Chapter 498: Chapter 498

Taylor narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice low and measured.

"Make sure she’s well taken care of."

His tone remained flat, betraying no emotion, no hint of what he truly felt.

"She still has a role to play in the next phase of the plan."

The butler knew Taylor wasn’t wrong, yet he couldn’t help but wonder if there was more beneath those words.

The butler sighed inwardly.

When would the tangled threads between these two ever truly unravel?

The call ended, but the coldness in Taylor’s eyes lingered.

Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes slowly, a faint crease forming between his brows.

Some people, some things—when left unmentioned, could almost be forgotten.

But the moment they resurfaced, they became impossible to ignore.

Queen had been waiting until the call was over before turning her face toward him.

Though she hadn’t heard the conversation, she could tell—Taylor wasn’t in the best of moods.

She hesitated but ultimately remained silent, making herself as inconspicuous as possible to give Taylor some peace and quiet.

--- On the second-to-top floor of the hotel, Melissa’s eyes lit up as she watched Camilla step out of the dressing room in a shimmering silver fishtail gown.

Camilla glanced at the starry-eyed Melissa lounging on the sofa and smiled wryly.

"That’s the phrase I’ve heard the most today."

"Can’t blame me," Melissa quickly defended.

"It’s just that every single outfit looks absolutely gorgeous on you, Camilla!"

After watching for a while, she felt her own sense of style had leveled up.

If a woman is just a little prettier than you, you might feel envious.

But if she’s in a whole different league, all you can do is admire.

That’s exactly how Melissa felt right now.

"This one," She picked up a sleek red spaghetti-strap gown and handed it to Camilla, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Camilla, please try this one on," she urged.

Since Sinclair had arranged for an assistant to help with the dress changes, she didn’t have to worry about tiring Camilla out.

"It’s too sexy," Camilla said, eyeing the minimalist yet alluring red dress with a resigned sigh.

"Sweetheart wouldn’t like it."

No need to guess—his jealousy would be off the charts.

"If Sinclair entrusted me with picking the dress, it means he trusts my taste,"

Melissa said playfully, batting her lashes.

"Come on, Camilla, just humor me and try it on," she coaxed, raising her hand in a mock pledge.

"I promise, after this, we’ll only choose from the ones you’ve already tried.

Camilla took in Melissa’s hopeful expression and couldn’t bring herself to refuse again.

"Fine, one last one," she relented before stepping back into the dressing room.

Melissa settled back onto the sofa, holding her drink in one hand as she eagerly watched the direction of the fitting room.

Admiring beautiful people and things truly had a way of lifting one’s spirits.

Today, she finally got to experience the joy Sinclair often spoke about.

Footsteps approached from behind, but Melissa assumed it was just hotel staff and paid no mind.

Just then, Camilla emerged from the fitting room.

Spotting the figure in the distance, she paused briefly before breaking into a radiant smile.

The striking crimson of the dress and her flawless, porcelain skin created a breathtaking contrast, an assault on the senses.

Her graceful curves and slender, endless legs left no doubt—she was an absolute vision.

Melissa: !!! How did that saying go again?

A sister’s waist isn’t just a waist—it’s a lethal blade!!

She set her drink down emphatically.

"Camilla, if you wear this to the gala, you’ll outshine everyone there.

You’ll have those for—"

As Melissa was speaking, her peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of a tall, lean male figure.

And that familiar, bone-chilling aura.

The rest of her words died in her throat.

A cold, detached voice cut through the air.

At the sound of that voice, Melissa swallowed hard and turned her head stiffly.

Deep, inky eyes, sharp and unfathomable.

A face so striking it could steal one’s breath.

Who else could it be but Sinclair?

Sinclair lifted his eyelids slightly, his gaze resting on Melissa with cool indifference.

*Enough to make those foreign men drop dead.*

Melissa answered silently in her mind, but she didn’t dare say it out loud.

"Enough, Sinclair," Camilla’s gentle voice, laced with a hint of amusement, chimed in.

"Stop teasing Melissa."

At first glance, it seemed Melissa had grown bold today, deliberately provoking Sinclair with her antics.

But in reality, she had no idea Sinclair was even here.

Melissa stole a furtive glance at Sinclair, her thoughts racing.

*This isn’t teasing—Sinclair is about to throttle me.*

"Alright," Sinclair’s gaze swept past Melissa before he strode toward Camilla.

*Thank goodness Camilla is here.*

Melissa exhaled in relief, grateful she had stopped herself before uttering anything truly outrageous.

"Sinclair, Camilla, my mission here is done, so I’ll take my leave now," She grabbed her bag and waved at them cheerfully.

"No need to see me out, really!"

Vicente’s craving for a cigarette hit him.

With practice ease, he pulled one from his pocket and placed it between his lips, then flicked open his lighter, ready to light up.

A petite figure came darting toward him in a flash.

Vicente instantly recognized who it was.

Extending one arm, he caught her in a firm embrace.

Removing the cigarette from his lips, he teased in an amused tone, "Melissa, anyone would think you’re being chased by a murderer."

Melissa panted, pressing a hand to her chest.

"Someone really is trying to kill me."

That deceptively calm look in Sinclair’s eyes? Razor-sharp.

Only those on the receiving end would understand.

Vicente arched a brow, his expression unfazed.

"Did you provoke Sinclair again?"

She only ever turned into this quivering mess around that man.

Melissa steadied her breathing before stealing a glance inside and lowering her voice to a whisper.

"Sinclair’s just being petty, that’s all."

Still seething, she threw a couple of mock punches into the air for good measure.

Another day of being utterly dominated. Inside the hotel suite, Sinclair’s gaze darkened as it lingered on Camilla, whose beauty was nothing short of breathtaking.

The hotel staff nearby immediately nodded and filed out of the room.