"Mr. Smith."Melanie turned around and greeted the approaching Mr. Smith."Is it really you, Melanie?" Mr. Smith asked with a surprised smile on his face. "If I'd known you were here, I'd have invited you to the opening. I thought you'd be busy with your family business in Harbor City."However, Melanie could not bring herself to laugh. "This photo…""What's the matter?" Mr. Smith looked at the photo in front of them. His pupils turned dim. "Do you recognize him?"This meant Melanie really did know the person in the photograph."Is he Nathan Quinn?"After connecting the dots based on the title of the photograph, Melanie asked the question that bugged her.Mr. Smith had a complicated look on his face. He smiled awkwardly before replying. "That's right."Melanie subconsciously rubbed her fingers together. Her palms became slightly sweaty. She never knew that Mr. Smith and Nathan were acquainted. It seemed their relationship was… Rather unusual…"It's all in the past…" Mr. Smith
After returning to the York family's residence, Melanie saw nobody around and locked herself in her room.Her mind was in a mess right now. She did not want to waste her energy dealing with anyone in the family.During her absence from Medonia, Leo seemed to have fully gained Yelena's trust. She could not turn to Yelena directly for help.The York family had eyes everywhere, and the next few days were only going to get harder.Melanie was staying here alone. Her two babies had barely taken shape in her belly.With heavy footsteps, Melanie changed her clothes and went to take a shower.She intentionally lingered in the bathroom. Once she felt better, she made her way out. However, when she was drying her hair, she felt a breeze brushing against her. Surprised, she looked to the balcony.Did she not close the French door?The York family's maids would always close the doors and windows after cleaning up. Melanie frowned and sensed something was amiss. Right then, she heard a nois
"Me?" Melanie seemed even more confused.She had never thought of herself as an heir or anything…Back when Joseph tested her, Professor Turner also mentioned that she was actually one of the York family's heirs. She just never thought of herself that way."I know you've never thought about it, but these are unusual times. Since the two other heirs do not hold space for you, you can only protect yourself by becoming the heir," Jeffrey explained.Melanie took a deep breath. She turned to look at the man with a clear mind. "Not only can I protect myself, but I can also protect you, can't I?""Whatever you say." Jeffrey felt a little helpless.She was adamant about him being heartless. Regardless of how he helped to analyze her situation, she would think he was doing it for himself.Melanie did not care. She started analyzing things logically. "Being an heir to the York family didn't use to matter to me, but now… I'll slowly accept this fact. I'm not sure if the family is against f
"Go ahead," Jeffrey said before hiding under the bed.Melanie took a deep breath and opened the door."It's getting late. What's up?" She asked.Leo smiled while he stood at her door. He seemed spotless. "I heard you weren't feeling well after getting back. I came to check on you.""Oh, I'm fine. It's probably jet lag." Melanie tried to keep a smile on her face."That's good to hear. Don't work too hard." Leo's smile seemed genuine. "Grandpa just woke up. He asked to see you when he found out you came. Are you free to drop by for a visit?""Sure," Melanie replied eagerly.Leo's eyes flickered. He looked past her and into the room. "It's dark outside. Why didn't you close the window?"Melanie looked at the French door that was slightly ajar. "I'll close it now. Give me a second." With that, she turned around and closed the window. She was ready to see Joseph with Leo.However, while leaving the room, she noticed Leo staring at the spot underneath her bed.From this angle, the
Melanie quickly handed Joseph more water. "It's my fault. Let's not talk about this…" She said."I'm asleep longer than I'm awake. I don't have a lot of opportunities to chat. Some things need to be explained clearly," Joseph said.He then looked at her. His tone became serious. "I signed an extended contract with you. Even after I'm gone, I hope you'll do your best for the York family's century-old perfume business.""The York family's century-old business tagline sells better than countless promotions. Even if it's only for the sake of Jones Enterprise, I'd do my best. Rest assured," Melanie said bluntly."Good."Joseph nodded."You once said that I have a say in the choice of your heir. Does that still hold true?" Melanie asked directly."Yeah."He nodded again. "What's the matter? Have you changed your mind?""Do you think there's a candidate I've always supported?""Isn't there?"Joseph narrowed his eyes. Leo had come with Melanie a while ago. Besides, Harlow tried to g
After seeing Joseph, Melanie returned to her empty room.She recalled the cautious look in Leo's eyes. She immediately retrieved a big luggage from the closet. After filling it with some notes and medical records, she shoved it under the bed.She barely slept throughout the night.At three in the morning, she was woken up by the stuffy feeling in her chest once again. She turned on the bedside lamp and quietly studied the notes on hypnosis for an hour. When she finally felt sleepy again, she put down her notes and nodded off.The next morning, she woke up on time for breakfast with Yelena. Before leaving her room, she intentionally left her phone behind.Melanie went downstairs.Before she made it to the dining room on the first floor, she pretended to have recalled something. She turned around and returned to her room.There was a flustered maid inside her room when she opened the door. "Miss… Miss Jones… Why are you back here?" She stuttered while standing cluelessly in the ro
However, it was too late.In the next second, Melanie could feel she was losing consciousness…She had uncontrollably handed it over to someone else.The last thing she felt was her body going limp. She was paralyzed in the arms of an unknown person..Not knowing if it was caused by hypnosis or if it was a real sensation, she fell peacefully asleep…-Jeffrey carried Melanie into the salon's lounge. He encountered three burly men. "Master Jefford, please hand Miss Jones over to us!""Who are you people?" Jeffrey frowned. He was not letting go."We are Mr. Castillo's men. He deployed us in advance to ensure Miss Jones' safety," they answered.Melanie had not only informed Jeffrey. She had also informed Hank…Jeffrey's heart clenched. He was not the only one in her heart after all."When did you guys get the assignment?" He asked.Hank had specifically instructed that Jefford was allowed to be around Melanie. He was not the enemy. Hence, the bodyguards were not hostile to him.
Suddenly, Jeffrey touched Melanie's waist.She curled up in his arms. The curve of her lower abdomen forced him to pull away.She was pregnant…He could not go any further…"Erk-hem."Jeffrey cleared his already hoarse throat. "The sun is rising. The clock is ringing. You should get up…"He looked greedily at Melanie as he said this.He knew that once she opened her eyes, their relationship would change completely…For the sake of her body, he needed to do this.Melanie's eyes gradually opened. When she saw the man in front of her was the same man she had just dreamed of, she suddenly felt content."Jefford…" She subconsciously called out his name in a tender voice."Hmm?" He responded softly in return.She snuggled into his arms. Suddenly, she was blushing.Was she… Having a wet dream?It felt so real…She could remember his every move and kiss. She also… Didn't want it to stop…His face was only two inches away. She could see his stubble clearly. When he breathed, his
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.