Chapter 411 - 409: Deliberately Currying Favor

Melody Monroe noticed that Felix Hughes, sitting in front of her, wasn’t quite the same as his usual self at work. He seemed a bit shy and bashful.

"Director Hughes, how can I help you?" Melody Monroe asked.

"Here’s the thing. On the nineteenth of next month, Rose Shaw and I are getting engaged. I originally wanted to throw a proper engagement party, but she doesn’t want one. Still, it’s our big day, and I’d like to have some sense of ceremony."

Melody Monroe nodded, thinking how thoughtful Felix Hughes was.

"But I’m also worried Rose will be upset with me, so I wanted to discuss it with you."

"What do you have planned, Director Hughes?"

"I don’t want to make it too complicated, just a small party with Rose and our close friends to announce our engagement. I’ve booked a private club in Jansburg."

"Haven’t you already planned it all out?" Melody Monroe didn’t understand what else Felix Hughes needed her help with.

"Yes, but I’m worried there might be some issues, or things Rose won’t like. So I was hoping you could help me look it over."

"Director Hughes, with all the thought you’re putting into this, I’m sure Rose will see it. And she’ll definitely be very touched."

"Really?" Felix Hughes sounded more confident now.

"Of course. If you need help with anything else, feel free to find me anytime."

"This is the design for the engagement ring I ordered for Rose. What do you think of the style? I’ve never bought anything like this before, so I have no experience."

Melody Monroe looked at the design drawing for the ring. "It’s gorgeous! It’s perfect."

"Great! Then I’ll get a head start on the preparations."

Felix Hughes left happily. Melody Monroe’s gaze shifted to the side, where Keith Coleman had been standing and eavesdropping the entire time.

Keith Coleman wanted to hide, but he’d already been spotted. There was no point.

"Keith, what do you think you’re doing?" Melody Monroe couldn’t help but ask.

"What do you mean, ’what am I doing’? I was just passing by. How was I supposed to know what you were saying to Felix Hughes! I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop."

"I didn’t say a thing, and you’ve already admitted it yourself."

"I..."

"Keith, you like Rose, don’t you? And not just in a ’want to hook up’ kind of way, right?"

Keith Coleman nodded. "But I’m not the one she likes. Felix Hughes is."

"Actually, Felix Hughes isn’t the one she likes, either."

"What?"

Melody Monroe’s voice was quiet, but Keith Coleman still heard her.

"Rose Shaw doesn’t like Felix Hughes? Then who is it?"

"Who Rose likes has nothing to do with you."

"What do you mean it doesn’t! If it’s not Felix Hughes, then I still have a chance."

"If it’s not Felix Hughes, you have even less of a chance."

Keith Coleman: ...

"Melody," Shannon Paxton called out warmly as she walked over. "We’re about to take a group photo. We were just waiting for you."

"Okay," Melody Monroe replied immediately.

Shannon Paxton walked over and affectionately linked her arm through Melody Monroe’s. Though Melody wasn’t used to such intimacy from people she barely knew, she didn’t push her away.

’Shannon Paxton was always trying to get on her good side. It wasn’t just Shannon; many others had tried, too, but Shannon was by far the most obvious about it.’

’Whether she genuinely liked her or not, it was still better than being hated or bad-mouthed.’

’Melody had always kept a certain distance from everyone.’

’Aside from the few people on her own team that she was close with, she treated everyone else the same.’

’But this Shannon Paxton was always doing something to stand out, as if she were deliberately signaling to everyone that their relationship was special and had unilaterally decided they were already good friends.’