"Melanie, can we talk privately?" Wenona, along with her assistant, walked toward a less crowded area backstage. Melanie hesitated but followed. "Surprised?" Wenona turned to face Melanie. Standing at 5'9", Wenona was tall. Now that she was wearing heels, she was a head taller than Melanie. Despite Wenona’s strong presence, her smug expression was nauseating and unrefined. "Did you ever think, Melanie, that one day I could be the finale guest?" "Why not? I remember your skills," Melanie replied honestly. Mentioning the past seemed to agitate Wenona even more. "Really? You knew how good I was back then? Then why do I remember being benched all the time?" "Seems like you were too busy playing on your phone during meetings." Melanie remained confident and spoke calmly. "Back then, I emphasized to everyone that the company's resources were limited. Each person would be allocated resources according to their level, and then based on each person’s performance, their level w
"You were born a rich heiress! You hold resources and can control others' resources! Even Lena and Bryan, who hate you so much, have to fear and plot against you! Why? Just because of your background?!" Wenona hissed at Melanie, her surgically altered face twisted with anger. "Heh," Melanie scoffed. "What are you laughing at?" Wenona's expression grew even more twisted. "I thought I had done you wrong back then to make you hate me, but it turns out it's because of this..." Melanie shook her head helplessly. "If all you can see is filth and darkness, then no one can save you." She turned to leave, but Wenona stepped forward and said, "Even if you didn't die, it doesn't matter! The men you love either betray you or disappear and die! I don't believe you can live a good life!" Melanie paused and turned to look at the vicious Wenona. She suddenly felt sorry for her. The one living a miserable life was actually Wenona. Living with a mindset like that was like living in the gutter.
After the models for the first two designers walked the runway, it was Derrick's turn to present his collection as the second last designer. Derrick was being interviewed backstage. He briefly explained the theme of his collection, where he designed seven series of outfits to illustrate the concept of "emotion." This included not only romantic love but also other feelings. Derrick also extended the concept further to encompass emotions like joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, each represented by a different series of outfits. He added an element of suspense, asking the audience to look forward to the final model's outfit, which he said embodied his deepest emotions. When the interviewer asked Derrick if the last emotion was fatherly love, Derrick nodded and said, "It's the wedding dress I designed for her." The audience was immediately intrigued. Though Derrick's daughter had passed away, causing him immense grief, he hadn't used this for publicity after his comeback last ye
Behind the camera, hidden behind the curtain, Wenona reluctantly loosened her tightly clenched hands. Her fingernails had been digging into her palms, making them swollen and red. She gritted her teeth maliciously, staring fixedly through the gap in the curtain at the big screen. She hadn't misheard earlier. Melanie turned out to be Derrick's guest model, and she even closed the show, wearing the wedding dress designed by Derrick for his daughter. Moreover, the applause from the audience was all for Melanie. She could hardly believe it! "Wenona, it's almost your turn!" her agent lifted the curtain and reminded her. Wenona was full of embarrassment and anger. She had just been boasting in front of Melanie, saying... "You said earlier that Melanie’s request to walk for Miss Yancey was rejected, right? How did this happen?" Wenona questioned her agent with wide eyes. "I heard it from Miss Yancey's staff, okay?" The agent explained helplessly and reminded her, "You need t
The fashion show was about to end. Usually, each designer and their models would take the stage together to bid farewell at the end of the fashion show, but this time, the audience had to wait a bit longer. When the host finally took the stage, he said, "The organizers have specially prepared a segment called Fantasy Collaboration for everyone tonight. It's been a decade since the reclusive Mr. Lynch and our busy Miss Yancey last collaborated." A large screen on the stage lit up, projecting images of Derrick and Linda backstage. "Tonight, Mr. Lynch showcased a women's wear collection, and coincidentally, Linda showcased a men's wear collection. The models of both designers can perfectly complement each other and present to you an unexpected but undoubtedly brilliant performance!" "I wonder what you both think?" The host looked toward the large screen behind. On the big screen, Derrick and Linda were both smiling. Melanie blinked, recalling what she had told Jefford earlie
Jeffrey understood immediately that Wenona had been waiting for this. Linda raised an eyebrow but still maintained a polite smile on her face. "That's not possible. Jefford is going to walk the finale with the female models from Mr. Derrick's side..." "You have the power to decide, right?" Wenona didn't want to give up the chance to get close to Jefford. "If Mr. Yancey and I go up together later, Melanie can only watch from the sidelines..." Linda's eyes narrowed slightly. Normally, she wouldn't care about the petty behavior of a female model trying to climb the social ladder, but now was a crucial moment for her to test the relationship between Jefford and Melanie. This foolish woman wanted to play the game of marrying into a wealthy family; it was really disgraceful! Linda smiled a fake smile. "Wenona, you must be tired. Go and rest!" With that, Linda left without looking back. Wenona stood alone beside Jeffrey, feeling awkward. At this moment, some of the models in
"If you think I'm not as professional or as beautiful as you, why don't we have a competition?" Melanie calmly suggested. Wenona took the bait. She glared at Melanie, waiting for her to say more. "Since you also changed into women's clothing, and it's also a wedding dress, why don't you walk the runway after me? We’ll let the audience decide," Melanie said. "Do you think I'm afraid? I'm the national goddess!" Wenona said confidently. Although this segment wasn't arranged by Linda, Wenona was the most high-profile model in the show. As long as she seized the opportunity to step on stage, the organizers wouldn't dare to say anything. They would even be happy for her to make more appearances! Wenona was quite sure of this. Seeing Wenona getting worked up as expected, Melanie smirked. She was satisfied with herself. Beside them, Jeffrey watched Melanie's face, knowing that she was setting a trap for Wenona. But this leopardess only bit the wicked. He only had to wait for the
After the balloons burst, they splattered a considerable amount of liquid.Although it couldn't be seen from below the stage, Melanie and Jeffrey on stage could see it clearly.The floor suddenly became slippery, and not just a little.Two steps forward, Jeffrey felt the soles of his shoes begin to slip!Though he managed to stabilize his steps, trying to tread firmly with each step, the external force was simply beyond his control.Instinctively, he glanced at Melanie, noting that she too had slowed her pace. Thankfully, she walked much more steadily than he did.At least he could take some comfort in that…But just as he turned his head to look straight ahead, he took a step forward with his left foot and suddenly stepped on the water marks left by the balloon explosion!Splash!In that moment, he lost control, his long legs instantly slipping out from under him, and he fell down!Meanwhile, Melanie, who still held his arm, quickly withdrew it, standing straight up as if no
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.