The Supreme Soldier in the City-Chapter 161: Don’t Want to Explain

James Brown didn’t close his eyes, watching as Melody Yoody’s face drew closer and closer. He could clearly see her long eyelashes flutter gently, captivatingly beautiful. It was this very face that appeared countless times in his dreams, making it forever unforgettable for him. He had thought it impossible for them to ever come back together in this lifetime, but, as if favored by heaven, he finally had Melody Yoody back in his arms.

Their lips lightly touched, and James’s heart uncontrollably began to race. For someone like him, trained and hardened by countless battles, even at moments of life and death, his heart would remain undisturbed. Yet, standing before Melody, even his strong heart had opened a door for her.

Before James could even savor the taste of Melody’s lips, a sudden burst of music played. Melody’s body trembled slightly as she gently pushed James away, apologizing, "James, I need to take a call."

"Go ahead," James said, nodding in understanding.

Melody gave James another grateful smile, took out her phone, and answered, "Mayor Robinson, this is Melody Yoody... Yes, I can get there in half an hour... Alright, I’m ready."

After hanging up, Melody apologetically said, "I need to rush back to the county in about five minutes."

James felt a twinge of disappointment but understood, "Then you should go, work comes first."

Melody raised her hand, gently touching James’s cheek with a dreamy look in her eyes, "James, we have a long life ahead of us, and I am yours."

James smiled faintly, "I know."

"So good," Melody sweetly smiled, stood up straight, and gently kissed James on the lips, adding, "Consider this a little reward."

"Just one?" James asked with a beaming smile.

"Then, here’s another." Melody kissed him again and said affectionately, "James, this is all I can do for now, or else the driver will notice when I leave, and I might not want to go to the meeting at all."

James laughed heartily and hugged Melody tightly, "For that statement alone, I’ll let you go. Head off."

Melody sweetly smiled, "Then I’m off."

The two settled the bill and left. While paying, Melody insisted on covering the cost. James didn’t argue as she used to always insist on paying back then when her pocket money was much more than his. Now that she was working, being a Township Chief and coming from a well-off family, her income was significant.

"Honey, what are you doing here?" As they just stepped out of the restaurant, a beautiful girl approached them. Upon seeing James, she swiftly ran towards him.

Melody’s face darkened instantly. If the girl had said anything else, she wouldn’t have paid much attention. Even if James had been involved in anything over the years, she was willing to let it go as long as they could be together in the future. However, being called "Brother-in-law" implied that James was already married, and if that were the case, she could absolutely not tolerate it. She could never destroy another’s family, nor could she be the other woman in James’s life, especially since this would mean James had deceived her.

James’s eyes flared with anger; the girl was none other than Charlotte, usually pestering him to be the other woman, but this time directly calling him "husband," clearly intending to mess with him.

James frowned, sidestepped, and dodged Charlotte’s embracing figure, growling, "Charlotte, get lost."

Charlotte stumbled, nearly falling, but steadied herself. She immediately showed a piteous look on her face and lamentably said, "Honey, you can’t be like this. Just yesterday you said you’d treat me well, how come you don’t want me now?"

James ignored Charlotte and said to Melody, "This is the bratty girl who caused trouble at my house yesterday."

Melody stared at Charlotte and remarked, "Is that so? I thought she was just a little girl; she’s quite grown."

Charlotte shrank back, looked at Melody, bit her lip, lifted her head, and retorted, "You must be the woman who called my husband last night?"

Melody nodded, "Correct."

"You might as well step back now. I told you," she hissed at him, "my husband and I were together last night. He doesn’t like you—he desires me."

At that moment, James truly wanted to send Charlotte flying with a kick, but given Melody’s presence, it wasn’t seemly to raise his hand. He glared at Charlotte and said slowly, "Charlotte, dare you repeat that?"

Charlotte felt a shiver run through her body under James’s intense gaze, as if a ferocious beast had her in its sights. She instinctively stepped back, realizing that James was genuinely furious. However, Charlotte was stubborn. Forced by James and Helen to return home the day before, and scolded by her parents upon her arrival, she attributed all her grievances to James’s unwillingness to shelter her.

