"Let's leave it at that for now," Melanie said with a hint of resignation.She hadn't anticipated Jacob's appearance. Her plan was to exploit John's momentary lapse to pressure him into publicly admitting his involvement. However, Jacob's unexpected arrival threw a wrench in her plans."Just like that?" Gabriel looked at her, disbelief evident in his eyes. "That doesn't sound like something you'd say.""I said, 'for now,'" Melanie emphasized as she pursed her lips. "Besides, even if we didn't completely cripple White Group tonight, they will require a substantial recovery period. Our plan might not have achieved maximum impact, but it's far from a failure. Look over there..."Melanie gestured discreetly. Across the room, the head of White Group's business department was surrounded by a throng of people. Many guests tonight were White Group's partners, and now they were clamoring to terminate their contracts out of fear that White Group's tarnished reputation would affect them
"Jeffrey!"Grace looked utterly surprised, unaware that Jeffrey was also present tonight.In truth, not only was Grace caught off guard, but Melanie herself was puzzled as to why Jeffrey had exited the banquet hall.Ignoring Grace completely, Jeffrey approached Melanie. His tone was soft when he spoke to her."What did she say to you?"Melanie felt a tightness in her chest, and her body tensed up. She remained silent.Sensing her unease and recalling Grace's track record of causing trouble, Jeffrey gave a subtle gesture. Soon, his car pulled up in front of them. "Get in. I'll take you home."He deliberately supported her waist and ensured she got into the car safely. Just as he was about to follow her in, his gaze fell upon the photo in Grace's hands. The sight of those two familiar figures from his past instantly ignited a fiery rage in him."What do you have there?!" Jeffrey's voice was cold and menacing.Startled, Grace instinctively took a step back. However, Jeffrey s
Upon hearing the words that she might have to face legal consequences, Grace's legs went weak, and she almost collapsed.If she were imprisoned and tainted by scandal, Duke Wilhelm would surely sever their father-daughter relationship... Her future would be utterly ruined!She couldn't let that happen!Grace's face turned pale, her eyes filled with fear as she looked at Jeffrey, hoping for some mercy. However, Jeffrey couldn't be bothered to spare her another glance and simply turned to leave."Don't let me hear another word about this photo again. If I do, I won't just spare you or your family!" Jeffrey warned as he walked away, leaving Grace trembling in place.-The black Maybach had driven quite a distance and was now navigating onto the elevated highway.In the stifling silence, Melanie finally said to William, "Take me to the Jones’ residence.""Madam... President Morgan will be home shortly. Would you like to..."William was still trying his best to secure a chance fo
Melanie couldn't sleep anyway, so she immediately headed toward Cyrus's workshop after hanging up the call.It was getting late, and Cyrus' fragrance blending room was located on the outskirts. As she continued driving, the roads became increasingly desolate, prompting her to switch on the high beams.After a while, Melanie unintentionally glanced into the rearview mirror and instantly narrowed her eyes. She noted that the car trailing behind her was the same one she'd noticed earlier.She had been driving for an hour. How coincidental could it be to share the same route?She adjusted her speed and watched the black SUV behind her.The car was quite inconspicuous and wasn't following too closely. Perhaps her subdued mood today made her sensitive to this oddity.Ten minutes later, the car was still leisurely trailing behind her. Melanie frowned subtly as she glanced at the GPS.Ahead, a secluded road led to the countryside. A plan formed in her mind, and she suddenly floored the
Melanie was startled, and her heart tightened. Instinctively, she reached for her phone to call for help when the man outside said, "Miss Melanie, is that you? I'm Mr. Nathan's assistant. Is your car having issues?"Melanie's fingers were poised to dial, and she hesitated. She took a closer look at the man outside, feeling a hint of recognition. He did seem familiar, like someone who used to follow Nathan around.However, her anxiety outweighed any surprise she might have felt at encountering Nathan at this moment.She hesitantly lowered her window, and Nathan approached her vehicle. "Miss Melanie? It is you! I recognize your license plate.""Mr. Nathan!" Her expression was tense. "What brings you here?""I have some land nearby where I'm building a factory. I just finished inspecting the site and was returning to the city," Nathan explained. "What happened to your car?""I ran out of gas," she replied truthfully."In that case, why don't you come with me?" Nathan suggested.
