marrying into Wealth Chapter 266

Christopher noticed my silence and started explaining the details of Marlowe's car accident.

I already knew about it, which was why I hadn't given it much thought.

"Yeah, I get it," I replied, my voice sounding a bit dry.

Being around Christopher always brought back painful memories, so I didn't want to be alone with him.

I quickly found an excuse, "The coffee's cold. Let me grab you a fresh cup!"

With that, I turned and left the office.

It wasn't until I was out of the office that I realized the coffee was something I had just brought to Christopher not long before.

Regretting my hasty exit, I hoped Christopher was too busy to notice the small detail.

To avoid further interactions with Christopher, I found excuses to have Vincent deliver documents to him instead.

I wasn't sure if he noticed.

After the afternoon meeting, everyone else had left when Christopher called out to me.

"Mr. Collins!" I took a step back, creating some distance between us, and tried to act normal.

Christopher stepped forward, his presence exerting an invisible pressure on me.

"You haven't been yourself today. Is something wrong?" Christopher asked in a deep, authoritative voice that demanded a genuine answer.

"No, I just didn't sleep well last night, so I'm not in the best shape today," I said, lowering my eyes and pausing before offering an excuse.

Christopher looked at me and then said, "The workload has been intense lately. If you're feeling too tired, I can give you some time off."

"I'm sorry for letting my state affect my work," I said, feeling nervous, thinking Christopher was angry and was saying this on purpose.

I quickly apologized.

Of course, Christopher didn't know why I was acting this way, so he was bound to misunderstand.

I was not the naive girl I used to be; I shouldn't be so shaken by something like this.

Thinking about it, I realized I was lucky to be alive, and Christopher had saved me several times. In the face of life and death, the past didn't seem so important anymore.

Christopher frowned but sighed lightly, "Melinda, do you think I'm angry?"

"Aren't you?" I blurted out.

Christopher looked at me with a hint of helplessness, "Melinda, besides being your boss, I thought we were friends. But it seems you don't see me that way."

I was at a loss for words.

I opened my mouth but didn't know how to explain.

I lowered my eyes and remained silent.

Christopher seemed patient, not urging me to answer, just quietly watching me.

Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, I said, "Mr. Collins, I have been a bit tired lately. I'll adjust soon."

The sudden revelation of the truth had left me no time to adjust, which explained my attitude towards Christopher.

Realizing the problem, I thought I could adjust properly.

Seeing my response, Christopher didn't press further.

I quickly left the meeting room and returned to my desk to continue working.

Work could numb me, preventing me from overthinking.

I stayed busy until the end of the day when I received a call from Paula. She had some free time and was coming to pick me up.

Of course, from her tone, it seemed she had more than just medicine to deliver.

As soon as I stepped out of the building, I saw Paula's car parked conspicuously at the entrance.

"Hurry up, get in!" Seeing her roll down the window and wave, I opened the door and got in.

"Make sure to use this ointment regularly. You need to get back to your prime and not waste your youth and beauty," Paula reminded me as she handed me the medicine.

"Yes, ma'am!" I saluted playfully.

Paula smiled, "But don't be too obedient. I need you to back me up tonight!"

I thought she was just delivering medicine, but it seemed there was more to it.

"What's going on? Spill it!"

I couldn't help but look at her curiously.

Paula snapped her fingers, "There's a guy who dared to mess with me. Breaking up is one thing; I'm pretty easygoing about relationships. But he crossed the line."

Seeing her cold expression, I knew Paula was really angry.

She rarely got this emotional unless it involved me, so this guy must have really pushed her buttons.

"What happened? Tell me!"

I was curious about the man who dared to provoke her. "Where are we going?"

"Don't worry, I'm not selling you off. What are you afraid of?" Paula's expression softened.

She wouldn't take her anger out on me, so her attitude was much gentler.

"Don't worry, if it were you, I'd even help you count the money!" I said proudly.

Paula looked touched, and her trust in me made her even angrier at the man who upset her.

Soon, we arrived at a golf course on the outskirts of town.

I said, "Emerald Greens Golf Club? If I remember correctly, your ex-boyfriend, Stefan Hensley, is the manager here?"

A place like this, dealing with wealthy clients, should have a competent manager.

Paula raised an eyebrow, "He's a long-ago ex. If he hadn't been stupid enough to send me some inappropriate videos, claiming the blurred woman was me, no one would remember him."

"What a jerk! Why did he send those videos?" I frowned.

It was too easy for a man to ruin a woman's reputation with such rumors.

I couldn't help but worry about Paula.

"Don't look at me like that! The videos aren't of me. Do you think someone like him could get me? He should have known the consequences of threatening me."

Paula parked the car, and a valet immediately approached. She tossed him the keys and led me into the golf club.

"You don't come here often. Want me to show you around?" Paula suggested, ready to take me to her private locker room to change.

But after swiping her card twice, the door didn't open.

Her face darkened, and she led me to the front desk.

"Check why my locker room won't open," Paula demanded, her tone intimidating.

"Please wait a moment," an assistant quickly took Paula's card and began checking the computer.

The assistant's attitude was polite.

But soon, they looked up apologetically, "Ms. Ellis, I'm sorry, but your membership has been canceled. You no longer have access. If you wish to continue, you can renew your membership."

"Canceled?" Paula sneered, "I don't recall canceling it. When was it canceled? Don't tell me it was done in person."