Chapter 3

Melody walked her grandfather to the party admist cheers of congratulations. He was eighty now. He walked to the celebrant's table where the members of the Wilson family sat admist important guests. The party was also thrown for people from Olivera, on the event of their impending cooperation. Melody felt dizzy and stylishly held onto her grandfather. They sat down and she looked at Arlet who was sitting beside Michael. They were just behind her. 

Amelia was there too, her uncles, aunts and cousins. They were all there with expensive gifts in their hands. No doubt trying to suck up to him. She smiled, she had a surprise for them, her grandpa was going to announce her as his successor today. She will show them that they can't get rid of her that easily. The waiters began to wheel trolleys of delicacy around as people picked their choice. Some of the food nauseated her and she wondered whether her body was feeling funny due to stress. Soon it was time to give a speech for the impending cooperation. Melody climbed the podium and presented the intended resort design, she spoke flamboyantly about the vision of the company. Her speech was concluded with resounding cheers from the guest. Her family clapped half-heartedly, except her grandfather of course. She walked towards him, but just as she reached his table she felt dizzy and collapsed.

Her grandfather was alarmed and called her cousin Remi to carry her in, while encouraging the guests to continue. He called their family doctor who rushed to check on her. He felt her pulse and frowned. He administered dextrose saline on her, took some blood samples and left. He soon came back with a grave look. "What's wrong with her?" Old Wilson asked in alarm. Doctor Robin looked at the occupants of the room wondering whether to talk or not. "Talk, we're all family here. What are you hiding?" Noah Wilson Arlet's father said in irritation. Old man Wilson sighed and nodded at the doctor, it was useless to hide whatever it was, they were already curious. Melody stirred and opened her eyes. 

"The young mistress is pregnant" "impossible" old man Wilson roared startling Melody who quickly sat up. Arlet scrunched her face in confusion, a malicious look forming on her face. She screamed staggering towards the open door. "What? Melody's pregnant?".

She shouted in her loudest voice.

 The guests close to the corridor heard her, and soon the whole room heard it. The music was turned off. "Melody, pregnant? How? Who is responsible?" She shouted again. Old man Wilson looked at her in anger, even a fool will know Arlet was intentionally telling the guests. 

"Father you can't pass the company to her. It will ruin the company image" Noah quickly said. "That's right" Charles quickly agreed, their wives nodded and stepped forward preparing to argue with the old man. Melody shivered in fear.

 "In this situation, the company is all you can think about? Leave! All of you", old Henry shouted and they left reluctantly. 

Arlet smirked in triumph, she might have failed but Melody still entered a pit. Immediately the door closed, Melody tore off the drip and knelt before her grandfather. "What happened?".

 Melody broke down in tears. "It was the day Arlet called me, she poisoned me with aphrodisiacs and set me up with a call guy hoping to film me. She said she would never let me take over the company" 

"And why are you telling me just now?. It's too late. The whole guests already heard it, the company image will be affected"

 "Am sorry grandpa. I felt ashamed"

 "of telling me you were raped? Why didn't Arlet release the tapes then?." 

"Because she didn't manage to get one, I escaped. However, the poison was too much and I ended up losing control of my mind" 

"And?" 

 "I forced myself on a man" she answered, blushing. 

"Who?"

 "I don't know. He looked rich and powerful, so I escaped once I woke up. In case he files a harassment suit on me"

"That was a foolish thing to do. You were a coward. You didn't wait to apologize. Repair what you have done. Find the man within two days, convince him to marry you. The dowry will be generous of course. If you find him and get engaged, we can cover up the incident and then pass the company to you, otherwise you're on your own".

Melody bowed down her head and sneaked away through the side entrance. She wondered how to find him with no clues. She took her bath and entered the dressing room, her eyes went to the suit. Could that be a clue?. It was a limited edition. She searched but there were records of three different Aries that bought it from the company. How can three different Aries buy it when there are only six copies? 

She sighed and picked it up. She felt something hard. Is that a business card? She brought it out. It was a platinum unlimited credit card. She turned the back and saw a name. Aries Walker. She gasped in disbelief. That Aries? She searched and behold, her beloved Aries' picture popped up looking as handsome as always. Her heart thumped madly. Impossible! The ruthless billionaire who was above the law. He was cruel, a killer. He hates loose women and gold diggers, he avoids women. He once killed a woman who tried to pin a pregnancy on him. Generous dowry? Forget the dowry the man could buy twenty Wilson corporations. And she had raped him!. He must be looking for her to kill her once he sobered up. She must escape from seattle.

***

Aries sat in his office with a glass of wine watching Melody's files and pictures. A breaking news alert came into his phone and he switched on the television. 

"The heiress to Wilson corporation was diagnosed with pregnancy. There are rumors she will be disinherited and kicked out of the company" Aries growled in anger. Was that his? 

He stood up and his hands shattered the glass cup, his assistant ran to him "Sir we just received this in a mail" Jake said giving him a parcel. He opened it and saw his credit card. "Has it been used?" "No sir, never"

 "find Melody immediately"