The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 87

Jocelyn mustered up all her courage, her hand poised to knock on the door, when a voice from behind called out her name.

She turned and saw Willow striding toward her, dressed to the nines in designer chic.

"I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. It really is you." Willow took off her sunglasses, her cheeks flushed with health and eyes sparkling with life. "You're not here to see Melvin, are you?"

Just laying eyes on Willow made Jocelyn struggle to keep her emotions in check, but she remembered why she was here and knew that picking a fight now wouldn't do her any favors.

All she wanted was to get through this encounter and go home.

"Cut the act, you're over. Stop parading around him to make a statement," Willow said, eyeing Jocelyn's modest attire that still couldn't hide her natural grace.

Truth be told, Willow was green with envy over Jocelyn's look.

"I need to talk to him," Jocelyn replied coolly.

"What could you possibly need to talk about?" Willow scoffed with disdain. "Don't you know that a good ex should be like the dead, and not pop up now and then like some ghoul?"

Jocelyn took a deep breath, meeting Willow's superior sneer with an indifferent gaze. "I remember Willow was Melvin's first love, right? So, are you the ghoul you’re talking about?"

"You..." Willow's face turned a shade of stormy gray as she glared, "You've got quite the sharp tongue!"

"I could take all the things you've done to me on the chin. But let's be frank, I grew bored of Melvin a long time ago. Your little drama only shows how desperate you are to cling to his coattails. You should be grateful for my leaving. If you want to deal with such a high-maintenance man, he's all yours," Jocelyn didn't want to settle scores with Willow, but she had been suffocating under that grudge for too long.

Willow, infuriated, clenched her fists, teeth gritted, "Hmph, sounds like sour grapes to me."

"You're wrong. I've had my fill, so it doesn't bother me," Jocelyn watched her get worked up with a touch of pleasure. "What you have now is just my leftovers."

"Is that so?" The door behind them suddenly swung open. A cool, deep male voice cut through the tension.

Jocelyn's body tensed in an instant, realizing all too well how inappropriate her words were for this place, yet she had said them anyway.

She admitted to herself she was deliberate.

She had never feared Melvin overhearing her, but now that she actually heard his voice, her heart skipped a beat.

Willow moved to Melvin's side, grabbing his arm. Her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"I can't believe she could talk about you like that after everything you two had," Willow's voice trembled. "Even if you broke up, you could still be friends. How can she refer to you as if you're some kind of disposable trash, tossed away without a second thought?"

Jocelyn had to admire Willow's act. She’s not a trained actress, but her performance was convincing.

She turned, her heart racing, to face Melvin.

Seeing him once more made her heart pound uncontrollably. She had gravely underestimated her feelings for him.

She still had feelings for him, which were not something she could just pluck out on a whim.

Melvin looked at Jocelyn with a kind of hatred in his eyes, the kind that wanted to flay her alive.

Jocelyn felt a chill run down her spine, her anxiety peaking.

"Come in," said Melvin, coldly brushing Willow's hand aside.

Willow hesitated, "And you?"

"She just pointed at my nose and cursed me. What do you think?" There was no warmth, only an abyss in Melvin's eyes.

So, he had heard every word she said to Willow.

But he never once mentioned how Willow had pulled one over on her, nor did he acknowledge her complaint about being tricked by Willow.

It was a selective sort of snub.

Put simply, Willow was his first crush. How could he bear to utter a single bad word against her? It was the kind of first love that stirred up both envy and jealousy in others.

And her first love happened to be someone else's darling.

Jocelyn clenched her jaw against the twinge of pain in her heart, feigning composure as she said, "You and Willow are a match made in heaven. You're almost at the altar, and I'm not looking to tarnish my reputation."

Melvin scoffed with a smirk. "How virtuous of you. After all, you've reunited with your latest beau. You'd naturally play the blushing bride-to-be. Tell me, does he know about our little history? If it bothers him, I can clear the air for you."

Jocelyn's mind raced, wondering what kind of twisted fate had them cross paths. She had just met Harrison for lunch, and Melvin had somehow caught wind of it.

She pinched herself discreetly, replying coolly, "No need to trouble you on my behalf."

Melvin's eyes scanned her face, and he let out a derisive laugh, "You're looking a bit pale these days. Is he not... up to the task?"

Jocelyn felt a tightness in her chest. She truly didn't understand him. Why did he insist on making these acidic remarks to humiliate her?

After all, it was he who had grown tired of her first, he who hadn't trusted her, leading to their split.

But now here he was, spewing these sour words to torment her.

What was he really after?