Melody Strikes Back by Myra Walker (Chapters 661, 662, 663, 664, and 665) 

Chapter 661

After a while, the ceremony of holding the cross and reading from the Bible ended. The elderly couple from the Hunter family approached and said, “We appreciate everyone’s efforts. There’s still some time before lunch, so we’ve arranged a lounge at the cemetery where you can relax, have coffee, enjoy refreshments, and warm up.”

It rained heavily yesterday, and although it didn’t rain today, the temperature had dropped even further, with a biting chill lingering in the air. In the southern region, autumn feels more like the onset of winter. After standing here for a while, everyone could feel the cold seeping in, so they all nodded in agreement at the suggestion.

“Sorry for the trouble.”

“Not at all; it’s the least we could do…” With that, the group, led by the Hunter family, made their way to the lounge at the cemetery to rest.

The lounge’s decor was quite ordinary, but the space was ample, with many rooms available for sleeping. The building had three and a half floors, with winding hallways that made getting lost easily if one was there for the first time. The sleeping rooms were set up because some families chose early times for the ceremony and had to bring the ashes ahead of time, staying overnight. However, this was rare since it was a cemetery, and few people were keen on spending the night there.

Melody and Ken followed the group and sat down where drinks and snacks were laid out. She glanced at the drinks, feeling the chill in her hands and feet, but decided not to touch it. It was better to stay cautious.

Before long, a group of people eager to curry favor with the Swanson family gathered around. “Mr. Swanson, it’s been a while since we last saw you. The last time was at the Swanson Group’s annual event. You’re looking more and more handsome.”

“What would you like to eat? Let us get it for you.”

“Mr. Ken, I previously mentioned a project to you…”

As more people gathered, some not recognizing Melody’s identity, they signaled her to move aside. Melody chose to ignore them. However, many of the people carried a strong scent of cigarettes and alcohol. With her heightened senses of taste and smell, she found the odor

overwhelming. She told Ken she would sit nearby and then got up and left. Ken didn’t follow her but gazed towards a corner of the room.

James was standing in the corner, and no one knew when he had arrived. James immediately understood when Ken shot him a glance and quickly followed Melody. She hadn’t left, finding a chair within a turn of Ken’s safe zone, where she sat down.

Not long after sitting down, James approached. “Miss Fox, I’ve come to keep you company.

Melody nodded in response, about to speak, when her peripheral vision caught sight of a familiar figure. Her eyelid twitched as she grabbed James’s sleeve. “It’s Jennie. James was momentarily confused. “Who did you say?”

“She’s Regina’s mother-one of those malicious doctors,” Melody said.

A screen shielded them, so Melody and James leaned back slightly, ensuring the screen blocked Jennie’s view. However, they could still see through the gaps in the screen and observe Jennie. She seemed unaware of their presence, glancing around before stealthily approaching the second floor.

Her furtive behavior immediately made Melody frown.” There’s something wrong. What’s on the second floor?” “It’s just where the guest rooms are-nothing much there. But…” James paused, then added, “It seems the elderly couple from the Hunter family are on the second floor.”

“I wonder what she’s up to, Melody said, frowning. “We need to check it out.”

James quickly said, “You stay here. I’ll go check it out. What if she’s trying to draw us away from something?”

“Alright.” Melody shared the same suspicion. They wouldn’t choose to deal with James now; the target must be either her or Ken. She couldn’t afford to wander around carelessly. “However, be cautious. Jennie isn’t as easy to handle as you might think. If the situation seems off, don’t push it- come back and find us immediately,” Melody reminded. “I’ll be careful, Miss Fox,” James assured.

Seeing Melody nod, James quickly moved toward the direction Jennie had gone, soon disappearing around the corner of the stairs. Melody was about to go and inform Ken but had only taken a couple of steps from her chair when she encountered Wendell.

She didn’t want to cause a scene with Wendell, so she stepped back to let him pass first. However, Wendell stopped before her, glaring with intense, fiery eyes.

