CHAPTER 376: SOMEONE WITH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (?)

[From: My Secret Admirer

Of course not. I actually watched all your movies. It feels surreal that I’m talking to you—even if it’s just through messages. I’m already glad with that.]

Melissa bit her lip to stop herself from smiling. She had been exchanging message after message with her secret admirer ever since she reached out to him. Their conversations flowed so naturally that it made her wonder why it was so easy to talk to this man.

"He’s really sweet," she whispered, her cheeks blushing. "He didn’t even care about the news."

Melissa had subtly explained her side of the story, telling him that the articles about her weren’t true. That they were exaggerated to make her look bad. Her admirer told her he already knew the articles weren’t true, and that he believed in her completely. It was why he sent the gift to make her feel better.

"When was the last time I talked to someone like this?" she wondered aloud just as another message arrived.

[From: My Secret Admirer

Don’t think about what people say. They are useless. Those who really know you will know the truth.]

Melissa’s eyes softened as she replied:

[Sadly, everyone believed it. Even the people I thought wouldn’t get swayed by one story.]

[From: My Secret Admirer

Not everyone. I don’t believe a word they said.]

Melissa exhaled in relief, thanking him for listening and believing in her. She hadn’t heard his voice nor seen his face, yet the warmth she felt through his words comforted her more than she expected.

Maybe it was because she was in such a vulnerable state that the usual things she cared about didn’t matter anymore. Or maybe it was because she didn’t have Derek to hold on to. Derek—who had the looks and the money—but not this kind of gentleness. Either way, she felt grateful for every message from her secret admirer.

[From: My Secret Admirer

Have you eaten? Please don’t forget to take care of yourself. It might be hard now, but this will pass too.]

Melissa smiled faintly and thanked him again, changing the topic to something lighter. Their conversation continued, and he kept reminding her to eat and rest. For the first time since the engagement party, she found the strength to get up and go downstairs to eat.

"Melissa?"

Jasmine, who had caught sight of her daughter at the dining table, walked closer.

Melissa didn’t respond, eating quietly while her eyes stayed glued to her phone. Jasmine frowned and approached until she heard her daughter chuckle softly.

"Melissa?" she called again, finally getting her attention.

Unlike in the past few days, Melissa’s face was brighter now. The swelling around her eyes hadn’t completely faded, but she no longer looked devastated.

"Have you and Derek made up?" Jasmine asked as she sat two seats away. "Is everything fine between you two?"

Melissa pouted. "Mom, after what happened, Derek and I are over."

"What?"

"Derek won’t survive if his name is taken out of the will," she said nonchalantly, taking another bite. "If he’s disowned, what’s the point of staying with him?"

Jasmine’s breath hitched, startled by her daughter’s tone. She knew Derek was worthless without the Lancaster name, but she hadn’t expected Melissa to move on this quickly.

"Then who are you talking to?" Jasmine asked. "I thought it was Derek."

"He wouldn’t even look at my messages," Melissa said, glancing at her phone. "The one I’m talking to... is a friend."

She brightened up and faced her mother squarely. "Mom, remember the gifts I kept getting from my secret admirer?"

"Mhmm?"

"It’s him." Her cheeks flushed pink as she grinned. "He’s been cheering me up and reminding me to eat healthy. He’s on a business trip right now, outside Novera."

She didn’t mention that he had told her he’d take care of her if only he were there—it sounded a little too cheesy, even for her. But it comforted her.

"I even sent him a picture of my food, and he told me to send a photo of my empty plate once I finish," she added, giggling softly.

As Melissa continued eating, she chuckled again when her phone lit up with another message. Jasmine just watched quietly, conflicted. She was relieved to see her daughter recovering so quickly, but something about it unsettled her.

"Melissa," she called gently. "I’m glad you’re feeling better and finally eating again. But... don’t you think you’re being a little rash?"

Melissa blinked. "Rash?"

"The engagement party is still fresh. Derek is probably still processing things," Jasmine reasoned. "Once he’s clearheaded, who knows what he’ll decide?"

"Mom, the Lancasters never liked me to begin with." Melissa frowned, her mood darkening at the reminder. "They wanted Lola. They made everything difficult before the chairman finally gave his blessing. Even Celestine Lancaster was against us. Even if Derek wants to stay with me, his family will never allow it."

She huffed softly. "So even if he fights for me, it’s pointless. The chairman will disown him. He never favored Derek anyway."

She leaned back, eyes flicking to her phone again as a small smile tugged at her lips. "Besides, I’ve been with Derek for as long as I can remember. I never got to explore anything else because of him. He was always around—so much that I never realized I could actually talk to someone who listens. Someone with emotional intelligence."

Even though she’d known Derek her whole life, she couldn’t recall a single time their conversations flowed easily. With him, she was always careful with her words.

But with her secret admirer? She could vent. She could laugh. He even got angry on her behalf, cursing the people who left cruel comments online.

"So it’s fine if we break up," she said simply. "He’s not the only man in the world. If anything, he’s been keeping me from meeting someone who would take care of me without relying on his grandfather’s power."

Jasmine opened her mouth to respond, ready to praise her daughter’s "clarity," when movement caught her eye.

Her breath hitched as she turned her head toward the doorway—where Derek stood, frozen.

Seeing her mother’s expression, Melissa turned too. Her eyes widened, locking with Derek’s.

Derek stared back at her blankly. "What... what did you just say, Melissa?"