Chapter 242

Before Melanie could breathe a sigh of relief, she was lifted and placed on the table behind her. Panic seized her as she remembered her doctor's advice. She pushed against Frank's chest, trying to stop him. "Frank, wait! We can't!"

His smiling face fell. "We can't? Mel, how could you dump me after using me? Don't forget, you still need me!"

"No! It's not that I'm trying to avoid you. It's just" Melanie needed him, so she couldn't upset him. Biting her lip, she blurted out the truth. "I'm pregnant, so I can't"

Surprise flickered across Frank's blue eyes, then he remembered. "Mr. Hall's?"

Melanie nodded. "The doctor said my pregnancy is unstable, so I didn't mean to reject you, but you should know I have my reasons."

After listening, Frank released her. He seemed to have lost interest. "You're saying you're due soon? Mel, I thought you were a twenty-first-century woman who knew what's important. Yet, you disappointed me by choosing to settle down and have children. Most perfumers' careers end the moment they have children," he said, shaking his head.

Melanie slid down from the table. "You can't say that! Why can't women continue their careers after marriage and children? Vivian, one of the most well-known perfumers, had children and returned to work. Her achievements are legendary."

Frank nodded, conceding her point but adding, "You're right. Vivian had children, divorced, and returned stronger than ever. She even has custody of her children. However, you're not her, are you?"

Melanie was stunned. Before she could respond, Frank continued, "Considering your sense of smell, industry experience, and business acumen, which of these are you better at than Vivian? What makes you think you can achieve what she did? You know how you got to your position. How can you compare yourself to Vivian?"

His words, though honest, were hurtful. Melanie felt embarrassed and humiliated. "Frank, why do you have to be so mean?!" she yelled.

"I'm not trying to be mean. I'm helping you see the truth. If you've made your choice, stick to it, and don't be indecisive. You can't have both. Eventually, you'll have to choose between career success and being a full-time stay-at-home mom. You should think about it seriously," Frank advised.

His words, though cruel, were undeniably true, and they impacted her. Melanie was quiet for a moment before confessing, "I've already decided not to have this baby."

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