Jeffrey’s eyes narrowed.He shouldn’t have!He had exposed himself!Yesterday Melanie told William to gather all the details of how he spoke with Mr. Sheppard.But William had only followed him for a few years and knew very little about how he spoke with Mr. Sheppard. That was why, the second compilation of information that she had yet to give him to memorize was something that he himself had prepared through the night.And among the information was how Jeffrey would address Mr. Sheppard as Uncle Sheppard, and he said it out loud!Looked like he still needed to be on his guard. He was too relaxed in front of her.Jeffrey quickly gave her a teasing expression and made an excuse, “The patriarchs of Morgan Group and Sheppard Co. worked so close together, which meant that it’s normal for Jeffrey to call him ‘Uncle’ at least. Did I get that right?”After listening to his explanation, the judgmental gaze from Melanie lessened slowly.“You’re right. You look a lot like him as well. T
“Are you alright, child?”When the matron saw that Melanie was stunned, she asked her a question.“I’m fine.”Melanie regained her composure and looked at the time. She hid her emotions and said, “It’s almost time for dinner. I’ll go to the kitchen to make some soup for you. You can’t eat anything too oily.”“Sure.”The matron let her leave.Then, she asked Mrs. Hoffman to come over and said, “Melanie’s starting to ask me about Cam...”“What does she want to know?” Mrs. Hoffman was suspicious.She shook her head and said, “She’s a smart girl. I believe that she’s investigating the matters between Linda and Jeffrey’s father.”“Then...”Mrs. Hoffman was getting excited as she thought of something and said, “But, the owner of Windborough Estate wouldn’t say anything. She couldn’t find anything from that side, right?”“Well...”The matron sighed and waved her hand. “Let her be. You can’t hide whatever that happened in the past forever.”-Evening.The servants were preparing
“I should have known that you would come to see Lando.”Outside the door, Linda immediately put away her smile and spoke to Melanie.Melanie said nothing and didn’t even look at her.“Was this all for Morgan Group’s business?” Linda asked.Since she already knew, Melanie didn’t find a need to keep pretending that she was just a guest. She raised her eyes and looked at Linda, asking, “What are you trying to say?”“I’m not going to lie. The reason I came today is to confirm the cooperation between Yancey Group and Sheppard Co.”Linda smiled and waved her hands. “And as you can see, Mr. Lando had already agreed to work with Yancey Group after this. There’s nothing Morgan Group can do anymore.”“Really?”There was light in Melanie’s eyes.“Isn’t that the truth?”Linda said in confidence, “I’ve run thousands of simulations in my mind on what kind of reasons you can come up with to convince Lando to choose to die with Morgan Group instead of Yancey Group!”“While Yancey Group is q
“He’s right outside your home.”Melanie’s heart couldn’t help beating faster.“Quick! Let him in!”Lando was excited, waiting to see a miracle.Melanie sent a message to Jefford.After waiting for a few minutes, Lando’s hand was visibly shaking.When Jefford came in wearing his cap and mask...Clang!The tea cup in Lando’s hand immediately spilled as he stood up.Even Melanie, who was sitting by the side, was so excited that she couldn’t stand.Even when Jefford was still wearing a hat and mask, his every movement, the way he looked at them... It was Jeffrey.He improved so much in one night!How could he... look so much... like him...?“Uncle Sheppard, I’m still alive.”When Jeffrey opened his mouth, there was also excitement in his eyes.It was his first time seeing an old friend with his old identity.Lando was so shocked that he walked over and patted Jeffrey’s arm...He believed, but not wholeheartedly.“Ask me whatever question you want,” Jeffrey said.Land tol
Jeffrey didn't care much about it. Under the intense scrutiny of the eyes around him, he opened the oysters, took one into his mouth, and chewed happily. "Mmm... It's been so long since I've had oysters... Haven't tasted them since I had an allergy as a child," he said elegantly as he ate. Mr. Sheppard chuckled, but his gaze never left Jeffrey's face. Jeffrey ate two more pieces without any reaction. The atmosphere was getting colder by the moment. "It seems what Uncle Sheppard said is true. Getting a blood transfusion is indeed similar to being reborn," Jeffrey said with a chuckle. To Melanie, this laughter sounded awkward because the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard were getting grimmer by the moment. If they were merely skeptical before, now they had completely begun to doubt the authenticity of this Jeffrey. Melanie concealed her panic. If she had known that he was so clueless, she wouldn't have agreed to let him take the risk for Morgan Group! This would only harm th
Melanie followed him awkwardly. She wanted to break free from his grip, but considering the gazes of the two hosts behind her, she could only let him lead her arrogantly. Before they could get far, Mrs. Sheppard caught up with them again, holding a glass of water and a pill for Melanie. "Here, Miss Jones. Take this and then go upstairs to sleep." Melanie was puzzled. "What’s this?" "It's good stuff." Mrs. Sheppard winked and lowered her voice. "Our second child was conceived this way. Tonight, if you two work hard, perhaps you can also have a second child!" "What?" Melanie was shocked. Although Mrs. Sheppard's voice wasn’t loud, the man beside her must have heard it. Jeffrey's lips curled into a smile, and he naturally echoed, "She just gave birth not long ago. It’s too soon for her to have a second child..." "Even so, it can still help with health and fitness. Take it. It's good stuff," Mrs. Sheppard said generously. Helpless, Melanie could only swallow the bitter p
Melanie was speechless. She closed her eyes tightly, and snapped, "I’m sleeping!" - When Melanie woke up the next morning, she found the whole blanket covering her. There was no trace of the man beside her. She pushed open the door, and happened to see Mrs. Sheppard coming upstairs. Seeing her rubbing her shoulders unconsciously, Mrs. Sheppard asked, "Did you have trouble sleeping, or are you feeling unwell?" "My back feels a bit sore," Melanie said frankly. Last night, with a dangerous man she didn’t really know beside her, she slept tense all night. It would be strange if she didn't wake up feeling sore all over. However, as soon as the words slipped out, she knew she had misspoken. Melanie felt embarrassed when she saw Mrs. Sheppard smile with satisfaction, a strange atmosphere hanging over them. After Mrs. Sheppard finished laughing, she pointed outside. "He's over there." Jefford stood in the garden. The world around him was white. It had snowed overnight; the
“Okay,” Jeffrey responded calmly. Melanie, who was listening, felt her heart pounding. This man was going too far in his act! Did he really think he was Jeffrey? Or did he have a way to tamper with the DNA test report? At this moment, they were in it together. Since he agreed, she could only pretend to remain calm. "But I have a request, Uncle Sheppard," Jeffrey continued. "Please don't tell my father that I'm still alive, at least not for now." Mr. Sheppard's gaze flickered slightly before nodding. "Alright, if you don't want to tell him, I'll keep it a secret for you." "Thank you." After Jeffrey finished speaking, he let the Sheppard family's butler take a few strands of hair from his head. Then, he took Melanie with him and left in the car. In the car, Melanie's heart was still racing. She couldn’t calm down. "What's your plan?" she asked. "Leave it to me. You can relax," he replied briefly. Seeing his confident gaze, she assumed he had a way to manipulate the te
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.