Melody Strikes Back by Myra Walker (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)

Chapter 1

The sterile halls of Silverlake Hospital echoed with the harsh sound of a slap striking Melody Fox’s face.

“You bitch! You won’t even save your own sister’s life? What kind of heartless person are you?” Ulric Swanson, her husband, said.

Melody held her reddened cheek, staring at him in stunned disbelief. “You want me to save Mabel? But you know that would require me to donate my own heart, don’t you?”

Ulric sneered callously, “I do, but so what? Mabel is a big–time celebrity and the most gorgeous woman in Silverlake. And you? Did you really think I’d fall for someone like you, with that plain Jane look? Pfft, if you weren’t so damn useful to me, you think I’d have wasted my time marrying you?”

Melody’s eyes narrowed as a chill gripped her, the horrifying truth dawning on her. She had used her exceptional medical skills to nurse the once–disabled Ulric back to health, helping him regain his strength and vitality. As time passed, she had naively believed that their close collaboration had blossomed into genuine feelings for one another. She thought they were building a life together as true partners. However, she was oblivious to the ugly reality – Ulric had never loved her at all.

Then came the news that her half-sister Mabel had suffered a heart attack and urgently needed a transplant. As a result, they called and demanded that Melody donate her own healthy heart to save Mabel’s life.

It was an unconscionable request that Melody had naively believed he would reject outright. But to her utter shock and horror, Ulric had instead lured her to the hospital under false pretenses and strong-armed her into signing an organ donation letter, robbing her of any choice in the matter.

“Hah!” Melody’s eyes brimmed with tears, yet she found herself unable to hold back a bitter, hysterical laugh. After three years of marriage, the devastating truth had finally sunk in she had fallen head over heels in love with a true monster.

Ulric looked at her near–hysterical state with utter disgust. He grabbed her hand and yelled, “Sign it! Mabel can’t wait any longer!”

“No way in hell!” Melody screamed back, struggling wildly against his grip, though she was no match for his brute strength.

Try as she might, Ulric overpowered her, forcing her signature onto the document. Letting out a sigh of relief, he handed it off to the lackey standing by. “Take this to the doctor and get the surgery started, now!”

“Will do, Mr. Swanson, the assistant replied, hurrying off to carry out Ulric’s ruthless orders.

Soon after, Melody was roughly hauled into the operating room. The anesthesia kicked in quick, leaving her body all limp while her mind stayed painfully alert.

The door slammed shut behind Melody, trapping her inside. She tried to speak up but found she had no strength, the anesthesia robbing her of the ability to cry out.

Then, the side door of the operating room creaked open, and Melody caught sight of her stepmother, Yolanda Fox – who usually doted on Melody like her own daughter. But instead of concern, Yolanda approached with a sickeningly sweet smile.

Suddenly, laughter echoed through the room. Melody’s eyes flew wide in shock as she noticed Mabel, who was supposedly unconscious on the bed next to her, sit up with a grin.

The next second, Mabel climbed down from the bed and slowly sauntered towards Melody. Yolanda trailing close behind.

“My dear sister, I’m so touched you’d donate your heart to me. Too bad I don’t actually need it. Mabel smirked.

Melody’s heart sank as the horrible realization hit her that this whole thing had been an elaborate con, cooked up by that mother-daughter duo. They wanted her dead, plain and simple

“Argh” Melody thrashed around with everything she had, but his hands and feet were tied up tight, and the anesthesia had her feeling all weak and useless.

Mabel let out an exaggerated sniffle and wiped at her eyes, putting on an over–the–top show of phony concern. But then, her gaze landed on Melody lying on the operating table, and her eyes went wide with shock. You… your face…” she stammered, utterly flabbergasted

The nasty red spots that had always dotted Melody’s complexion had completely vanished. Her skin was now flawless, her features stunningly beautiful even without a lick of makeup. She looked like the spitting image of Aphrodite herself, the goddess of love and beauty.

For a moment, Mabel–Silverlake’s reigning queen of beauty–felt completely overshadowed. She knew that if Melody ever set her sights on showbiz, she’d be a thousand, even ten thousand times more popular and sought–after than Mabel could ever dream of.

