Chapter 178: Chapter 178

She looked at Paige Sterling’s expression and suddenly felt that Paige seemed like she had everything under control from the start.

They thought Paige was easy to fool, but in the end, they were the ones being played by her.

"Melody Mercer, do you think Skylar Hughes is really helping you?"

Paige sat down and began peeling an apple, "Melody, you’re overthinking this. Why would a woman help you deal with a rival for no reason? Can’t you see through this?"

Melody didn’t understand before, but she does now.

Because Paige is the heiress of the VastReach Group, while Skylar is just a stepdaughter. Skylar envies Paige and wants to use Melody to bring Paige down.

No matter what Skylar’s purpose was, she indeed ended up helping Melody, didn’t she?

Does Paige think that by saying this now, she’ll spill everything about Skylar?

Melody is keenly aware that Skylar is like a venomous snake hiding in the shadows, waiting to strike Paige with a fatal blow.

She absolutely won’t give Skylar away. Even if she can’t deal with Paige anymore, there’s still Skylar, right?

"You think it’s because of my relationship with her?"

Paige shook her head, "No, she’s not even the Sterling Family’s stepdaughter. Just because her mom married my dad doesn’t mean she has ties with the Sterlings. She doesn’t even have the qualification to enter our family. The reason she’s against me is simply because I am Seth Shaw’s girlfriend, and she..."

Paige looked at Melody, "also has feelings for Seth Shaw."

Melody looked shocked, but soon calmed down.

How is that possible?

Skylar and Seth Shaw have had no interaction at all.

"Now that you’re Seth Shaw’s girlfriend, naturally she’d want to harm you. Do you think she’s helping you? If she were helping you, why have you ended up in this predicament?"

Paige said, "Skylar knows my identity, knows I’m not someone to mess with, so she doesn’t dare to provoke me. So she gets you to provoke me, ruins your career, gets you to throw acid on me, and in the end, you’ll go to jail. Without lifting a finger, she kills two birds with one stone."

Paige stood up and placed the peeled apple in Melody’s hand.

"Truly impressive, Skylar Hughes, always manipulating everyone from behind the scenes. I really pity you, Melody. Such bright prospects ruined by Skylar. You really are... quite foolish." The source of thɪs content is 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚✦𝕟𝕖𝕥

Paige’s words made a huge impact on Melody.

Even though she had doubts, once you start having suspicions, your mind immediately thinks of many suspicious points.

The more she thought about it, the more credible Paige’s words seemed.

Indeed, from the beginning, if it hadn’t been for Skylar’s coaxing her to go against Paige, to try to win over Seth Shaw, she would still be Paige’s junior disciple. When Paige became famous, she would have always brought her along, paving the way for her to reach the same heights as Paige. But in the end, by agreeing with Skylar, she brought about her own ruin.

Skylar was achieving two goals with one move, eliminating both Paige and her.

Skylar, Skylar, she will definitely not let Skylar off easily!

At the press conference, Melody threw sulphuric acid at Paige, though it was a false alarm, it scared those around Paige, and they all called.

Julian Hawthorne was out on inspection; he immediately rushed back.

However, when Paige was at the press conference, he went back to the office.

After Paige’s press conference ended, she went to the hospital.

He drove to the hospital to pick up Paige.

As soon as Paige came out of the hospital, she saw Julian Hawthorne.

Seeing that Paige was okay, he breathed a sigh of relief, "Hungry?"

They went to eat. Paige dressed very casually. Her laid-back style often got posted online, with fans feeling a mix of frustration and admiration, thinking she was squandering her good looks recklessly.

But nobody could deny, despite her casual attire, Paige still looked stunning.

This time, Julian took Paige to a famous food therapy restaurant. Noticing Paige ordered less than usual, he gently asked, "Not much appetite today?"

Paige replied, "I think I’m eating more and more; better cut down a bit."

Julian chuckled, instantly realizing Paige was being coy again.

So he ordered a few more dishes that Paige loved.

The waiter enthusiastically suggested, "Sir, our kidney soup is also quite good; it’s a specialty here. How about giving it a try?"

Julian looked at Paige, "Want to replenish yourself a bit?"

Paige kept a straight face, "Mr. Hawthorne, shouldn’t you be the one needing the boost?"

Julian quipped, "Are you implying I’m not putting in enough effort at night?"

As they openly discussed intimate topics, the waiter stood there, expressionless.

After a moment Julian added, "Let’s change the soup."

Paige said, "We’ll keep the kidney soup, for you to replenish yourself."

Julian gritted his teeth, "Are you sure I really need it?"

Was he really being dissed by his own wife for having kidney issues?

What wasn’t working with him?

"I’m very sure," Paige looked into Julian’s eyes.

Julian smirked, "Is it me who’s complaining about back pain every day?"

Paige smirked too, not budging an inch, "I have back pain from standing too long, nothing to do with you."

Paige said, "You’re already in your thirties, admitting you’re not up to it is not shameful, age is a factor."

Julian squinted, leaning closer to Paige, "Have I hit thirty yet?"

"Only a few days away, Mr. Hawthorne."

Truth be told, he couldn’t win an argument with Paige, but doing... well, that’s a different story.

To teach Paige a lesson, the bed would suffice.

The waiter was still standing there, softly asking.

"Do you want the soup or not?"

Julian gritted his teeth, "Yes, listen to my wife, let’s replenish properly."

The word "replenish" was enunciated so heavily that Paige’s scalp tingled a little.

Ever since Paige dismissed Julian’s kidney, he’s been eager to prove his health, insisting on teasing Paige until she begs for mercy every day.

Paige soon regretted her reckless words.

Why argue with Mr. Hawthorne? Wouldn’t one compliment suffice?

That night, Mr. Hawthorne ambitiously sought to prove his vitality once again.

He entered the bathroom for a shower, leaving Paige with a look of despair watching short videos on her phone.

As she scrolled, she stumbled upon a cute dance video by a young heartthrob.

He seemed quite charming, so she watched absently.

But suddenly, Julian’s cool voice came from behind, "Nice to watch?"

Paige said earnestly, "Not bad."

Then she turned to Julian, "Want to watch together?"

She genuinely wanted to share a good thing with Julian.

Julian took the phone without Paige thinking much but didn’t notice Julian quickly browsing through her video history, finding it full of that young heartthrob.

His eyes intense, like accusing an unfaithful lover, "Do you really like him?"

Before Paige could reply, Julian added, "No wonder you’re dismissing my kidney."

Paige looked puzzled as Julian put down the phone and silently lay down on the bed.

Now she had to coax him?