Chapter 34 Paid Posers

During this period, Melinda felt very relaxed, simply by not paying attention to an annoying creature like Yulia.

Melinda shared dinner with the Gu family in the main villa. Yulia used to not show up during mealtime. However, she started eating on a regular schedule every day since Melinda’s return just to annoy her.

These days, Nelson took Melinda to attend various events, many of which she also wanted to make an appearance at, but she hadn't been invited, so she gave up.

Therefore, Nelson unknowingly pushed Yulia to hate Melinda more.

Jonas usually had lunch at the office, and today was no exception. Nelson had an appointment with an old friend, so Melinda, Yulia and Queena were left at the table.

The trio of women looked like they were at play taking on different roles. They positioned themselves in a triangle-shaped formation. Yulia's expression was as scornful as ever. Queena behaved as if she had no involvement, and Melinda remained indifferent.

"Aunt Yao, why are you letting her sit here for lunch? Aren’t you afraid she’ll spoil your appetite?"

Yulia regarded Melinda with disgust. The entire Gu family knew that they were not getting along well. Queena disliked them both, so she said nothing and watched them in silence.

However, what surprised her was Melinda. Back then, she was nothing but a dummy who lacked critical thinking. Although she tried to withhold her anger, she was a natural in taking opportunity in bad situations to gain an advantage.

"Let's eat. We are one family, so we should sit together, shouldn't we?"

Queena said. The dishes were served on the table in succession. The household had no extravagant style, but there were ten courses prepared for the three of them. Each platter was an explosion of colors, aromas and taste, making them feel a fleeting moment of hunger.

"She is not my family!"

Yulia refused to believe that Melinda got to become her sister-in-law once again. Particularly Melinda stole all the attention from Nelson as soon as she arrived home.

"Yulia, don't let your brother hear what you just said, or he will feel sad,"

Melinda said with a smile, as though she just put up with a childish teenager. By this time, she had done a lot of role-playing with Jonas. What she said made Yulia feel some pangs of concern.

"Melinda, are you threatening me with my brother?"

Exasperated, Yulia sprang up from the table. She had been very cranky these past few days. As she straightened up from her seat, the chair hit the servant standing behind.

"Mother, I'd better go back and have dinner at my place."

Instead of responding to Yulia's question, Melinda just got up quietly and said to Queena in a low voice. Compared to Yulia's immature demeanor, she was more sensible.

Queena nodded, and shot Yulia a warning look. She was someone who paid much attention to dignity. At home, it seemed normal for Yulia to act in this manner. In the public eye, she would bring disgrace to the whole Gu family's name.

Being petite with a well-shaped body, Melinda put on a white dress today. The way she stepped out looked very pitiful. Yulia's beautiful brown eyes were full of hatred as she thought on how brilliant Melinda

he truth lambasted Melinda online.

These days, cheating on one's partner was unacceptable to society. Because Jonas was known as the public’s prince charming with countless female followers, his fans felt sorry for him and blamed everything on Melinda.

Things developed so fast that the Gu family had no time to react. Following this news, Yulia felt euphoric and sneered at Melinda coldly.

All of these transpired in front of Nelson. At this point, he was unable to protect Melinda, but Melinda was calm about this matter. She just logged off from her Weibo account, as if nothing had happened.

"Grandpa, I've warned you before that Melinda is not a good woman. Now you must believe me! She dated that Kent guy ages ago!"

Yulia didn't pass off the chance. She even besmirched Melinda’s name in the presence of Nelson. Melinda perceived that someone was behind this. She wondered who was so impatient for them to launch a sudden attack.

It couldn’t be Yulia, or she wouldn't have waited until things went ugly, and provoke her. She would have said something baffling up front.

"Grandpa, I'm sorry for what happened. It's not the truth."

Unwilling to disappoint Nelson, Melinda decided to explain. As for the photos, they must be edited using an image-editing program. That person got serious skills since it was hard to tell the difference. But if the experts would analyze the pictures, they could easily find out.

Melinda recounted the whole story about Kent helping her, along with his parents. She included the fact that they pretended to be lovers in order to deceive Kent's parents.

Upon hearing this, Yulia lost her temper and spoke a plethora of offensive remarks. But Nelson heaved a sigh of relief. He sensed that Melinda wasn't that type of person. For one thing, he feared that Jonas might hurt her. However, Kent was kind to Melinda.

With this in mind, he believed it was reasonable why Melinda did it. Intellectually, she should act similar to this.

"I trust you. You suffered a lot this time."

Nelson was more satisfied with Melinda's character. He would never allow her to experience any grievances.