Chapter 78
D
Audrey’s POV
The moment Melvin locked eyes with Luke, he could instantly sense the danger in the air. Still, he forced himself to speak.
“Sorry, Audrey’s always been a little headstrong. If she said anything that gave you the wrong impression, I hope you won’t take it to heart.“} As he spoke, he reached out a hand toward me, giving me a subtle look, silently ordering me not to make a scene any longer.” But Luke’s face turned cold in an instant and asked, “And who are you supposed to be?“>
For a few years, Melvin had been attending social gatherings as our family’s representative. So, there was no way Luke wouldn’t recognize Melvin. But still, he asked to blatantly trivialize the latter, making the man lose face in the mist of the crowd.
Melvin opened his mouth, clearly wanting to claim he was my fiancé, but his eyes dropped to my hand, firmly held by Luke. As such, he suddenly remembered he was just the adopted son of the Rodgers and nothing more.
Luke’s voice was calm, but the mockery in it was unmistakable as he said, “If you’re here speaking as the Rodgers’s adopted son, I’m afraid you’re not qualified.“%
The color drained from Melvin’s face. Still, he stubbornly looked at me and asked, “Audrey, are you really going to throw away your future over a moment of anger?”
His fists were clenched so tight that his knuckles had gone white. After knowing him for years, I could tell he was panicking.
But why?2
Was it because I was marrying Luke? Or because the Rodgers’s wealth might slip from his fingers?
I looked at him calmly and said with a smile, “Luke and I care about each other. This isn’t about some impulsive decision. Our engagement has already been arranged. Are you really trying to crash the wedding?”
I said that last part on purpose, and sure enough, Melvin rushed to deny it.”
“L…I would never crash a wedding! I just…” His face darkened, and he gritted his teeth as he continued, “I just can’t stand by and watch you drag the Davidsons’s reputation through the mud. If you regret this later, it’ll bring shame on our family!“}
1 couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Oh please, you don’t need to worry about that. After all, your last name is Butler, isn’t it?”
When my father adopted the three of them, Melvin insisted on keeping his original surname. He didn’t want to take ours. And my father, never one to force things, let him have it his way.
Now, for the first time, Melvin really looked at me. The eyes that used to be so full of warmth were now met with the ice in mine. I could see the realization sink in. If I had the power, I would’ve kicked him out right then and there.
Seeing me draw such a clear line with Melvin, Luke’s heart softened. His grip on my hand tightened, almost as if he feared I’d slip away.” Melvin swallowed hard, his throat dry. Still, he asked one more time, “Audrey, are you really going to marry him?”
Before I could answer, a stern voice cut through the room.
“Melvin, who gave you the right to harass Audrey?“}
My father’s voice echoed behind me. He walked up and stood beside me, his eyes fixed coldly on Melvin.
Melvin lowered his head, his posture shrinking under my father’s glare. “I… I’m sorry.“>
In front of my father, Melvin always felt like he was beneath him. Because at the end of the day, he had just been taken in, living off someone else’s kindness.
I looked at him, at that familiar defeated look, and for once, I didn’t say a word to comfort him.
In the past, I’d remind him over and over that my father only held him to high standards because he believed in him. That he was never treated as less than a real member of our family. That one day, he’d probably inherit more than I ever would.
But everything my father gave him, every bit of care I showed, was all crushed the moment Addison whispered in his ear, “We’re both outsiders here, Melvin. I understand how hard it must be.“%
Just like that, Melvin’s loyalty wavered. He turned against the very people who gave him everything.
He kept glancing back and forth between me and Luke. Finally, he forced a smile and said to my father, “It was my mistake. I wasn’t thinking clearly Today is Audrey’s birthday and her engagement party. I haven’t even wished her well yet.”