“Bitch, let me tell you, you won’t be able to stay on top for much longer! Even if I can’t deal with you, plenty of others can. Don’t think hiding behind Mrs. Swanson and Ken will keep you safe. What goes around comes around, and Cadence will never forgive you, even in the afterlife! She’ll come for you sooner or later to settle the score!”

Melody replied, “Mr. Hunter, I don’t understand why you’re saying these. Whether you believe it or not, Miss Hunter’s death wasn’t caused by me. With all the videos online, why don’t you check them out? Why persist in accusing and slandering me? If it helps you feel better, you can continue to accuse me. I promise I won’t say a word in response.”

“You-” Wendell was seething with anger, and he reached out to slap Melody.

Melody avoided his strike by stepping aside, but she heard a dull thud behind her when she turned. Instinctively, she looked back to see Wendell, his face ashen, clutching his neck with one hand while dark blood trickled from his mouth.

Melody’s eyelid twitched violently as she quickly moved toward him. “Mr. Hunter?

“Wendell Hunter! What’s wrong with you?” She reached out to shake his arm, only to find several deep scratches already on it, likely from him scratching due to intense itching.

She thought, ‘What’s happening? The symptoms look like poisoning.’ As Melody’s mind raced, trying to decide whether to call for help or first attend to Wendell, she heard a group of people approaching from behind the screen. “The weather changes daily; it’s getting colder and colder.” “Yes, we might need to wear down jackets tomorrow.” “You young folks shouldn’t sacrifice warmth for style. If you catch a cold, you’ll be the one suffering later on.”

It was Margaret’s voice.

Melody felt a throbbing in her forehead. Wendell, Jennie, arguments, accusations, and Ulric’s attempts to smooth things over these elements quickly formed a troubling guess in Melody’s mind. Ulric seemed intent on using Wendell’s death to condemn her to a dire fate completely. It appeared Wendell was unaware he was being used as a pawn, sacrificing his life to create trouble for her. It turned out that Jennie’s ploy was to lure James away from the situation.

She gritted her teeth, stood up, and shouted to the crowd,” Help! Is anyone there? Please, someone, help!” Melody looked in urgent panic and quickly ran towards Ken.

But she had barely taken a few steps before Astrid called out to her. “Melody Fox, what are you doing!”

Chapter 662

Although Melody had already figured out what was happening, she intentionally acted in panic. Staying too calm might have made her seem suspicious.

Wendell happened to be lying beside the screen, which blocked the view of Astrid and the group. They only saw Melody shouting “Help!” and “Something’s wrong!” loudly and frantically. Her dramatic behavior even made Astrid, the stepmother, feel embarrassed.

Many of today’s attendees were relatives of the Hunter family, and Astrid was concerned about how they might perceive Melody’s dramatic display. Unable to control Ken, she couldn’t even manage his wife. Feeling frustrated, Astrid called out to Melody and coldly reprimanded her, Running around and shouting like this-what kind of behavior is that? Is this how the Fox family is raised?” After the harsh words out, Astrid realized it was inappropriate, especially with Mabel, also from the Fox family, following behind her. But there was no time for regret as she had already reached the screen. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Wendell on the ground, violently vomiting blood.

Astrid’s eyes widened in shock, and she joined Melody, shouting, “Help! Someone! Help! Wendell, can you hear me?”

Astrid dropped her knees, ignoring her status, and desperately shook Wendell. His eyes were completely bloodshot, and aside from whether he could see clearly, his neck was almost torn open from his frantic scratching.

Only then did everyone realize something serious had happened, rather than Melody’s supposed lack of manners. Margaret also came over, and although her face showed fear, she remained more composed than the tearful Astrid.” Quick, get a doctor…”

Margaret suddenly realized that Melody was a skilled doctor. She quickly changed her instructions, urging someone to fetch the Hunter family elders and call the police. Then she turned to Melody and said, “Melody, aren’t you a doctor? Please, take a look and see what’s wrong with him.”

