Chapter 1350:
Meagan paused with her drink, then looked up at him, brows slightly drawn. “Mr. Owen, what are you talking about? What friend?”
Deandre gave her no answer.
Instead, he walked straight toward Melany. “Take the apron off.”
Melany turned to face him, her expression composed. “Sir, I only have one more dish to serve. Then I’ll be finished for the day.”
𝗤𝘶𝖺𝗅𝗶𝘵𝗒 𝗍𝗿𝖺𝗇𝘴la𝘁𝘪𝗈ոs оո 𝘨𝖺𝘭𝗻о𝘃𝗲𝗹s.𝖼о𝗺
The meaning was plain—stay out of it.
“I told you—take it off.”
His voice dropped just a fraction, and anyone who knew him understood: he was genuinely angry now.
Before she could respond, he stepped forward, untied the apron himself, pulled it away, and let it fall to the floor as he moved to stand in front of her.
The apron landed with a soft sound, yet in the heavy silence of the room, it seemed to echo. Melany glanced down at the crumpled cloth at his feet, then lifted her eyes to the man standing before her. His back was broad and straight—a barrier, solid and deliberate, blocking every prying, judging, and contemptuous gaze directed at her.
“Mr. Owen,” she said softly, just loud enough for him to hear. “If you do this… I won’t be able to keep things under control.”
Deandre didn’t turn around. His voice was quiet, but resolute. “You don’t have to.”
“I’ve never heard of a design consultation that takes an entire day just for measurements. And I’ve certainly never seen a designer put on an apron to serve food in the kitchen for their clients.” Deandre’s expression remained unreadable. “Mrs. Kennedy, would you care to explain?”
The dining room went completely still, to the point where the ticking of the wall clock became audible.
Meagan hadn’t anticipated Deandre confronting her so directly. She steadied herself, holding on to the composure of someone accustomed to authority. “Deandre, that’s a bit excessive. I offered this designer a contract worth several million—she’ll earn quite a lot from it, won’t she? I only asked her to help a little. It’s hardly a big deal.”
Gill hurried to defuse the tension. “Deandre, my mom wasn’t aware of the situation, she—”
“She wasn’t aware? What about you?” Deandre turned toward her, his gaze cold as winter water. “I thought you had already told your mother that today’s designer is my friend.”
He had seen through it all—including her ulterior motives.
Gill’s smile fell apart. She parted her lips as if to speak, but under that gaze, every word died before it could leave her mouth.
Of course she had known. She had known from the moment Melany stood outside in the rain for half an hour. She had known about her friends’ sarcasm and mockery. She had known about her mother’s deliberate humiliations throughout the day. She had known all of it.
And she had chosen to do nothing.
She had wanted to understand what made Melany worth his attention. She had wanted to see whether Deandre would interfere—and how far he would push things.
Now she had her answer. And in front of everyone, he had stripped her of every shred of dignity.
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Message from Noa: And here we are, halfway through the year dear readers! Sending lots and lots of good vibes for everything good you’re planning for the rest of the year. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. ( • ᴗ – ) ✧
Also, let me share this for the second half of the year dear readers, Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
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