"Yes, why wouldn't I?" Melanie looked at Annie with confusion. She was already planning to raise Ermin on her own. Wasn't that a decision she made long ago? "Well..." Annie hesitated. Annie wanted to say that even though the child belonged to Jefford, Gabriel loved her so much that he would naturally be willing to raise both her children with her... But after thinking about it, Annie understood where her best friend was coming from. She was used to being strong, so how could she choose another person to be the child's father, especially when Melanie didn't love Gabriel... "Alright. No matter what decision you make, I'll stand behind you." Annie pouted her lips and reassured her. Seeing Annie being so formal, Melanie couldn't help but smile. "Okay, let's get back to work." The two parted ways and began preparing for the release of "Wedding Dress." - Melanie drove to Jones Enterprise and went straight to the perfume room. The assistant of the perfume department said
The next morning. Gabriel, dressed in a smart suit, arrived early at the door of Melanie's house to wait for her. He was going to send her to Jones Enterprise. "You don't care about avoiding rumors?" Melanie asked with a smile when she saw him after opening the door. "Avoiding rumors also arouses rumors. It's better not to bother," Gabriel replied as he helped her down the steps. He glanced at her delicate high heels, wanting to say something but holding back. He only carefully supported her. "Besides, our current relationship is already under scrutiny." Melanie furrowed her brows. Ever since the "engagement," the feeling between her and Gabriel had been awkward, and they hadn't had time to adjust. Although both sides understood it was fake, there was still Gabriel's chivalrous act, her gratitude toward him, and his intention to win her over and make the engagement real... Melanie felt tired and she temporarily didn't have the energy to deal with their relationship, so
"Miss Melanie... Do you need us to make any changes?" When the assistant in charge of bidding saw Melanie's lack of response, she feared she might be unhappy and hurriedly sought her instruction. "Hmm?" "We can let Frost Group go last..." The assistant seized the opportunity to suggest. "Oh." Melanie finally realized that internal staff, like outsiders, speculated that Frost Group was predetermined to win this time. "No need." Melanie shook her head, signaling the assistant to go back and sit. The first few bidders who came to bid were not from very large companies. Although they were adequately prepared, Mr. Lincoln clearly didn't favor them, and the scores he gave were not high. Melanie understood that Mr. Lincoln attached great importance to this bidding because he wanted to fulfill Tyler’s last wish as best as possible. Mr. Lincoln wanted to use the "dowry" left by Tyler to further Jones Enterprise, so he naturally couldn't compromise on the choice of cooperation part
"Mr. Yancey, are you the one in charge of the bidding presentation this time?" Mr. Lincoln broke the room's silence and asked proactively. "That's right. I’m the one." Jeffrey stood confidently on the platform. "We appreciate Yancey Group’s sincerity, but later we will ask many detailed questions about the promotion of the perfume... Can you represent Yancey Group’s marketing department?" Mr. Lincoln asked again. "I was fully involved in preparing this bidding proposal," Jeffrey replied succinctly, indicating that he alone could handle it. Mr. Lincoln didn't ask any further questions after hearing this. He just smiled and gestured with his hand. "Then please begin." "Alright," Jeffrey responded in a low, husky voice. With a gentle tap on the remote control, the slideshow began. Melanie furrowed her brows slightly, trying hard to control her wandering thoughts. Jefford's appearance and him standing on the platform confidently delivering his speech instantly brought her b
An awkward and tense atmosphere fell over the conference room in Jones Enterprise. Jeffrey and Melanie locked eyes, neither backing down! It was hard to say how long this lasted, but Jeffrey couldn’t take it anymore at some point. He pursed his lips and moved his gaze away first. "Ha! Just kidding, don't mind." He cleared his throat and continued, "It's because we value the late chairman’s fragrance expertise and also the selling point of the father-daughter relationship between him and Miss Melanie. Yancey Group believes that as long as we cooperate wholeheartedly, we can make this “Wedding Dress” fragrance unprecedentedly popular!" Applause erupted again in the room. But soon, the managers noticed that Melanie was not pleased, and the applause became sparse. "Alright. Miss Melanie, do you have any more questions?" Mr. Lincoln timely intervened to control the situation. Melanie shook her head. "Alright then, let's start scoring." Mr. Lincoln signaled to the manager i
Although the managers at the bidding meeting had many doubts, no one dared to ask further questions after Melanie spoke, and the person in charge of the bidding hurriedly escorted Jefford out. Melanie felt Jefford staring at her face as he passed by, but she pretended not to care, organizing the documents on her desk the entire time without looking back at him. "Miss Melanie, Mr. Lincoln, the scores have all been tallied. Shall we go out... and announce the results?" The person in charge of the bidding meeting cautiously asked for instructions. "Yes." Mr. Lincoln nodded. After the other managers left the conference room one by one, Mr. Lincoln walked up to Melanie and asked, "Miss Melanie, I have a question..." Mr. Lincoln was a little slow, so Melanie stood up directly and said, "You want to ask me about the real reason for giving Yancey Group a low score, right?" Mr. Lincoln nodded. Before Melanie could answer, Annie, who was next to her, fearing that she would feel unc
"Do you really not want to cooperate with me?" Jeffrey didn't answer Melanie's question. He stared at her, his voice low and terrifying as he spoke. "Duh," Melanie said indifferently while looking at the scarf he was wearing. "Fine." Jeffrey took a deep breath, his voice still low. "I believe Yancey Group has done our best in this bidding. Of course, it's understandable that you chose Frost Group for stability, but what about our current cooperation? You don't want to continue that either?" "Heh," Melanie sneered. "So, you’re worried that I won't support you in getting your desired position, which is why you came. No wonder the proposal was prepared so meticulously." Her sarcasm made him feel upset. He wanted to say something, but his words were stuck in his throat. However, he knew she was venting. He didn't explain further and only focused on what was important. "If you really choose to terminate our cooperation because of that incident, or even choose to cooperate with
After meeting Jefford, Melanie's heart was in turmoil. She sat alone in the perfume blending room, blending bad-smelling perfumes... After sniffing them, she eventually shook her head and poured out all the liquids in the test tubes. She reminded herself that she couldn't go on like this. She had more important things to do than feel upset. She went out and made a video call to Professor Turner and told him about the things that happened recently. Professor Turner had been keeping an eye on her news. He wasn't surprised by her sudden engagement to Gabriel, but rather felt sorry for her. She had had two engagements, but not one reliable fiance... To make her feel better, Professor Turner specially brought Ermin over and did his best to make Ermin laugh, which made Melanie shed tears of laughter. Then, Melanie called Professor Marshall. She wanted to know what the important task that Professor Marshall had for her was. She wanted to use that to motivate herself. "I he
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.