Chapter 317: Harassment

As evening fell, the night sky descended. A cold wind howled, carrying the chill of an impending blizzard as it cut through the downtown streets and buildings like a razor-sharp blade.

Yet amidst the bone-chilling cold, The Nimbus Hotel stood like a radiant pearl, glowing with warmth and light.

Inside, the hall was resplendent under the bright lights. The underfloor heating kept the temperature perfectly comfortable, a stark contrast to the dark, cold world outside.

Ivan Warren, dressed in a suit, weaved through the banquet hall with a confident smile plastered on his face. He was immensely proud of himself for getting the chance to attend a banquet packed with such high-profile figures.

The banquet was hosted by Rhodes Enterprises to celebrate their successful collaboration with the government on stockpiling winter grain reserves. They had invited elites from all walks of life, including the worlds of politics and business.

Although Ivan Warren was just a low-level gofer at Rhodes Enterprises, he had a knack for sucking up to his superiors. His department supervisor held him in high regard, which was how he’d managed to score an invitation to the event.

Gazing at the exquisite tableware and delectable pastries on the tables, Ivan Warren couldn’t help but sigh. ’This is the life someone of my caliber is supposed to live,’ he thought.

The banquet hadn’t even officially begun, yet he was already stuffing his face with fruits and pastries.

Then, under the mocking and disgusted glares of those around him, Ivan Warren patted his bulging stomach while greedily eyeing the beautiful women milling about the hall.

To Ivan Warren, every single woman in the hall was more beautiful than Maisie Lynch.

He sat in his chair for a while, his head growing heavy and dull. The glasses of champagne he’d just downed were starting to take effect. Ivan Warren patted his head, deciding to take a walk outside to clear it.

He staggered out into the corridor beyond the banquet hall. At the far end, he spotted a young woman in a cream-colored dress.

She had a slender figure and long, black hair. Standing there, she looked like an exquisite oil painting from a distance.

Ivan Warren stared at her back, and his heart began to pound.

As they say, liquid courage works wonders. He straightened his tie and, emboldened, walked over to her.

The young woman in the cream-colored dress seemed to have something on her mind. She stared out the window with a somber expression, completely unaware of Ivan Warren’s approach.

Ivan Warren crept up beside her, his gaze burning like two hot flames as he sized her up with undisguised greed.

She had long, dark hair and fair skin. Her eyes were bright, her long lashes trembled slightly, and her lips, pursed together, looked like delicate pink petals.

Looking at her, Ivan Warren felt a rush of blood to his head.

He fought the urge to pull her straight into his arms. "Hey there, beautiful," he began. "Are you here alone?"

Startled by the sudden voice, the young woman flinched. She turned and looked up, meeting Ivan Warren’s predatory gaze.

When she looked at him, Ivan Warren let out a lecherous snicker.

He didn’t even wait for her to answer, just plowed ahead. "So, you came by yourself? You must be lonely. I can keep you company. Let’s get to know each other!"

Seeing the sleazy grin on Ivan Warren’s face, Lucy White’s brows knitted together.

Then, she said coldly, "I’m sorry, it’s not a good time... I’m here with a friend."

But Ivan Warren acted as if he hadn’t understood Lucy White’s refusal. He rubbed his hands together, took another step forward, and said with a grin, "Come on, beautiful, don’t lie to me. I’ve been watching you. You’ve been standing here for a while; you’re definitely alone... I’m alone too, so just let me keep you company!"

At this, Lucy White quickly backed away, putting some distance between herself and Ivan Warren.

Then she frowned and said in a cold voice, "Whether I’m alone or not is none of your business. I don’t need company, so please, stay away from me!"

This didn’t seem to faze Ivan Warren. He ignored Lucy White’s icy glare and took two more steps toward her. "Come on, beautiful, don’t be so cold. I’m a full-time employee at Rhodes Enterprises. You’ve heard of them, right? It would be good for you if we were friends..."

Lucy White saw the unnatural flush on Ivan Warren’s cheeks and realized he was definitely drunk.

Not wanting to get tangled up with a drunk, Lucy White ignored Ivan Warren and turned to leave.

