You want to use me to get rid of her, once and for all. Ha! You may be able to fool others with your little narrative, but that's not going to fly with me."

Marcus just shrugged, completely unperturbed at being found out.

Waylen chose that moment to get to his main purpose for coming.

“Anyway, why didn't you tell us that Matthew was sick? You should speak to Melissa. Tell her that Matthew is more than welcome to come and live with us for a while. Or your mother and I can stay over at their place, at least for a few days. Julie is meticulous, but it can't be easy for her to do chores and take care of a child at the same time."

His tone was confident, as though his proposition was only a matter of course.

“Melissa's place is too small to accommodate two additional people,"

Marcus said wryly.

“Then buy her a big house! Marcus... Matthew is my precious grandson.

How can you let him grow up in such a shabby place huh? Why, your bedroom alone is bigger than Melissa's entire apartment. How can you be so stingy toward the woman who gave birth to your son? Can you honestly call yourself a man?"

Without waiting for a response, Waylen stomped out of the room.

Marcus didn't stop or refute him. It would be better to talk to his father once the latter had calmed down.

The truth of the matter was that he wanted to take care of his small family and give them everything they could ever want. But Melissa would not allow it. She was different from the woman she used to be.

She was perfectly capable of supporting herself and their son without his help. She told him her plan and he knew that she would be buying a more spacious house on her own sooner or later.

Two days later, the biggest auction of the year was held.

Melissa had done her research and was fully-prepared. She was planning to bid on a pair of antique plates and give them to Alan as a token of sincerity.

At eight o'clock that evening, she arrived at the venue with her secretary.

Almost all the seats were occupied at that point, but she managed to pull some strings and secured a seat right next to Alan himself.

As she approached, Alan greeted her with a bow. "Miss Brown! I have heard so much about you from your boss. I wasn't expecting you to get promoted so quickly. Your skills must be very promising, indeed."

"You flatter me, Mr. Scott," she replied politely as she sat down.

She had done her homework and was now well-versed with his hobbies and personality. Needless to say, she honed in on their common interests and carried the conversation with ease. It was a pleasant exchange over all.