Chapter 447 Zanna Medical Group


    The men in ck suits were impably dressed, each wearing the emblem of the Moore Group. These were people from Sommerville''s Moore family, clearly here to back Mrs. Moore-Melody. Suzanna lowered herself to the dust, her posture as submissive as it could possibly get. Now, everyone in the room was waiting for Melody''s response.


    Including Arnold.


    Arnold let out a long sigh and shuffled closer to Melody. His hand, gripping the dragon-engraved cane, was speckled with age spots, and his frail figure looked as though a single gust of wind could topple him


    over.


    Yet here he was, standing in the hospital''s event hall.


    Was his illness finally beyond the point of recovery?


    "Mel, if you don''t want to forgive her, then don''t," Arnold said, his voice weak yet firm.


    "I will always stand behind you.


    "Do what your heart truly desires. I''ll handle the rest."


    Arnold''s words were carefully chosen. The message was clear-he intended to deal with Suzanna for Melody''s sake personally.


    Melody raised her eyebrows slightly, her almond-shaped eyes narrowing as she finally spoke. Her tone was calm, almost indifferent, as she said, "Mr. Shield, when did you start standing on my side?


    "I severed ties with the Shield family a long time ago. That includes you."


    "What I owed, I''ve already repaid.


    "The ten million card and the letter formally cutting ties-I left them both in your room at the rehabilitation center.


    "Between us, there''s nothing left."


    Her voice was steady, deliberate, each word pronounced with unmistakable finality. Melody stood tall, alone, like a lotus flower-delicate in appearance yet fiercely resilient.


    There was a time, long ago, when she had desperately yearned for the love of anyone in the Shield family.


    Because she had once been lost.


    Tyrell had taught her the value of family.


    He had instilled in her the belief that family was the strongest pir of support one could have.


    And so, when she returned to the Shield family, she was willing to give her all.


    It was to show her blood rtives endless tolerance and love, just as Tyrell had shown her.


    To her, the family was meant to be a fortress, unshakable and unbreakable.


    But while she considered them family, the feeling wasn''t mutual.


    Melody had given uppletely.


    She no longer wanted anything to do with anyone from the Shield family.


    Not even Arnold, the one who had once given her gentleness and hope when she first returned.


    No meant no.


    Arnold froze.


    He hadn''t expected Melody to be so resolute in cutting ties with the Shield family, even after he had gone out of his way to defend her.


    Even if she wanted to sever ties with the Shield family ...


    Surely, he thought, it shouldn''t include him.


    Arnold''s expression shifted. His face grew pale with heartbreak as he leaned heavily on his cane, struggling to keep his bnce.


    He raised his eyes, disbelief clouding his gaze as he looked into Melody''s clear almond eyes. His voice, hoarse and weary, trembled as he said,


    "Mel, I tore up the severance letter.


    "As for the ten million dors you gave me, I converted it into shares in the international pharmaceuticalpany, Zanna Medical Group.


    "Mel... thatpany''s name was chosen after you. It''s thepany I personally founded 20 years ago. "You are Zanna Shield, my granddaughter.


    "Cough... Promise me, Mel-don''t


    say things like cutting ties with me again, alright? I have loved you since you were little. I ... I can''t bear to lose you."


    As Arnold spoke, his nose reddened, and tears glistened in his eyes.


    The once dignified elder looked even more hunched over, frail and full of regret.


    He seemed fragile, pitiful, as though one harsh word from Melody would shatter himpletely. If Melody continued to speak those heart-wrenching words about severing ties, it would make her the


    viin in the eyes of everyone present.


    What kind of heartless woman would disregard her own


    grandfather''s failing health? If she went any further, she would be painted as an unfilial daughter,


    someone no better than a crue


    venomous woman. Melody''s gaze fell on Arnold''s familiar face, the same one that had once looked at her with gentleness and understanding, as though diagnosing her every wound with kindness and care.