Karl Gordon Is Back

The Gordon Rule

For a few seconds, Melody could not speak.

The glass in her hand felt heavier than it had moments ago, the stem pressing uncomfortably into her palm as her fingers tightened around it without her realizing. The room, which had felt so responsive to her presence only minutes earlier, now seemed to lean away from her attention, as though pulled by an invisible force she could not control.

Karl was here.

He wasn't hovering near the entrance or lingering at the door like someone unsure of his welcome, but standing tall and composed.

Her eyes landed on Anna who stayed close to Karl's side, her hand resting lightly on his arm.

Melody ‘s brows creased at how confident she looked. That witch! She stole her man and now she's playing princess, who the hell does she think she is to stroll in here like nothing happened?!

That alone irritated Melody more than she cared to admit.

Around them, murmurs grew louder.

“That’s Karl Maxwell…”

“I didn’t recognize him at first.”

“Who’s the woman with him?”

“Isn’t that Melody's assistant?"

Melody felt heat rise beneath her skin.

She forced her shoulders back, lifting her chin slightly as she turned to Caden. “Unbelievable,” she muttered under her breath. “He really thinks he can show his face here.”

Caden’s eyes followed Karl across the room, he was too stunned for words! His friend looked different, even more handsome than he was and that was enough for his expression to tighten.

“He disappears for three months and just shows up like nothing happened?” Melody mumbled under her breath, gritting her teeth.

She'd thought Karl was throwing another tantrum when she got home to find out he'd packed his things.

She thought he would return home and beg, he always does but for three months, she just heard from him. That's the longest he's ever been away from her.

Seeing Karl with Anna, that explains whose house he's been crashing in.

She drained the remainder of her champagne in one smooth motion and set the glass down on a passing tray with more force than necessary. If Karl thought he could come here and beg her to take him back, he was sorely mistaken.

Melody crossed the room in an instant, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor as guests parted instinctively to let her through. Conversations dipped as she passed, people sensing the shift before they fully understood it. She stopped a short distance from Karl and Anna, positioning herself so that several guests were within earshot.

Karl turned to face her calmly, his expression unreadable.

“Well,” Melody said, her lips curving into a smile that did not reach her eyes. “Look who decides to show up after running off with another woman.”

Anna felt Karl’s arm tense slightly beneath her hand, though his face remained composed.

Melody’s gaze flicked briefly to Anna before returning to Karl. “I have to admit,” she continued, her tone light but edged, “I’m surprised you managed to get in. This isn’t exactly a walk-in event.”

A few nearby guests exchanged glances.

Karl met her gaze steadily. “Good evening, Melody.”

The lack of defensiveness in his voice unsettled her more than anger would have.

She scoffed softly. “Unebelievable. Are you still trying to make me jealous?” She asked, her eyes glancing at Anna before looking away. “You think this would make me take you back? After embarrassing me in front of everyone?”

“This has nothing to do with you, Melody.” He said finally without sparing her a glance.

Melody laughed, as she turned on her heels to face him again. “Please. Everything you’ve ever done has involved me. Don’t pretend otherwise.” Her gaze flicked to Anna again, lingering longer this time. “And you,” she added, her smile thinning, “you must be very proud of yourself.”

Anna stiffened, she knew this would happen.

Melody stepped closer, lowering her voice but loud enough for people around to hear.

“Do you know,” she said, addressing the small group around them, “that he showed up at my office one day and proposed to her just to get my attention?”

A murmur rippled through the group.

Karl’s jaw tightened.

“I wonder,” Melody continued, “how someone like you even got through the door tonight. Or did you steal an invite just to impress me, Karl?”

The accusation landed loudly.

Anna felt the color drain from her face. “Karl didn't steal anything! We were invited in after the guard verified our IDs.”

Karl was taken off guard, he hadn't expected Anna to say anything.

“And the side chick decided to speak.” Melody cut in.

Anna chuckles, “Side chick?” She shows everyone the gigantic ring on her finger, “And yet, I got a ring for it.”

The guest gasped.

“My! Isn't that the blue diamond that costs a fortune?”

“Kt is! About ten million dollars.”

“Only two of them exist in the world!”

Anna's smile faltered, Karl gave her a real blue diamond? There's no way. That's expensive!

Melody scoffs, “That cheap knockoff! Dream on! He didn't even have the balls to buy you the real thing.”

Guests murmur. “True. How could Karl afford a ring that cost millions?”

Caden steps closer, “Karl.” He shakes his head. “Isn't this going too far already? Just apologise to Melody and get this over with. You don't have to put up all this drama just to get her attention..”