“How…” Mabel staggered back, her face draining of color. The Melody that she had always deemed unattractive was actually a stunning beauty underneath

Melody caught sight of her reflection in the mirror on the operating table and suddenly understood Mabel’s stunned reaction. Those angry red splotches on her face had vanished without a trace.

In fact, the blemishes had been caused by toxins building up in the system. Melody had always figured Ulric was the type to look past the surface stuff and appreciate the beauty on the inside. She’d been planning to surprise him tonight by flushing out those nasty toxins and unveiling her true, flawless face.

But it seems fate had other plans in store. Melody just hadn’t had the time to complete that whole detox regimen, and now instead of getting to surprise her beloved Ulric, she found hers being strong-armed into donating her heart to that wretched half-sister of hers, Mabel

At the surgical table, Mabel’s eyes blazed with jealousy. Shock and consuming her like rapidly growing, towering trees. There was
an envious look root in her heart in an instant, swelling and way she could stomach the idea of Ulric laying eyes on Melody’s transformed, radiant face.

“Alright, let’s get this show on the road! I want that heart out of her. Now! Mabel shrieked, her shrill command ringing out through the operating room.

Yolanda was quick to chime in, barking at everyone to step on it and pick up the pace.

The thing was, the mother–and–daughter duo had paid off all the members of the surgical team. As long as they kept their mouths shut, no one would ever be the wiser that the supposedly “ugly duckling” Melody was actually a stunning swan in disguise.

Melody fought to speak up, to get a word in edgewise, but that anesthesia had her dead to the world. Still, from the movements of her lips, it was clear she was trying to say, “I’ll haunt you forever, even from beyond the grave!”

Yolanda’s lips curled into a smug grin as she clocked the silent threat in Melody’s eyes. “Pfft, give me a break. Remember how your dear old mom kicked the bucket? I made sure that meddling midwife was taken care of Haunt us forever, huh? Fat chance, sweetheart. If ghosts were really so powerful, your dear old mom would’ve been making our lives hell a long time ago. But look around no spooky specters here, just us getting the job done.”

Melody’s eyes went wide as the awful realization dawned on her. Her mother’s death hadn’t been natural at all – Yolanda had been the one to snuff her out. All this time, she’d been treating these two like they were her own flesh and blood, when in reality they were nothing but cold-blooded monsters.

Those fucking bitches Animals! she cursed internally, fury boiling inside her. A vile sweetness surged in her throat, and she suddenly spat out blood.

Those fucking bitches! Animals!‘ she cursed–internally, fury boiling inside her. A vile sweetness surged in her throat, and she suddenly spat out blood.

Yolanda screamed in shock, snatching a surgical knife and plunging it deep into Melody’s heart,

Melody’s vision blurred as darkness enveloped her, and she lost all sensation.

The pain was overwhelming, and her head pounded nonstop.

“When Melody’s eyes flew open, she was staring into the ruggedly handsome face of a disheveled man. He was pressing down on her, and his hand swiftly clamped over her mouth as soon as she woke.

Completely disoriented, Melody thought, What the hell? Didn’t I just die on the operating table? How am I here? And who the fuck is this guy?

Her mind whirled as she tried to piece everything together. She looked around and realized she was in the cabin of the cruise ship that had brought her back to Silverlake from the countryside three years ago.

The realization slammed into her: she wasn’t dead; she had somehow been sent back in time three years.

In a flash, she shook off the shock of being given another go at life.

But what the heck was going on now?

She gasped, trying to resist, only to feel a dagger pressed against her neck.

“If you wanna make it out alive, shut the hell up!” the man growled coldly.

The cabin’s curtains were drawn, hiding his face in the dark, but Melody could sense the reek of blood on him. Suddenly, he began forcefully tearing at her clothes.

Chapter 2

Melody yelped, instinctively covering her chest with her arms. However, she couldn’t help but think, ‘Am I getting hit on? No way, I’m so ugly, who’d want to hit on me?

“Don’t fucking touch me! I’m engaged to the Swanson Group’s second heir! Despite her disdain for Ulric, she had to pull out her fiancée card to scare the man off.

