Ask the Girl: Melinda Answers

Hi everyone!

The votes are in, the questions have been gathered, and the Boiler’s most elegant and cunning broker has agreed to step into the spotlight.

Pour yourself a glass of whiskey, get comfortable, and let’s see what Melinda has to say.

(A gentle reminder: Melinda is answering based on where the story is right now—no spoilers for the upcoming Chapter 11!)

──────────────────────────

*🎙️ PickerPatron: Does the golden key-shaped necklace that you wear represent anything? It looks like a skeleton key, which in the legends is a master key that unlocks everything.*

*Melinda:* You have a very sharp eye, darling. I appreciate a man who pays attention to the details. Yes, it’s a skeleton key. I'd love to tell you it's a legendary master key that unlocks every dark secret in the Boiler, or perhaps the only way out of the barrier... but honestly? It's just a beautiful piece of jewelry. I wear it simply because it pairs wonderfully with my outfits, don't you think?

*🎙️ PickerPatron: Are the sessions with the MC only significant because of Eva's suggestion? I see that Melinda has taken advantage of the situation to run errands for her 😏.*

Melinda: *Laughs softly.* Let’s be perfectly clear—Eva doesn't dictate who I do business with. She may have pointed a certain newcomer in my direction, but I only keep people around if they prove to be... useful. And entertaining. He has shown a remarkable talent for handling my little "errands." It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement: I get my problems solved, and he gets to enjoy the very exclusive rewards I offer.

*🎙️ PickerPatron: Is she the only character who, rather than escaping, prefers to control the Boiler?*

*Melinda:* Why rule in hell when you can serve in heaven? Well, actually, ruling in hell has its undeniable perks. Most people in this city run around like headless chickens, desperate to scrape the walls of the barrier. I prefer to sit comfortably, sip a good vintage whiskey, and pull the strings. Control is a beautiful thing. But as for escaping... who says a clever woman can't do both when the right opportunity presents itself?

*🎙️ PickerPatron: Will she reduce the amount of alcohol she drinks in future?*

*Melinda:* Absolutely not. A good glass of whiskey is one of the very few civilized pleasures left in this wretched place. It keeps my mind sharp and my nerves steady. Why on earth would I give that up?

*🎙️ TTM: What's the secret behind the photo Melinda is hiding? Surely ex-husband or Family?*

*Melinda:* We all have ghosts from our past lives, before we were thrown into this prison. Some things are kept hidden not because they are a dirty secret, but because they are a reminder of what we once had... or perhaps, what we gladly left behind. I think we will leave that little mystery in the drawer for now.

*🎙️ TTM: Melinda displays (at a very specific moment) a feeling of tenderness in her interaction with the MC. Is there still a chance she isn't all ice?*

*Melinda:* Ice melts when things get hot enough, doesn't it? I am a businesswoman first and foremost, and I never let emotions cloud my judgment. But I am still a woman. A man with a certain... charm, and an impressive dedication, can certainly earn my favor. I believe in rewarding good behavior, and occasionally, that means letting the mask slip just a fraction of an inch. But don't get entirely used to it. I still set the rules.

*🎙️ TTM: What are Melinda's measurements and age? 😼*

*Melinda:* A gentleman never asks, and a lady certainly never tells. Let's just say I am mature enough to know exactly what I want, and experienced enough to know how to get it. And as for those measurements you're so curious about... I assure you, everything is exactly where it should be.

*🎙️ Hadgar: How many children does she want to have with the main character?*

*🎙️ PickerPatron: Can you confirm that she is still within her fertile age range? 🤔☕*

Melinda: Raises an eyebrow and takes a slow sip of whiskey. Children? In the Boiler? What a delightfully absurd proposition. I am far too busy managing my empire to worry about diapers and lullabies. As for my "fertile age range"... let's just say I have zero interest in the results of reproduction, but I am entirely open to the process of practicing it. As long as a certain someone keeps making himself useful, of course.