Melody did not immediately head upstairs when they arrived at the hospital. Lucas spent some time with her downstairs for a stroll to help her digestion. She indulged herself with a few extra pieces earlier because of the rather plain food she had been eating recently, so she ended up feeling a little uneasy as a result."You can always have some more next time. Why'd you have to eat so much at once and make yourself feel bloated?" Upon seeing her discomfort, Lucas contemplated asking the doctor to prescribe her some medicine.Melody rolled her eyes at him. "Couldn't you see how happy Grandma was when she saw me enjoying my food? I finally get the chance to go home, and seeing them being so welcoming to me helps a lot in improving my appetite.""Are you implying that you tend to lose your appetite when I'm the only one around?" Lucas gritted his teeth, feeling a little irked that she did not seem to appreciate how challenging it was to take care of her amid his busy schedule.Melod
Lucas was relieved too. He had been genuinely concerned about Melody's health, often to the point of ensuring that Lynette prepared only the most nutritious and nourishing food for her. Realizing that her vital signs were all within normal range, his anxieties were finally eased.Melody packed her belongings eagerly and was determined to do so without letting Lucas intervene. He watched fondly as she busied herself, though he did not realize he was looking at her that way, and neither did she.Even though Melody was finally able to return home, Melody could not shake off her concerns about how long Thalia might stay at the Riveras. Beatrice's reassurance the previous day had served to remind her that Thalia never ended up with Lucas despite their shared history and memories. Buoyed by this thought, Melody was willing to give it a shot at winning Lucas's heart.Beatrice's supportive words brought a smile to Melody's face, and Lucas—who caught a glimpse of it in the rearview mirror—re
"You'll one day find a husband who genuinely loves you, so don't worry. These things can't be rushed," Beatrice added.Thalia hugged Beatrice's arm affectionately and said, "Gee, I wonder if I'd be able to experience the same care on concern from you that Melody receives? I've always felt a sense of kindness and warmth from you ever since the day I first met you. It makes me feel homely, and it has only deepened during my stay here. You and Grandpa Cedric are such a joy to be with. I feel close to you in my heart, but I'm worried that you won't feel the same way with me..."Beatrice did not wish to engage in such small talk when she was eagerly awaiting her granddaughter-in-law's return. She gently patted Thalia's hand and removed it from her arm. "Your future husband's grandparents will adore you, too."Cedric ignored the entire conversation. Thalia was trying to overstep her boundaries. She could never measure up to Melody regardless of how much Thalia tried. Unsure of how to resp
Lucas glanced over and did not seem bothered that Thalia remained at the door of the house. He was holding a small luggage bag filled mostly with Melody's belongings and only about two or three sets of clothes. When Thalia extended her hand to take it, he skillfully avoided her and handed it to the servant who had come to assist him. "It's too heavy. You won't be able to lift it."Thalia pouted and expressed some sympathy for him. "Why do your grandparents seem more interested in Melody's well-being, rather than yours? They didn't even wait to welcome you. It saddens me a little, actually."Lucas did not understand why Thalia felt saddened by that. He came home at least once every two days, and his grandparents were likely not that excited to see him around. Besides, there was no point for either of them to stand at the gate and brave the cold wind. His grandparents were old, and Melody had just recovered too.He considered Thalia to be a bit sensitive, but he chose not to dwell on
Beatrice had prepared so much delicious food to welcome Melody home, which delighted Melody very much. Lucas went to sit beside Melody, while Cedric and Beatrice took the main seats. Thalia somehow decided to sit next to Lucas.Everyone else simply pretended not to notice when she did that. Lucas found it a bit odd, but he did not seem aware that she had a scheming expression.Melody relished the meal, as did everyone else. Thalia was the only one who did not eat much. After dinner, Lucas brought Melody up to the second floor. Thalia glared fiercely at them, all while failing to notice Beatrice standing beside her."Are you busy right now, Miss Thalia?"Thalia snapped out abruptly from her trance and exchanged the malicious expression on her face for a more innocent one. "What's the matter, Grandma Beatrice? Weren't you going to rest? I'm not busy right now..."Beatrice no longer feigned a smile in front of her. "Perfect. Then come with me. I have something I'd like to discuss wit
"But Grandma Beatrice, I have no idea what you're talking about! I didn't return to the country just to spend more time with Lucas. I'm doing it for my future too. I've been abroad for many years now, and I know that Molomia isn't home for me."Here is where I feel a sense of belonging. Are you going to deny me this too?" Thalia spoke with tears streaming down her face. She portrayed a pitiable image, but Beatrice frowned when Thalia hinted at having no family."The Riveras are grateful to your sister for what happened in the past, but my stance has been clear from the beginning. You can repay our family in any way you want, but you can't do so by marrying Lucas."You agreed to that, so I'm wondering why you'd have a change of heart now. Lucas flew to Molomia every year, and I turned a blind eye to avoid making too big of a fuss over things. Your sister may be his benefactor, but you're not. Don't exploit her kindness. I don't appreciate it, and neither would Lucas."Thalia's expre
