Chapter 42 Melanie was still stunned when Viola approached them. "What are you guys talking about? I saw you two standing together just now." Viola appeared before them and seemed to be acting coquettishly. However, she was actually probing what they were up to. Eugene was calm. "Nothing." He then diverted the topic. "Was it fun up the mountain?" Viola knew Eugene was trying to avoid the topic. She had always been good at observing people. She simply answered his question. When she walked past Melanie, she stopped and said something out of her will, "Melanie, it's a pity you didn't go. The view there was magnificent." That night, Viola arranged a Truth or Dare game session. Everyone was divided into a few groups. Melanie avoided being in the same group as Viola and Eugene. She chose to be with a group of colleagues she was not familiar with. The game went on as normal in the beginning, and everyone tactfully avoided asking awkward questions. However, as they continued playing, everyone got more excited. When it was Melanie's turn to answer, her colleague seemingly asked her a question out of nowhere, "Melanie, when did you have your first night, and who did you sleep with?" Melanie was at a loss for words upon hearing that question. Viola, who happened to be serving them a fruit bowl, heard that question. She was also startled. Plastering a smile on her face, she asked, "How could you ask a woman such a private question?" "With Eugene when I was 20 years old," Melanie answered as soon as Viola spoke. Her voice was not loud, but many people had been waiting for her answer, and it was quiet. Most of them heard it. Viola's face turned pale. She quickly put down the fruit bowl and left with tears shimmering in her eyes. The atmosphere was awkward, yet Melanie was calm. Spinning the bottle, she asked, "Shall we continue?" All the employees were smart. They chuckled and acted as if nothing had happened. Melanie played a few more rounds before losing interest in the game. Thus, she headed to her room. Just as she turned into the corridor, someone approached her from behind and stopped'her. It was Eugene with a frown on his face. "Can we talk?" Viola's attitude toward Melanie was even more off when they were back at work. Even Yana sensed something was off. She had told Melanie countless times that the higher- ups seemed to be making things difficult for Melanie. Melanie did not say anything about it as she tidied up her desk. She had a dinner date with Stephen. To be precise, Stephen had asked her out quite a few times, yet she never had the time. Stephen had booked a table at a famous restaurant. When Melanie arrived, he said with some embarrassment, "I'm sorry, that I asked you to come to such a restaurant with me, Mel." "This place looks fine." Stephen smiled. "How are things going with you?" Melanie knew he was asking about her situation with Eugene. "It's just the same as before." "Eugene…" Stephen looked worried. He felt sorry for Melanie. She had dated Eugene for years, and almost everyone in the business circle knew about their relationship. Chapter 43 3/2 Title: A Fated Encounter In "A Fated Encounter" by CrushReels, a captivating modern romance unfolds. Emma Brown finds herself entangled in a complex web of family obligations when her father, Henry, pressures her to marry Tommy Anderson in place of her sister Bella to salvage their struggling business. As Emma navigates this unexpected turn of events, she discovers that Tommy is not the man rumors portray him to be. Their relationship evolves beyond mere obligation, revealing layers of depth and emotion amidst the backdrop of societal expectations and personal desires. This novel delves into themes of duty, love, and self-discovery as Emma grapples with conflicting emotions and the realization that fate may have a different plan in store for her. With nuanced character development and a unique twist on the conventional romance narrative, "A Fated Encounter" stands out as a compelling tale of love and sacrifice. Experience this engrossing story online at CrushReels and immerse yourself in a world where destiny intertwines with the complexities of the heart.