Melody was completely unaware of the resentful stare behind her.With a bright grin on her face, she said to Leroy, "I saw your performance. You've done quite well for a newbie. I'm so proud of you."For Leroy, obtaining Melody's recognition was what he desired most.Recognition from her was the finest of all rewards. The clapping and cheers from the audience below the stage paled in comparison to her compliment.The young man flushed and continued, "I was always worried about embarrassing you, but thankfully, everything went smoothly.""Have faith in yourself. You'll get better every time," Melody advised.Noticing his creased collar, she smoothed it out, remarking, "These shawl lapel suits always tend to fold."Melody brought a delicate, sweet aroma with her as she leaned in closer. Leroy was momentarily sidetracked.But it was a painful sight for Albert, for Melody rarely got this close to him.His emotions toward Leroy were conflicted, ranging from mentorly pride to a sour
Melody, of course, would not resist Andrew's kind offer.She extended her hand and lifted her skirt gracefully to return a curtsy, replying, "Certainly."They had frequently engaged in "princess and prince" role-playing games when they were younger. Andrew always did his best to take care of her. Dancing with him now, she felt a sense of ease and joy.Melody was well-versed in dancing but had not had the opportunity to display her skills until now.Andrew's dance moves were effortless and elegant.As Melody spun, her skirt billowed out elegantly.Everyone's attention was drawn to the wonderfully synchronized couple."Wait a minute, who is that? How could she possibly dance with Andrew?""I don't know. She's so lovely. Why haven't I met her before?""Some might not know her, but she's the Nolan family heiress, head of Nolan Enterprise, and has strong ties with the Carters."Phoebe, observing this scene, had nothing but admiration for Melody's striking beauty, acknowledging tha
"Nat, I can't thank you enough for this opportunity. Albert not only signed for me but did it in person!" Jacqueline excitedly gripped Natasha's hand, shaking it vigorously.Natasha, unable to conceal her satisfaction, boasted, "Oh, it was nothing for my brother. Alright, if you've seen enough, let's go. It's too stuffy here. It's not nearly as enjoyable as being outside."As they chatted their way out through the corridor, they stumbled upon an elegant figure.Jacqueline, momentarily awestruck, exclaimed, "Wow, is she a model? She looks amazing."Natasha, squinting critically, scoffed, "A model? More like a country bumpkin!"It was Melody, clad in a stunning, high-end YesLaurent vintage gown, the same dress Natasha had desperately wanted but could not obtain, no matter the cost.Seeing the dress she had longed for being flaunted by Melody and remembering Melody's past manipulation of her grandfather, Natasha's resentment deepened.As they crossed paths, Natasha deliberately b
"Mel, you're here." Albert, in the midst of removing his makeup, greeted Melody and offered her a chair, saying, "Ignore that nutcase. Have some water instead."Observant as always, Leroy handed her a cup of tea, cautioning, "Be careful, it's quite hot."As they both wiped away their makeup, their resemblance, particularly in the lower half of their faces, became more apparent.Melody, a bit surprised, commented, "You've been a good mentor to Leroy. He's picking up some of your mannerisms."Leroy looked down shyly, responding modestly, "I can't really compare to Albert. I'd be happy to be even a fraction as talented as he is."With amusement at his modesty, Albert said, "Kid, you've got a way with words. In time, you'll develop your own style," he patted him on the shoulder. "Don't rush anything."When Melody saw how well they were getting along, she nodded and said, "I'm glad to see you both..."She paused suddenly, furrowing her brow.Albert, concerned, asked, "What's up, M
"Mel?"Albert's concerned voice snapped Melody out of her reverie.He worried that Melody was frightened and asked, "What's wrong? Are you okay?"Melody shook her head, attempting to dismiss his worries. "I'm fine. It's nothing."But before she could elaborate, Luna and Levian called out to her from a distance, "Mel!"They had been searching and finally found her.Levian rushed toward her, his face filled with concern. He paid no mind to Leroy and Albert near her, instead focusing on examining Melody."Are you hurt? Did it scare you? Let me check you over!" he insisted.Melody, slightly overwhelmed, waved off his fussing, "I'm okay, really. You're making my head spin.""Alright, alright, I'll stop," Levian, who cherished his sister deeply, immediately eased his grip on her.After a brief moment, he turned to the two men beside her and said, "And you guys are fine too, right?"Albert raised an eyebrow, somewhat amused that Levian finally acknowledged them. He assured him, "We
In the days that followed, Talia became a constant presence in Christopher's life.Whenever he contemplated leaving, the sight of Talia's distressed and vulnerable expression made him reconsider.Observing his indecision and eventual yielding, Talia secretly rejoiced in her heart.The advice of her aunt was sound. As long as he owed her a great debt, she would be able to count on his pity and sympathy to secure her position.Christopher was the type who could be persuaded with reason. Talia realized she had been too eager and desperate earlier.Now she resolved to use this chance to reshape her image in his eyes."Here's your meal. Eat up." Christopher said as he placed a container of food beside her bed before stepping out to make a phone call.Talia discovered her favorite dishes in the container, feeling reassured of the special place she held in his heart.In the hallway, Christopher instructed Luke over the phone, "I'll be tied up here for a few more days. You'll find the
Levian teased, "What's up with the baby face, Irwin? Still not grown up, eh?"Irwin responded with a laugh, "Guess I should take that as a compliment to my youthful looks!""Shhh, go away! How brazen are you?"After their light-hearted exchange, Irwin shifted to a more serious tone, "What do you need, boss?"Melody spoke quietly, "I've got a lead on that incident from three years ago."The mention of the cruise ship incident visibly affected Irwin, creating a shared trauma between him and Melody. He questioned, "What have you found?"Melody replied, "All signs are pointing to a small island down south. I'm planning a personal visit."She tapped on the desk thoughtfully, instructing, "Set aside your work for the time being. Make sure the company is closely monitored while I'm gone. Notify me of any big issues, and take care of the minor ones on your own."A big problem was any major incident that could impact the company's standing. This instruction granted Irwin considerable po
Christopher struggled to find an appropriate topic to break the awkward silence as Melody leaned beside the window alone, deep in her thoughts."Aren't you cold?" he asked out of nowhere.His effort to lighten the mood seemed to go unnoticed, as Melody did not respond nor acknowledge his question.Thinking she might not have heard him, Christopher refrained from pressing the matter. He took off his jacket to put it over her.Melody then faced him with a slight frown, clarifying, "I'm not cold."Her irritation grew as she reflected on how attentively Christopher had been, looking after Talia in the hospital, a stark contrast to his behavior during their marriage.She had experienced her fair share of pains and illnesses while they were still married, but this man was constantly preoccupied with work and paid little attention to her.Natasha and Olivia had mocked her instead of showing compassion. Only Jonathan showed sensitivity, occasionally cooking her a warm soup.It became d