Melanie had a sleepless night.Annie messaged her at four in the morning. According to the private investigator, the black SUV she remembered and its owner were legitimate. He lived near the village Melanie had been at last night.Therefore, the private investigator concluded it wasn't stalking, just a coincidence."I don't think it's a coincidence," Melanie said firmly, gripping her phone."Going with your gut feeling?" Annie asked.Melanie responded without hesitation, "Something felt off when that car was tailing me. I refuse to believe it's merely a coincidence.""But we've checked the owner and everyone around him. There weren't any red flags. Even so, I'll have them continue looking," Annie said, trusting Melanie but lacking evidence."Forget it. Let's not waste more effort," Melanie replied. "Even if my instincts are right, the mastermind behind this has planned meticulously. Let them think I believe it's a coincidence. It might make them lower their guard.""Agreed. I k
"I haven’t thanked you for last night." Melanie took the chance to say. Nathan smiled and shook his head. "Ever since we met, you've been thanking me." "That means you've been helping me." Melanie reminisced and smiled. “But I haven't had the chance to repay your kindness." "Then let's consider it a debt for now," Nathan replied humbly. He sat opposite her. They didn’t have much to say to each other. Just when they were feeling awkward, the doctor led the nurse into the room. After examining Melanie’s ECG for a long time and conducting some basic tests, the doctor said, "There's nothing wrong with you. Just make sure to rest more when you go back and try to keep calm." "Can I be discharged now?" Melanie asked. The doctor nodded. Nathan looked at her with a smile and said, "It's about dinner time. I'll take you to have something good." Melanie's eyes flashed, and she decisively said, "I'll treat you. Consider it as me repaying a favor, even though it’s not much." Nat
Jeffrey's pupils contracted slightly, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he said, "Nathan, it seems you've been single for too long and have forgotten what it means to have fun." The childish competitiveness between men left Melanie helpless. She didn't want to stay there any longer and stood up decisively. "I'll go to the restroom. You guys can continue chatting." As she walked away, the confrontation between Jeffrey and Nathan became even more intense. "Was the person from last night deliberately arranged by you?" Jeffrey asked, but his tone was certain. "What are you talking about, President Morgan? What person?" There was a smile in Nathan's eyes, but his face was tense. Jeffrey sneered, "Why beat around the bush? Between you and me, is there any use for lies?" "What, are you feeling sorry now?" Nathan stood up sinisterly, looking directly into Jeffrey's scrutinizing gaze. "Why didn't you show up last night, then? And why this melodrama today? Are you trying to protect h
Pleasantly surprised, Melanie turned around to see the man she had been looking for. She never stopped saying his name in her head. He stood right behind her.At that moment, she stopped thinking completely.Without even hesitating, she ran toward him and dove into his arms."Ughh."Jeffrey groaned in pain. He did not dare to press against her stomach. Instead, he arched his back to hold her."Where the hell have you been? Do you have any idea how I…" She cried so much that she could not speak."Alright, alright. Good girl. Don't cry. I've come back."Jeffrey kept rubbing the back of her head. "Eagle was too neurotic. I've nearly gone mad from dealing with him. I finally got him to regain some of his sanity today… That's how I had the chance to find you…""How did you know where to find me?" Melanie asked."Today is the day of Nathan's trial. I know you'd definitely be in the courtroom," Jeffrey said confidently.Melanie finally calmed down a little. After letting go of him,
"We're not together…"Kenneth's facial expression changed as soon as he saw Melanie.Melanie noticed there was a hint of guilt in his eyes. This was an unsettling feeling for her. "Then where is he? What happened to you guys?"Noticing that she was shaking, Annie and Carson, who had accompanied her to court, rushed forward to assist her."Eagle had a prior arrangement with Nathan. Once Nathan and Leo's plan at the York family's residence was thwarted, Nathan would press a button. Eagle would then receive a code to detonate a bomb. He'd blow us all up," Kenneth explained."Jeffrey was the one who noticed Eagle wasn't in the right state of mind. That's why he informed me to leave with Mr. Oliver. He… Stayed behind to persuade Eagle…" He added."What happened then?" Melanie's voice was shaking."All I knew after that was that the hotel blew up. I waited for him to contact me but he never did. Mr. Oliver and I have been on the run from Nathan's shadowy pursuits. I only managed to sn
Three days later, the trial was officially in session.Leo's attorney was practically defenseless because the York family's allegations of him poisoning Joseph had been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. Leo was directly sentenced to life in prison.Nathan's attorney, on the other hand, was clever. They tried everything they could to deflect Nathan's allegations.After the presiding judge evaluated the case, he looked up. "Does the plaintiff have any more evidence that the defendant, Nathan, intentionally killed someone?"Hank sat silently at the plaintiff's table.They could only provide evidence of the time when Nathan had tried to murder Hank. However, they had no evidence of Nathan being involved in the explosion on the island this time.Hank looked at Melanie in the audience. She was also frowningThe presiding judge's implication was well understood. Without more evidence, Nathan would not receive a life sentence…"The plaintiff simply does not have sufficient evidence to