Beatrice frowned at Thalia's remark. Lucas had probably never seen her act that petulantly before."Did you think I was worried that you'd come between them? I'm not. I just don't want their life as a young couple to be ruined by someone with ulterior motives. Have you ever considered that one day I might tell Lucas what you just told me?"Thalia's excuse was to repay her sister's kindness, and while the Riveras did owe her sister—who was a genuinely good person—for saving Lucas, Thalia was not like her sister at all! Their characters were polar opposites!To make things worse, Thalia had talked back against Beatrice, who simply found the situation rather amusing.Thalia wiped away her tears, feeling aggrieved. "You can go ahead and tell Lucas everything. I don't care. But I won't leave until Lucas tells me to." She was confident that Lucas would not chase her away even if Beatrice conveyed everything to him. After all, she had no one else to rely on in the country and Lucas was th
Lucas noticed Thalia's certainty and it seemed as though she had overheard someone criticizing her."It'll be fine. If anyone talks behind your back, just let me know. I won't let anyone make you feel uncomfortable," Lucas assured her.His earlier hesitation in inviting Thalia seemed justified, as he felt that it was more difficult to keep an eye on her if she stayed elsewhere. He simply needed to care for her as long as she was there, and all of that would be over once she returned to Molomia in a few days.Thalia's eyes turned red, and she seemed reluctant to stay there. "I know I've already caused you a lot of trouble, and it wouldn't be good to continue putting this burden on you. I'm willing to stay on my own outside! I'll be fine, I promise!""No. Your health isn't exactly good, and it wouldn't be ideal for you to live alone outside!" Lucas frowned, realizing the severity of the situation.Beatrice and Melody came in while chatting happily with each other, and they were star
Sherman could not help but feel fearful when he recalled the incident.Rita gently smoothed his furrowed brow. "I knew you'd come to rescue me, just like all the times you did. I love you, Sherman."Previously, Rita confessed her love to him when she was groggy. At this moment, however, she was clearly awake, even sporting a faint smile on her face as she confessed.Sherman immediately blushed. "I love you, too."Rita did not stay long in the hospital; she quickly returned to the Parr family's mansion. Just as Sherman's grandparents had said, Rita did not have any major injuries, so there was no need for her to stay in the hospital that long. In fact, she might even recover faster emotionally under the care at home.Not once did Sherman bring up Rita's job, but she surprisingly resigned from New Capital Times on her own accord. It would be difficult for her to investigate cases with her current condition; not to mention Sherman had handed over the evidence to the police. The polic
"Sherman, I like you. I love you," Rita finally confessed.Sherman, deeply pained, pulled Rita into his arms. "This is all my fault. I should've looked for you quicker. I've never blamed you. All I want is to see you smile. It's enough for me as long as you're willing to let me stay by your side."You don't have to confess to me. I know it's hard for you to do that because of your family. I've seen the way they've treated you, and…"The bodyguards who had barged in with Sherman felt a bit awkward to see their company president in tears. However, the priority was to get Rita to the hospital for a check-up. Being tied up for hours could cause circulation issues, and it could be dangerous if her limbs did not regain feelings soon.In the end, they got the bravest among them to convince Sherman to let them take Rita to the hospital. Instead of letting them do it, Sherman wiped away his tears and, with ease, lifted Rita as if she was as light as a feather.Fortunately, after the hospit
With that, Karen left without looking back. She was carrying Vince's baby in her womb, so how could she pin all her hopes on Sadie? Since Sadie was obviously unruly, she would have to rely on her son.'Sadie can spend the rest of her life with Esmond since she likes him so much. God knows it had been exhausting enough to raise her. Plus, it's only fair for Esmond to take care of her since I've done my part taking care of her until now,' thought Karen.Meanwhile, the only consolation for Sherman was that Esmond did not try to put up a fight. It seemed that he still cared about his daughter Sadie.Sherman led his men to a dilapidated house. Esmond had been cautious enough to choose a rundown house situated at the end of a village.When Sherman barged in, he found Rita lying on the floor while Esmond's men ignored her. Esmond's men had followed his orders, and since he did not instruct them to do anything to Rita, they left her well alone.Before the men could react, they were surrou
