Chapter 385

Melina detected a hint of jealousy in his question. With a sudden clarity, she replied, "A bit, but of course, you're so much more charming." Andrew fell silent. He stood very close to Melina. Even when unable to display intimacy, he remained the nearest person to her. At times, their shoulders would gently brush against one another. Having finally become a true couple, Andrew's desire to keep Melina next to him intensified. He would have liked to carry her in his pocket, taking her everywhere if he could. Yet Melina seemed unchanged. In fact, she was busier, scarcely finding time to attend to Andrew, stoking his possessiveness to the brink of overwhelm. Once Dante finished his performance, he positioned himself beside Melina. The lively atmosphere rendered the gathering so bustling that no one found it peculiar. After all, the store's entrance was quite small, and they all stood close together. But with a handsome man on one side and an artist on the other, it was impossible not to envy Melina. The audience soon lost focus on the ongoing program and began to murmur amongst themselves. "Why is Melina so lucky? Her small store opening is buzzing like a major corporation's inauguration." "There's nothing to be envious about. She knows Louis and Morgan. Louis' was wealthy enough to invite Little Saint to sing at the opening of Melina's store, and Morgan invited the great figure, Andrew." "How extravagant! I'm no different from Melina; we're women. Maybe I should befriend Louis and Morgan after this." "Come on! Though we're all women, there's still a difference. Ask yourself—would you rather cuddle with Melina or with yourself?" "Of course, with Melina! She looks so soft and smells really good!" "Well, there you have it." ... At this moment, a young lady burst into a room in the girls' dormitory. "Ella!" Ella was roused from her slumber and shouted angrily, "Can you keep it down? What is it?" "It's about Melina! Her store opened today!" "I know. Isn't it just a parcel collection point? What's the big deal? It's as if it's some tremendous boon for the poor!" "It's not just that!" "Not only what? Speak up!" "They've invited a very popular celebrity and Mr. Wentworth!" As Ella's entourage, some of them knew Andrew. The idea of the Monroe family possibly merging with the Wentworth family made them stand taller as sycophants. Although impatient at first, Ella suddenly seemed more awake now and asked, "Who did you say?" "Mr. Wentworth—Andrew Wentworth." Ella quickly jumped out of bed to wash up. "Hurry, have someone come do my makeup, find the new dresses I bought, and fix my hair." The dormitory burst into a flurry. Ella, who usually took an hour to get ready, spent only 15 minutes applying her full makeup, adorning herself exquisitely, slipping on a pair of small heels, and swiftly heading out toward the parcel collection point. As she approached, she slowed her pace to catch her breath, taking out a small mirror to check her makeup and adjusting a few stray strands of hair before confidently walking toward it. In the distance, she spotted the most outstanding man in the crowd. Ella walked straight up to him. Her companion instinctively shouted through the crowd, "Everyone, please clear a path. Ella is here." With elegance, Ella approached Andrew directly, her cheeks slightly flushed as she greeted him, "Andrew." Melina furrowed her brow. Typically, people would address Andrew as "Mr. Wentworth", while close friends would call him "Andrew". But "Andrew" sounded strangely out of place to her ears when coming from Ella's mouth. This instantly captured the onlookers' interest, and they started gossiping.