<b>Chapter </b>3
“Excuse me?” she said softly, approaching the <b>group</b>. “Are you the people my dad sent to pick me up?”
The butler turned and upon seeing Melody’s rash<b>–</b>covered face, he instantly knew she <b>was </b>the one they were waiting for.
But shouldn’t <b>a </b>country girl be timid and fragile? Why do I feel this inexplicable presence about her thatmands respect?‘ he thought to himself. He shook his <b>head</b>, dismissing it as his imagination
The butler regained hisposure and nodded. “Miss Melody, we’re here for you.”
“<b>Thanks </b>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 n of Ynda, though. <b>Ynda </b>had arranged a luncheon today, inviting the high societydies to <b>make </b>sure they all saw how unattractive Melody was.
The hope was <b>that </b>the rumors would reach the Swanson family, a top–tier dynasty who would definitely think twice about <b>having </b>Melody marry into their family. This might give Ynda’s daughter Mabel a chance to marry into the Swansons instead.
“Miss Melody, please, into the car,” the butler <b>said</b>, pinching his thigh to <b>maintain </b>hisposure and mask his urge to vomit. <b>as </b>he drove.
About thirty minutester, they arrived at the Fox vi
Melody looked at the familiar modern building, recalling her first overwhelmed visit. She had been theughing stock back then, which had displeased her grandmother, Maria Fox.
But now she knew better. The Fox family <b>was </b>just on the fringes of Silveke’s elite<b>, </b><b>and </b><b>this </b>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 <b>was </b>all over the ce, but her face remained calm<b>, </b>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 stuffs were usually kept locked away, afraid they might get damaged. But today, Ynda hadid put everything on disy for all to see, trying to <b>throw </b>Melody off her <b>game</b>.
“Mrs. Fox,” the butler announced <b>as </b>he approached Ynda in the middle of the room, bowing slightly. “Miss Melody has returned.
Ynda barely concealed her smirk and spoke louder for <b>Maria</b>, who was seated in a wheelchair. “Maria, Melody’s back.”
Maria, more often asleep than awake these days, had stayed alert today knowing her <b>granddaughter </b>would return. Hearing Ynda’s voice, Maria slowly opened her eyes, revealing an imposing sharpness. In a soft yetmanding <b>tone</b>, she asked, Where <b>is </b>she?”
The butler realized he was obstructing Melody’s path and quickly <b>stepped </b>aside.
All eyes turned to Melody, curiosity written on their faces. They couldn’t help but notice the ring red spots on her face, which were rather repulsive<b>, </b><b>especially </b>coupled with her shabby httire that screamed ‘country bumpkin“.
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Chapter 3
Ynda suppressed a sneer and waved over–dramatically. “Melody, darling,e over here.” As she spoke, Ynda shot a meaningful nce at her own<b>, </b>impably 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 <b>a </b>forced smile.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
Mabel, known as the top socialite in Silveke, was d in a designer limited edition sky–blue dress, her tall and slender figure entuated by her refined posture.
“Next to the disheveled Melody, Mabel’s wless 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 <b>man </b>could <b>resist</b>.
The guests began whispering among themselves.
“<b>Damn</b>, Miss Melody is straight–up hideous! Next to Miss Mabel it’s likeparing 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 <b>us</b>!”
“Isn’t Melody supposed to be engaged to the <b>Swanson </b>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 <b>greeting</b>
Without so much <b>as </b>a second nce at the opulent décorations Ynda had arranged, Melody walked up to Maria with grace and poise, whispering, “Grandma, I’m back.”
Her demeanor was <b>the </b>picture of politeness, respect, andposure.
The guests who had been jeering at her just moments before now fell silent.
Maria <b>squinted</b>, 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<b>, </b>earning a deeper nod of respect from Maria, who then beckoned her closer.
“You truly are a <b>good </b>girl, someone who seems to carry good fortune, <b>Maria </bmented.
Melody looked at <b>Maria’s </b>weathered face and was overwhelmed with emotion, Gathering her courage, she stepped forward and hugged <b>Maria </b>tightly. “Grandma! I’ve missed you so <b>much</b><b>! </b>she eximed
<b>Maria </b>initially stiffened<b>, </b>unustomed to such open affection, but quickly rxed and returned the embrace, asking, “Was <b>your </b>journey here tiring?”
Melody inhaled Maria’s familiar scent, which brought a profound <b>sense </b>offort. In her previous life, in her <b>final </b>moments, Maria had tearfully apologized to her and her mother. At that time, Melody didn’t understand why, but after Mabel’s revtions <b>at </b>her deathbed, everything made <b>sense </b><b>now</b>
Maria had been aware that <b>Ynda </b>was responsible for her <b>mother’s </b>death, but with Ynda <b>already </b>pregnant and in a bid to maintain a facade of family <b>harmony</b>, Maria had chosen to keep silent.
Chapter 3
Since Maria felt she owed her, Melody <b>could </b>use that to bring up the old issues <b>and </b>finally clear things up.
“Nope, Grandma. Being here with you makes all the trouble worth it. I’m not tired <b>at </b><b>all</b>, Melody said, making <b>Maria </b>smile and soften her gaze.
It <b>was </b>unusual for someone from the younger crowd not to cower in front of in ages
Maria. She hadn’t felt this kind of connection
Ynda, noticing Maria’s pleased look toward Melody, felt a bitter taste in her mouth.
Wasn’t this country <b>girl </b>supposed to be clueless? Why wasn’t she acting up? Her <b>manners</b>, etiquette, and speech were even better <b>than </b>Mabel’s, whom Ynda had carefully trained.
“Annoyed, <b>Ynda </b>rolled her eyes <b>and </b>asked with a <b>fake </b><b>smile</b>, “Melody, it’s been forever! Did you bring Grandma a present?”
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