Melanie went to the hospital's gynecology department, registered, and then went to the restroom, not noticing the two women following her inside.After a while, just as Melanie was about to leave, she heard a woman crying outside.Someone was trying to comfort her: “Since Young Master Jefford doesn’t want it, why are you keeping the baby? Once the baby is born, how are you going to get married with a child?”Young Master Jefford?Melanie's heart skipped a beat. She had intended to open the door and leave but hesitated, choosing instead to stay inside and listen.“How could I have known Jefford would be so heartless…”The woman mentioned Jefford’s name, crying bitterly: “I didn’t want to that time, there was no protection, and I wasn’t in a safe period. I was worried I might get pregnant, but he promised me that if I did, he would marry me and give the child a happy family…”“Was it in the warehouse?” the other woman asked.“Mm…”The woman choked up, her voice breaking: “You kn
Melanie was lost in thought when suddenly, her mind urgently halted!She reminded herself that she couldn't continue like this!She shouldn't blindly accept all of Julia's claims, allowing Julia's words to cloud her judgment.Up until now, the facts she knew were that Jefford did indeed meet Julia in an outdoor warehouse, but it was orchestrated by Linda.Whether they had a relationship, whether he made promises to Julia, and whether he was now betraying those promises—these were all Julia's assertions and couldn't be taken as gospel. They needed to be critically analyzed.Furthermore, her situation differed from Julia's. That night in the overgrown grass, she and Jefford had been intimate, and she had consented. If she ended up pregnant unintentionally, she bore responsibility as well.If Jefford didn't want this child upon learning of the pregnancy, and she chose to keep it, she could raise it on her own without depending on Jefford to fulfill any obligations.With these thoug
Fashion Boutique Street.On the fifth floor of the tallest boutique building, in the shop specializing in national style dresses, Jeffrey was urgently approached by his subordinate in the concealed study room. "Sir! It's bad!"Jeffrey set down his book, furrowing his brow as he looked at him."It seems the word about your covert support for the owner of Windborough Estate may have leaked. Miss Yancey has been investigating for a while now... and recently started looking into you as well."The subordinate reported, "Our shop isn't safe anymore. We just got word that Linda's people have been secretly watching nearby... We're unsure if they've already infiltrated."Given Linda's long-standing relationship with the owner of Windborough Estate, she had been keeping him under surveillance for years, likely aware long ago that the jade ring was no longer in his possession.The elaborate investigation may be due to Linda…"Sir, we're worried your memory recovery might have been exposed.
Melanie's words were abruptly cut off as she was pulled into the man's arms, her mouth covered roughly."Mmm!"Wide-eyed with disbelief, Melanie stared at the suddenly aggressive man. "Mmm... mmm!"Why wouldn't he let her speak?What was wrong with him today?There was no smell of alcohol; why was he acting as if he had lost his mind?"I don't like waiting so long. You know I'm impatient. Let's get straight to it!"With that, Jefford flipped her over, tore off her coat, and began to pull off her skirt."Ah!"Melanie was shocked.She tried to push away the man's advances while calming herself. He didn't know she was pregnant…Last time in the hotel room, he had restrained himself because she wasn't feeling well…Seeing her now, maybe he really didn't want to hold back anymore. All she had to do was tell him she was pregnant, and that she couldn't do it…"Don't, I can't right now..."Melanie spoke intermittently, but just as her mouth was freed, the man abruptly covered it
Tears streamed down in two lines, streaking as they fell to the ground.With a loud cry, Melanie pushed away the man behind her with all her strength!"Jefford! You'll regret this!"She didn't have time to fasten her buttons, hastily picking up her coat from the ground, wrapping it tightly around her body, and fleeing the boutique.It wasn't until she entered the elevator that she let her tears flow freely.Was this still the Jefford she knew?Why would he treat her like this?Or…Had she misjudged him?Time and again, she couldn't remember how many times Jefford had disappointed her, or how many times he had touched her heart…Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced her abdomen."Ah..."Melanie groaned in pain.When she collided fiercely with Jefford just now, she had exerted all her strength, surely injuring the child…She immediately held back her tears, afraid to cry more lest her body couldn't take it…Despite trying to gather herself with all her might, Melanie's vision rem
The staff's words confirmed Melanie's suspicions.Her head was buzzing, and she felt dizzy, nearly collapsing even while seated."What happened?" Annie asked anxiously beside her."The base... caught fire... Ermin and my mom..."Melanie gripped her phone, unable to finish her sentence, and turned to William, "Quick, get the car ready...""How is Ermin?" Annie looked at Melanie, her eyes filled with tears, on the verge of crying herself. She held back, afraid her emotions would worry Melanie even more."They said... they haven't found..."Melanie closed her eyes, afraid she might collapse.In the front seat, William felt frantic. The president had just been exposed; how could something happen to the young master at the base? It couldn't be a mere coincidence…He took a deep breath, floored the accelerator, hurrying toward the research base.Upon arrival, they couldn't approach the base's gate; a cordon had been set up dozens of meters away.Fire trucks, ambulances, and rescue
"President, should I open the door?"The subordinate turned to Jeffrey for guidance.Jeffrey weakly lifted his chin. The woman's voice sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it immediately.But now that she was at the door, avoiding her wouldn't be of any use.The subordinate opened the door.The woman at the door had a seductive look, brushing past the subordinate and walking in boldly. "Master Jefford~ We agreed you'd contact me, but you made me wait so long.""Why are you here?"Jeffrey looked at the uninvited woman. She was the one Linda had introduced at the celebration, named... Yvette."I told you, I missed you so much, and when I couldn't wait for your message, I had to come see you myself. After all, in front of Master Jefford, I don't care about my dignity."Yvette twisted her graceful waist and walked over, sitting directly on Jeffrey's lap.Jeffrey immediately felt repulsed, but he clenched his teeth and endured. "It's only been a day, and you couldn't wait?""D
Upon hearing the word "bodies," Annie broke down in tears once more.William furrowed his brow, visibly perturbed, while Melanie remained stoic, staring blankly, awaiting an answer."We haven't found their bodies yet... There may still be hope that they're alive," reassured the fire chief."...Thank you," Melanie murmured, her lip bitten, the taste of blood lingering.Just then, her phone buzzed in her pocket.She tried to reach for it, but her trembling hand couldn't grasp it, just inches away…Seeing Melanie's intent through tears, Annie retrieved the phone, showing an unfamiliar number…Melanie made no move to answer, so Annie hung up.But moments later, the same number called again.Annie glanced at Melanie and answered for her.The voice on the other end uttered a single sentence, causing Annie to spring up in shock, then kneel back down, handing the phone to Melanie:"Mel, it's the professor!"Professor?Melanie's mind wrestled momentarily, then her almond eyes widen
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.