Chapter 7

Melody stopped in her tracks. Her breath caught, and her expression slowly turned serious.

"What's wrong?" Zane asked, confused. "Didn't you ask Mr. Hunt to transfer you back?"

Melody shook her head. "No. I came to resign."

Zane sucked in a breath. "Resign? Why?"

"Personal reasons." Melody kept it short. Then she added, "Can the transfer be canceled?"

"It can, but it needs Mr. Hunt's approval," Zane said, looking troubled.

Melody lifted a hand and pressed her temple, a wave of helplessness rising inside her.

Zane tried to comfort her. "It's the busiest time of the year. You can talk about resigning after the holidays. For now, go pack your things. You've just been transferred back and already have a task. Ms. Carter wants you to bring her a coffee when you come in this afternoon."

"Got it." Melody had no choice but to nod and head back to the branch office to gather her things.

At one in the afternoon, she appeared at the CEO's secretary's desk right on time.

After putting her things away, she carried a cup of coffee into the office.

The afternoon sunlight poured in, falling across Caleb, who was wearing a white shirt. His sharp, refined features carried a natural sense of authority and distance.

Wendy sat on the sofa in the lounge area, the coffee table in front of her filled with snacks.

When Melody walked in, Caleb only glanced at her once before looking away and continuing his work.

Melody walked over to Wendy. "Ms. Carter, here's your drink."

"Leave it there." Wendy fiddled with her nails, her tone faintly arrogant.

Melody set the drink down and turned to leave.

She had just returned to her desk and hadn't even finished arranging her things when the internal line rang.

Caleb's low voice came through. "Come in."

Melody put down what she was holding and went back into the office. As she pushed the door open, her eyes landed first on Caleb sitting behind his desk.

He looked up slightly and glanced at Wendy.

Melody followed his gaze and met Wendy's displeased eyes.

"You bought this coffee? Why is it hot?" Wendy asked.

Melody nodded and replied, "It's winter. Would you prefer it cold?"

Wendy let out a light scoff. "Of course."

At that, Melody instinctively looked at Caleb. However, he was still seated at his desk, unmoved and uninterested.

"I'll go buy a cold one right now."

A moment later, Melody came back with an iced coffee.

But Wendy didn't take it right away. Instead, she asked, "Did you get less ice or extra ice?"

"Whatever you prefer," Melody said calmly, placing the drink in front of her. "Enjoy."

"What?"

Wendy was instantly annoyed, realizing Melody had dodged the question.

"Then go get me some chips!"

"Besides chips, is there anything else you'd like, Ms. Carter? I can bring it back all at once so you don't have to wait."

Melody pulled a notepad from her pocket, ready to write down Wendy's order.

"Caleb!" Wendy shot her a glare and stood up, walking over to him. "Did you hear what she just said?"

Caleb had been focused on his work, and he finally looked up. He glanced at his watch, and his expression turned slightly helpless.

"There's a cocktail party tonight, and I still have work to finish. Don't make a scene."

Wendy's eyes flicked around, then she pointed at Melody. "Then have her come pick out my dress with me."

Caleb paused for a moment, then took out a black card and handed it to Melody.

"Take Ms. Carter to choose a dress. Pick one for yourself too."

Melody frowned slightly, but she still took the card.

"Got it."

In the past, when she accompanied Caleb to events, the dresses and styling were covered by the company. Even the cheapest gown cost a few thousand dollars.

Wendy's status was different. She specifically named a well-known private styling studio in Ashbury City.

Half an hour later, Melody parked the car.

She got out, walked around to the back seat, and opened the door.

"Hold this."

A blue-pink handbag came into view first. It was the latest release from a major international brand.

Melody took the bag. After Wendy got out, she closed the door and followed her inside.

Since they had booked in advance, stylists were already waiting at the entrance.

"Ms. Carter!"

Wendy glanced at them and subtly gave a look.

One of the stylists immediately looked at Melody, smiled knowingly, and nodded.

"Bring out your newest arrivals," Wendy walked in with a sway in her step and sat down on the sofa.

The shop employees immediately surrounded her.

Some brought dresses, while some showed makeup and styling lookbooks. Others served tea, cut fruit, and arranged snacks.

Melody glanced around at the racks of dresses. Even the cheapest ones here cost tens of thousands of dollars.

She was about to check the prices and pick something modest, but then Wendy spoke again.

"Ms. Sullivan, come here."

Melody changed direction and walked over, handing her the bag.

"Stand here. Don't wander off."

Wendy didn't even look up as she sorted through the styling lookbook, issuing the order casually.

After a few seconds of silence, Melody slowly pulled her hand back from offering the bag. She said nothing and stood quietly behind Wendy.

For a full two hours, Wendy picked out her dress and finished her makeup and styling.

Every time she did something, she would toss a line over her shoulder. "Stay here. Don't wander off."

Melody didn't mind. She had to pick a dress anyway. It was all still work hours, and standing here getting paid was easier than actually working.

When Wendy was finally done, she turned to look at her.

"Go get the cheapest dress you have in the store."

The stylist smiled knowingly and signaled to an assistant. Within seconds, the assistant brought out a black-base gown decorated with gray and orange-yellow ribbons.

Calling it ugly would have been generous.

Up close, the uneven stitching and messy, colorful ribbons were even harder to look at.

Melody couldn't help but frown.

"Ms. Carter is already being generous," the stylist said while adjusting Wendy's dress, clearly throwing shade at Melody. "This dress costs sixty thousand dollars."

It was definitely not cheap.

Melody had never bought a dress that expensive before, even when it was paid by the company.

Wendy glanced at her through the mirror and said, "If you're spending Caleb's money, you follow my rules. If you don't like it, buy your own... If you can afford it."

She was wearing a light purple evening dress. The refined styling made her look both elegant and striking.

If Melody wore this dress standing next to Wendy, she would look like a clown.

"Alright, that's enough," Wendy said, clearly satisfied with her reflection. "Pay the bill."

An employee brought over the receipt for both dresses and handed it to Melody.

Melody took a deep breath and used the card to pay for both dresses.

"Are you getting your makeup done too?" the stylist asked casually.

"No," Melody said without looking back.

After paying, she took the dresses and Wendy's bag and walked out of the store.

Wendy glanced at her, then exchanged a knowing smile with the stylist.

On the way back, Melody received a call from Caleb.

"Time's running out. Go straight to the hotel," he said.

"Okay." Melody nodded and made a U-turn, heading straight for the hotel.

Five minutes before the cocktail party officially started, she arrived at the entrance.

Zane was waiting outside. When he saw them arrive, he opened the back door.

"Where's Caleb?" Wendy asked as she got out.

"A business partner arrived earlier, so Mr. Hunt went in first."

Then he noticed Melody still hadn't changed clothes and was surprised.

"Ms. Sullivan, why haven't you changed?"

"Take Ms. Carter inside first. I'll be right there," Melody replied as she got out of the car holding the dress.

Wendy shot her a satisfied glance before turning and walking into the hotel in her high heels.

"What's going on?" Zane frowned, clearly confused by the tension between them.

Melody shook her head and lowered her voice. "I caught a cold, and I'm on medication. I can't drink tonight. Just handle the networking with Mr. Hunt for me."

She and Zane had always worked as a team, one handling events and the other driving.

"Alright," Zane said. He turned and went back into the banquet hall first.

Melody looked down at the dress in her hands and pursed her lips. After a brief pause, she walked into the hotel.