Carson sighed. It was time to explain everything to Hank…Although Carson had spent a lot of time in Hank's hospital as Professor Marshall, and he would also tend to their men's wounds, as well as discuss a variety of topics with Hank, they had never acknowledged their relationship…Besides, Carson knew Hank hated him.Hank hated him for being heartless to his grandmother back then. That was why Hank changed his last name to Castillo instead of Yule…"Let's take Melanie back to rest. I'll explain the rest to you myself," Carson said. Hank had already figured out half of it."Grandpa, I'm not going back. I'll wait for the news here," Melanie said firmly.There was no sign of Jeffrey's corpse yet. She would wait until the rescue team confirmed that they could not find any corpse.She wanted a clear answer."Okay. I'll get the trailer ready for you. You can lie down inside. You can't afford to hurt your body anymore than you already have. I checked your pulse earlier. It's not loo
Buzz!Melanie's vision turned black. She began falling backward."Melanie! Melanie!"Carson propped her up and called the doctor over.However, Melanie opened her eyes after a few seconds and tried to stand up. "I'm fine… Grandpa, take me there… I want to go to the scene of the explosion…""You're in no state…""I'm fine. I can hold up," Melanie promised."If you don't let me go and see it with my own eyes, I'll be even more paranoid," she added.Carson knew his granddaughter too well. He sighed and frowned before requesting for a ride. He met up with Hank. The two of them accompanied Melanie to look for Jeffrey.Jeffrey, Kenneth, Mr. Oliver, and Eagle waited at the drop-off point near the York family's residence. Nathan had instructed them to not do anything rash.Mr. Oliver and Eagle were still useful to Nathan.Once Nathan acquired Joseph's signature, he would meet up with them.However, the small hotel they were waiting at was already in ruins. There was smoke everywher
'Chief… Frankie?'Leo turned around in surprise. Nathan did the same. They saw Chief Frankie and several Interpol agents walking out from behind a screen in Joseph's room.Melanie was a part of that group!"Aren't you… dead?" Leo pointed at Melanie in shock."Thanks to you, I'll live a long life." Melanie sneered.Chief Frankie waved his hand. The police behind him charged forward to put handcuffs on Leo and Nathan. Leo narrowed his eyes and quickly pressed a button on the remote in his hand."We'll all die together!" He shouted.However, no matter how hard he pressed, nothing happened in the room."What's going on here… Eagle?" Leo's voice was trembling.His hands were cuffed, and the remote control was confiscated by the police."Leo, you are suspected of poisoning Master York and attempting to murder Melanie and others on the island. We are arresting you for premeditated murder!" Chief Frankie uttered calmly."No… No…" Leo struggled but to no avail. He had no idea what wa
At the same time, Melanie and Carson were on a plane with Professor Turner. They soon arrived at Medonia.Carson contacted Hank ahead of time and asked him to pick them up with his men.After the exhausting journey, Melanie's face was pale. She seemed to be in very poor condition. "I've already contacted the maternity hospital for you. You can go there and wait for your delivery. Leave the rest to me.""No…"Melanie shook her head. "I have to go back."Jeffrey was still in Nathan's hands. She would not be able to wait peacefully if she went to the hospital.Carson knew his granddaughter well enough. "Let her go. Professor Turner and I will be with here. We'll be ready for anything."Carson was still disguised as Maximilian. Hank did not know he was Carson. Hank nodded in agreement.“Mr. Castillo, there's something I need to trouble you with.” Melanie said."I heard from Professor Marshall that you're on good terms with the chief of Medonia's Interpol. Can I trouble him to be a
"Wait a minute! Isn't Jefford actually Jeffrey?" Leo asked while running after Nathan.Nathan ignored him and continued to walk forward.Leo did not give up and followed Nathan closely. "Who exactly is Jeffrey to you?""Are you being unreasonable right now? Why are you still so unsure at this point?" Nathan glanced at Leo contemptuously."I'm dealing with serious business. Don't get in my way with your petty romantic affairs!"After saying that, he glared at Leo and exited the cabin.Leo felt chills in his heart, but he could not make Nathan stay…-Jeffrey was tied up on the deck all this time. His body was freezing, and his lips were turning purple from the cold."Hey, President Morgan, fancy seeing you like this!" Nathan laughed grimly when he saw the miserable state Jeffrey was in."Thanks to you, I've been more miserable than this on many occasions. This is nothing." Jeffrey made it sound like a walk in the park."Hehe." Nathan sneered."I know. You've had strong willp
Lynette seemed stunned. She could not help but stand up with the help of the railing on the speedboat. Her eyes turned red as looked at the island burning in the distance. There was a look of disbelief on her face…If they had not evacuated five minutes ago…By now…She would not have even been able to breathe and think…The explosion sent shockwaves across the ocean's surface. The ride became even more bumpy. With sea water splashing against them, they had all become wet."Are you alright?" Carson protected Melanie. He was worried she would not be able to take it.Her stomach did feel awful, but she braced herself and tried not to tense up. Her emotions would affect her baby.When Lynette heard the voices behind her, she turned around to look at Melanie. Her gaze had become much softer than before. "You're not going to give birth on the boat, are you? I'm a woman, but I don't know how to be a midwife!""I won't give birth now. There are still things left to do," Melanie said.