Chapter 326: Sister-in-law
"I think we should invest in hospitals next, my dear sister-in-law."
Melody blinked as she looked up at the man who had just entered the room. Despite the casual smile on his face and the wink he threw her way, a cold ripple of fear crept down her spine. Her breath hitched for a fraction of a second. Who was this person?
Her gaze shifted quickly toward the door. Was anyone else nearby? He seemed to know her but she had no idea... if Adam was here, she would have had a chance to at least know the person’s name...Should she fake being sick or call for Adam. No...she couldn’t risk that. Not yet. She needed time to think.
Her mind raced as the man stepped further inside with a relaxed air, walked past the foot of the bed, and placed a bouquet of fresh flowers on the small table beside her.
Before she could react, before she could ask him anything or come up with a believable excuse, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. The gesture was warm and brotherly, but to her it might as well have been a threat. Her muscles tensed instinctively, as she tried to think hard about who this could be.
"This is what now? Your third hospital visit... or the fourth?" he said with a chuckle as he straightened. "At this rate, I’m beginning to think it would be more profitable for StormEdge to invest directly in the hospital business. Saves us a fortune in bills, and who knows, we might even get your husband a permanent office here."
He grinned at his own joke, clearly expecting her to laugh along. Melody managed to smile in return, but her eyes stayed fixed on his face. She was trying really really hard to think. He had called her sister-in-law. That meant he knew Adam. Not just knew him, he was close enough to throw around that kind of familiarity without a second thought.
She studied him more closely now. He was someone close in Adam’s circle. For a moment, she felt panic. She didn’t know who this person was. Her act was going to be revealed.
Just then, the man’s smile faded slightly. He narrowed his eyes, frowning as he tilted his head at her.
"Why are you staring at me like you don’t know me at all? And no comebacks either?"
Panic hit her like a jolt of electricity. Her stomach turned. She’d looked at him too long.
Melody quickly shook her head, forced a soft laugh and said, "Of course I know you, Max. As if you would let me forget."
That did the trick as Max rolled his eyes and shook his head, going to sit on the couch on the other side. Melody let out a quiet breath, almost soundless, and allowed her shoulders to ease just slightly. That had been far too close. One more second of hesitation, and he might have started asking questions she couldn’t answer.