Melody’s declaration seemed to work, as the man paused. “Ulric’s fiancée?”

The man, identified as Ken Swanson, took a step back, his expression darkening. In the dim light, Melody couldn’t see his face clearly, but she caught his hesitation.

Realizing he knew Ulric, she bluffed, “Exactly! Since you know him, you should realize messing with me is off–limits, future Mrs. Swanson here! Leave now, and we can pretend this never happened.”

But right as she spoke, loud footsteps echoed in the hallway outside.

“Weird, I could’ve sworn he came this way… one said.

“He must be hiding in one of these cabins, let’s search each one another suggested.

The voices outside were getting closer, and Melody could tell they were about to bust in on them in

So, he wasn’t pulling anything shady; he was actually a fugitive on the run?

The man’s arms on either side of her head were strong and firm, indicating he was well–trained.

With a dagger at her throat, he could end her life in an instant in this room.

Melody decides to negotiate for her safety. “I can help you dodge the crowd outside and treat your wounds, but you gotta promise not to touch me!”

It seemed impossible to escape this guy’s grip, so cooperating seemed her best bet. As soon as she made her offer, the menacing look in Ken’s eyes softened slightly.

“You better keep your end of the deal, or else… I couldn’t give less of a shit whose fiancée you are!” His tone was threatening. and though Melody couldn’t clearly see his face, the air around him felt ice–cold and dangerous.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps reached the cabin door.

Melody realized she had no time to hide Ken. Acting on instinct she pushed him down and started making exaggerated moaning sounds, swaying her hips to sell the act.

Ken realized she was trying to help him escape but looked utterly shocked, apparently not comfortable with the ruse

Despite the rash marring her face, which made her look like she had never been with a man before, she was unexpectedly convincing.

Just then, the cabin door was kicked open. Melody startled like a deer caught in headlights, let out a yelp, and clung to Ken’s neck.

From the hallway light, an intruder saw two bodies tangled together. Melody, on the bottom of Ken, appeared radiant, her blonde hair straggling over a pillow–visually striking even from behind.

However, when she turned her face, revealing hideous red rashes, it destroyed the allure completely.

Disgusted, the man lost interest and slammed the door shut.

“Ken in there?” another voice chimed in, drawing closer.

ha

“Nah, just some weirdos. Let’s go.” The man replied with a wave of the hand.

As the door clicked shut, Melody let out a sigh of relief. She listened as their footsteps faded away, leaving the cabin quiet again.

“Nice work,” Ken said, his tone anything but complimentary. Without even glancing her way, he sat up to tend to his wounds.

In the dim light streaming through the curtain gaps, Melody saw the severity of his injuries. Around his waist was a ghastly wound, and as he dabbed the blood with his shirt, she spotted a bullet embedded there.

The necklace around his chest had miraculously stopped the bullet from piercing all the way through. Despite the grim injury. Ken remained impressively composed. His lack of disgust or fear, even after seeing the blotches on Melody’s face, spoke volumes about his inner strength.

Who the hell is this guy? Melody wondered, just as she watched him bite down on his shirt and harshly yank the bullet out. Blood gushed out like a busted pipe.

“Are you out of your freaking mind?” she exclaimed.

Driven by her medical instincts, even though he seemed like bad news, Melody quickly dressed and grabbed a first aid kit from her suitcase.

Under Ken’s skeptical gaze, she blurted out, I’m a doctor.”

Ken didn’t respond, but he didn’t stop her as she began to staunch the bleeding. Luckily, her med kit was well–equipped. including clotting medicines.

Still, it took her a solid half–hour to get things under control.

“All done,” she announced, finishing up.

Immediately, Ken grabbed her chin, lifting her face. Her face was small compared to his hand, her eyes large and shimmering like crystals, but the red splotches made her look hideous.

He wasn’t one to judge by appearances. But he couldn’t believe that this intriguing woman actually was his disabled brother’s fiancée.

“How old are you? What’s your name? Where do you live?” Ken interrogated her like a cop. Melody was so done with his questioning. She looked away, her lips sealed, and remained silent. After a moment, she said, “They’ve left, you should too.

