“That’s quite a novel and interesting perspective.”Jeffrey smirked.“Do people who look alike to each other have the same tastes and preferences? Mr. York, why don’t you consider forming a scientific team to conduct theoretical research? I’ll look forward to the results of your study.”“Ha ha, sure.” Leo laughed out loud, yet his eyes remained expressionless.“Thank you for watching out for us, Mr. York. I’ll head in and continue working hard for your family,” Jeffrey said as he turned to leave, not wishing to speak more with Leo.Leo said behind him, “Working hard for my family is akin to working hard for yourself. You might even win a lady’s heart in the process. What a good deal this is working out to be for you, Mr. Yancey!”Jeffrey paused in his stride, but he did not turn back. He swiped the card in his lanyard to unlock the door to the perfume blending room.“Getting impatient after just two hours?” Melanie was already back at concocting fragrances. “Why didn’t you sle
Jeffrey didn’t get any reply from Maximilian thereafter.However, he felt that Maximilian’s lack of response was an indirect admissionGiven the fact that Joseph was already over a hundred years old, it was likely that he used to be a member of Tempest—he might even be one of its founding members.Jeffrey used to hear his grandfather talk about this organization when he was young. Apparently, its founders were eight sworn brothers who formed the organization to support each other, realize their potential, and jointly find success in the corporate world.These eight sworn brothers were geniuses in the corporate world who each came to the fore in their respective industries after less than two years of the organization’s establishment. They helped each other out, and even managed to monopolize various industries on a global level at one point.The story was getting clichéd.The eight sworn brothers who started off with great solidarity gradually stopped seeing eye to eye as issues
One week later, Melanie’s Freedom was still going viral. The hype intensified with the attendance of famous industry players at the banquet, building on the popularity of the perfume.The night before the banquet, all international and domestic guests had arrived and were settled down in a hotel nearest to the Yorks’ residence. Many wealthy families and aristocrats had come to attend the great banquet the Yorks were holding.Regardless of how displeased Robert and the chairman of Laddin Group were, their attendance was imperative to show the public that things were amiable between them.Before he retired for the night, Leo knocked on Melanie’s door. “Still awake? Grandpa said that you’re the star tomorrow.”“I was just about to go to bed.”Melanie was wearing baggy loungewear as she stood at the door. The wound on her nose bridge had all but healed, leaving a tiny scar behind.The Yorks engaged a famous plastic surgeon who promised to make the scar on her nose disappear within a
After Leo left, Melanie called Professor Turner and Gabriel. She was worried she might have a lapse in judgment and thought it was a good idea to seek others’ opinions.After hearing the entire plan, both Professor Turner and Gabriel had no objections toward it.“Leo has no reason to lie to you, given the circumstances right now,” Professor Turner concluded.“Right now is a golden opportunity for him to gain your support,” Gabriel added. “Bringing Harlow together down will naturally land both of you in the same boat.”“I don’t want to choose sides at this point, but carrying out this plan is necessary,” Melanie concluded rationally.“You hate Harlow, but do you also dislike Leo? Don’t you two share quite a good relationship?” Professor Turner asked.Melanie pondered for a moment. She didn’t dislike Leo, but she wasn’t exactly close to him. “We’ll see after I get to know him better. I always get the feeling that he’s hard to get close to,” she said.“Do you need me there to hel
After locking the door of the side hall, Harlow’s man immediately updated him on who was next door. “Mr. York, she’s inside! But she seems to be rather suspicious when she didn’t see you and Miss Yelena.”Harlow waved his hand, and spat, “So what if she’s suspicious? She’ll eventually have to submit to me! Hmph! Let’s go!”Harlow stood up to head next door. Just then, another York servant hurried into the room and said, “Mr. Harlow, Miss Yancey wants to see you in Mr. Joseph York’s room!”“Linda?” Harlow’s brows furrowed in irritation.Didn’t that woman claim to never meddle in his affairs after they had a falling-out?After a pause, he asked, “Is she with Grandpa?” He was in slight disbelief.“Yes, Miss Yancey and Mr. York had a chat and just they asked you to come over,” the servant said.Harlow’s eyes flashed.Was Linda intending to speak up for him before Joseph for old time’s sake? Would that woman support Leo, even if she ignored their past and decided not to support
“Linda! Are you insane?!”Although Harlow realized something was wrong, Linda’s hysterical accusations and disdainful yells frustrated him to no end. His neck flushed red as he glared at her in anger.Linda tilted her chin and said viciously, “What? Are you going to hit me? I dare you to!” Harlow glared at her, but didn’t dare to make a move on her.Linda sneered in disdain. “Look at the stupid thing you’ve just done! Just you wait, a good show will be coming up soon! I’ll see how you explain things to your grandfather and everyone else in the York family!”Meanwhile, Melanie sighed. She pursed her lips from listening to the couple arguing with each other through the bug.What was the point?Harlow had wanted to hurt her, while Leo wanted to plot against Harlow and Linda. Everyone was a victim of a scheme, and everyone wanted to be the ultimate victor. It just all felt so exhausting.At least, that was how she felt.She removed her heels, and reclined on the couch.Leo seeme
“Let’s go!”Jeffrey pulled Melanie’s arm firmly, turned around, and ran toward the back. He ran past the partition in the study, and started rummaging through the shelf leaning against the wall. He started moving the vase, paintings, and brushes…“What are you doing?” Melanie asked, puzzled.“Finding the switch! To enter the secret passageway!” Jeffrey said, firmly but anxiously.He knew about the secret passageways in the Yorks’ residence?Melanie paused for a moment before jumping into action. Regardless of how he found it, escaping was the most important thing right now!She went on tip-toes, and looked for the switch with him.Outside the partition, the door was opened. Someone led a bunch of people into the lounge.Silence ensued, until Melanie heard someone ask, “Why is there…no one in here?”“Ah…perhaps they are inside?” someone else suggested.Jeffrey and Melanie held their breaths, and moved faster!They had rummaged through all the exotic-looking collectibles on th
Jeffrey arched his brow. She was still that stubborn and sharp-witted woman he was familiar with.“Come with me.”He led the way ahead of her. “If we hurry, we might even arrive earlier than those people.”Melanie caught up with him and asked doubtfully, “How did you know about the secret passageway in the Yorks’ residence?” Leo led them through the secret passageway from the study to the perfume blending room once, but that was within the underground portion of the Yorks’ residence. Aside from that section of the passageway, she was clueless about all other routes.What’s more, Leo said that even the servants of the York household weren’t aware of the passageway routes, hence why he had to lead the way for them. It was evident that only a few key figures of the family knew the map of the secret passageway.However, Jefford looked like he was very familiar with it…“Maximilian told me about it,” Jeffrey said, not wanting to hide anything from her.“Maximilian?” Melanie was s
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.