Howard’s lips curled into a gentle smile as he said warmly, “Mel, why didn’t you tell me you were here to eat? This is the


    restaurant | was talking about thest time. The food here is excellent.”


    Mnie looked at his eyes behind the lenses, which were not warm and tender at all but rather shrewd. She remained silent


    momentarily before saying, “I just came to have dinner with my colleague.”


    “Well, that’s perfect,” Howard said with a smile while looking at Yvette. “Allow me to treat you and your colleague to dinner. Let


    me thank her for taking care of you.”


    Mnie instinctively felt repulsed and promptly declined his offer. “No need, we''ve already eaten.”


    “Mel.” Howard’s eyes showed some dissatisfaction as he looked at Mnie. His tone was heavier than before as he said, “I just


    want to have a meal with you. Is it that difficult? | know you me me, but right now-”


    He stopped and sighed helplessly. “Mel, are you unwilling to give me another chance?” he said.


    Judging from his demeanor, Mnie surmised it would be difficult to make him leave if she did not agree to his request. She did


    not want to get into any fights with him here. She took a deep breath, turned to Yvette, and said, “Sorry, | have something to


    attend to. | need to go.”


    Yvette blinked. She did not manage a reply as Mnie had already left first.


    Howard remained in ce, smiling at her before turning around and leaving as well.


    Yvette watched their backs as they left and could not shake off a sense of unease. Something about the situation felt strange.


    Mnie followed Howard into the private room. The first person she saw was Bianca. Bianca had her chin in her hands. As soon


    as she saw Mnie enter, she immediately turned her eyes toward Tobias and said, “Tobias, look. Howard’s daughter is really


    beautiful, isn’t she?”


    Tobias did not shy away from looking at Mnie. There was a hint of admiration in his eyes as he said, “Indeed, she’s beautiful.


    Like father, like daughter.”


    Mnie felt Tobias‘ gaze on her and could sense the overt familiarity in it. It could not be any more obvious what the gaze was


    implying.


    Howard cleared his throat and introduced, “Mel, this is Tobias. He’s been praising your beauty. You should make a toast as a


    sign of your gratitude.”


    Without even looking at Tobias, Mnie asked Howard in a cold tone, “So, when you said you wanted to treat me to a meal, was


    this what you meant?”


    Her words left no room for him to save his reputation. Howard furrowed his brows and rebuked, Tobias is also your elder.”


    11


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    “Suddenly, everyone is an elder i should respect? When did they have the right to ask me for that?”


    She could not help but recall the content of that video again. She did not expect Howard to target her.


    Seeing this, Tobias tactfully intervened. He patted his beer belly generously and spoke kindly, “It’s good for young people to have


    a temper, especially a pretty youngdy such as you. A temper and a character, | like that!”


    He took out his phone and gestured toward Mnie, saying, “Mel, right? Why don’t we exchange numbers? I’m not as


    conservative as your dad. | like hanging out with you young folks.”


    Mnie looked at the greed and tant lust in his eyes. She was disgusted, and her expression soured. Tobias waited for her


    response for a while but did not get any.


    Displeasure crossed his face as he turned to Howard. His tone was bitter as he said, “Mr. Smith, your daughter seems to be


    looking down on me, eh?”Original content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Howard’s eyes turned cold as he rebuked, “Mel, I’ve taught you better. How could you be so disrespectful to your elders?


    Apologize to Mr. Carter right now!”