*Not

“Not gonna spill, huh?” he retorted.

Melody clenched her jaw. She wasn’t about to spill her guts to someone so dangerous.

Ken sneered, lowering his gaze. “Do you even know who I am?”

“I don’t care! Just leave!” Melody snapped.

“Fine” With that, he reached out and yanked the necklace from her neck.

It wasn’t the necklace that mattered, but the ring that hung from it–the ring that belonged to Melody’s mother.

“Give it the fuck back!” Melody lunged, but Ken was a freaking giant. He dangled it just out of reach, smirking as she jumped desperately.

He toyed with her like she was just a little cat, letting her make futile attempts for what seemed like forever before he finally spoke up. “This cruise is heading to Silverlake. Looks like you’re coming along for the ride. Hit me up at the Blue Moon.

Lounge once we dock. I’ll give it back then.”

With that, he struck her neck swiftly, and everything went black Melody collapsed into his arms, knocked out cold.

When she woke up again, the cruise ship had already pulled into the port. Melody bolted upright in bed, only to find that Ken was nowhere to be seen.

She frantically checked herself over and breathed a sigh of relief when she realized he hadn’t harmed her.

Next, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a dagger that shimmered with a cold light. She then ran a strand of her hair along the blade, and it sliced clean through.

A cunning smirk crossed her face. Melody figured the dagger was payment enough for her troubles. It looked plain but could slice through iron as if it were butter. Definitely valuable.

When Ken had gone for her neck, she knew she couldn’t fight back physically, so she had cleverly swiped the dagger from his pocket without him noticing.

Not a bad trade-off, all things considered, she thought

But Melody wasn’t gonna track him down at the Blue Moon Lounge. She had too much on her plate already–no time to waste on some risky stranger. She had bigger scores to settle–for herself and her mom

Melody stashed the dagger and caught a glimpse of herself in the room’s mirror. Her face was blotchy with alarming red patches. She pulled out a medicine packet from her suitcase and started treating herself immediately.

Ridding herself of the toxins would take months and would normally require expensive medicinal materials. Having just returned from the countryside, broke, Melody had to work with what she had.

Her mentor had warned her that her beauty would bring her trouble, so she had kept her true face hidden upon returning home. However, caution hadn’t saved her from being betrayed and murdered on the operating table by her stepsister, her friend, and her own husband in her past life

This time, she was determined to turn the tables. She was going to restore her beauty, strengthen herself, and never let anyone manipulate her again.

As the ship docked. Melody got out of bed, pulled her suitcase, and left the blood-stained cabin behind.

Silverlake, I’m back, she whispered to herself.

She was itching for payback against those who had wronged her in her past life, and she wanted them to feel the heat big time.

Stepping off the cruise ship, Melody was met by the Fox family’s butler, eagerly awaiting her at the port.

“Where the hell is she? Why isn’t she out yet? Any of you seen the girl with the rash all over her face the butler snapped, looking back at his team.

A few of his subordinates shook their heads.

Melody happened to overhear the conversation. It seemed her stepmother had already sussed out everything about her, even the rash. Smirking, she strolled over.

Melody Strikes Back Novel by Myra Walker

Chapter 3

“Excuse me?” she said softly, approaching the group. “Are you the people my dad sent to pick me up?”

The butler turned and upon seeing Melody’s rash–covered face, he instantly knew she was the one they were waiting for.

But shouldn’t a country girl be timid and fragile? Why do I feel this inexplicable presence about her that commands respect?‘ he thought to himself. He shook his head, dismissing it as his imagination

The butler regained his composure and nodded. “Miss Melody, we’re here for you.”

“Thanks for the effort. Let’s go, shall we? Melody replied with a disarming smile that nearly made the butler gag.

That was part of the plan of Yolanda, though. Yolanda had arranged a luncheon today, inviting the high society ladies to make sure they all saw how unattractive Melody was.

The hope was that the rumors would reach the Swanson family, a top–tier dynasty who would definitely think twice about having Melody marry into their family. This might give Yolanda’s daughter Mabel a chance to marry into the Swansons instead.

“Miss Melody, please, into the car,” the butler said, pinching his thigh to maintain his composure and mask his urge to vomit. as he drove.

