Chapter 4
Melody’s expression turned cold.
In her past life, Ynda had also pulled <b>this </b>stunt, catching her off <b>guard </b>and leaving her tongue–tied<b>. </b>It only fueled Maria’s dislike for her.
<b>But </b>this time. Melody was prepared. She stepped away from Maria with a grin and faced Ynda. “I’ve got something” she said.
Rummaging through her <b>handbag</b>, she pulled out a <b>transparent </b>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 <b>you </b>didn’t bring anything. But a wildflower for <b>Grandma</b>? Seriously<b>?</b><b>”</b>
The men among the <b>guests</b>, clearly smitten with Mabel, eagerly chimed in. Yeah, Miss Melody, life might be rough in the sticks, but a wildflower <b>as </b>a gift? What a joke!”
Maria, visibly annoyed by these remarks, tried to y it cool. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with wildflowers. I actually <b>love </b>them<b>.</b><b>”</b>
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. <b>Took </b>me years to find this one.”
*Snowblossom?” Maria <b>took </b>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? You pulling our leg? Trying to pass off amon wildflower as some priceless herb Think we’re idiots?”
Maria couldn’t <b>hide </b>her disappointment. “Melody, I’d appreciate anything you <b>gave </b>me, even <b>a </b>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!” Ynda, exasperated, mmed her hand down on the table. “Melody, cut the crap. We’ve got <b>a </b>doctor right here, and your lies are gonna be <b>busted </b>soon enough. Just tell the truib. 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 <b>the </b>family doctor,”
“Mom” Ynda hissed. “You’re not falling for this, are you? If we’re wrong, we’ll all be embarrassed.”
Maria <b>shook </b>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 Ynda could <b>say </b>a word, the doctor’s eyes widened, his <b>hands </b><b>trembling </b><b>as </b>he pointed at Melody. “Snow…. Snowblossom! 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 Ynda, Mabel, and that guy who’d been hasing Melody–their faces turned <b>ashen</b>.
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Chapter <b>4</b>
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 Silveke.
Mabel, still skeptical, piped up, “Doc, you <b>sure </b>about this? Could it just be some Snowblossom look–alike wildflower?”
The <b>family </b>doctor scrunched his brows. “<b>Miss </b>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.”
<b>That </b>settled it. Melody hadn’t lied.
Mabel almost copsed from frustration.
Ynda moved quickly, grabbing Melody’s hand and apologizing with <b>a </b><b>look </b>of carnest regret “I’m sorry, Melody. I <b>was </b>so wrong about you.”
Melody just <b>stood </b>there, her gaze fixed on Maria, who looked visibly guilt
For a <b>hot </b>minute, Maria <b>had </b>her doubts <b>about </b>Melody earlier.
“Sorry, Maria said, remorse filling her voice. “I shouldn’t <b>have </b>doubted you. I won’t <b>make </b>that mistake again.”
“It’s okay, Orandma. Snowblossom is incredibly rare; it’s understandable you didn’t <b>recognize </b>it. I’m not holding it against you.” Melody said gently.
Melody’s graciousness only made <b>Maria </b>feel worse. She removed her bracelet <b>and </b>slid it onto Melody’s wrist. <b>“</b>You’ve given me such a precious gift, and <b>all </b>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 <b>this </b>bracelet was <b>a </b>significant. gesture of approval.
It was all thanks to Ynda’s machinations. If Ynda <b>hadn’t </b>manipted Melody like in their previous life, <b>pushing </b>her to bring <b>a </b>gift, she wouldn’t have brought the Snowblossom. However, this was only the beginning.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
“Thanks, Grandma.” Melody grinned, her eyes shining with innocence.
Ynda watched the bracelet on Melody’s wrist, seething with envy. She’d coveted that bracelet for <b>years</b><b>, </b>never imagining Maria would give it to Melody <b>as </b><b>a </b>greeting gift. But Ynda kept herposure, feigning magnanimity. She stepped <b>up </b>to Melody, feigning <b>concern</b>. “It’s getting <b>chilly</b>. Why are you lightly dressed?”
She then signaled <b>a </b><b>servant </b>to bring over a fox coat and drape it over Melody, entuating her already rustic appearance.
Though it was getting cooler, it was still early autumn–far too early for such a heavy coat, Ynda’s intention was clear: to embarrass Melody and make her feel out of ce.
It was a repeat of the past, but <b>this </b>time Melody didn’t fall for Ynda’s <b>facade </b>of concern.
Melody looked at the coat, <b>paused </b>for a moment, then beamed a knowing smile. Thanks, Mom,” she said, with a melodramatic gratefulness reminiscent of <b>another </b>life.
The other guests couldn’t conceal their disdain, seeing Melody’s overyed gratitude, but she didn’t care. She wore the fox fur coat like it was a prized <b>possession</b>, gingerly touching the fur
It <b>was </b>almostical.
Ynda nearly burst outughing. She had <b>thought </b>Melody <b>had </b>outsmarted her with the Snowblossom trick, but no, Melody was still just a country bumpkin at heart.
This is gonna be easy. The party is full of gossips<b>, </b><b>and </b>soon all of Silveke would know just how <b>out </b>of her depth Melody is, Ynda thought. Sipping her tea, Ynda cleverly hid her triumphant smirk behind her cup.
<b>Chapter </b>4
Suddenly, Melody shrieked and ripped off the fox fur <b>coat</b>, hurling it to the floor with a dramatic ir.
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