Melody maintained a naturally panicked expression. “I am trained in medicine, but I’ve never seen a case like this… I can try to help, but I can’t guarantee a hundred percent success. You should call an ambulance in the meantime.”

“Alright!” Before Margaret could respond, someone nearby had quickly called for an ambulance.

Melody moved closer to Wendell, but before she could reach him, Astrid suddenly glared fiercely and shoved her away. Melody stumbled dramatically, feigning confusion.

Margaret saw the commotion and furrowed her brows in concern. “Astrid, what are you doing? Let Melody help your brother right away!”

“Mom!” Astrid said, protecting Wendell with one hand while turning to Margaret. “My brother had an accident, and now, Melody is the only one here. How can we be sure she didn’t cause this?”

Margaret was taken aback. “What are you saying? Melody would never do something like this.”

Melody added, “I was talking to Mr. Hunter earlier but didn’t do anything. He suddenly collapsed and started vomiting blood. I was just as shocked and hurriedly called for help. You all heard me shouting.”

Astrid sneered. “Hearing is one thing, but seeing is believing. I saw that Wendell was alone with you when this happened. Besides, Wendell has had several conflicts with you today-who’s to say you didn’t use your medical skills to poison him deliberately?”

Mabel, following behind, glanced subtly and tried to support Astrid. “Melody, are you confused and made a mistake? If you tell the truth, I believe everyone would understand.” Though it sounded like she was helping, she desperately tried to shift the blame onto Melody.

Melody inwardly sneered but maintained her composure.”>

Mabel, I truly didn’t do anything! Why would I harm someone for no reason? That would only bring trouble upon myself.”

“But the only people here were you and Mr. Hunter. Melody, you really mustn’t make a mistake!”

Margaret’s gaze turned wary again, clearly influenced by Mabel’s words. She thought, ‘Could it be… Surely not, right?”

Melody noticed the shift in Margaret’s expression and decided not to engage further with Mabel. She turned directly to Margaret. “Grandma, arguing won’t help. It’s better to try to see if I can save him first. The truth will come out once Mr. Hunter wakes up, and I can clear my name.”

“Yes, that’s right!” Margaret nodded vigorously. “The most urgent thing is to save him. Astrid, I understand your doubts, but what Melody says is true. And with so many people watching, even if Melody were involved, she wouldn’ t dare to do anything now. Don’t let your suspicions delay her from trying to save Wendell! The Hunter family only has this one successor left!”

Astrid’s skepticism remained, but Margaret’s comment about the Hunter family’s sole successor jolted her into action. She stepped back and warned Melody sternly, “You better be genuinely trying to help him! If you have even malicious intent, I’ll make sure you pay the price, even if it costs me my life!”

Astrid’s interference had already wasted time, so Melody decided not to argue further and risk more delay. Instead, she dropped her knees beside Wendell, pulling one of his hands firmly as she focused on taking his pulse.

The pulse felt like boiling water one moment and a still, deep pool the next. Melody broke into a cold sweat; this poison was far more severe and complex than anything she had encountered before, even more challenging than what Mrs. Wallrich had suffered from. Moreover, she identified the poison as one that would leave no trace after death, making it impossible to detect once the victim was gone. It meant it could easily be used to frame her for Wendell’s death.

She thought, ‘How sinister and vicious!’ She had anticipated that something would go wrong today, but despite all her precautions, she hadn’t expected her opponent to stoop so low.

“How is he?” Margaret asked.

“His symptoms indicate poisoning. I’ll start to help detoxify him,” Melody replied truthfully.

“Poison…” Margaret gasped in shock, instinctively growing worried for herself as well.