About thirty minutes later, they arrived at the Fox villa

Melody looked at the familiar modern building, recalling her first overwhelmed visit. She had been the laughing stock back then, which had displeased her grandmother, Maria Fox.

But now she knew better. The Fox family was just on the fringes of Silverlake’s elite, and this mansion was hardly remarkable by local standards. This trip was prompted by Maria’s deteriorating health, so her indifferent and selfish father had called her back early for the funeral preparations.

Maria was the only family member who still showed Melody some kindness. Even if they hadn’t always gotten along, at least Maria had kept a little bit of family warmth alive.

With a second chance at life, Melody intended to support Maria to the end.

Melody’s heart was all over the place, but her face remained calm, not showing any emotion.

The butler guided Melody straight into the living room, packed with guests and decked out with expensive decor.

Melody knew these fancy stuff were usually kept locked away, afraid they might get damaged. But today, Yolanda had put everything on display for all to see, trying to throw Melody off her game.

“Mrs. Fox,” the butler announced as he approached Yolanda in the middle of the room, bowing slightly. “Miss Melody has returned.

Yolanda barely concealed her smirk and spoke louder for Maria, who was seated in a wheelchair. “Maria, Melody’s back.”

Maria, more often asleep than awake these days, had stayed alert today knowing her granddaughter would return. Hearing Yolanda’s voice, Maria slowly opened her eyes, revealing an imposing sharpness. In a soft yet commanding tone, she asked, Where is she?”

The butler realized he was obstructing Melody’s path and quickly stepped aside.

All eyes turned to Melody, curiosity written on their faces. They couldn’t help but notice the glaring red spots on her face, which were rather repulsive, especially coupled with her shabby attire that screamed ‘country bumpkin“.

Yolanda suppressed a sneer and waved over–dramatically. “Melody, darling, come over here.” As she spoke, Yolanda shot a meaningful glance at her own, impeccably dressed daughter, Mabel, who was sitting beside her.

Mabel quickly understood her cue, rose to her feet, and approached Melody, managing to suppress her disgust as she took Melody’s hand. “Melody, you’re finally back! I’ve been waiting for you!” she said with a forced smile.

Mabel, known as the top socialite in Silverlake, was clad in a designer limited edition sky–blue dress, her tall and slender figure accentuated by her refined posture.

“Next to the disheveled Melody, Mabel’s flawless skin and perfect makeup made her look like a living portrait.

Melody looked at Mabel, who was pretending to be affectionate and felt a mix of sadness and bitterness. She now understood why Ulric had dumped her and conspired with Mabel to take her out. After all, with a face like that, no man could resist.

The guests began whispering among themselves.

“Damn, Miss Melody is straight–up hideous! Next to Miss Mabel, it’s like comparing a diamond to dirt!”

“No wonder the Fox family hid her away for so long. If my family had a daughter like that. I’d pray rather she’d disappear than embarrass us!”

“Isn’t Melody supposed to be engaged to the Swanson family’s second son? Mrs. Swanson must be mortified by this match!”

Hearing that, Mabel couldn’t help but grin. Suddenly, Melody’s arrival didn’t seem so bad to her. With Melody’s unattractive looks and odd background, Mabel’s would shine even more.

Melody heard the sneers but shrugged them off. After all, words couldn’t hurt someone who’d already been through death.

Ignoring the chatter, Melody nodded slightly at Mabel as a greeting

Without so much as a second glance at the opulent décorations Yolanda had arranged, Melody walked up to Maria with grace and poise, whispering, “Grandma, I’m back.”

Her demeanor was the picture of politeness, respect, and composure.

The guests who had been jeering at her just moments before now fell silent.

Maria squinted, noticing the red blotches on Melody’s face contrasted with her bright, unyielding eyes

Normally, Maria’s formidable presence would intimidate anyone new, but Melody, this country girl, showed no fear, earning a deeper nod of respect from Maria, who then beckoned her closer.

“You truly are a good girl, someone who seems to carry good fortune, Maria commented.

