The bodyguards brought by Gabriel appeared and surrounded the car to protect them, but their numbers were nothing compared to the formidable lineup behind Linda. Melanie opened the car door, and got out. “Ms. Yancey, there’s been a misunderstanding. You better watch what you say before you confirm anything,” Melanie declared. Linda sneered, and laughed maniacally. “Misunderstanding? My subordinates accidentally hit the rabbit. Why would I tell on them?” "What benefits would I gain if I exposed them?" Melanie countered. Linda's eyes flashed, and the smile on her face turned sinister. "I don't know...but why did he seek you out? What did you say to him in his room just now?" "Before I entered the estate, the owner of Windborough Estate already knew everything. There was no need for me to confess," Melanie explained calmly. Listening to their conversation, Gabriel only now realized that the owner of Windborough Estate had called Melanie over for this matter. No wonder Lind
Gabriel couldn't accept it. "Melanie, are you crazy?" Jefford was just a man who looked like Jeffrey, and had insulted her multiple times. Why would she protect him? Gabriel only managed to hold back his words after trying very hard. He didn't want to add salt to her wounds. Melanie tried to explain. "You also know that Linda’s trying to capture Jefford. What he should do is stay as far away as possible, not run to her house and set a fire and let her bodyguards catch him." Gabriel frowned even more deeply. "You just said that they’re archenemies. I wouldn’t put anything past Jefford when it comes to Linda." "My previous deduction was just a way to escape..." "Stop talking." Gabriel raised his hand to stop her. He didn't want to hear her explanations anymore. Every word she said multiplied his distress. Gabriel turned his head to look out the window, paused for a moment. He asked emotionlessly, "Do you really have to know about his situation?" "Yeah." Melanie's voice
"Jefford is your nephew! He's your older sister's only child! Have you forgotten how much she loved you when you were young? She took the blame for you every time... Don't you fear she’ll haunt you if you don't spare her only blood relative?" Mrs. Yancey exclaimed angrily. "I never believed in a life after death!" Linda's voice was even colder than before. "Besides, this time it was Jefford who wronged me first! I finally monopolized the Oakmoss channel, but he ruined it! Instead of asking me if I felt wronged, you're wholeheartedly protecting him instead!" "How do you know it was Jefford who did it? Did he admit it?" Mrs. Yancey probed. "Do I still need him to admit it?" Linda replied. Did she not torture Jefford? Mrs. Yancey hesitated for a moment before saying, "It's impossible for him to do this. Although he fools around all the time, he knows where the line is." "The line was drawn by you!" Linda retorted. "Quickly send your men to find him for me. I’ll find out the
Unbuttoning his shirt, Melanie frowned as her hands trembled involuntarily. Was it because she was still new to being a doctor, and not yet accustomed to dealing with such wounds? She pondered silently, lips tightly pressed together, as she undid all his buttons and removed his clothes soaked with sweat and blood. She didn’t expect his injuries to be so severe... "Did Linda do this to you?" she asked, furrowing her brows. Jeffrey didn't deny it. "How did you manage to escape from her?" she asked again. "Someone provided assistance, and I took advantage of the situation," he replied. Her brows furrowed even deeper as she examined his wounds. "Why did you suddenly set fire to Linda's house? Is it related to me?" "Huh?" Jeffrey closed his eyes, pretending not to have heard clearly. Melanie decided not to press further. "It's nothing." In fact, Jeffrey had heard her clearly. As clever as she was, she had guessed that he was deliberately diverting Linda's attention away
Melanie lowered her voice, and questioned the audacity of the man before her. “Are you asking for a favor, or giving instructions?” “Asking for a favor,” Jefford said, in a low and hoarse voice that sounded pitiful yet sensuous at the same time.Melanie looked away from his hot gaze. She flung his hand away, and stood up to close the glass door of the washroom. When she walked out of the washroom, she saw Gabriel holding a tray with a bowl of steaming hot ginger soup.“Thank you.” She reached out to take it.Gabriel hurriedly said, “Slow down, it’s hot. I added some sugar so it won’t taste too spicy.”“Oh,” Melanie muttered as she shut the door of the washroom tight.Meanwhile, the man closed in the washroom felt his heart being torn to shreds…-Melanie didn’t want to remain in the room for fear that Gabriel might suddenly need the washroom, thereby exposing Jefford hiding inside. She blew on the soup, trying to cool it down and gulp it down fast.She stuck her tongue out, a
“Melanie, are you asleep yet?”It was Gabriel.Melanie’s heart skipped a beat.Jefford, lying on the bed peacefully just a second ago, looked on in shock. His eyes were wide, as if he was worried about getting caught in the act.Melanie wanted to tell Gabriel she was already in bed, but was worried he might be here for something important. After a moment’s hesitation, she flung her blanket Jefford, hissing, “Hide yourself!”She smoothed out her pajamas, and opened the door. “What’s the matter?”Gabriel stood at the door in his gray silk pajamas, and asked with concern, “Are you still feeling unwell?” “I’m feeling better,” Melanie replied.“I can’t sleep, and came to chat with you,” Gabriel said as he made a move to enter her room.Melanie side-stepped him to block him from entering. “Umm… I’m about to turn in…”“So early?”Gabriel knew she was used to staying up late. What’s more, she was on unfamiliar grounds and that made her unable to fall asleep. Though he claimed he wa
“He… He…”Melanie pointed at the man who walked past her door with his hands in his pockets, looking as though she just saw a ghost.“Oh.”The servant looked back. and explained, “Our young master just returned this morning. You were still asleep then… His room is right next door to yours.”Melanie was surprised to see the man who walked past suddenly look back and wink at her.She clenched her fists hard and gritted her teeth, feeling thoroughly humiliated. Her eyes and her intellect were humiliated.He even said last night that he wasn’t planning on staying in her room. What he really meant was that he would be openly staying in another room!She had to admit, she didn’t see Jefford’s surprising response coming.Melanie wasn’t the only one, either. Linda herself was slightly confused, too.At the dining table, Mrs. Yancey, Linda, and Jefford had breakfast with Melanie and Gabriel. Linda looked skeptically at Jefford, who was enjoying his meal gracefully.The air in the room
“You handed me something so important without even telling me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll lose it?” Melanie asked.“Losing it would be better than letting someone who shouldn’t have it take it away,” Mrs. Yancey said frankly.Melanie pulled out a few needles from her pouch to reveal a small silk bag hidden inside. She returned it to its rightful owner, and said, “Check and see if all’s good.”Mrs. Yancey and Mrs. Hoffman pulled out the jade ring from inside the silk bag, checked it, and looked at each other with a nod.“To be honest with you, we had no choice when we put this with you and let you take it away.”Mrs. Yancey sighed as she confided everything.“At that time, someone was forcing me into a corner… But now that things are better and support for Jefford has stabilized, I’m not so worried about losing it now.”Melanie smiled as she continued applying the needles to Mrs. Yancey’s leg. “There’s no need for you to explain. I’ll just take it that I’ve never seen it before.”Mr