“When did you know? Why didn’t you tell me?” Melanie excitedly asked a series of questions. She thought perhaps it was because she had been too busy at the temporary hospital recently and hadn’t had the chance to talk to Annie, which was why Annie hadn’t told her. She was also feeling excited, thinking that Ermin would have a playmate when Annie’s baby was born! “I…” Annie furrowed her wavy eyebrows, feeling helpless. “I was talking about you!” As she spoke, Annie pushed aside Melanie’s wool coat and pointed at her belly. “In a few more months, the baby will be born…” Halfway through her sentence, Annie suddenly realized that something was off with Melanie’s belly… “Your belly… this…” “What’s wrong with you all? Who did my belly offend? Do you think I’ve gotten fat? Is it that ridiculous?” Melanie was completely speechless. “Fat?” Annie was even more puzzled. “You’re too thin! But no matter how thin… at this stage, you should show some signs of pregnancy…” What stage?
Melanie walked out of the restaurant and immediately locked eyes with the homeless man. The homeless man saw her too, and there was a mix of hope and embarrassment in his eyes. After a brief pause, he still got up and walked toward her. The two restaurant security guards quickly followed, blocking the homeless man. “Miss, we apologize for our negligence. These beggars are too rampant and have disrupted your dining experience.” They apologized while forcefully restraining the struggling homeless man. Melanie, feeling a pang of sympathy, quickly said, “I know him.” The two security guards looked at her in surprise before releasing the homeless man. Melanie stepped forward and said, “Come in with me!” The homeless man quickly picked up his bag and followed her into the restaurant. Annie was a close friend, so Melanie didn’t need to avoid her or explain much. She began to serve the homeless man some food. Soon, the whole table of dishes was devoured by the homeless man.
Annie originally intended to just show Melanie the address, but seeing Melanie's expression change, she cautiously probed, "Is there something wrong with the address?" "Mm..." "What is it?" Annie asked, both nervous and excited. "…Nothing." Melanie hesitated for a moment, then decided not to say more. Annie pouted, "You’re not telling me again..." "I don't know how to explain it. I'll tell you once it doesn't need to be kept secret," Melanie apologized. Annie waved her hand, indicating it was fine. "It's getting late. Let's go back and see my godson!" She said this while linking arms with Melanie as they left the restaurant. Along the way, Annie kept chattering, saying she had brought many gifts for Ermin. Melanie half-heartedly listened, her mind still on that address. 700 Lucy Street. When she went to find Jefford in the field that day, Jefford had told her about his secret contact point, and the address was also 700 Lucy Street! There was only one Lucy Street in
"It's you." Melanie looked at Jefford's face in front of her. His hair had grown longer, giving him a more mature and steady appearance compared to before. Somehow, he resembled Jeffrey even more now, but she could now distinguish between the two quite well. Jefford's eyes carried more defiance and refusal to admit defeat, while Jeffrey's presence was more settled and carried a touch of mystery. "You should have guessed it was me." Jeffrey, unaware she was contemplating the differences between his two identities, affectionately embraced her and led her to sit on the sofa. "You haven't contacted me for so long. Where did you get the confidence that as soon as you got in touch with me, I'd know it was you?" Melanie was still somewhat peeved. Seeing her lowered eyes and concern, Jeffrey smiled indulgently. "You couldn’t have forgotten about me, right?" "That's not certain. Who likes a jealous and petty man?" Melanie hinted. "You’re the heartless one." Jeffrey immediately
"He’s Jeffrey’s father, yes, but he has other identities too..."Jeffrey tried to cover up, keeping his gaze sincere and unwavering."True. His identity is sensitive." Melanie nodded, still scrutinizing his reaction. "Quentin is also someone Linda holds a grudge against. Now, with your family’s internal struggle at a critical point... since Linda wants Quentin on the streets, why did you take the risk to shelter him?""Quentin has a say in who will be heir to the Yancey family," Jeffrey replied evasively."Is it because of the other jade ring?" Melanie’s eyes sparkled as she asked."You know about that?" Jeffrey’s eyes narrowed.He hadn’t expected her to know so much...Melanie pressed her lips together. "Before, in Delfino, Quentin met with me. He told me that the Yancey family jade ring is in two pieces. One is enough for public display, but to be recognized as the legitimate heir of the Yancey family, you need to hold both pieces to gain the board’s approval.""Exactly, that
"It's just that my period is coming soon, so my stomach is a bit bloated," Melanie pouted as she explained.Seeing how self-conscious she was, Jeffrey smiled and said, "Gaining a bit of weight is good. I like it. You're too skinny..."Melanie furrowed her brows even more and pushed him away. "If you like curvy women, you don't have to look at me, Mr. Yancey!""Miss Jones, when I say I like you a bit chubby, I mean that whether you're thin, chubby, tall, or short, I like you for who you are," Jeffrey explained, looking at her earnestly."Fine!" Melanie huffed as she stood up from his lap. "I'll go back and start eating a lot!""No problem. When you turn into a balloon, I won't have to worry about other men having any improper thoughts about you," Jeffrey said with a satisfied grin.Just then, they heard Annie's voice from outside the door. "Mel? Are you done yet?"Melanie's eyes widened with urgency as she looked back at Jeffrey.He stood up and put his arm around her shoulders.
The more Melanie thought about it, the more frightened she became. Tiny beads of sweat formed on her nose.Just then, her phone rang. She quickly regained her composure and answered it."Melanie, I'm outside the gate, I won't come in." Gabriel was here to pick her up."Okay, I'll be right out." Melanie quickly touched up her makeup with some powder before heading out."You look beautiful today," Gabriel sincerely complimented her."Really?" Melanie replied listlessly."This traditional dress suits you perfectly, and the color is lovely," Gabriel praised, trying his best to be genuine in his compliments."Didn't you notice I've gained a bit of weight?" Melanie deliberately asked as she stood by the car door."Not at all!"Gabriel dared not mention her weight gain, especially her stomach. He didn't even dare to look at it for fear of upsetting her.Melanie sighed inwardly. Well, whether she was getting thicker around the waist was something only she knew for sure.In the car
"Haha!"A burst of wild laughter erupted from the group of spoiled young men."That woman’s got curves in all the right places. As long as she's decent in bed, you could go all night with her. It's no wonder Mr. Frost is smitten and can’t take his eyes off her!"The more they talked, the more vulgar they became. Jeffrey couldn't take it any longer. He spun around and walked over, "Who are you talking about?!""Mr. Yancey!" The young heirs immediately stood up straight, wary of Jeffrey’s unpredictable expression, not daring to say more. "We weren’t saying anything...""Watch your mouths!" With a sharp glare, Jeffrey turned to leave.The most outspoken of the group clenched his fists, mustering the courage to call out after him, "We were talking about Mr. Frost and his fiancee. What's wrong, Mr. Yancey? Don't tell me you want in on the action too?"Unexpectedly, someone dared to provoke him!Jeffrey paused, then turned back with a cold, intimidating look.The others quickly aver