Melody Strikes Back by Myra Walker

When James thought Ken was about to get angry, he heard Ken say calmly. “It’s fine. You’re right. My punishment for Jane was indeed thoughtless. Once she recovers tomorrow, she can return to work. The launch of the new product can’t do without her.” 

James let out a sigh of relief and instinctively said, “That’s the right decision!” 

To James, Jane was the only woman who matched Ken perfectly, given how she toiled for the company and Ken. 

Murphy 

Ken frowned and gave him a sidelong glance, which startled James. Realizing he had said too much, he quickly changed the subject. “Miss Murp wasn’t in good shape tonight. Are you staying here tonight” 

Ken glanced at Janet, who was whimpering and seemingly uncomfortable. After a brief silence, he said, “Get me a blanket. I’ll stay here tonight. Yes. Mr. Swanson!” James responded with delight and went out to fetch a blanket. He quickly set up a bed on the floor. 

Ken wanted to wash up, but as soon as he moved to leave, Janet began to cry. 

By this time, the hangover medicine should have taken effect, but perhaps Janet was too drunk. 

With no other option, he asked James to bring him some toiletries. He washed up standing by the bed and then seuled down on the makeshift bed on the floor. 

The night was both long and short. 

Melody didn’t fall into a deep sleep until the early hours when the sky began to lighten. It felt like she had only slept for a moment when Susan’s voice woke her up. “Miss Fox? Why are you sleeping on the couch? Where’s Mr. Swanson?” 

Melody was a light sleeper and had woken up when Susan entered the living room. 

She sat up from the couch, feeling sore all over. 

Faced with Susan’s questions, she didn’t know how to respond and vaguely said, “He had something to do and went out 

“Oh, then why are you… Susan started to ask more, but Melody waved her hand tiredly, cutting her off. “It’s late. I’m heading out. If if Ken comes back, please tell him I won’t be home tonight.” 

Susan looked surprised but, seeing the dark circles under Melody’s eyes, she swallowed her words and simply nodded. “Alright, Miss Fox” 

Melody didn’t linger any longer. After freshening up, she hailed a cab and headed to ley Clear Cosmetics. 

Coincidentally, as she got out of the taxi, she ran into Troy. 

It seemed Troy was heading to the company next door. Not wanting to cause any trouble, Melody quickened her pace into Icy Clear Cosmetics. 

However, Troy noticed her and swiftly stepped in her path. 

“Melody?” Troy’s gaze scanned her from head to toe with disdain, then he let out a cold laugh. I never would have guessed it A country girl like you has some tricks up her sleeve. Even after I pulled such a big move by canceling my orders, your father will stood by you. I’m genuinely curious, what kind of tricks did you pull?” 

Melody ignored most of what “Troy said, but she caught the part about Russell standing by her. 

She felt a flicker of confusion as she wondered. ‘Could it be that Troy is mistaken? Yes, she hasn’t gone home last night, and Russell hasn’t called. which is unusual. 

Suppressing her doubts, she calmly asked, “Is there something you need, Mr. Clark!” 

Troy smirked slyly and said, “Nothing much. I just wanted to give you a heads–up. The matter with Fam isn’t over. You’ll pay the price sooner or 

later!” 

His face radiated a smug satisfaction, making Melody frown and feel a surge of unease. 

“What’s Troy planning” she wondered. 

Before she could ask further, Troy strode away, heading straight into the adjacent company, which also dealt in fashion design. 

Melody noted the name of the company and then pushed aside her thoughts as she walked into Icy Clear Cosmetics. 

Wilmot had sent an assistant to wait for her at the entrance. Seeing her approach, the assistant, with an indifferent expression, stepped forward. “Miss Fox, Mr. Sherman instructed me to wait for you here, I’ll take you to the R&D department” 

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Noting the contempt in the assistant’s eyes, Melody didn’t say much and simply nodded, following the assistant to the R&D department. 

“Mr. Mayer, she’s here,” the assistant casually informed Tim Mayer, the head of the R&D department, before turning to leave. 

Melody instinctively called out to the assistant. “Where’s Wilmot?” 

The assistant impatiently said, “Mr. Sherman is hospitalized with a fever. Mr. Mayer will be in charge of you” 

Π 

Then, without any regard for Melody, he muttered resentfully. “It’s all because of you, jinx. If you hadn’t bet the company. Mr. Sherman wouldn’t be so worried that he fell ill. Thanks to you, we’ll all be sick from stress soon enough!” 

Melody opened her mouth, about to inquire abour Wilmot’s condition, but the assistant didn’t bother to say another word and swiftly left. 

She was about to call Wilmot when the head of the R&D department, Tim, called out to her. “Miss Fox, come with me, please. 

Melody paused her motion to dial, realizing that Wilmot’s illness was likely stress–induced and the best way to help was to develop the new product quickly. 

With this in mind, she put her phone away and followed Tim into the R&D department. 

Unlike Wilmot’s assistant, Tim wore a constant friendly smile and responsibly introduced her to the R&D department. “This is the meeting room, those are the workstations for the R&D department staff and my office is right there. The lab is at the back.” 

Melody nodded, her gaze sweeping over the empty workstations, and asked. “Isn’t anyone at work yet?” 

Tim’s smile widened. “Of course not, everyone is busy working on the new product in the lab.” 

“Working on the new product?” Melody’s brow furrowed 

She scrutinized Tim more closely, sensing something was off. 

Tim maintained his smile and said, “Miss Fox, everyone is working hard because no one wants to lose their job over your big bet. After our morning meeting, we decided to improve the formula of the Golden Water. Maybe it can compete with the All–Purpose Water.” 

Melody’s face darkened further. “Why didn’t anyone inform me about the meeting? Didn’t I say I would develop the new product!” 

Tim gave a sardonic smile. “Miss Fox, it’s important to understand one’s limits. As far as I know, you don’t even have a bachelor’s degree. How could you possibly develop a cosmetic product! Those claims are for Silk Beauty Cosmetics, not for us insiders” 

Melody stared coldly at Tim, finally seeing him for the hostile hypocrite he was, even worse than the assistant. 

Tum continued, “For the next few days, you just need to clock in and out on time. By the way. I’ve arrangeil your workstation by the window, so you can enjoy the view and not get bored. Of course, if you do get bored, you can play some games or something Just don’t disturb the R&D staff.” 

Melody bit her lip hard, suppressing her anger. “Mr. Mayer, what do you mean? Are you saying you don’t intend to let me participate in the development of the new product?” 

Tim kept smiling. “Miss Fox, what are you talking about! You are the key figure in our new product. On the day of the showdown, we’ll need you to step up. Isn’t that participation“” 

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