People are inherently selfish, and others worry about whether they have come into contact with anything dangerous. The big question was whether this poison was intended solely for Wendell or if it was meant to affect everyone present. To put it bluntly, those gathered here were prominent figures in Silverlake, and even minor harm to them would be considered a significant loss. There are plenty of people who would benefit from their downfall. Everyone was on edge for the moment, but since Margaret was still present, they dared not leave and had to wait anxiously. Meanwhile, Melody focused on the immediate concern and told Margaret, “Yes, it’s poisoning indeed, and it’s severe. I recommend calling the police right away.” Margaret nodded rapidly and instructed, “Quickly, call the police.” Seeing Melody so composed and proactively suggesting reporting the incident, her lingering doubts dissipated.

Chapter 663

But Astrid was not concerned with anything beyond her immediate goal. In her view, if Wendell didn’t survive, Melody would be the prime suspect. Even though she was deeply pained by Wendell’s death, she still placed more importance on her son.

Astrid thought that if she could use this situation to bring Ken down as well, Wendell’s death would not have been in vain; it would have made a significant impact on her life. As for their parents, she was prepared to support them in Wendell’s stead. With this thought, Astrid felt a sudden and powerful urge for Melody not to save Wendell. Once the thought arose, it was impossible to suppress.

Seeing Melody about to administer the treatment, Astrid acted on impulse and grabbed Melody’s arm, preventing her from proceeding.

Astrid’s intervention took Melody aback, her brows furrowing deeply. “What are you doing?”

At this moment, Astrid had made up her mind entirely. She thought, ‘My brother’s life isn’t as important as my son’s future.’

Astrid narrowed her eyes coldly and said, “What am I doing? With such a long needle, it looks like you’re hoping he won’t die that quick so you can push him straight to death! I can’t just stand by and watch you kill him!”

“I’m not harming him; I’m trying to save him! If the toxins aren’t removed quickly, he’ll absorb them all, and then it will be too late!” Melody said.

“Stop lying! I don’t need your help! I won’t let him be at risk any longer. The ambulance is on its way. Wait to face the consequences!”

“You-” Before Melody could continue, a large hand appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Astrid by the arm and forcefully tossing her aside.

With a dull thud, Astrid crashed into the wall, letting out a piercing scream. “Ah-” Everyone, including Melody, instinctively turned to look at the owner of that mighty hand.

“Ken?” Melody surprised. She thought her earlier shouting hadn’t reached Ken, implying the distraction also lured him away. To her surprise, he had arrived just in time. Ken’s sudden appearance had undoubtedly added a powerful ally to the mix. It was a game-changer for Melody, who could focus on the critical task without the added pressure of being obstructed by others.

“Ken Swanson! What are you doing?” Astrid grimaced in pain, trying to push herself up from the ground. But Ken’s fierce gaze made Astrid freeze, unable to move or speak for a moment.

Astrid thought, ‘His gaze and presence were genuinely terrifying!’ Usually, Ken’s gaze was already intimidating, but today, she truly experienced what genuine, deep-seated fear felt like.

Seeing that Astrid had quieted down, Ken slightly tilted his head. His two subordinates immediately stepped forward, positioning themselves before her to ensure she couldn’t interfere with Melody. Once everything was in place, Ken turned his attention to Melody. Noticing she remained focused and unaffected, he let out a deep sigh of relief.

After Melody left, Ken sent James to follow her. Ken was about to find an excuse to leave when he heard a commotion from the other side of the hallway. Someone was shouting that a woman, presumably from the Fox family, had been bitten by a stray dog. Ken immediately pushed through the crowd and ran toward the source of the commotion. However, halfway there, Ken realized the truth. Given Melody’s skills, a stray dog would unlikely bite her. It was a diversion.

So, Ken turned and ran back, and sure enough, he found that something had gone wrong on Melody’s side. Fortunately, he arrived just in time.

At that moment, Ulric’s dismissive voice cut through the tension. “Ken Swanson, what have you done to my mother and uncle?” He sat in a wheelchair, flanked by a group of imposing bodyguards, his presence commanding and undiminished despite his seated position.