Karl glanced from Caden to Melody, they sure fit each other.

Karl chuckled, "You really are quite something Melody.” Karl said.

In his past, by this time, he knew his wife was sleeping with his best friend but he had said nothing. Rich of her to think he cares for a reconciliation.

Melody folded her arms. “Of you apologise on your knees, ill consider forgiving ypu.”

Karl glanced at Anna and then back at Melody. Anna froze, fearing Katl might actually kneel and she'd look like a fool.

“Fine.”

Karl approached, one step after the other but he didn't leave Anna's hand. Just as he got closer, he walked right past Melody, ignoring her completely.

Melody's smirk faltered on realising what he had done.

Karl grabs two glasses of wine and hands one over to Anna which she took graciously.

“How dare you?!” Melody snapped.

“We're here to enjoy the party, you and..” Karl glanced at Caden in sustain. “Your boy toy should do the same.”

The room had gone uncomfortably silent. Guests pretended not to listen while listening very closely.

Karl’s gaze moved briefly over the faces around them before settling back on Melody.

“I didn’t come here for you,” he said again. “And I didn’t come here to explain myself.”

Melody laughed again, though there was a note of strain beneath it. “Then why are you here, Karl? To prove something? To show off? Or are you hoping I’ll take you back after tonight?”

Caden shifted beside her, nodding faintly as though in agreement.

Karl’s expression did not change. “No.”

The single word landed with unexpected weight.

Melody’s smile faltered for the briefest moment before she recovered.

Someone groaned, “Isn't she doing too much? He clearly isn't here for her.”

“My thoughts exactly. She just sounds like a bitter ex to me.”

“I feel second hand embarrassment right now.”

Melody could hear it all. If she pushes this any further, she'll look like a fool..

“Fine,” she said, dropping her voice in a whisper that only Karl could hear. “Then don’t bother trying to follow me around tonight. I’ll be busy securing partnerships with men who actually matter.”

She gestured around the room. “People who don’t vanish for months and come crawling back when they realize what they’ve lost.”

Karl inclined his head slightly, neither agreeing nor protesting.

“Good luck with that,” he said simply.

Melody huffed, turning away from him with a dramatic sweep of her gown. “Come on, Caden,” she snapped. “We’re wasting time.”

As she walked away, Anna let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“She’s a lot to handle.”

Karl shrugs, "I saw that coming. You okay?”

She nodded. “Like a glorified side chick.”

Karl chuckled. He still couldn't believe she played into that.

They moved further into the room, Karl greeting a few acquaintances with polite nods while Anna stayed close, her senses heightened. She could feel Melody’s eyes on them even when she wasn’t looking.

Across the ballroom, Melody had already shifted gears.

She stood near a tall man in a charcoal suit, his silver hair laid down neatly. Melody recognized him immediately. Adrian Gordon. The mystery Gordon golden boy's cousin.

He had offered a partnership with her company weeks ago. Perfect.

She angled her body toward him, her tone warm. “Mr. Gordon,” she said, extending her hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”

Adrian accepted her handshake politely. “Likewise.”

“I received your mail about our partnership and I am grateful for the opportunity..” Melody continued. “Your firm’s expansion over the past few years has been impressive. I look forward to our partnership.”

Adrian nodded, listening, though his gaze drifted momentarily across the room.

That was when he saw Karl staring at him with eyes that could kill.

Adrian's posture straightened, his expression sharpening as his eyes locked onto his cousin. He'd just joined the party mere minutes ago and hadn't noticed his cousin.The warmth he had shown Melody cooled immediately.

Melody noticed the shift and frowned slightly. “Is something wrong?”

Adrian didn’t answer right away. His gaze remained fixed on Karl, who lifted his chin without saying a word.

It was enough.

Adrian inhaled slowly, then turned back to Melody, his expression now neutral. “Ms. Melody,” he said, “I’m afraid I won’t be able to pursue this discussion further.”

Her brows knitted together. “I don’t understand.”

He gestured subtly to his assistant, who stepped closer. “Please cancel all pending communications with Ms. Melody’s company,” Adrian said quietly but firmly.

The assistant blinked in surprise but nodded. “Of course, sir.”

Melody stared at them, stunned. “Excuse me?” she demanded. “What is this about?”

Adrian offered her a polite but distant smile. “I’ve just realized that our interests no longer align.”

“That’s absurd,” Melody snapped. “We were just..”

“I wish you a pleasant evening,” he said, cutting her off gently before stepping away.

Melody stood frozen, her mind racing.

What just happened?