Chapter 298
Before they could reach her, the driver locked Melany’s door and spoke over his shoulder. “This whole arrangement — Melany coming to the Morgan estate for tutoring — was at Mr. Brad Morgan’s request.”
The arrogance on Zaylee’s face flickered and vanished. She realized instantly that the driver answered directly to Brad. Any trouble she caused Melany would find its way back to him.
With a forced composure, Zaylee shot Melany a venomous glare, then slipped inside the car, her smile strained and brittle.
“Oh, I see now. I must’ve misunderstood. If this was Brad’s idea, I have nothing to say. Melany, let’s get to our studies together.”
Uneasy with Zaylee’s sudden shift, Melany inched away and fixed her gaze on the passing scenery outside the window.
Zaylee leaned closer to Melany’s ear, her words laced with animosity. “I don’t know what you said to Brad, but if you dare to take my fiancé away, I won’t let you off.”
Melany offered no response.
The ride ended at the Morgan residence, where Letty waited in Zaylee’s room, ready to teach her and the others. Melany, though, didn’t follow the group — she turned down a different corridor.
Zaylee caught her by the arm. “Where are you off to? Tutoring’s in my room.”
At last, Melany’s patience snapped. “Because we used to be friends, I’ll say this once more: Believe me, I’m not after Mr. Morgan. He’s charming and successful, but neither of us belongs in his world. Besides, you’re still in school, and he’s more than thirty. Whatever you feel is entirely inappropriate.”
A sneer curled Zaylee’s lip. “Is that what you’re telling yourself — so I’ll step aside and you can have him?”
Melany yanked free, wondering how she’d never realized how impossible Zaylee was to reason with.
Spotting the butler, Melany didn’t hesitate. She raised her voice. “Excuse me, Mr. Morgan said I have a separate study room.”
With a polite nod, the butler stepped forward. “You’re absolutely right. I’ve been sent to show you the way.”
No hesitation showed in Melany’s response. “Thank you for your assistance.” Raised voices outside the door caught Letty’s attention, prompting her to appear in the hallway. “Why is everyone still lingering out here? The tutoring session should have started already.”
Not missing a beat, Melany addressed Zaylee, saying, “Go on in. I’ll be studying elsewhere.”
Confusion clouded Zaylee’s face. “Why are you getting your own study room? What exactly are you planning?”
Melany answered plainly, “Rylie offered to help me directly, so I won’t be joining Ms. Molina’s class from now on.”
A biting remark about Rylie’s poor grades hovered on Zaylee’s lips. She nearly said Melany was making a huge mistake by relying on Rylie.
However, the presence of the butler kept her silent, leaving Letty to step in with a sneer. “If you’re struggling with my lessons, I’m happy to review them again and again. But skipping my class for someone who barely passes and has no teaching qualifications is a foolish waste of your future.”
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