Melanie's vision blacked out for two seconds.After a brief moment of disorientation, she instinctively rushed forward and embraced Clement's emaciated body."Clement!"She and Clement were the only ones in the room. His eyes were wide open, and a bullet had pierced through his temple.He wasn't breathing anymore."Quick! Someone!" Nathan's voice echoed from behind as he quickly rushed over and instructed, "Protect this place!"Melanie felt somewhat detached. The voices in her ears seemed unreal, and there was a constant buzzing in her ears. She watched Nathan's bodyguards rush forward and encircle them protectively."Melanie!"At that moment, sounds of struggle erupted outside. Jeffrey charged in soon after, running directly to her and embracing her.Nathan's subordinates took the opportunity to start moving Clement's body...Melanie wanted to intervene, but she felt powerless. Every step she took seemed to make her vision darken. Thankfully, Jeffrey supported her from beh
When Jeffrey appeared soon after, Melanie relaxed her tensed muscles a little."If you keep coming like this, won't the York Family notice?""That's not the main issue."Jeffrey went straight to the bed and pulled her into his arms. Then, he asked in concern, "Are you feeling unwell?""I'm fine.""Don't be afraid. Sleep. I'm here."His voice was unusually gentle, and she felt like he was practicing soothing a baby in advance.Seeing her calm down a bit, Jeffrey slowly lay down with her. He covered her with the blanket and massaged her arms to help her relieve stress."I was thinking... If I hadn't kept pursuing this matter and insisted on seeing Clement, Nathan wouldn't have had to stage this drama. Then, Clement might not have died," Melanie confided in him. "Nathan was right. It's because of me that he died.""Of course not!"Jeffrey's voice was firm. "Don't think like that. Even if you didn't want to see him at first, Nathan would have forced you to see him repeatedly. Thi
Melanie rushed to the bathroom and was unable to stop vomiting for a while.Initially, her morning sickness had almost subsided after three months, but yesterday's events might have triggered it again.When she finally felt her stomach settle down, she washed her face and looked up to see Yelena entering from outside, gesturing to ask how she was feeling."I'm fine, just an upset stomach," Melanie replied.After witnessing the death of someone with her own eyes yesterday, she had no intention of telling anyone in the York Family.Yelena began gesturing again, and after Melanie understood, she asked, "You're trying to tell me to trust you, right?"Yelena nodded with satisfaction."Alright, I understand. If I need your help, I'll let you know," Melanie said with a smile.Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Miss Yelena, Miss Melanie, some guests have arrived.""Who are they?" Melanie asked casually."It's the chief judge of the International Perfume Blending Competition
The crowd turned around and saw Linda walking in gracefully.Except for Joseph, everyone else hurriedly stood up to greet her. Robert practically ran to her side and asked, "Miss Yancey, why are you here?""I came to visit. Do I need to report what I do to you?" Linda frowned slightly, then went straight to greet Joseph. After exchanging pleasantries, she walked over to Melanie and asked with a smile, "So, what do you think of my suggestion just now? Set the rules according to how you usually make perfume. The more detailed, the better!""This method seems a bit risky," Melanie replied with a smile."Why do you say that?" Linda chimed in."With several perfumers present, I'm afraid that if I actually implement it, they'll all follow suit. It'll be a vicious cycle if it happens again in the friendly competition we're hosting in Harbor City, right?" Melanie explained."Hahaha!" Linda burst into laughter.Seizing the opportunity, Melanie continued, "Besides, the Angle family is t
A few days later, the York family hosted a grand banquet. There were numerous guests filling the expansive hall to its limits.Yelena adorned herself in an elegant dress, stunning even Shane and Pam. They had heard about their mother's beauty, but they never imagined she could be this stunning! She looked like a figure straight out of a painting.When Joseph instructed Yelena to take the stage, the butler turned to Melanie. "Miss Melanie, would you accompany Miss Yelena on stage?""Me?"Was it appropriate for her to accompany Yelena on such an occasion?However, it was clearly Joseph's idea, and Melanie knew they had a plan. But seeing how much Yelena wanted her by her side, she agreed.She simply stood beside Yelena on stage, who didn't speak. The butler spoke on her behalf.Melanie wondered if she was asked to accompany Yelena on stage to subtly indicate to the audience that she was the vanguard of the York family.After the butler introduced the lost lady of the York famil
"President Morgan, what's the meaning of this?" Harlow asked sharply.Jeffrey wrapped his arm around Melanie's shoulder before everyone."Since you've stolen the spotlight from Miss Yelena, why don't I take this opportunity to announce something as well!" Jeffrey declared loudly. "Melanie is my woman! If you're proposing to her, you should have asked for my permission first!"Jeffrey's words were resolute and authoritative, instantly silencing the entire room.Unexpectedly, Jeffrey and Melanie's secret marriage was being revealed in public under these circumstances.As people said, plans could change in the blink of an eye.But Melanie remained calm. She knew Jeffrey's move was inevitable, and there were no better options available. If they didn't announce their relationship, Harlow would never relent.It seemed that Harlow's attempt to curry favor with Yelena, who had just returned to the York family, had reached a fever pitch. He intended to marry Melanie to gain Yelena's supp
"Let me put it simply."Professor Turner stepped out of the car. Despite his small stature, he looked up at Jeffrey with an unwavering demeanor."I saved your life once. But back then, it was Melanie's grandfather who saved mine. I inherited many of my medical insights from him. Melanie is closer to me than my own granddaughter. So, tell me, who should I see, her or you?""..."Jeffrey was once again taken aback. When he thought about it, there would be no Professor Turner without Melanie's grandfather. His fatal accident would have undoubtedly been the end of him."Professor Turner, today is the first time I've learned that my grandfather also saved you!" Melanie exclaimed in surprise."That's ancient history."Professor Turner waved his hand, reminiscing about his long-departed old companion with a touch of sadness. "Back then, I discovered a medical treatment in modern medicine that could tackle complex diseases. I insisted on delving into its research, but your grandfather d
"What do you think? My darling granddaughter has been taken from me! Should I congratulate you?!" Professor Turner waved his hand discontentedly. "Forget it! We'll wait until she gives birth before we do the test!""You also know about her heart condition, right? I've been worried about her pregnancy. Her body might not be able to handle it," Jeffrey added."With me around, I'll ensure the safety of both mother and child!" Professor Turner patted his chest reassuringly.Jeffrey's brow twitched slightly, and he breathed a sigh of relief.After waiting for about half an hour, the gates of the York estate opened again. Melanie accompanied Yelena as they walked out, followed by Shane, Pam, a few servants, and seven to eight bodyguards."Grandpa, I'll accompany her for treatment," Melanie said.Professor Turner waved his hand, gesturing for his assistant to help Yelena into the car, but he stopped the servants and bodyguards behind. "One member of the York family is enough. Too many
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.