Melanie pursed her lips, refusing to respond. Jeffrey went around the table, and approached her. "I've just started a major project with Romero Corporation, and you know how scheming Luis can be. So, I need to keep a close eye on it, which might make me a bit busier." Melanie took a step back and maintained her distance, still not saying a word. "Is there anything else you want to know?" Jeffrey's eyes remained fixed on her face. "No," she stubbornly replied. Jeffrey didn't press further, and continued looking at her. He spoke slowly. "Earlier, the project team from Romero Corporation sent a few professional architects here. Isla came along with them." "Is that so?" Melanie raised her eyebrows. Although they came together, they didn’t leave together. "You didn't see them?" Jeffrey asked. "Why would I pay attention to them?" Melanie denied. Jeffrey's lips curled up into a knowing smile. "It seems like you haven't vented enough. Should I drink the rest of the soup?" "
Jeffrey looked at the clever woman before him, his eyes twinkling. Clearly, it was a provocation. Why was he so willing to go along with it? "I didn't mention it casually. Morgan Group’s advertising department is already working overtime on the proposal. It will be ready by tomorrow, and you can check it then. If you are dissatisfied with the conditions, feel free to suggest changes," Jeffrey said. Melanie smiled. "Sure. Well then, President Morgan. Please bring the proposal to Jones Enterprise at ten tomorrow. We can discuss it together." "No problem,” Jeffrey agreed. He and turned to instruct William to add this meeting to tomorrow's schedule, emphasizing its importance. William, stunned, touched his own chin. In front of his wife, Jeffrey willingly played the role of an intern delivering proposals. It was truly eye-opening. Having vented her anger, Melanie decided it was time to let Jeffrey focus on his work. She didn’t say anything more, and asked the driver to take her h
Melanie pursed her lips. Jeffrey was indeed eloquent and sharp-minded. "Every coin has two sides," Melanie succinctly countered. She then turned to her colleagues in the meeting room and said, "Starting today, let's all focus our energy. I'm planning a perfume exhibition soon, capitalizing on the popularity of 'Siberian Butterfly.' The location is yet to be decided. During the exhibition, all the perfumes we're currently promoting will be showcased. I need everyone to contribute ideas for the exhibition plan." In just one day, "Siberian Butterfly" had already stirred up a wave of anticipation online. Industry experts, having smelled the samples in Cyrus’s hands, didn't hesitate to praise it. Even the general consumers were eagerly anticipating it. Capitalizing on this momentum, Melanie intended to position it as the flagship perfume of Jones Enterprise. She would have to ramp up her promotional efforts. "Yes," the members of the Perfume Department responded in unison. Melan
On the stairs, Leo's subordinate cautiously asked, "Mr. York, are you planning to make Melanie happy tonight with this event? Are you hoping she’ll agree after you talk about the sponsorship of her perfume?" Leo neither confirmed nor denied this. The subordinate was puzzled. "But don’t you just want to have more opportunities to get close to her and make her happy by sponsoring the perfume she created? Isn't that too indirect?" Leo glanced sharply at him. "How many times have I said that Grandfather's instructions need careful consideration? If he arranges for me to get close to Melanie in such an indirect way, how can I aggressively pursue her? If I mess up, I'll be handing over the Yorks’ business to Harlow on a silver platter!" "Yes, Mr. York. It’s my mistake." The subordinate bowed his head. "In the future, speak less nonsense and use your brain more!" Leo descended the stairs and looked toward Melanie, who was chatting with others. "Being a bit indirect has its benef
"Before the banquet, the duke and the young master of the Yorks had a long conversation on the second floor. Could this be related to Mr. York?" The astute personal butler analyzed the situation for Grace. "I've heard that during the centennial celebration at the Yorks’ residence, he helped Melanie. Maybe he’s interested in her? And it seems that Old Master York tacitly approves..." "Are you suggesting that Leo wants to pursue Melanie? And that he specifically asked Father to create opportunities for him? This is outrageous!" Grace said angrily, suppressing her voice. "The duke is currently working hard to gain the support of the Yorks. It's not impossible that he is catering to Leo's demands at the moment," the butler continued. Grace clenched her fists and ground her teeth. "I absolutely cannot let Melanie be with Leo!" "If Melanie leaves Jeffrey because of Mr. York, wouldn't that be a good thing for you?" the butler asked in confusion. Wouldn't Grace be able to take adva
Surrounded by a mix of genuine and insincere compliments, Duke Wilhelm casually dealt with them while carefully observing Leo's expression. After a while, as the flattering individuals dispersed, Melanie seized the opportunity to express her doubts. "Duke Wilhelm, I feel both honored and perplexed to receive your invitation to tonight's birthday banquet. Could you clarify something for me?" Duke Wilhelm chuckled. At a time like this, he would say whatever pleased Melanie. "My daughter Grace offended you before. Since I'm hosting friends from Harbor City tonight, it's only natural to invite you as well. Consider it my way of apologizing on her behalf." "You’re too kind." A sharp glint flashed in Melanie's eyes, and she thought of a plan. "I just saw Miss Grace at the banquet, and she seemed quite interested in the card I wrote. Perhaps she spoke well of me in front of you, making you appreciate my creativity?" Duke Wilhelm squinted his eyes, and subtly clenched his fist. Melan
“President Morgan?” Leo turned around, and saw the extraordinary figure of Jeffrey standing directly next to Melanie. He couldn't help but cough a few times involuntarily. "So, Jones Enterprise has already decided to cooperate with Morgan Group?" Leo asked Melanie again. Melanie nodded, smiling. "Although the cooperation hasn't been finalized, Morgan Group’s proposal is indeed impressive." "President Morgan, you’re indeed ahead of the curve. No wonder Morgan Group stands out in the vast business world," Leo said.Leo’s words carried mockery, but Jeffrey didn't mind. He picked up his wine glass and said with a smile, "Mr. York, you’re too kind. I just understand better than the average person when and with whom to seize opportunities." "Cough...cough..." Jeffrey spoke provokingly, but Leo didn't back down. He smiled with a touch of malice."President Morgan, who do you want to seize? Oh! By the way, I heard that President Romero came from the Medonia to Harbor City a few d
Nathan’s tone suddenly changed. He looked as though he was replying to Melanie, but Melanie knew that he was targeting Jeffrey.She turned around, and put her wine glass down before leaving. “I’m sorry, but please excuse me.” With that, she returned to the banquet hall, leaving the two men to face off on the balcony.“Thankfully, my adoptive mother is fine. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be standing here talking to each other today!” Nathan’s bloodshot eyes were filled with threatening rage. “Jeffrey Morgan, I didn’t expect you to go against me for the sake of that woman!”“She’s fine because I engaged the best doctor for her,” Jeffrey said unflinchingly.“So should I be thanking you instead?”“No need for that.” Jeffrey went on with a look of disdain, “I engaged a doctor for her simply because I don’t want to implicate the innocent. It doesn’t mean I’m trying to keep a backdoor open for myself and keep our alliance alive.”Nathan was angered by Jeffrey’s unyielding stance. “Very well!
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.