The young girl’s love had turned to hatred; thus, her mind was set on ruining James. Even as fierce as James was at that moment, she showed no fear. Biting her lip, she insisted, "I must say it. You took someone yesterday, and today, you think to discard me? Think again!"

Melody’s face turned steel-blue with outrage. This confrontation was in full public view, and for a girl to utter such words—how could they be false? If the entanglement were before she had met James again, Melody might have swallowed her pride and smoothed things over for James. But this had happened after they reunited, and James still acted like this; she found it utterly unacceptable.

Taking a deep breath, Melody turned to face James, and asked achingly, "James, are you even a man?"

James sighed; suddenly, he didn’t want to explain. He blamed neither Melody nor Charlotte—thinking to himself that maybe it was fated: he and Melody were not destined to be together. A bitter smile surfaced on his face as he said, "You’ve always thought of me as very manly."

"If you did something," Melody said, her gaze boring into him, "then you need to take responsibility. I hope you won’t disappoint me." With that, she strode towards her car and got in.

Melody prided herself on being strong, but at that moment, she couldn’t help but let the tears flow. The driver, a man in his forties, asked worriedly, "Mayor Johnson, are you alright?"

Melody wiped her eyes, replying, "I’m fine. Let’s not talk about this with anyone."

"I understand," the driver nodded, seeing Melody turn to look out of the window, not wanting to speak. He focused on driving, although his mind was filled with questions. Mayor Johnson was always so strong; yet, she had started crying as soon as she got in the car—it was hard to fathom what could have upset her so.

James watched Melody drive away, letting out another bitter chuckle. The woman he had yearned for over so many years, and they had met only twice—yet, it had come to an end in such a way. The feeling was indescribably bleak.

After Melody left, Charlotte ran to the side, staying far from James, waiting for him to explode in anger. She planned to provoke him a bit more, then run away.

However, James simply ignored her and walked away silently, leaving Charlotte completely baffled. Watching James walk further and further away, she finally stamped her foot in frustration and ran after him.

"Uncle, are you really angry?" Catching up to James, Charlotte still kept a distance, cautiously asking, prepared to run at any moment.

James turned to look at Charlotte, shook his head, and replied, "No."

"You’re not angry?" Charlotte’s eyes widened in shock as she blurted, "But I caused your girlfriend to misunderstand you and even break up with you!"

"If we must break up, then so be it," James said calmly, lighting a cigarette and puffing out a smoke cloud that obscured his face, "What isn’t mine won’t stay mine no matter how much I fight."

Charlotte, mouth agape, lost her earlier triumph. Instead, James’s weathered, lonely demeanor infected her. She hung her head, guiltily saying, "Uncle, I’m sorry. I just wanted to annoy you. I didn’t mean to hurt you so deeply. Should I go find her and explain everything?"

James shook his head, "No need. Just focus on your studies, and stop bothering me from now on." Saying that, he hailed a cab and left before Charlotte could understand what had happened.

Charlotte cried out in desperation, "Uncle, uncle! I was wrong. Please don’t ignore me."

But the taxi was already gone, and James couldn’t hear her anymore.

Charlotte, who never considered the consequences of her actions, acted impulsively whenever provoked. James’s refusal to shelter her yesterday, his coldness, and Helen forcing her to go home were unspeakable insults for her. Thus, she sought revenge. She had waited outside the restaurant today just for a chance to cause trouble the moment James and Melody appeared.

Her aim had been to infuriate James, to make him lash out so that he and his girlfriend would end in chaos. If James had gotten angry, she would have felt a rush of vengeful satisfaction. But James’s response now left her feeling no thrill; instead, regret and sympathy surfaced.

And from James’s demeanor, she knew, he was genuinely angry and wouldn’t deal with her anymore. This filled Charlotte with immense regret. Had she known it would end this way, she would have never acted as she did. But the deed was done, and making amends now seemed hardly possible.