Reginald had four children, and the first three were sons. Gemma, being the youngest daughter, was especially favored."The young lady is indeed perceptive, immediately guessing my identity," said the young man in the white shirt as he approached. "My name is Grant.""Hello, Mr. Grant," Melanie greeted generously.Grant could not help but gaze intently into Melanie's eyes. At the same time, his face turned a bright shade of red.Earlier, when he was upstairs with no intention of coming down to entertain the guests, he happened to glimpse the woman sitting in the octagonal pavilion. She had applied light makeup, and exuded a simple elegance that seamlessly blended with the vibrant flowers around her – a true flower fairy!Grant collected himself and remembered his purpose. "May I know the young lady's name?""She is Melanie!"An unfriendly female voice came from behind them. "Mr. Grant, you'd better open your eyes wide. Today's banquet is a celebration for some, but others have u
Reginald waved his hand, and his secretary handed Eliza two copies of the printed contract. Eliza was still in a daze. She carefully went through it, fearing that there might be a mistake in the legal department's drafting, or that the price offered by Jones Enterprise was outlandish. Otherwise, why would Fowlers readily agree to sign the contract?However, after examining the contract, she became even more surprised. "Mr. Fowler, this...?"Reginald smiled generously, "Exactly. I made a slight modification to the contract. We are willing to concede two additional points from the quoted price given by Jones Enterprise to show our sincerity and gratitude.""Mr. Fowler, forgive my boldness, but may I ask why?" Eliza found the whole situation bewildering."Because your daughter saved my daughter's life!" Reginald declared loudly.Amid the astonishment of the onlookers, Gemma stepped forward and looked at Melanie earnestly. "Everyone knows about the recent incident where I was kidnap
Grace stared at Gemma in disbelief. She was reluctant to leave. "Gemma, have you thought this through? Do you realize the difference in my status compared to Melanie’s? Are you willing to offend me for her?""It was you who went out of your way to study my preferences, get close to me, and flatter me. When did I ever fear offending you?" Gemma retorted.Reginald was horrified at Grace’s words. "This is the territory of the Fowlers. Here, I decide who holds what status!""Escort them out!" Reginald loudly commanded.Lady Grace and her steward left with a resentful glance at the host.Gemma warmly linked her arm with Melanie's, smiling without restraint."You don't need to confront her so openly on my account. Her words can't harm me," Melanie said quietly.Gemma pouted. "It's not about that! You are my savior. The way she treated you, I want to expose her publicly! The more embarrassing, the better!""You're right," Melanie agreed.Reginald held his daughter's words in high reg
Stephen?Jeffrey's body tensed, skepticism etched on his furrowed brow.Melanie seized the opportunity to free herself from beneath him, protecting her chest as she argued firmly, "Regardless of the original intention, my relationship with Stephen is written on the marriage certificate. You can't do this!"Hmm.Jeffrey sat up, his chest heaving. There was a cold smirk on his furrowed face.He was truly amazed.After a pause, Jeffrey reached to the compartment in the driver's seat. He opened the drawer, pulled out a marriage certificate, and tossed it onto the back seat. His tone was ominous, "Take a good look! See who you've married to!"Melanie, uncertain of his intentions, picked up the marriage certificate and opened it for the first time. Her eyes widened.So, she was married to Jeffrey? Not Stephen?"Disappointed?" Jeffrey clicked his seatbelt into place, sneering.Melanie stared blankly.So, she had misunderstood.Her husband was Jeffrey—the man she initially slept wi
"Quite unfortunate timing. I just got back, and you're nowhere to be found," the voice on the other end teased."Why did you come back?" Jeffrey's brow furrowed again."I heard when the landslide happened, you risked your life to protect her. Did that woman put a spell on you? Shouldn't you have let her get crushed by those boulders?" The voice on the phone was sinister and eerie."Can you bear to let her die?" Jeffrey coldly countered, "She's the only link to Emma in this world!""She's the one who took Emma's life! Why should I keep her alive?" The person on the other end grew agitated, roaring in anger.Ignoring the raging voice on the phone, Jeffrey quickly regained his composure, "It seems we've never wanted the same things. I just want the truth from back then and make those involved pay!""Hah hah hah!"The person on the other end of the phone chuckled darkly. "Who would have thought the decisive President Morgan would turn into such a worrier!""Being decisive doesn't m
Melanie noticed John sitting confidently in the front row, intentionally provoking her with a challenging gaze. Undoubtedly, he was planning to trip her up later.Aware of the enemies around her, Melanie felt defenseless. She could only be extremely cautious.While she remained vigilant, a crisp voice beside her said, "Melanie! What are you worried about?"Melanie turned to see Gemma. "Gemma? Why are you here?""Heard you're going to give a speech later. I thought I'd join the fun," Gemma said, glancing around. "If you need any help, just let me know. I didn't come alone today."Gemma gestured towards a group of black-clad bodyguards not far away.Melanie smirked, "You might actually be helpful today.""That's great!" Gemma seemed surprisingly eager.Melanie felt helpless. Was Gemma hoping that she would be ambushed?She whispered a few words to Gemma, who stared intently at John on one side and then glanced back at Daniel's bulky figure. Gemma assured her, "Don't worry, I'l
Eaton had prepared such a lengthy speech. Without the teleprompter, what was he supposed to say?Even if he could manage to improvise some generic phrases, he had so many partners in the audience today that he would need to thank individually. How could he remember the names of so many companies?How dare that White Group do this!Just a few days ago, Jacob White himself had personally visited, repeatedly requesting the association to give the White Group another chance. Eaton had softened his stance, but he never expected them to be so incompetent. They could not even handle such a simple task!Embarrassed and angry, Eaton's face turned beet red. At this moment, Melanie calmly stood next to him and said, "Chairman, please come with me to the co-host's podium to address everyone!"Eaton looked puzzled, and there was a trace of obvious panic in his eyes. However, Melanie's smile was resolute. Eaton could only follow her.It wasn't until they reached the co-host's podium that
Eaton Pagemaker emphasized the word "thank". He turned angrily to John. "Mr. White, could you use your brain before trying to frame someone?""What do you mean, Chairman?" John was bewildered by the unexpected turn of events."What do I mean?" Eaton was infuriated. "Before the summit, my secretary emphasized to you multiple times that my speech was crucial, involving sponsors and foreign partners who have supported us for years! And you, at a critical moment, didn't even have a working teleprompter! Is this your idea of a successful summit that you assured me of repeatedly?""That's impossible," John protested, fidgeting. "The teleprompter was fixed before you went on stage!""From your implication, are you saying that you knew the teleprompter was malfunctioning while I was on stage?" Melanie seized on John's slip of the tongue.John suddenly found himself in a very awkward position.Eaton sighed repeatedly, admonishing with hands behind his back, "Mr. White, when I handed over
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.