Mabel, relishing the drama, eagerly added fuel to the fire. She wished that Melody would be arrested by the police immediately and sentenced to life in prison, believing her mother would finally rest in peace. So Mabel said, “Ulric, Mrs. Swanson suspects that Melody poisoned Mr. Hunter and tried to stop her from approaching him. As a result, Mr. Ken Swanson intervened and held her back over there…”

As Mabel spoke, Margaret frowned deeply. She thought, This girl is far from as simple as she appears!’ Margaret cleared her throat and said, “Ulric, things are not as she says. Your mother is suspicious and believes Melody caused your uncle’s poisoning, but there’s no evidence to support that claim. Seeing that your uncle’s condition is serious, I took the initiative to have Melody treat him. Your brother did the right thing; don’t let yourself be misled.”

Mabel’s eyelids twitched, and she said nervously, “Mrs. Margaret, I just…”

“Enough, it’s not your place to speak,” Margaret cut her off, clearly displeased with Mabel.

Mabel felt frustrated with herself for jumping in a hurry. She could only hope that Melody was indeed the culprit. She thought, ‘Whether it’s truly Melody or not, she must end up behind bars!”

Ulric’s expression remained stern despite Margaret’s words. “Grandma, I understand that you trust Melody because she treated your illness. But no matter how much we like someone, we can’t ignore doubts. It’s better if I have someone take Uncle to the hospital directly. After all, Melody is still young, and professional medical treatment is more reliable.”

Once he took control of the situation, when they arrived at the hospital, it was up to him. No matter how advanced the medical facilities were, they couldn’t save someone beyond recovery.

“No!” Ken said coldly, “Melody is already working to save him. You should wait a little longer. Instead of wasting time on the road, following her instructions and detoxifying Mr. Hunter first is better.”

Ulric narrowed his eyes. “Ken, you’re acting strangely… Could it be that you’re involved in this as well?”

With Ulric present, Astrid’s courage grew bolder. “Ken Swanson, everyone knows your ambitions, even if they don’t say it out loud. If you’re willing to cripple your brother, what do you think my brother means to you? Step aside with your wife right now if you have any decency left! Otherwise, don’t blame us for suspecting you too!”

Ken ignored the fearful, suspicious, or even contemptuous looks. With his chin held high, he declared, “As long as I’m here today, no one will stop Melody from saving lives! No one knows what intentions the two of you have!”

“Ken, are you determined to turn things upside down?” Ulric pursed his lip, then suddenly waved his hand and ordered, “Seize him!”

The two groups quickly clashed. Ulric’s side had at least twenty people, while Ken had only three. Fortunately, Ken was skilled enough to take on multiple opponents at once. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the fight’s outcome remained uncertain.

Meanwhile, James, who had been chasing after Jennie, returned empty-handed. He had searched up and down every staircase, scouring each floor, but had found no sign of her. Therefore, he wanted to report to Ken first but was taken aback when he saw Ken engaged in a fierce fight with Ulric’s men.

He thought, ‘This is outrageous-resorting to numbers to overwhelm fewer people and even forcing Mr. Swanson to get involved personally!’

“Mr. Swanson, here I come!” James shouted as he rolled up his sleeves and charged into the fray.

Chapter 664

With James joining the fray, Ken’s side visibly gained an advantage. On the brink of being overwhelmed, his two bodyguards found renewed energy upon seeing James charge in, fighting with renewed vigor as if they were reinvigorated. The clash was far from a simple brawl; every strike and maneuver targeted vital points, aiming for debilitating or even fatal damage. One misstep could leave someone permanently incapacitated.

Having never witnessed such a scene before, the guests scattered in panic, with some running away and others seeking cover. Only a few brave men and Margaret remained, desperately trying to intervene and diffuse the situation. “Please, stop fighting!”

“Ulric! Ken! Both of you, stop this at once!” But the voices of Margaret and a few brave men were drowned out by the sounds of the brawl.

