CHAPTER 384: NOT SULKING

"Melissa! I’m just saying—it’s not safe! It’s suspicious!"

Melissa rolled her eyes as she glared at the door. The more Jasmine tried to stop her, the more determined she became to attend the event.

"Why won’t she just let me be?" she muttered irritably, convinced her mother was just trying to control her again.

Yesterday, she had talked to her secret admirer all day. Unlike everyone around her, he understood her. Renny (her admirer) wasn’t trying to control her like Jasmine—or criticize her like Derek. With him, she didn’t have to choose her words carefully.

She could say anything she wanted, and he would listen. He wouldn’t judge her or shame her for not being perfect. For the first time in her life, she felt like someone truly saw her for who she was.

"Suspicious?" she scoffed, glancing at the bed where the neatly wrapped presents sat. "So it wasn’t suspicious when he sent me everything else before this?"

Melissa would’ve been suspicious only if the gifts had started after the incident. But her admirer had been sending her things long before then. It was only recently that they began talking directly—after he reached out, worried about her well-being.

"It’s the MEG Fashion Show," she whispered, hesitation flickering in her eyes. "It’s not like he’s forcing me."

Even so, doubt lingered in her heart. Celestine would surely be there tonight. Lola might, too. Attending the event felt like throwing herself into a lion’s den that had been starving for blood.

"Should I go?" she murmured, opening the first box. Inside was a stunning gown from MEG’s last collection. She lifted it, admiring the way the fabric shimmered under the light.

"He really has good taste," she whispered, smiling softly, only for it to fade as she sat at the edge of the bed. "I agreed to come with him, but because of Mom, I’m starting to hesitate again."

Renny had reassured her that nothing bad would happen as long as she was with him. That Celestine wouldn’t even dare try anything. And Melissa believed him, especially knowing how wealthy he must be, judging by the expensive gifts he’d sent.

Frowning, she picked up her phone and typed a message.

[To: Renny

I’m starting to worry again. I know you promised to protect me, but the more I think about it, the more I don’t want to put you in that situation.]

She stared at the screen, waiting. Two minutes passed with no reply.

"Is he busy?" she murmured. Then she remembered. "Right. He said he’d be busy earlier—something about flying back to Novera."

Renny was from Anteca, an investor expanding business in Novera. She’d heard of his company before—not as big as the NL Group, but a fast-growing one nonetheless.

Just as her thoughts began to spiral again, her phone pinged.

[From: Renny

I do not mind, as long as I believe in what I’m fighting for. But if you’re still hesitant, that’s alright. I’ll just drop by the show to support a friend, then leave. Don’t pressure yourself. Take as much time as you need, Melissa.]

[I’ll always be here for you.]

Melissa’s eyes softened as guilt crept into her chest. Her gaze drifted over the gifts again before she pursed her lips and sighed.

[To: Renny

It’s alright. I’ll see you later, then.]

*****

[Lancaster Rest House]

"Come on, dude! Sulking won’t change anything!" Justin groaned, dragging his hands down his face. "I get it, things are rough, but you gotta pick yourself up."

Derek lazily shifted his eyes toward him. "Do I look like I’m sulking to you?"

He was holding a book, reclining casually on the bed. Since his drunken binge, he hadn’t done anything reckless again. He forced himself to eat, to move, to do something—anything to recover and forget.

"You are sulking!" Justin climbed onto the edge of the bed. "When’s the last time you even left this room?"

"I just got into this room."

"I know! And the Derek I know doesn’t stay locked in like this! That guy gets up and does something. Even if he’s not partying, he still shows up at the company even after a demotion!"

He wasn’t wrong. Derek hadn’t sulked this badly even after being kicked off the Summit Partners project. Sure, he’d been upset, but he bounced back quickly.

"Melissa’s not worth it, dude," Justin said, shaking his head. "Forget about her. Do you even realize how many women—more beautiful than her—would kill to be with you?"

To Justin’s surprise, Derek let out a quiet, humorless snort. "You mean how many women want to be part of the Lancaster family?"

That shut Justin up immediately because it was true.

"Women... hah, forget it." Derek clicked his tongue and shifted his gaze back to his book. "Say, why are you suddenly saying Melissa’s not worth it?"

"Huh?"

"You’ve never said that before." His tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp. "Just now."

Justin’s breath hitched.

Even during Derek and Melissa’s past arguments, the worst he’d ever done was tease Derek into looking at other women. His reasoning back then had been simple—Derek should enjoy his youth before settling down.

But now, his words carried something different. Something personal.

"Hah... of course she’s not worth it!" Justin stammered. "You pursued her, gave her years of your life, and all she cared about was joining the Lancaster family! How could I not be angry? She and her family piss me off, especially seeing what she’s done to you."

For some reason, Derek didn’t buy that explanation.

"Just get up, alright?" Justin patted the bed. "Aunt Celes asked you to come to the MEG Fashion Show. She’s picking us up here."

"I don’t want to go."

"We know you don’t," Justin sighed, standing with his hands on his hips. "But for your own good—show up. Your appearance will be a statement. We need to show that, no matter what, the Lancasters still stand strong. After everything that’s happened, it’s either you or the Young family. Derek, choose our family for once."

With that, Justin clapped him on the shoulder and left.

Derek watched him go. When the door clicked shut, a shallow breath escaped him.

"Fine," he muttered. "Whatever. It’s not like Melissa or any of the Youngs will be there."

He picked up his book again and then paused, a new thought crossing his mind.

"...Should I go to Lola and maybe... talk to her?"