CHAPTER 202: GROWING DISAPPOINTMENT

Going to the Summit Partners was something Melissa was reluctant to do. The last time she had gone, she barely talked to anyone about a follow-up to Derek’s proposal. And right now, she had no idea what was going on with the deal between the NL Group and Summit Partners.

On the way to Derek’s villa, Melissa sat in the backseat in a foul mood.

"I already have a lot of things to worry about, and I still have to do this," she mumbled in frustration. "How could he let Travis take his place?"

She crossed her arms, mulling over Derek’s situation. She was already busy trying to get back her and Simon’s roles in Angel’s Revenge. Even though she told Derek about it, nothing had changed. On top of that, Sun Couture and other boutiques were still shut down and not accepting new clients. Not to mention, a bastard from the past—Hudson—resurfaced in her life.

That guy will surely reach out to me again and ask for money.

"Fortunately, my secret admirer has been sending me things," she muttered, pursing her lips to stop herself from smiling.

For some time now, that was the only good thing that had been happening. Package after package would be delivered to her home, containing luxury goods. Just like the dress she was wearing, it was from her secret admirer.

"This dress..." Her eyes fell on her skirt, touching it with her fingertip. "It’s from MC Brand."

A pleased smile crept onto her face as she raised her chin, gazing out the window. "I wonder who this secret admirer is. Everything he’s sent me so far... all of it was from designer brands."

And if she started estimating, the gifts were already worth around a million or two. The bag she had put in her archive for a special occasion alone was worth half a million. Considering the brand’s strict protocols—requiring a client to buy a few of their bags first before purchasing this one—she was sure her secret admirer was in a good position in life.

"He’s not even trying to contact me or leave me a note asking to meet," she whispered, twirling her finger around her hair. "Is he ugly?"

With the thought crossing her mind, she looked up and imagined her secret admirer. Conflict quickly flickered in her eyes as she bit her lips.

She imagined an ugly man, or perhaps an older man. But if he were an older man, he would have surely reached out, as older men were bolder and more direct. So, that left her with the first option.

"Still..."

Her thoughts already began wavering, making a mental comparison between Derek and her secret admirer when the driver spoke.

"Miss Melissa?"

Melissa snapped out of her thoughts. "Yes?"

"We’re here, Miss Melissa."

"Oh? Already?" She turned to the window, seeing that they were already inside the garage of Derek’s home.

Shaking off all the thoughts that were clouding her mind, she quickly jumped out and headed to the entrance.

Buzz!

Melissa stood outside, ringing the doorbell once. She had already messaged Derek and told him she would be dropping by, so she expected him to be waiting. But a full two minutes passed, and no one answered the door.

"Tch," she clicked her tongue, ringing the doorbell once more. This time, the smile on her face disappeared as she waited for the door to open.

Thankfully, before she could even ring the doorbell for the third time, the door flew open.

"Miss Melissa," the helper smiled politely. "I’m sorry. I was busy cleaning the back room."

Melissa managed a gentle smile. "That’s alright. Is Derek home?"

"Yes, the Young Master is inside. He already told me you’d come."

So, he did read my message that I was already on the way?

But Melissa didn’t let her emotions get the better of her as she nodded. With that, the helper told her where Derek was while she went in the other direction to finish her chores.

Watching the helper go, her lips curved down as she sighed heavily. She didn’t think much of it as she dragged her feet to where she could find Derek.

The Gaming Room.

The second Melissa reached the gaming room—which Derek also called his hangout room—the smile on her face completely disappeared. She scanned the messy room, catching chip wrappers, pizza boxes, and some empty soda bottles just lying around.

On the lazy couch was Derek, wrapped in a blanket while playing video games. His cast leg was resting on the table, where more food was scattered.

"Goodness," she whispered. "He was fired and told to take a rest until his leg is healed, but is this really what he’s going to do?"

Disappointment filled her heart, knowing the first branch of the Lancaster family had been on the move. For sure, they were securing their spots right after they kicked Derek out of the project. Yet, Derek wasn’t even doing anything to get his position back.

"Derek," she called softly, earning a quick glance from him. She invited herself in, almost tiptoeing to avoid the mess the closer she got.

"Ah, you’re here?" Derek set his attention back on the screen. "Wait a minute. Just sit right there—I’ll finish this quick."

When Melissa stood near him, her eyes glossed over the seats, which were also covered in trash. How could she sit here when everything was filled with garbage? So, she kept standing, staring at him, then at the game he was playing.

This is why others are getting ahead of him.

Minutes later, Derek finally finished the game and tossed the controller aside. When he looked at her, Melissa was still standing in the same spot.

"Ah..." he said, nodding and quickly clearing the space next to him, but Melissa didn’t move.

"Derek, I want to talk about—"

"Melissa, come here first, I want to ask you for something," he said at the same time as her, patting the space near him.

She wasn’t pleased, but still sat beside him so reluctantly. Her buttocks barely touched the surface of the couch when he faced her and beat her to it.

"Melissa, can you go to Summit Partners for me?"