Despite the chaos around her, Melody remained extraordinarily calm, continuing with the acupuncture for Wendell. She knew that saving Wendell was her only chance to clear her name. Even if he didn’t speak up for her after waking, she had to give it her all. Melody precisely and steadily stabbed into each acupuncture point while two groups of people continued to fight fiercely behind her.

The scene was reminiscent of the day the youth center caught fire when she bravely faced the blazing flames around her, battling wits with the hacker behind the screen.

Ulric glanced over and felt a slight tremor in his heart. He thought, ‘Melody Fox truly is not an ordinary person.

If Melody were on Ulric’s side, he would treat her well, just as he did with Jennie, making her a valued guest and tolerating her less attractive appearance. He might even marry Melody, just as Ken had. To him, Ken was using Melody, as Ulric would. It was inconceivable that Ken genuinely liked someone he considered so unattractive.

However, since Melody had firmly allied herself with Ken, they could only be enemies.

Ulric felt a pang of pity, but his gaze grew even colder. It was precisely because of Melody’s exceptional skills that he was determined to find a way to eliminate her. He could not allow her to continue being Ken’s powerful ally.

Ulric glanced at his injured leg, cursing his incomplete recovery. If fully healed, he could join the fray and engage in a deadly fight with Ken. As it stood, his leg could manage walking but little else; even a slight push could send him tumbling. He was far from fit for battle.

Ulric, irritated, thumped his injured leg. He noticed Mabel hiding behind him out of the corner of his eye. His frown deepened, then suddenly relaxed as he turned to her and said, “Mabel, go stop your sister! We can’t let her be the cause of my uncle’s death. I’m begging you!”

Mabel’s fear of Melody was palpable, but Ulric’s plea was too important to ignore. It was her chance to prove her loyalty and gain favor with Ulric.

Seeing Melody intensely focused on her task, Mabel gathered all her courage. She reasoned that Melody, engrossed in her work and oblivious to the chaos around her, would likely be unaware of her approach.

At that moment, Ulric suddenly handed her a gleaming dagger. The cold glint of the blade mirrored the icy thrill in her heart. Mabel thought, ‘This is my chance to avenge my mother and make a mark in front of Ulric!’

Mabel gritted her teeth, took the dagger from Ulric, and, avoiding the fighting crowd and the watchful eyes of Margaret and the guests, quietly made her way to the screen.

Her thoughts raced, ‘Melody Fox, go and die!’ With a swift motion, she raised the dagger, aiming for the back of Melody’s neck. The blade would surely draw a stream of blood. Excitement gleamed in Mabel’s eyes.

Just as her dagger was about to reach Melody, a leg suddenly kicked her elbow. “Ah-” Mabel cried out in pain as the dagger flew from her hand.

Hearing the noise, Melody turned and saw Ken delivering another kick to Mabel’s stomach. Mabel was sent flying approximately ten feet away, the pain causing her to pass out instantly.

Melody froze for a few seconds, her gaze falling on the dagger that had landed by Wendell’s feet. At that moment, she realized Ken had just saved her life. Melody had been so focused that she hadn’t noticed Mabel approaching. Melody thought, ‘Damn it… I almost got killed by her!’

However, Melody had no time to dwell on her anger, as the poison in Wendell’s body had reached its most critical point. She couldn’t even spare a glance at Ken; instead, she immediately resumed the acupuncture. Finally, the acupuncture had come to an end.

Blackened blood droplets began to appear on his body. But it wasn’t enough, it was far from enough.

At this rate, the poison wouldn’t be halfway expelled before Wendell might already succumb. Suddenly, Melody’s eyes lit up when she noticed the dagger that Mabel had dropped. Without a moment’s hesitation, Melody picked up the dagger. There was no time or means to sterilize it, so Melody immediately grasped Wendell’s hand, and with a precise motion, she made a deep, deliberate cut at a specific location.

