Chapter 254

"Melissa, why are you always on your phone, are you in a hurry to get home?" Every time Amy saw Melissa typing a line on her phone, he knew it might be Joseph urging her to go home. "Oh, it's nothing." With a forced smile, Melissa was constantly messaging Joseph on WeChat to ask for more time. She wanted to delay her return home, but she didn't know exactly when she could go. So, she was always explaining and responding to him. Just as Melissa was trying to buy herself some time, Joseph called. She quickly ran outside to take the call. "Joseph, I can't leave at ten o'clock, you don't have to come pick me up." Melissa said quietly in the corridor, she couldn't just abandon her upset friend. "I'm already here." Joseph replied calmly, he parked the car in the parking lot by the pier, turned off the engine, and prepared to get out of the car. "But Joseph, I really can't leave now!" Pacing anxiously in the corridor, Melissa felt the punctuality of Joseph's arrival down to the minute. While on his phone, Joseph walked through the crowd, catching everyone's eye—the minors and adults alike were all admiring him. "Well, it's good then, I can take this opportunity to meet your friends." Joseph felt that Melissa's mood was off, as if she was restrained by something and seemed very embarrassed. She must be dealing with some difficulties. "Hey! Don't come up here, I'll explain when I get home, alright? Don't worry, I can handle it; please don't come over..." Melissa hurriedly tried to dissuade him, fearing that Peter, in his current mood, might start a dispute with Joseph. Suddenly, Melissa's phone was snatched away. It was Peter standing beside her. "Melissa has already told you she's not going home. Restricting someone's freedom is about control, not love. You're just showing a lack of trust in Melissa." "Whether it's control or love, I understand myself. And who are you? Please give her back her phone." Joseph spoke in a cold tone, he could tell from the voice on the phone that this person was drunk. He felt even more uneasy about leaving Melissa here and hurriedly rushed into the Saint Louis river cruise restaurant. In his drunken stupor, Peter challenged. "I've been friends with Melissa for six years. No one knows her better than I do, including you, Joseph!" "Peter, right? I've done my research on you." Joseph responded calmly. He found a receptionist and asked them to help him locate the private room reserved under the name of Melissa. A pretty online celebrity-faced waitress politely told Joseph, "Mr Clarkson, Melissa is in VIP cabin J806. The third entrance up ahead...turn right, take the elevator to the seventh floor, turn left, pass the lobby, and then take the escalator." Before the waitress had finished speaking, Joseph had already started walking in that direction. But the waitress continued to loudly remind him of the directions. She was unusually diligent. Joseph swiftly found J806. From afar, he saw Melissa standing in the aisle next to a staggering drunk man. "Hey, why aren't you speaking? What are you investigating... hey?" Peter was uncontrollably shouting on the phone, oblivious of Joseph's approach. Joseph hung up the phone and put it in his coat pocket. His stride towards them had an aura that was as ominous and oppressive as a dark whirlwind, causing the air around to instantly freeze as if a slight touch would lead to complete chaos. Melissa was trying to get her phone back from Peter, but as she turned around, she saw the strong-willed Joseph approaching. Melissa hastily ran to Joseph's side, attempting to pull him aside. "Peter, could we talk privately? Don't involve Melissa." Says Joseph, confronting Peter for the first time. As their eyes met, sparks of animosity sprinkled across the entire floor. Melissa does her best to push Joseph to the side. However, Peter walks over, returning the phone to Melissa: "Joseph, don't exploit your power and use the name of love to kidnap Melissa. I won't let you take her away today!" "And what right do you have to keep Melissa here?" Joseph pulls Melissa's hand and gently whispers to her, "Let's go home." Melissa has a troubled look, torn between her concern for Peter's current state and her fear of causing Joseph to misunderstand her relationship with Peter. "Joseph, give me a few more minutes. I'll have a few words with Peter, then settle the bill and leave with you." Says Melissa, speaking to Joseph in a calm and soft tone. Joseph nods, quietly acquiescing to her request. Melissa slowly walks up to Peter, softly reassuring him. "I'll go first then. Alvin and Alvina are also waiting for me at home. Peter, give me some time to explain everything that has happened recently, okay?" Peter does not look at the sympathy in Melissa eyes, instead staring blankly at the ground, self-murmuring in a hoarse and weak voice. "Tell me... you had no choice..." "I'm sorry, Peter." Melissa looks at Peter, whose eyes are filled with pain. Speaking softly but formally and rationally, she says "I've chosen him and have always considered you a friend. If you can't accept that my feelings for you are only of friendship, then we can no longer remain friends." After sighing lightly, Melissa returns to the separate room to retrieve her coat and bag. As she leaves, she notices Peter still standing motionless, leaning against the wall. She steps forward and says in a crisp voice. "You've drunk too much tonight and can't drive. When you leave, please also give Amy a ride home. As for other things, let's talk about it after you've sobered up." As Peter sees Melissa about to leave with another man, all his suppressed feelings explode. He grabs Melissa's wrist and shakes his head saying "No, Melissa, you can't leave. You have to explain tonight, why are you treating me like this?" Peter's grip on Melissa's wrist was causing her pain. Despite it, Melissa bit back her discomfort, offered a strained smile, and tried to pull away. Unable to stand the sight before him, Joseph steps forward, pulling Melissa back, and lands a punch on Peter's cheek.