Chapter 6
The next day, after breakfast, Melody headed <b>over </b>to <b>chat </b>with Maria.
Despite living in a modest backyard house, Maria’s ce was surprisingly cozy and tastefully decorated, and Melody’s room. was right next door. During their chat, Melody couldn’t help but notice Maria’s constant coughing.
Worried, she <b>asked</b>, “Grandma, are you feeling alright?”
After downing her medicine, Maria gave a weary smile and said, <b>Ah</b><b>, </b>just the usual aches and pains of getting old. Who knows how much longer I’ve got? I might not even be around to see you get married.”
Then. Maria steered the conversation towards Melody’s arranged marriage with the Swanson family. “Your mom passed too soon, but she had big ns for <b>you</b>, darling. Marrying into the Swanson family could set <b>you </b>up for a life of luxury
As they talked, Maria sighed. “I just don’t know if the Swansons are really on board with <b>this </b>marriage.”
Melody’s thoughts immediately turned to Ulric, filling her with bitter resentment. In her <b>past </b>life, she’d been too naive, helping Ulric climb thedder of power, all the while oblivious that she was just a pawn in his game.
Seeing Melody’s frown, Maria mistook it for worry about the Swanson family’s approval and reassured her. “Don’t worry, my dear. Ill fight tooth and nail to secure this marriage for <b>you</b>!”
Melody had no intention of marrying into the Swanson family, but Maria’s heartfelt words still made her emotional. Maria had always been kind to her, and Melody felt a deep loyalty to her, the closest thing to family she had left. She couldn’t stand the thought of losing the only family she had.
If her memory was correct, Maria had died only two months after Melody returned to Silveke in her previous life. Back then, Melody felt something was off but dismissed it, trusting her stepmother too much. Now, however, she was convinced that Maria’s sudden <b>death </b>was linked to Ynda.
<b>With </b><b>a </b>mischievous smile. Melody changed the subject. “Hey, Grandma, let’s drop that for now, Back in the countryside. I picked up some medical skills from an amazing healer. How about I check your pulse?”
Mariaughed and shared a look with her loyal servant<b>, </b>Hattie Meyer. “Sure, why not? Let’s see how much time I’ve got left.” she said lightly
They indulged Melody, thinking she was just being <b>yful</b>. Melody took a deep breath <b>and </b>carefully found the pulse on Maria’s wrist. As she felt the rhythm, her eyes suddenly flew open–a look of shock on her <b>face</b>.
Maria wasn’t <b>sick</b>; she was poisoned.
<b>It </b>all clicked into ce why Maria had died just two months after Melody returned to Silveke. At the time, Melody felt something <b>was </b>off but chalked it up to paranoia due to her blind trust <b>in </b><b>Yonda</b>.
Her father was a narcissist but deeply devoted to Maria, so he was off the suspect list. That left <b>Ynda </b>as the prime suspect.
“What’s <b>up</b>?” Maria noticed Melody’s troubled expression <b>and </b>asked between coughs, “Did you find <b>anything</b>?”
Melody forced <b>a </b>smile <b>and </b>scratched her head. “Oh, it’s probably just me being clueless, Grandma. I couldn’t spot anything wrong, but <b>your </b>pulse feels strong. I bet you’ve got another fifty years!”
Melody knew Maria’s affection was likely just pity. using <b>her </b>of being poisoned right then might just ruin everything. The family doctor must have been keeping quiet about it deliberately. If she were to expose this <b>now</b>, not <b>only </b>might Maria not believe her, but Ynda would definitely use it against her.
This was going to be a long game if she was going to help <b>Maria</b>
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Chapter 6
Maria chuckled at Melody’s exaggerated prognosis. “Fifty more <b>years</b>? I’d turn into a witch by then!”
Despite her words, Maria’s <b>face </b>lit up with joy. Even as she often talked about being near the end, the fear of death lingered.
Melody had this goofy grin stered on her face, like a totally innocent little bunny
As the sun set. Melody noted her father, Russell Fox, was still away on business, so he wouldn’t be joining them for dinner. Maria was thest to arrive at the table, invitation card in hand.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.
Ynda immediately noticed the Swanson family seal on the card and her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Quickly masking her reaction, she feigned curiosity, “Hey, Mom, what’s that?”
<b>Maria </b>ced the invitation on the table, maintaining a serious yet calm demeanor. “It’s an invitation from the Swanson family. Margaret turns eighty tomorrow, and I thought it’d be nice for Melody and I to attend. You two shoulde along as
well
Ynda’s eyes flickered <b>with </b>panic as the words sank in. Tomorrow was Margaret’s 80th birthday bash, and there was <b>Maria</b>, nning to bring the disgraceful Melody along Is she serious? Using the birthday bash to lock down Melody’s engagement?”
The thought alone made Ynda’s hand clench into a tight fist. This can’t fucking happen, she thought. “Melody getting cozy with the Swansons is my worst nightmare
Melody, catching the shift in Ynda’s expression, had a good guess what was on her mind. But she kept her <b>cool</b>, her head down, shoveling food into her mouth while her brain went into overdrive.
In her previous life, she <b>hadn’t </b>exactly left the best first impression on Maria. After the engagement <b>talk </b>started, Maria had thought Mabel was a better fit for the Swanson family, leaving Melody out in the cold during events like this
But now, she was back for revenge, and getting an <b>early </b>in with the <b>Swanson </b>family was too good an opportunity to pass up.
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