The blood flowed from the wound instantly, aiding in the detoxification process through bloodletting.

It was one of the detoxification methods used in traditional medicine, but it was hazardous, especially in a situation like this where there was no immediate medical support. However, Wendell would have no chance of survival without this approach.

Melody hesitated for only a second before resolutely continuing. She grabbed Wendell’s other hand and started the bloodletting. After finishing with both hands, she moved on to his ear and slid the dagger over the earlobe. Soon, it seemed as if Wendell had turned into a blood-soaked figure, lying motionless in a pool of his blood.

Melody pulled out a life-saving pill that she always carried with her, a remedy crafted by her mentor, capable of reviving someone on the brink of death. She had been reluctant to use it, but now, she had no choice but to use it on Wendell, a man she had little regard for. She pried open his jaw, placed the pill inside, and quickly lifted his chin. His throat moved slightly, and the pill slid down.

Melody sighed in relief, realizing there was nothing more she could do but wait and see Wendell’s fate. One thing was sure; the poison he was afflicted with was a newly developed toxin from malicious doctors, as she had never encountered such a poison before.

Recalling the figure of Jennie she saw before Wendell’s incident, it was clear that Jennie developed this poison. She pondered, ‘No wonder mentor hates malicious doctors. Halcyon’s strict crackdown on them is justified. This faction definitely cannot be allowed to remain!’

At that moment, the sound of police sirens suddenly blared. A group of officers rushed in, brandishing batons as they charged toward the fighting crowd.

Upon seeing the police arrive, Ulric’s voice cut through the chaos with authority. “Everyone, stop!” His command instantly halted his men’s aggression. Ken and James also ceased their actions, pausing mid- strike.

“What are you all doing?” The lead officer’s gaze swept over the scene, and he immediately noticed Wendell lying in a pool of blood.

His heart sank as he thought, ‘So much blood… It’s serious!’

Chapter 665

The officer approached Melody, who was closest to Wendell. “Did you do this?” he asked, though the question seemed almost redundant given the bloodied dagger she was holding.

Melody calmly explained, “The blood is from me, but the poison in him has nothing to do with me. I performed the bloodletting to help detoxify him.”

Astrid shouted angrily, “You’re lying! Officer, this woman is the one who poisoned my brother and then, right in front of us, cut him and let out so much blood! Many people can testify to this. You must arrest her immediately!”

The officer’s gaze hardened. “Drop the tools in your hands!”

Melody complied, raising her hands to show she meant no further harm. The officer, slightly easing his grip on the stun baton, instructed her, “Back against the wall, turn around!”

As Melody was about to comply, Ken stepped forward and said, “She hasn’t lied or committed any crime. She’s a doctor, and she was trying to save a life. I can vouch for her.” Margaret quickly added, “I can confirm that as well!”

The officer surveyed the conflicting sides and said, “We must take her in for now. Once the investigation is complete, we’ll release her if she hasn’t done anything wrong. Don’t worry; we won’t wrongfully accuse anyone.”

Melody had heard this before. However, proving her innocence would rely solely on her. Once she was in the police station, who knew if Ulric would immediately sabotage her efforts? She couldn’t do anything inside, so she had to avoid being taken in.

Melody forced herself to stay calm and continued to defend herself, “You can consult medical professionals. The locations where I performed the bloodletting were carefully chosen, and the needles I used were specifically for detoxification.”

“I understand, but we still need to take you back for further investigation.”

The officer stepped forward to restrain her, but Ken quickly intervened. “You can’t just take her away like this.”

The officer, well aware of Ken’s status, responded with a tone of professional detachment. “I’m sorry, Mr. Swanson, but we must follow the law. Please don’t make this more difficult for us.”

Melody did not want to get Ken involved. She gritted her teeth and said, “Fine, I’ll go with you.”