When Ivan Warren saw Lucy White about to walk away, he lunged forward and grabbed her wrist!

As Lucy White stared at him with a look of shock and disgust, Ivan Warren pleaded, "Don’t go, beautiful! I like you, just give me a chance!"

Lucy White violently shook her hand free and hissed, "You’re harassing me! I’m calling security!"

This made Ivan Warren anxious. "I’m not harassing you!" he insisted. "I really like you! I’m not lying, it was love at first sight! If you don’t believe me, come here and listen to my heart!"

With that, Ivan Warren spread his arms and lunged at Lucy White, trying to grab her in a hug.

Lucy White gasped, unable to dodge in time. It looked like Ivan Warren was about to get his arms around her.

But just as Ivan Warren’s hands were about to touch Lucy White, someone shot out from the side and viciously kicked him in the ribs!

"AH!" Ivan Warren cried out as his body flew sideways, completely out of his control.

With a loud CRACK, Ivan Warren’s head slammed hard against the window!

A sharp pain shot through his head. Ivan Warren clutched it, grimacing as he turned to curse at his attacker. "You fucking—"

But in the next second, the words died in his throat.

He saw Melody Summers standing before him, looking down at him with cold eyes.

Ivan Warren’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You... What are you doing here?!"

Melody Summers didn’t answer him. She just let out a soft, cold laugh and taunted, "Ivan Warren, you still have the nerve to harass people... I guess six months of community service wasn’t enough to teach you a lesson, was it?"

At Melody Summers’s words, Ivan Warren’s face became an ever-changing canvas, flushing red one moment and turning deathly pale the next.

The thought of having to do hard labor for the property management office for a full six months made him so angry he couldn’t sleep at night!

’This was all Melody Summers’s fault!’

At that thought, Ivan Warren glared at Melody Summers and demanded through gritted teeth, "Melody Summers, this is a Rhodes banquet. How did you sneak in here?!"

Melody Summers scoffed, not bothering to engage with Ivan Warren. She turned to Lucy White behind her and asked gently, "Are you okay?"

Lucy White looked up at Melody Summers. Under the bright lights of the banquet hall, Melody’s dark eyes shone with a startling brilliance.

Gazing at the gentle, faint smile on Melody Summers’s face, Lucy White felt her own cheeks grow warm for some unknown reason.

She discreetly slipped the lipstick-sized canister of pepper spray she’d been holding back into her pocket. Raising a hand to rub her cheek, she said to Melody Summers, "I-I’m fine. Thank you..."

Lucy White silently added in her head, ’Thank you for saving me... again.’

Melody Summers gave a casual smile. "You’re welcome. Don’t be scared. I’ll get security and have them call the police."

Hearing this, Ivan Warren, who was standing nearby, sobered up instantly. He said in a panic, "No, don’t call security! Do you really have to take it that far?!"

Ivan Warren was genuinely panicking now. He couldn’t afford to make a scene at this banquet. If this blew up, how could he possibly keep his job at Rhodes?

Besides, his supervisor had told him that, barring any incidents, he’d be promoted to team lead next month. And as a team lead, he’d get a hefty monthly meat allowance.

’I can’t screw up at such a critical time!’

At this thought, the last of Ivan Warren’s drunkenness evaporated.

He scrambled up from the floor and looked at Melody Summers with a pleading expression, stammering, "I... I just like her! I was just trying to talk to her! I’m begging you, please don’t make a big deal out of this... I... I’ll apologize to her, okay?"

Melody Summers rolled her eyes. ’Like?’

’How full of himself could this Ivan Warren be? Did he really think "liking" someone gave him a free pass to do whatever he wanted?’

Melody Summers couldn’t be bothered to waste another word on him and turned to get security.

But just then, a middle-aged man in a suit hurried over.

The man stood in front of Ivan Warren. He first glanced at the red, swollen lump on Ivan Warren’s forehead, then turned to frown at Melody Summers. "What’s going on here?" he asked, clearly displeased. "Why are you getting physical?"

Seeing the middle-aged man, Ivan Warren looked as if he’d just seen his savior. "Supervisor Walsh, you’re finally here!" he exclaimed. "These two girls were trying to set me up!"