Melody looked at Maria’s weathered face and was overwhelmed with emotion, Gathering her courage, she stepped forward and hugged Maria tightly. “Grandma! I’ve missed you so much! she exclaimed

Maria initially stiffened, unaccustomed to such open affection, but quickly relaxed and returned the embrace, asking, “Was your journey here tiring?”

Melody inhaled Maria’s familiar scent, which brought a profound sense of comfort. In her previous life, in her final moments, Maria had tearfully apologized to her and her mother. At that time, Melody didn’t understand why, but after Mabel’s revelations at her deathbed, everything made sense now

Maria had been aware that Yolanda was responsible for her mother’s death, but with Yolanda already pregnant and in a bid to maintain a facade of family harmony, Maria had chosen to keep silent.


Since Maria felt she owed her, Melody could use that to bring up the old issues and finally clear things up.

“Nope, Grandma. Being here with you makes all the trouble worth it. I’m not tired at all, Melody said, making Maria smile and soften her gaze.

It was unusual for someone from the younger crowd not to cower in front of in ages

Maria. She hadn’t felt this kind of connection

Yolanda, noticing Maria’s pleased look toward Melody, felt a bitter taste in her mouth.

Wasn’t this country girl supposed to be clueless? Why wasn’t she acting up? Her manners, etiquette, and speech were even better than Mabel’s, whom Yolanda had carefully trained.

“Annoyed, Yolanda rolled her eyes and asked with a fake smile, “Melody, it’s been forever! Did you bring Grandma a present?”

Chapter 4

Melody’s expression turned cold.

In her past life, Yolanda had also pulled this stunt, catching her off guard and leaving her tongue-tied. It only fueled Maria’s dislike for her.

But this time. Melody was prepared. She stepped away from Maria with a grin and faced Yolanda. “I’ve got something,” she said.

Rummaging through her handbag, she pulled out a transparent box. Inside was a white flower.

Mabel couldn’t help but chuckle. “A wildflower for Grandma, Melody?” she teased.

The guests‘ faces twisted with scorn. They thought even if Melody had a good attitude, she couldn’t shake her rural roots.

Mabel added insult to injury, sniping, “Melody, no big deal if you didn’t bring anything. But a wildflower for Grandma? Seriously?”

The men among the guests, clearly smitten with Mabel, eagerly chimed in. Yeah, Miss Melody, life might be rough in the sticks, but a wildflower as a gift? What a joke!”

Maria, visibly annoyed by these remarks, tried to play it cool. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with wildflowers. I actually love them.”

Melody, needing to clear the air, interjected, “Grandma, this isn’t just any wildflower. It’s called Snowblossom–a super rare medicinal herb that blooms just one day a year, right on the edges of cliffs. Took me years to find this one.”

*Snowblossom?” Maria took the small box in surprise and examined it closely.

Just as the tension seemed to subside, the same guy who had mocked Melody earlier scoffed again. “Snowblossom? Are you pulling our leg? Trying to pass off a common wildflower as some priceless herb Think we’re idiots?”

Maria couldn’t hide her disappointment. “Melody, I’d appreciate anything you gave me, even a weed. But don’t lie. I can’t stand Hars!”

Melody frowned. “Grandma, I swear, I’m not lying “This is Teally Snowblossom. I nearly fell off a cliff getting it.

“Enough!” Yolanda, exasperated, slammed her hand down on the table. “Melody, cut the crap. We’ve got a doctor right here, and your lies are gonna be busted soon enough. Just tell the truth. Is it really Snowblossom or not?”

Melody’s expression darkened, but she kept her cool. “I’m not making this up!”

Maria, studying Melody’s face and feeling a twinge of doubt, called out, “Bring in the family doctor,”

“Mom” Yolanda hissed. “You’re not falling for this, are you? If we’re wrong, we’ll all be embarrassed.”

Maria shook her head. “I won’t repeat myself” If Melody was lying. Maria was ready to concede she had misjudged her. But if Melody was telling the truth, Maria vowed to protect her from now on.

Soon, the family doctor arrived.

Before Maria or Yolanda could say a word, the doctor’s eyes widened, his hands trembling as he pointed at Melody. “Snow…. Snow blossom! In all my years, I never thought I’d actually see a real Snowblossom! My God, what luck!”

