My Unborn Baby Chose My Husband for Me novel Chapter 294

The rigidity in Melody's posture eased fractionally.

She gave a stiff nod and slid into the passenger seat.

After all, she did owe Landon a favor.

Besides, he had spoken the brutal truth. She had been tossed aside, eclipsed by Seraphina, leaving Lucian without a spare glance for her.

As they drove, Landon noticed her stony silence and effortlessly breached the quiet.

"So, what do you do for fun? Outside of the corporate grind, I mean."

Melody had already reconstructed her flawless socialite facade.

"Nothing out of the ordinary. I attend gallery openings, grab coffee, and occasionally catch up with friends."

"Exhibitions? What kind?"

"Art mostly. Oil paintings, modern sculptures."

Landon nodded thoughtfully, acting as though a brilliant idea had just struck him. "Actually, a friend of mine is hosting The Sterling Estate Private Exhibition next weekend just outside the city limits. If you're into that sort of thing, I can have an invitation sent your way."

Melody shot him a calculating sideways glance.

"Are you asking me out on a date, Mr. Langford?"

"I wouldn't call it a date. I just genuinely thought it would be up your alley." Landon flashed an easy, open smile. "But if it's not your scene, no pressure."

Melody weighed the offer in silence for a few seconds before giving a curt nod.

"I'll take you up on that, then."

It was a polite gesture, and she had no reason to shut it down.

"Consider it done," Landon replied smoothly.

Landon navigated the car toward a highly exclusive establishment nestled deep within the city's historic avenues.

The entrance was entirely unassuming, but stepping inside revealed an environment of breathtaking luxury.

The owner clearly knew Landon. He rushed out to greet them personally, ushering them into the most secluded VIP dining suite.

The room was intimate, draped in understated elegance.

"Hard to define, really. But there is one absolute dealbreaker—she can't be with me just to get a piece of my family's wealth."

"That's not asking for much."

"Maybe not, but you'd be shocked by how few make the cut." Landon took a slow sip from his water glass. "Eight out of ten women in our social tier are only hunting for status. The remaining two are either chasing a pretty face or a fat bank account."

A genuine, albeit fleeting, smile tugged at Melody's lips.

"You're quite the cynic, aren't you?"

"When you've lived in this world long enough, you see people for what they really are." Landon kept his tone breezy, though the undercurrent of his words was unmistakable.

The server returned, methodically laying out a spread of culinary masterpieces.

Landon picked up his silverware and smoothly transferred a prime piece of BBQ rib onto Melody's plate.

"Try this. The ribs here are absolute perfection."

Melody stared at the rib on her plate, her gaze suddenly distant.

The casual intimacy of the gesture completely threw her off balance.