Upon noticing Melissa's calm demeanor, Jessie felt a mix of disappointment and resolve not to concede. She pressed on, "You truly don't care about him anymore? You were head over heels for Marcus back in the day. What happened to you? Have your feelings for him vanished? Or are you just scared you can't compete with Violette?

Don't forget, you and Marcus share a child."

As Melissa powered up her computer and started sorting through her work, she responded, "I was under the impression that you had eyes for Mr. Waston now. Why this sudden interest in Marcus? Moreover, wouldn't Mr. Waston be a bit upset to find you so captivated by another man?"

Melissa didn't seem bothered.

Jessie's expression changed at Melissa's reply, and she retorted sharply, “How could you bring Albert into this to threaten me! Others might not see through you, but I do, Melissa. You're a bastard of the Smith family, and your child is no different. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, right?"

Right after Jessie's words, Melissa delivered a slap across her face.

The sound of the slap echoed sharply.

Jessie stood there, completely shocked.

Holding her cheek, she looked at Melissa in disbelief and exclaimed, "You had the nerve to slap me? Aren't you scared I'll get Albert to fire you? You and your bastard child will end up begging on the streets!"

“What gibberish are you even saying, Jessie?"

Suddenly, Albert entered the room, moved Jessie aside, and said in a cold voice, “Enough with this nonsense!"

Jessie clenched her teeth and asked defiantly, "Was I wrong in what I said?"

Albert gave Jessie a stern look and was about to slap her as well.

But Melissa intervened before Albert could act.

Her face drained of color as she fixed Jessie with a cold glare and said, "Yes, I'm the child born out of wedlock. Did I have a say in it? And now I'm indeed raising Matthew alone, but so what? I've never got into other people's relationships or forsaken my child.

What gives you the right to see us as less than you?

Jessie, being one of Mr. Waston's lovers, do you really see yourself as my superior?"

Ordinarily, Melissa avoided confrontations.

But Jessie's insult towards Matthew was something she couldn't tolerate. Her son was still young and so innocent, so she wouldn't let anyone denigrate him.

Jessie seethed with fury upon hearing Melissa's retort.