When those words came out, it was like someone hit the mute button. Especially Yolanda, Mabel, and that guy who’d been harassing Melody–their faces turned ashen.

Who would’ve guessed the gift from this country girl was the Snowblossom, even rarer than the Celestial Frostpetal. It was worth more than three houses in Silverlake.

Mabel, still skeptical, piped up, “Doc, you sure about this? Could it just be some Snowblossom look–like wildflower?”

The family doctor scrunched his brows. “Miss Mabel, even if 1 maxed up my own name, I couldn’t mistake Snowblossom. It’s every doctor’s dream. No way I’d mess up my own dream.”

That settled it. Melody hadn’t lied.

Mabel almost collapsed from frustration.

Yolanda moved quickly, grabbing Melody’s hand and apologizing with a look of earnest regret “I’m sorry, Melody. I was so wrong about you.”

Melody just stood there, her gaze fixed on Maria, who looked visibly guilt

For a hot minute, Maria had her doubts about Melody earlier.

“Sorry, Maria said, remorse filling her voice. “I shouldn’t have doubted you. I won’t make that mistake again.”

“It’s okay, Grandma. Snowblossom is incredibly rare; understandably, you didn’t recognize it. I’m not holding it against you.” Melody said gently.

Melody’s graciousness only made Maria feel worse. She removed her bracelet and slid it onto Melody’s wrist. “You’ve given me such a precious gift, and all I have for you is this old dowry bracelet. I hope you like it.”

Melody knew the bracelet, crafted from rare red emerald, was invaluable. Maria giving her this bracelet was significant. gesture of approval.

It was all thanks to Yolanda’s machinations. If Yolanda hadn’t manipulated Melody like in their previous life, pushing her to bring a gift, she wouldn’t have brought the Snowblossom. However, this was only the beginning.

“Thanks, Grandma.” Melody grinned, her eyes shining with innocence.

Yolanda watched the bracelet on Melody’s wrist, seething with envy. She’d coveted that bracelet for years, never imagining Maria would give it to Melody as a greeting gift. But Yolanda kept her composure, feigning magnanimity. She stepped up to Melody, feigning concern. “It’s getting chilly. Why are you lightly dressed?”

She then signaled a servant to bring over a fox coat and drape it over Melody, accentuating her already rustic appearance.

Though it was getting cooler, it was still early autumn–far too early for such a heavy coat, Yolanda’s intention was clear: to embarrass Melody and make her feel out of place.

It was a repeat of the past, but this time Melody didn’t fall for Yolanda’s facade of concern.

Melody looked at the coat, paused for a moment, then beamed a knowing smile. Thanks, Mom,” she said, with a melodramatic gratefulness reminiscent of another life.

The other guests couldn’t conceal their disdain, seeing Melody’s overplayed gratitude, but she didn’t care. She wore the fox fur coat like it was a prized possession, gingerly touching the fur

It was almost comical.

Yolanda nearly burst out laughing. She had thought Melody had outsmarted her with the Snow blossom trick, but no, Melody was still just a country bumpkin at heart.

This is gonna be easy. The party is full of gossip, and soon all of Silverlake would know just how out of her depth Melody is, Yolanda thought. Sipping her tea, Yolanda cleverly hid her triumphant smirk behind her cup.

Suddenly, Melody shrieked and ripped off the fox fur coat, hurling it to the floor with a dramatic flair.

Chapter 5

Yolanda scowled in annoyance.

Yolanda’s face twisted into a scowl. Throwing the coat I gave her on the floor and trying to slap me in the face? That little bitch… Yolanda was fuming, just about to explode, when Maria’s astonished voice broke through the tension. “Melody, your hand!

Yolanda’s eyes snapped up in suspicion, catching sight of blood droplets forming on the back of Melody’s hand. The stark red against her fair skin was vivid.

“What the hell?” Yolanda was completely baffled, a chill of foreboding running down her spine.

Before Yolanda could even process what was happening. Maria commanded in a stern tone, “Bring that coat here!”

“Yes, ma’am.” The servant quickly obeyed, retrieving the fox fur coat from the floor and presenting it to Maria.

