Chapter 191: It’s All an Act

Words : 1763 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

Chapter 191: Chapter 191: It’s All an ActMelody Yoody scowled at James Brown and said, "I mean it, old classmate, it’s wrong of you. A woman as great as Mr. Lopez is hard to come by even if you light a lantern to search. And still you disagree—what exactly are you looking for?" Although she seemed to be scolding James, Melody also wanted to hear his answer. Naturally, she didn’t want James to end up with Gina Lopez, and she was curious about his reasons for rejecting Gina. It would also allow her to identify her own shortcomings by comparison. James lit a cigarette and said, "Fate, I guess. It’s something no one can explain." Gina pinched James on the arm and reproached, "You always dodge the topic. Alright, enough of that. Mayor Johnson, let’s focus on the business at hand." Gina quickly switched into work mode, knowing that having the factory up and running as soon as possible was most crucial. Melody realized this wasn’t the time to delve into the relationship between James and Gina and seriously began discussing the business with Gina. Both women were strong-willed, and as they ate and talked, they soon reached a state of forgetfulness, almost completely leaving James out. James didn’t mind. He ate and drank at his leisure, quite comfortable, and time sped by—an hour and a half had passed quickly. "Mayor Johnson, if we can secure these perks, building our factory in your township wouldn’t be a problem. But the main thing is to ensure these perks are implemented. I don’t want them to end up being empty promises," Gina stated. "Mr. Lopez, if I, Melody Yoody, promise something, I’ll make it happen," assured Melody. "We’ll put it in writing. Even if I’m no longer in office here, that contract will make sure your company continues enjoying these benefits." "Good, let’s leave it at that for now. We’ll delve into the details next time. In the next two days, I’ll prepare the necessary material we need, and it would be best if you could do the same. Our company is in an active phase of investment, and I wouldn’t want any delays due to unforeseen issues." "No problem. Being slow and dragging things out isn’t my style, Melody Yoody. In three days, by next Tuesday, I’ll have everything ready." "Mayor Johnson, I wish us a successful collaboration then." "To successful collaboration." They both raised their glasses, clinked them together, and downed the contents. The meal clearly accomplished its main goals, and it seemed like the two even shared a mutual admiration for each other. Melody insisted on paying the bill. The three of them headed to the parking lot, where Melody hadn’t driven herself. Gina instantly offered, "Mayor Johnson, let us give you a ride." Melody didn’t hesitate and chuckled, "I’d appreciate that, thanks." She then glanced at James. The three of them got into the car, with James driving. Gina and Melody took the back seats. Gina suggested, "Let’s drop off Mayor Johnson first." Melody quickly intervened, "No, I’m staying in the township now; it’s quite far. James, drop off Mr. Lopez first, then you can take me. I have something to discuss with you later." Though Gina was getting along well with Melody, she didn’t wish for James and Melody to have too much one-on-one time. However, Melody had opened up an opportunity she couldn’t refuse and could only respond with a smile, "Well, if you old classmates still have things to discuss, drop me off first then." Once both had agreed, James headed straight for Gina’s home. At that moment, Gina smiled at Melody and remarked, "Mayor Johnson, it seems the bond between you classmates isn’t too bad, eh?" Melody glanced at James and replied, "It’s not bad, but we built it through fights. This guy was such a troublemaker in school, and I was the class president. I can’t even count how much I had to worry about him." Gina laughed graciously, "Yeah, this guy hasn’t changed—always causing trouble, making me clean up after him every other day." Melody nodded repeatedly and said, "Looks like he hasn’t changed one bit. Back then, every time he caused trouble, I had to intervene to settle things; otherwise, who knows how many times he’d have been expelled. Because I always helped him, some classmates even thought we were sweethearts." Gina exclaimed in surprise, "Really? He had such a glorious history? I’ll have to get him to tell me all about it." Melody giggled and responded, "Ha, as if he would ever admit to such embarrassing tales. If you want to know, I can tell you later." While the two women teased him, James pretended not to hear, for he sensed they were flaunting their closer relationship with him—having learned his lesson with Gina and Emily Lopez, he knew better than to interject and stir up trouble. After dropping Gina off outside her complex, she said to James before leaving the car, "James, make sure Mayor Johnson gets home safely, and drive carefully too." James replied impatiently, "Got it." Gina sighed to Melody, "You see? The nicer I am to him, the more impatient