Karen cried and silently knelt by Sadie's side without trying to defend herself. Sadie, on the other hand, feebly tried to explain herself. Alas. Vince refused to listen.There had been many occasions before when he had chosen to believe Karen and Sadie, but at this moment, he realized he had been terribly wrong to do that.Rita used to be so kind, understanding, and well-behaved. However, ever since Karen and Sadie moved in, Vince felt like his daughter had become manipulative, always trying to compete for attention, and stirring up jealousy in front of him.Unfortunately, it took Rita's disappearance to make Vince realize that Rita was not trying to compete for attention. All Rita wanted from him was to treat her the same as Sadie.Vince used to think that Rita should give in to Sadie more since Sadie was younger, too."Why don't you go live with your biological father since you prefer him so much? I never want to see you show your face around here anymore! As for your mother, s
Sadie was so anxious that she wanted to jump out. "Mom, don't tell me you fell for it! Why did you call Esmond? Now they all know where Rita is. You've ruined everything, again! What were you thinking?"Karen could not care less. She cried and slapped Sadie. "You nearly scared me to death! What would I do if something happened to you? I didn't raise you just to watch you die. I told you not to meet up with Esmond, so why did you secretly meet up with him? How can you ask him to get rid of Rita?"Are you out of your mind? All I want is for us to live out the rest of our lives peacefully, so why didn't you listen to me?!"Sadie was furious. Karen had stopped trying to get rid of Rita ever since she got pregnant, so how could Sadie not be angry? Rita was like a thorn in her side, and Sadie would never be happy unless Rita was dead."Don't you know I like Sherman? How could you ask me to do nothing when Rita has stolen him from me?! I was the one who liked him first. It's either Rita g
Karen wanted so badly to slap Esmond through the phone.'What good are his pompous words now? We wouldn't be in this mess now if he hadn't hit me back then! What's more, he's saying he's doing this for Sadie. But has he ever thought of what would happen to me and Sadie if he got rid of Rita? Rita's the heiress of the Russell family. Not to mention, she's married to Sherman, so that makes her owner of Parr Group too! What makes Esmond think he can get rid of Rita so easily?'Karen's breath was ragged as she said, "If you don't believe me, just listen to your daughter's screams. I can't save her now; you will literally decide her fate! Plus, I'm pregnant with Vince's baby, so even if I lose Sadie, I still have a kid—which is more than what I can say about you!"Sherman could not help but be impressed by Karen a little. Even in this dire situation, she did not forget to express her heartfelt feelings to Vince, letting him know that she was always on his side. It was certainly not an ea
"Sherman raised an eyebrow. "Don't worry, I'm sure it's just a minor injury, maybe just a finger. There shouldn't be any major issues. A sprained joint takes only a hundred days to heal, and it might take her even less time to heal if you take very good care of her while she's recuperating."Karen's heart ached upon hearing that. She lunged toward Sherman, wanting to hit him, but the bodyguards stopped her before she could get close.Vince, still worried, held Karen tightly beside him. "Calm down. I'm sure Sadie will come out unharmed if Rita's kidnapping has nothing to do with her. But if it does, then you should know very well that…"Vince's voice dropped an octave. He could not believe his daughter's disappearance had anything to do with his stepdaughter. However, he was not utterly naive.He continued, "How could a girl like her take Rita away? Even the car window was smashed. Others must've been involved. Does her biological father have anything to do with it?"Sherman nodded
"Yes, it's true I met up with my biological father, but it was just a one-time thing. I don't want to go back to him at all! Otherwise, I would've done it ages ago. Dad, I'm really grateful to you for taking me in and looking after me all these years. That's why I feel like you're my real father, even more real than those who share the same blood."How could you unjustly accuse me and Mom like that? Sherman is the one spouting nonsense here. He's trying to push all the blame onto us. Dad, you have to wake up and see the truth!"Karen nodded along, but her heart was racing. 'When did Sadie meet Esmond? How did Sherman know when I don't even know? Seems like Sadie does have something to do with Rita's kidnapping. I have to settle things and get Sherman out of here.'Karen never had the thought of rekindling her relationship with Esmond. The only thing she wanted then was to peacefully give birth to her son. Everything in the Russell family would eventually go to her son, and she would
Sherman detested people pointing their fingers at him when they spoke. He stood up slowly, towering over Vince instantly."You claim to be Rita's father, yet if I were you, I'd choose to shut up and stand aside. I can't believe you're scolding me for threatening Sadie when she's not even your real daughter!"Look at her guilty expression; it's clear she's involved. If you don't believe me, use your brain a little. No wonder Russell Group is declining under your leadership. It's only a matter of time before the company goes completely bankrupt!"Sherman showed no mercy, causing Vince to retreat with every word. Vince clutched his chest, struggling for breath.Karen, despite her weakness, stepped forward to support him. "How could you speak to your father-in-law like this? What has Sadie done to offend you? She has nothing but admiration for you. Plus, she's just a child. How could you treat her like this?"She went on and on, but Sherman stood his ground. Meanwhile, the burly bodyg