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!
Leo signaled his subordinate to step forward to issue some orders for the team.Grace didn’t notice the vicious and dark look in Leo’s eyes, and mistakenly thought that he was interested in what she had to say. “Yes! You’re young and handsome, while Ms. Jones is elegant and beautiful. You two are a match made in heaven.”“Did I hear you wrongly? Were you actually praising me?” Melanie looked incisively at Grace.“We did have some conflicts in the past, but I’m just stating a fact now,” Grace said, not daring to look Melanie in the eye. She quickly changed the subject, and gushed, “Mr. York is the most handsome and suave gentleman in this entire banquet hall. I’m sure you won’t disagree with that, will you?”Melanie pressed her lips together, remaining non-committal.All of a sudden, Grace felt a cold gaze from the side, looking through her fake smile. She turned around, and immediately spotted Jeffrey.Alas! Although she wanted to salvage her image in Jeffrey’s mind, her life was
“I came to Harbor City on behalf of the Yorks, and have been so busy with work that I’ve had no chance to invite everyone to my house for a gathering. I’d like to take this chance to invite everyone here at Duke Wilhelm’s birthday celebration.”Leo walked toward Duke Wilhelm and his children, and went o, “I will send my men to personally deliver your invitation cards to you. As for the duke’s family, I will take this chance to hand them their invitation cards in person.”He took out the invitation cards and handed one to Duke Wilhelm first before giving out the rest of the cards to the Duke’s children. Grace was last in line of four children, and she waited expectantly for her turn. Her shameless flattery just now must have moved Leo! Leo was full of smiles as he gave out invitation cards in front of everyone, inviting their family to the Yorks’ residence for a gathering. That clearly meant that he was very pleased with her. That way, her father wouldn’t keep harping on her mista
William subconsciously straightened himself, a sense of awe for his president seated silently behind him overwhelmed him.His president managed to guess every single detail accurately.After Melanie reached home and took a shower, she found herself still restless. A thought suddenly came to mind. She called the custodian of the fragrance blending room from her company’s perfume department. “Mr. Shaw, pardon me for bothering you at this hour. You’ve been keeping an eye on the perfume blending room over the past few days. Did you find anything suspicious?” she asked Mr. Shaw, who was on night duty. “I think I did…”Mr. Shaw went on after pondering for a moment. “I had wanted to report it to you today. Every night, one or two suspicious-looking strangers would come to the level where the perfume blending room is located. Although they have their access passes, I find them unfamiliar. Miss, should I tell security to step up on entrance checks at night?”“No need for that, Mr. S
The next day, Melanie packed a light luggage and met up with Mr. Smith. The weather was excellent, and they went up Mount Coloss together. Mr. Smith’s assistant drove the car, which was filled with various professional filming equipment.When they arrived at their destination, Mr. Smith took a few scenic shots of the wilderness in Mount Coloss. “Didn’t you say you were partially inspired by the potpourri made by the family on the mountain in concocting the fragrance? Shouldn’t we go to their house and snap some photos? That’d be so much more meaningful than just scenic shots of Mount Coloss,” he said.“I think so, too.”Melanie smiled.“That’s why I wanted to invite you to stay at the family’s house for the night. I even brought two sets of perfume blending tools for the old lady. We have to get her permission first before we can take any photos, though.”“Don’t worry about that. I have my ethics, too.”Mr. Smith instructed his driver to turn back in the direction that Melani
The waiter served the dishes on the table, and left with the tray. The two women sat in the private room.Olivia served Lena some food and said with feigned casualness, “Did you hear? Melanie wants to hold a perfume exhibition in Willowfort.”“Is that so?”Lena’s hair stood on end at the mention of Melanie.Seeing the pure hatred in Lena’s eyes, Olivia feel reassured. She said with deliberate melancholy, “Yes, she is. She embarrassed my father’s company and claimed his credit, and came up with a perfume with the same name. Now, she even wants to hold a perfume exhibition. She really doesn’t know when to stop! She’s bent on making my dad’s life a living hell…”Olivia was on the verge of tears as she spoke, which made Lena frown. She reached out to hold Olivia’s hand, and said, “Melanie’s evil. She’s been that way since she was young. I know that best.”The thought of how Melanie plotted against them and humiliated them during that dinner with all the bigwigs of the industry made
Melanie felt uneasy. That night, she called her mother.Eliza was pretty close to Damon’s wife, Cynthia, and she knew some people in Damon’s company quite well. After updating her mother about the situation, Melanie requested Eliza’s help to secretly find out about Lena and her family’s situation in Willowfort.The next morning, Melanie received news from her mother just moments after she woke up. Her mother found out that Lena pleased Damon very much. His soft-hearted nature made him pity her plight right now. He allowed her to work in his company, going so far as to assign her the position of a department head.She also heard that Lena would be working at the office today. Melanie had a feeling that her meeting with Damon today would be fraught with challenges.Melanie prepared her materials, and hailed a taxi to Thousand Acre Exhibitions’ office building. On her way there, she gave Damon a call. “Damon, are you at your office right now? I’m coming over. I want to discuss an ex
“Fine.”Melanie kept her laptop, and stood up. Since Lena insisted on behaving this way, there was no point for her to continue with this.Before she left, she said coldly, “I’ll say this one last time. Even if you don’t believe the popularity of the perfumes I concocted, you should at least trust Morgan Group, right? Morgan Group is a full sponsor for this exhibition. If Damon’s company can be in charge of the exhibition, they’ll be able to add Morgan Group as one of its partners in its future promotional and marketing materials. That would make Thousand Acre Exhibitions’ value self-evident, wouldn’t it?”“Nothing and no one can persuade me!” Lena snarled.Lena had long heard about this from Olivia, but she was bent on rejecting Melanie. Even Morgan Group was not enough to entice her!“In that case, I have nothing more to say.”Melanie smiled as she grabbed her bag. She walked past Lena and out the door.The sight of Melanie leaving defeated made Lena gleeful. She immediately p
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.