“Melody!” Ken frowned deeply. “You don’t have to go with them.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself,” she said, giving him a look that conveyed her wish for him to stay out of it. Ken might still find a way to help from the outside, but if he came with her, her chances of finding a way out of the situation would be slim.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Swanson, Mrs. Margaret,” the officer said, nodding slightly before taking hold of Melody’s wrist and leading her away.

Mabel felt overjoyed. She thought, ‘They’ve taken her away! Melody is finally being arrested! Mom, did you see? I’ve avenged you! Melody will experience the pain you endured all. You can rest in peace now!’

As the officers escorted Melody out, they instructed, “Get the person on the ground lifted and rushed to the hospital immediately for emergency treatment.”

Melody glanced at Wendell, who remained unresponsive, and her eyes dimmed with worry. The hospital could not save him; this was no ordinary illness. The poison was from malicious doctors, and only those trained in ancient traditional medicine could offer a solution. Even experts like Colin, who were purely focused on traditional medicine, would be at a loss. This time, she might have indeed met her match.

“Don’t worry; I’ll get you out soon!” Ken’s gaze was intense, filled with unwavering determination. No matter what it took, he would ensure that she came out unharmed.

“Melody…” Margaret’s face was filled with worry and regret. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let you come to help. If we had sent him to the hospital earlier, you wouldn’t have had to…”

Melody forced a smile. “Grandma, don’t worry. I’ll be fine. The truth will clear itself. I believe in the fairness and justice of the law.”

“Yes, I will think of a way, too,” Margaret said.

The officers urged, “Let’s go!” Melody nodded and complied, walking out with them.

Mabel’s eyes sparkled with excitement as the weight of her lingering anxiety finally lifted. Through this incident, she finally realized the true nature of things. She thought, ‘Ulric’s constant attention to Melody, even during meals, wasn’t because he was foolishly infatuated with her. Instead, he also wanted to deal with her! How wonderful is that! It’s as if the heavens have finally brought about the justice we’ve all been waiting for!’ She felt that her recent grievances were nothing compared to this moment.

Mabel was inwardly thanking her lucky stars when suddenly, Wendell, who had been placed on a stretcher, coughed up a mouthful of dark blood. The police officer checking his breathing earlier was startled by this sudden change when there was no sign of it. The officer, shaken, nearly dropped the stretcher as a result.

“He’s awake! Wendell’s awake!” Margaret cried out. “Don’t take Melody away! She’s innocent-she’s the one who saved him!”

The officer holding Melody paused and turned back, asking, “Sir, are you alright now?”

Wendell opened his mouth and managed to say, “Water…”

“Quick! Get him some water!” Fortunately, everyone was here for coffee, so finding a cup of water wasn’t tricky. Soon, a group of people managed to bring a cup of water over.

Wendell, wincing in pain from the cuts on his hand, grabbed the cup with trembling fingers and drank deeply. As if the water had cleared a blockage, his breathing gradually became more manageable and smooth.

Ulric was taken aback by Melody’s ability to save someone. His frustration with Jennie grew while he still harbored deep resentment towards Melody. He thought, ‘Wasn’t it said that this poison was exceptionally deadly and insidious, with no one able to cure it? Yet Melody managed to resolve it despite our similar age. How could Jennie claim no one could solve it? Damn, Jennie!’

Ulric, masking his frustration with a veneer of concern but with a warning glint in his eyes, asked, “Uncle, you’re awake? Are you feeling better?”

Wendell looked at Ulric with a complex expression, and after a long pause of over a minute, he finally spoke, “I suppose I’m not going to die.” He wasn’t foolish; he could now see who had tried to kill and save him.

Even though he was in a semi-conscious state when the fight broke out, Wendell was aware of everything happening around him before he lost consciousness. Before the illness took hold, he had just drunk a glass of water that Jennie had handed him with courtesy. The problem lay with that glass of water. However, the fact that Ulric would act this way toward him was no surprise. What truly hurt was realizing that even his sister, Astrid, was involved in this betrayal; he was utterly disappointed.

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