Read Between the Lies

At my words, Chelsea instantly panicked. She lunged forward and snatched my phone from my hand, nearly losing control of her expression.

"I'm just calling my fiancé to ask about the bank card. Why are you so worked up?" I lowered my gaze slightly, a faint, knowing smile tugging at my lips as I questioned her.

She drew in a deep breath, taking a long moment to steady herself.

Only then did she release her grip on my phone, forcing a stiff, unnatural smile onto her face.

"Melissa, I just didn't want you to alarm Andy. If he senses something's off, he might find another way to target the company. But if you really want to call, go ahead… just don't mention my name."

As she spoke, her expression turned bitter.

"My family's little company is nothing compared to yours. If he finds out I exposed him behind his back, he definitely won't let me off."

Hearing those words again, anger surged through me. Even now, she was still playing her petty games.

In my previous life, I had believed her completely.

To keep Andy from taking things out on Chelsea because of me, I had always put in a few good words for her in front of him. Because of that, he never once knew she had been speaking ill of him behind his back.

Who would have thought that my so-called best friend had been scheming all along to take him from me? She had worked so hard to maintain a perfect image in Andy's eyes. If I repeated any of this to him, that carefully crafted facade would shatter instantly.

In my previous life, when Andy lost all faith in me and chose to marry Chelsea… I had truly played no small part in it. The thought made me clench my jaw, a self-mocking smile creeping onto my lips.

I could still see it clearly—the way he had walked away from me, utterly dejected. It was I who had betrayed his sincerity.

This time, I wouldn't let him down again.

I raised the phone and dialed his number.

"Melissa, you finally called me!"

The moment his delighted voice reached my ear, something in my chest stirred uncontrollably.

At the same time, the barrage of comments flooded my vision once more.

[Melissa, you idiot—don't mention the bank card, or Andy will trick you again!]

[She just won't listen. Poor Chelsea, trying so hard to help her, only to be unappreciated!]

[Go ahead, say it. Once she does, McKinnon Group is finished! Andy will bleed them dry, and her whole family won't even have a grave to rot in.]

I curled my lips into a cold smile, choosing once again to ignore the comments.

Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Chelsea.

Her gaze was vacant, clearly lost in thought—no doubt plotting her next move against me.

Since she wanted me to say it… then I would gladly oblige.

"Andy, is there something wrong with the bank card you gave me? My finance director said that right after transferring your money into the company's account, it got frozen. Even the police have called, and it still hasn't been resolved."

Andy's voice immediately turned grave.

"Melissa, don't panic. I'm on my way to your company right now. I want to see what kind of tricks are being played to frame me. No matter how big the problem is, I'll handle it for you."

Hearing his words, I finally let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. In my previous life, I had failed him again and again—doubted him, mistrusted him. Otherwise… how could I have ended up sold to an underground clinic, dismembered piece by piece?

Just as I hung up, I caught sight of Chelsea from the corner of my eye—her face was twisted, barely concealed. She exchanged a glance with the finance director across from her.

Both of them looked unsettled, their eyes darting with unease.

Chelsea's gaze toward me was filled with resentment. Under her breath, she muttered in disbelief, "How… how is this possible? Why didn't it work…"

I let out a silent scoff, then turned to her with a bright, curious smile.

"Chelsea, what were you just saying?"