he gets. Mayor Johnson, see you on Tuesday." Melody and Gina shook hands, and Melody envied, "I really envy this guy, having a woman like Mr. Lopez fancying him. So, see you on Tuesday." Once Gina had left, James quickly turned the car around and sped away. "Stop the car." Not long after they had driven off, Melody called out from the back. Though puzzled, James pulled over to the side of the road. Melody opened the door and got out, which baffled James even more. Just as he was about to call out to her, she opened the passenger door and climbed into the front seat. "Start the car." Melody Yoody buckled her seatbelt and shouted at James Brown, who was lost in thought. James then snapped back to reality and steered the car back onto the main road but, sitting alone with Melody Yoody, found himself at a loss for words again. Melody was silently watching out the window, and for five or six minutes, they sat in silence before James finally spoke, "Melody, are you heading back to your hometown?" "No, I’m going home." "Where is your home?" "You’ve been to my house so many times, do you really not know?" Melody Yoody replied irritably. James felt a tad awkward. Back when their relationship was good, James had sneaked into Melody Yoody’s home countless times. How could he not know? He chuckled awkwardly and said, "YODC City has changed a lot over the years. I hardly recognize it now." "Hmph, of course you could forget. Now that you have a beautiful CEO latching onto you and a university student girlfriend, you’re really living the good life, aren’t you?" "How did you know about Lemon?" James frowned immediately. "What? Are you afraid I’ll go and find her?" Melody Yoody turned and glared at James. With a bitter smile, James said, "She’s just a poor girl, she can’t compare to the great Township Chief Johnson." Melody snorted twice and said, "And what about this Gina Lopez? The way she flaunts herself in front of me, it’s like she’s afraid I might have an affair with you." "I have nothing going on with her," James hurriedly replied. "Nothing?" Melody Yoody pursed her lips, "Nothing, and yet you run off to work in her company as an HR manager? Nothing, and she talks to you so affectionately?" Exasperated, James sighed, "It’s all one-sided on her part. I’m not interested in her." Melody Yoody was somewhat placated by James’s response and calmed down as she spoke, "Then tell me, how long have you and Emma Campbell been together?" "Just about a week, I guess." "Just a week... So you’re saying it was after I got angry that day that you started seeing her?" Melody Yoody’s voice rose again in agitation. James knew she would react like this, but still he told the truth frankly, "Yes, Melody. I didn’t want to hide it from you. I hadn’t been dating anyone because I was still thinking about you. But when we met, I just felt the difference between us is so vast now. We have different worldviews, different lifestyles. You’re ambitious and want me to excel, but I just want to lead a simple life." Melody Yoody interrupted him sharply, "So, when that little girl caused trouble that day, you didn’t explain to me?" S~eaʀᴄh the ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. James nodded, "Yes, exactly. It was then that Emma came to my place, and I agreed to be her boyfriend." Melody snorted, "So, it turns out I pushed her into your arms." James cracked a slight smile, "Melody, didn’t you say we should just be friends? I think that’s nice." Suddenly, Melody grabbed James’s hand and twisted it, angrily saying, "You jerk, now that you have a girlfriend, of course everything feels nice." "You’re the one who said it; don’t blame me." James felt quite aggrieved. Melody Yoody gave him a sharp look, "Don’t you know that women often don’t mean what they say?" "So what do you really want?" James was genuinely at a loss. Seeing his frustrated expression, Melody Yoody suddenly burst into laughter, laughing heartily for a while before saying scornfully, "You self-satisfied fool. You really think if I leave you, I can’t live? Let me tell you, you’ve been a huge burden on my mind, and now I’ve finally let it go. You have no idea how relieved I feel now." James couldn’t quite believe what Melody was saying and tentatively asked, "You’re not messing with me?" "Why would I mess with you? You already have a girlfriend." "Thank you, Melody." "Enough with the sappy talk. You really helped me out this time. Tell me, how can I thank you?" James laughed heartily, "Thank me? It’s mutual benefit. Besides, with our connection, why would we bother with thanks? If you asked me to put my head on the line, I’d still do it." "You know what’s good for you," Melody said proudly, tilting her chin up. She still looked just like the Melody Yoody he had known seven or eight years ago. After dropping Melody Yoody off at her home, James drove away, while Melody Yoody stood in the shadows, lingering for a long time. Her expression was complex, mostly filled with sadness and reluctance.

Chapter 191: It’s All an Act

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