As Maria probed the coat’s sleeve, she shockingly extracted two long needles hidden among the fur.

The servant couldn’t help but blurt out, “If those hit an artery…

Maria’s expression darkened faster than a thundercloud. Yolanda, this is outrageous!”

Even if Yolanda detested her stepdaughter, resorting to such dangerous tactics was unthinkable. This could have killed her! Maria thought in shock.

Yolanda, finally realizing the gravity of the situation, hurriedly defended herself, “No, I swear I didn’t plant those! I have no idea how this happened…”

Meanwhile, unnoticed, Melody stealthily pinched her thigh, causing tears to stream down her face. Yolanda Dropping the formalities, she reverted to calling her by her first name, which no one could fault under these circumstances.

Sobbing, Melody implored, “If you hate me so much, why did you bring me back here?”

Yolanda, usually so image-conscious, lost her composure in front of the guests and Maria. Pointing accusingly, she snapped, “Bullshit! You’re setting me up!”

Quick to defend her mother, Mabel interjected, “My mom treats everyone well. She wouldn’t do something like this!”

Melody bit her lip, pausing before she backtracked, “I must have misunderstood, Yolanda. It’s all just a big misunderstanding.

This left Mabel speechless, looking to Yolanda for cues.

Yolanda was seething. It was always her setting others up, not the other way around..

She raised her hand to slap Melody, but Maria quickly made a sign, and a servant stepped in to restrain her. “Mrs. Fox, we have guests. This is not the way.”

Panicked, Yolanda turned to Maria, pleading, “Mom, it wasn’t me I might be many things, but I wouldn’t do this!”

Maria’s frown deepened. If it hadn’t been for the Snowblossom incident, she might have doubted Melody, but now her trust in Melody had grown, overshadowing any faith in Yolanda. However, she knew staging such a scene in front of a crowd wasn’t Yolanda’s style.

Maria took another look at Melody. She was tiny and frail, with tears welling up in her eyes that made her look more scared. than scheming. It was hard to imagine her plotting against Yolanda.

Seriously, how could a girl fresh off the boat from the sticks, just landed in Silverlake, pull off any elaborate plots? Maria mused.

Maria’s suspicions about Yolanda grew. It looked like she was trying to drive a wedge between her and her beloved granddaughter.

This realization pissed Maria off even more. Plotting against Melody is one thing, but dragging me into her shitty games too? Does Yolanda think I’m blind?

Fed up. Maria pushed herself up from her wheelchair with a grunt and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, sorry you had to see this mess. I’ll sort out a little something by way of apology later. Let’s just try to forget any of this ever happened, alright?”

After the guests had left with a few sharp words, Maria turned to Yolanda with a frosty warning, “I don’t want to see another circus-like today. You and Mabel, get your asses back to your room and think about what you’ve done! Melody, you’re staying in the little house in the backyard with me

It was clear she was shielding Melody.

Melody couldn’t help but feel a surge of happiness. In her previous life, she’d never managed to win Maria’s affection and had died full of regrets. Now, thanks to Yolanda’s manipulations, she was finally seeing a silver lining.

Outwardly, Melody kept up her innocent facade, winning Maria’s doting affection. Inwardly, she was secretly thrilled to see Yolanda and Mabel stomping upstairs, their anger and frustration clear as day. She thought I’m gonna make those bitches pay back everything they did to me and my mom, and then some‘

That night, Melody was too wired to sleep, her mind teeming with plans for revenge.

She had dug up some dirt on Ulric using her computer. To the world, he was this gentle, disabled man oppressed by his ville brother. But Melody knew that was all bullshit.

She remembered clearly meeting Ulric the day after her last birthday party. Her so-called fiance had shown up not for her, but to gift Mabel, hardly sparing Melody a glance. His attitude had flipped completely only after he heard she might be able to fix his leg.

Looking back, Melody cringed at her own naivety. She had been nothing more than a tool to Ulric.

Although she couldn’t get close to Ulric yet, Yolanda and Mabel were within striking distance. To take them down, winning over Maria’s heart completely was her first strategic move.

Prev Next