Chapter 451 - 449: A Lie

"Melody Monroe! Oh my! It really is you!" Mrs. Hughes came forward and took Melody Monroe’s hand.

"Hello," Melody Monroe greeted politely.

There was something about Felix Hughes’s mother that Melody couldn’t quite put her finger on.

She figured Felix Hughes must have inherited his honest, dependable nature from his father. His mother’s attire, however, was another story—indescribably gaudy, a riot of clashing colors.

"Dad, Mom, why don’t you two go inside and have a seat first."

"Sir, Ma’am, how about I show you to your seats?" Melody Monroe stepped forward to lead the way.

"Well, well! Our Rose certainly has some pull, doesn’t she? Getting such a big star to be our personal waitress."

Melody Monroe: ...

Talia Mercer, who was standing nearby, overheard the comment. She immediately stepped forward. "Ma’am, our Melody is also an honored guest of Rose and Director Hughes."

"Of course I know that! Didn’t Melody Monroe appear on that show my Felix planned?" Mrs. Hughes said with a laugh. "It’s Felix and Rose’s engagement day, so of course she had to be here. We’ll have more chances to work together in the future." She glanced toward Melody Monroe again. "Melody Monroe, can I get a picture with you? I want to post it on social media and show off."

"I’m sorry, our Melody isn’t taking photos today," Talia Mercer refused outright.

"My, what a diva! You celebrities are all so full of yourselves! Can’t even spare time for a single photo!"

Talia was about to retort, but Melody Monroe stopped her. "Ma’am, please have a seat. I’m going to go see if Rose needs help with anything."

"Melody, what kind of person is Director Hughes’s mother? Look at her, she doesn’t seem easy to get along with at all! With a mother-in-law like that, I’m worried for Rose after she gets married..."

Melody Monroe had to admit that her impression of Felix Hughes’s mother was not a good one.

Director Hughes was certainly an outstanding man, which gave his mother plenty of ammunition for boasting. Judging by her behavior, she must throw her weight around in her social circles all the time.

Melody Monroe was sure that Rose Shaw saw all of this, too.

Sure enough, Mrs. Hughes didn’t stay seated for long, instead wandering around and striking up conversations with everyone.

Mr. Hughes looked on, helpless and unable to stop her.

Felix Hughes glanced into the crowd a few times but did nothing to stop his mother. Melody Monroe frowned as she watched. Felix was a good, dutiful son, but if that sense of duty was excessive, and with a mother like that...

It was complicated.

Rose Shaw had noticed as well, and her expression tightened slightly.

"My mom... she’s not used to this kind of event, as you know. She just likes to be part of the excitement, and since today is our engagement, she’s just a little overjoyed," Felix Hughes explained to Rose Shaw.

Rose Shaw watched as Mrs. Hughes approached a couple with a child, warmly taking the child by the hand and peppering them with questions.

Just then, Christopher Sterling and Lana Sheffield walked in. Their arrival interrupted the fleeting thought in Rose Shaw’s mind.

Christopher Sterling’s gaze fell upon Felix Hughes, but the glint off his glasses hid the emotion in his eyes.

"President Sterling, Mrs. Sterling," Rose Shaw greeted them. "Let me introduce you. This is my fiancé, Felix Hughes. Felix, this is President Sterling and Mrs. Sterling."

Christopher Sterling extended his hand to Felix Hughes.

"President Sterling, hello."

"Hello."

"President Sterling, Mrs. Sterling, please, come in," Rose Shaw said, welcoming them inside.

When Melody Monroe saw the couple, she deliberately kept her distance. Back when she was with Stellaris, she had to keep up appearances. Now, she didn’t have to worry about that anymore.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside, and both Rose Shaw and Felix Hughes turned to look.