Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law-Chapter 104: An Offer

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Melanie paused just outside her office door. Not because she was hesitant to step inside, but because her assistant was standing there, grinning like he'd just won the lottery. The sight gave her a sense of déjà vu—it was exactly how he had looked last Monday, standing in the same spot, radiating the same barely contained excitement.

She crossed her arms, arching an eyebrow. "At this rate, I should just make you the official guard of my office. So? What good news do you have for me today? Did you finally track down the source of the information leak?"

Ben's smile faltered, his expression shifting for the briefest moment before he composed himself. He took a quick step forward, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Peter Burskey is sitting inside."

Melanie's eyebrows lifted.

Just yesterday, Peter Burskey had publicly announced the termination of his contract with Madam Collins—an expected move that effectively diverted the netizen's attention from the storm Peter and Madam Collins had tried to stir around her.

And now, here he was, sitting in her office, uninvited but undoubtedly with an agenda.

She was still lost in thought when Ben leaned in again and whispered. "And he's not alone. He brought his lawyers with him, which means he's probably here to sign the contract."

That made Melanie snap back to the present. She studied Ben's face, looking for any sign of uncertainty, but he seemed confident in his assessment. Before she could respond, he added, "Also, according to some inside sources, Peter pulled out the designers he had originally selected for his mentorship program from the FineArt partnership. You know what this means!" Almost jumping now, Ben continued, "This means that we can proceed with the original plan! Madam Collins spent the money on someone to get to know our plan and it was all a waste!"

For a moment, Melanie remained silent as if weighing her options. Peter Burskey was many things, but impulsive wasn't one of them. If he had come this far, then he must have a clear endgame in mind. But if he thought he could waltz in and dictate terms, he was about to learn otherwise.

"Arrange a press conference for this afternoon," she instructed as she straightened her already straight clothes. "If anyone asks, just say LuxeArt has an important announcement to make. Nothing else."

Ben's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Got it."

Melanie exhaled slowly, schooling her expression into one of practiced indifference. She was going to need it.

Melanie stepped into the conference room and her hands clenched. Seated at the sleek, dark-wood table were three figures—Peter Burskey, his assistant, and his lawyer.

Of course she knew the old man but she also knew the other two. After all, they had been quite loud in spreading the rumors about her and sending her dirty looks at the gathering previously.

Peter stood as she entered, offering her a polite smile. "Melanie," he greeted, extending his hand.

She shook it briefly, her gaze shifting to the other two people. At least, they had the sense to look slightly uncomfortable under her scrutiny. Look at them now, sitting in their place so docilely, offering polite smiles.

Melanie gave them a curt nod before settling into the chair opposite Peter.

Peter exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw as he looked at her with kind eyes, similar to the way he used to look at her when she used to visit grandmother. "First, I want to thank you for sending the proof," he said slowly, his voice carrying a weight that suggested he had spent too much time thinking about this moment.

"Previously, even after the accuser came forward and admitted they lied and the court ordered them to apologize and pay the damages, the blemish on my reputation was already done. People whispered. They speculated. That accusation—" he let out a slow breath, "—was like a thorn lodged in my chest. And no matter how much I denied it, doubt still lingered in the minds of the people. I could always see that question in their gazes. Will we be getting your work or someone junior's with your name stamped on it."

"But what you did... providing that evidence, clearing my name—it means more than I can say. So, this old man is really grateful."

Melanie inclined her head slightly. "It was only a stroke of luck that I came across the evidence," neither downplaying nor telling him about Adam's involvement.. "But I knew what it would mean for you. It is why I hurried to bring them to you."

Peter studied her for a beat, as if weighing her words, before nodding. "Luck or not, it changed everything. That's why I'm here. I'm ready to move forward with LuxeArt. I know the plan was originally yours when Madam Collins presented it. And I also know how important it is for the stagnating LuxeArt. So, here I am."

Peter turned to his lawyer then who smoothly picked up the conversation, pushing a set of neatly bound documents towards her. "We've reviewed the terms, and Mr. Burskey is prepared to sign the contract whenever you are ready.."

Melanie's gaze flickered down to the papers but she didn't reach for them. Instead, she looked back at Peter. "Forgive my skepticism, but I have to ask—why the sudden shift?"

Peter blinked, momentarily taken aback by her question. He had thought she would jump at the chance to sign the papers. "Why?" he echoed, a frown pulling at his brows. "Isn't that why you brought the evidence to me? To prove your goodwill and clear the path for our partnership?"

Melanie's lips curved into a slow and knowing smile. "Mr Burskey, would you have been willing to listen to me if I didn't have that evidence? If I came to you and claimed that I did not know what happened at the time and to please give me a chance?""

Peter let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. "Of course not. How could I? At the time, I believed you were the very person who was complicit in damaging my name. Even if you had come to me with words of reason, I would have seen them as an attempt to manipulate me for LuxeArt's benefit." He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "How could I have been willing to work with someone who had wronged me?"

Melanie gave him a smile then and mimicked his pose as she asked," Then how do you expect me to work with someone who wronged me?"