Albert made an effort to conceal his emotions.He replied nonchalantly, "You mentioned the man in your dream looks like me. Surely he has the looks of a model. Is he someone you know?""I can't say I know him," Melody replied, her brow furrowing slightly as she revisited the memory of her dream. "He appeared to be a hacker, and he was teaching me hacking skills in the dream."Things that Albert had carefully hidden were suddenly revealed. His eyes locked onto Melody in a way that was intense and filled with complexity.Noticing his prolonged silence, Melody looked up and prompted, "Hmm?"Their eyes met, and Albert quickly had his expression under control.He cracked a casual smile as though nothing had happened."Oh, it's nothing. I was just wondering why you'd dream of someone who looks like me."Leaning in a little closer, he winked playfully and teased her, "Perhaps I've been on your mind a little too much?"Melody burst into laughter at his remark, extending her hand pla
Melody was taken by surprise when Christopher abruptly shoved something into her arms.Instinctively, she reached out to grab them, causing the bracelet on her wrist to catch and reflect the sunlight.Christopher's face grew even darker.He stared at Melody intently, his eyes filled with complex emotions resembling turbulent waters in the deep sea.In the end, he chose to remain silent and left quickly, seemingly unwilling to stay longer.Melody exchanged a bewildered glance with Amelia.She stood there, utterly baffled, and found herself at a loss for words for quite some time.'Did he just wish me a happy birthday? He came all the way here, not to start a fight, but to give me a gift?'She remembered noticing a stain on Christopher's shoes as he turned his back to her, which only deepened her astonishment.A man of Christopher's stature who frequented upscale establishments would undoubtedly have his clothing meticulously maintained by professionals. It was unimaginable fo
The butler, who had not had the chance to speak until now, finally found an opening to interject.Franz cautiously suggested, "Perhaps he has come to realize his debt to you and is attempting to make amends."Andrew's expression turned colder as he retorted, "An expensive piece of embroidery can never make up for the pain Mel has suffered. He thinks he can make amends now? It's way too late for that!"Levian, recalling the difficult times Melody had faced while with the Boltons, angrily concurred, "Right, his gifts mean nothing. Even a hundred beatings wouldn't suffice to quell my anger! Money can't heal the emotional scars. He's so full of himself!"Melody carefully put away the embroidery. She placed it back in the box and calmly said to Franz, "Scars are not that easy to heal. After all, gifts are just lifeless objects."However, Melody paused abruptly as she stowed the embroidery, her eyes catching sight of some bloodstains on the other box. Her heart raced as she swiftly pi
Time seemed to slip away quickly, and soon enough, Amelia's vacation came to an end.Franz, who was assisting her in packing up, noticed her tears. He had grown from disliking her to feeling sorry for her."What's the matter?" he gently asked.Amelia, silently wiping away her tears, chose not to respond.She had found comfort and familial affection with the time she spent with Melody, something her own home had never provided her. The feelings were foreign to her.Observing her distress, Franz decided to inform Melody, "Ms. Nolan, Ms. Amelia seems a bit upset."Setting aside what she was doing, Melody immediately went to Amelia's room.Upon seeing Melody, Amelia rushed forward and embraced her tightly, her voice breaking as she called out, "Mel."Melody, with a gentle pat on her head, offered words of comfort, "It's okay, my dear."Looking up, her face streaked with tears, Amelia voiced her sadness. "I don't want to leave you. Why does the school have to start again so soon? So
Misty was a lovely young lady with an angular face and fair skin. Her eyes were especially captivating; they seemed to shimmer and communicate on their own under the dim lighting.Christopher was slightly inebriated, his thoughts fuzzy and his face etched with confusion. His brain had shut down at this time, and he did not give any thought to why Melody was there.His entire being craved for her and was completely under her spell."You…Why are you...?"Misty assumed he was referring to her identity and responded with a gentle smile, "It appears that you recognize me. What a happy coincidence."Alcohol swept away his sense of reason, making the world seem surreal to him.The woman he had incessantly dreamed about seemed to be standing right before him.Christopher's gaze was intense as he studied the woman in front of him. His deep, dark eyes were filled with tenderness and warmth, momentarily catching Misty off guard and making her heart flutter."You..."Even Misty, who was u
The darkness of night had settled in, and Melody, having spent the entire day immersed in work, was just about to retire for the night when her phone rang unexpectedly.It was Luke on the other end.Curiosity filled her as she wondered why he would be calling at such a late hour."What's going on? Why are you calling so late?" she inquired.To her surprise, Luke's voice was overwhelmed with anxiety and sadness as he hurriedly explained, "Mr. Bolton is critically injured and his life is in danger. I didn't dare to inform Master Bolton. Could you please come to the hospital immediately?""That can't be," Melody said, interrupting him calmly. "I'm aware of his abilities. There aren't many in Bayridge who could take him down."Luke, frantic and desperate, almost jumped up. He stated, "I'm telling the truth! Mr. Bolton was drinking tonight. If you don't believe me, I can send you a picture right now!"True to his word, a photo soon arrived.In the picture, that dashing man had his e
Not wanting Melody to leave, Luke promptly intercepted her, his expression earnest as he bawled frantically, "Please, Ms. Nolan! Isn't it too soon to leave?! I-If Mr. Bolton wakes up… H-His life is at stake!"And it was so difficult to bring her here!"I'll be back," Melody explained exasperatedly. "I'm just getting my laptop from my car, since there's nothing I can use here. Do you really have to start bawling?""R-Really?" Luke asked, afraid to let go.Melody frowned. "Why would I lie to you?!"Seeing the dark look on her face, Luke gingerly released her and watched as she left, yelling after her, "Please come back soon, Ms. Nolan!"He thought then that this was all he could do for Christopher.-Once Melody reached her car, she took out the laptop from its bag, turned it on, and inserted the USB drive in one swift stroke.Her fingers danced over the keyboard with astonishing speed as her expression turned solemn like never before—this matter concerned Christopher's life, an
Luke was overjoyed. "Perfect timing, Ms. Nolan! Mr. Bolton has just woken up, and I just poured him a drink. The doctor said he's fine, but should stay for observation since he suffered a concussion and other abdominal injuries…"Melody looked at Christopher coolly. "Did the doctor mention any lasting effects?""No…" Luke replied.Oh? It seemed that this was possible after all—the missus still cared!Feeling buoyed and keen not to impose while the couple were making up, Luke whipped out his phone, pretending to text before saying, "Sir, there's trouble at the office so I have to take a look. Take your time, get better soon—call me if you need me." "Yeah," Christopher replied quietly, and Luke fled out of the door immediately.Once he closed the door and left Melody alone with Christopher, they were left staring at each other in a weird silence.Christopher was wearing a blue and white striped patient gown. With his lips that were pale from blood loss, he appeared strangely vuln