Chapter <b>9</b>
“Hey there, sneaky mouse,” Ken called out
“What do you want now?” Melody asked, her voiceced with anxiety.
“That thing.” Ken nodded towards the small hole under Melody’s feet. “Need a hand getting rid of it?”
Melody was caught off guard by his observation. She quickly ced her other foot over the hole, but the action, under his piercing gaze, only made her feel more exposed.
Gritting her teeth and unsure why she trusted him, she relented. Fine, help me get rid of it. She scooped up the mud- covered Corydalis Rhizome and stuffed it into his coat pocket. Dusting her hands off, she added, “There, it’s done. <b>Now </b>heat
it.”
Ken, who turned out to be a bit of a clean freak, looked startled. But Melody saw nothing wrong.
Having grown up in the countryside, ying in the mud was second nature to Melody. After ensuring no Corydalis Rhizome was left behind, she shooed him away. “Hurry up and go!”
Ken’s mouth twitched, clearly ufortable with whatever <b>was </b>in his pocket. He managed to force out a question. “What’s
your <b>name</b>?
“M–Mabel Melody hesitated, sensing something off, before settling on <b>a </b>different name.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
Alright, Mabel. I’ve got <b>you </b>pegged,” he said and gave her a deep, mysterious look which, despite its brevity, felt overwhelmingly intense.
Luckily, the guy just gave her a quick nce before taking off.
Melody finally breathed a sigh of relief.
<b>Just </b>as she was about to leave the garden, she heard footsteps approaching, along with Mabel’s voice calling out, “Who’s
there
Melody realized hiding was futile. She squared her so she had nothing to hide from Mabel.
“It’s <b>just </b>me,” Melody said, trying to <b>sound </b>casual
houlders and faced forward. The herb were already long gone with Ket.-
Spotting Melody, Mabel quickly <b>tossed </b>her cigarette <b>and </b>stomped out the <b>butt</b>.
However, Melody watched her every move.
Back in her past life, not long after Melody had joined the Fox family, Mabel had framed her for smoking, which only fueled Maria’s dislike for her. And here was Mabel, the real smoker.
Honestly, smoking <b>wasn’t </b>a big deal for most women, but Maria saw it as downright scandalous. If she <b>ever </b><b>caught </b>Mabel in the act, it wouldn’t be pretty.
But Melody decided to keep her <b>mouth </b>shut for <b>now</b>, Feigning ignorance, Melody strolled up to Mabel <b>with </b>a smirk. “Hey Mabel, out for ate–night puff? Why aren’t <b>you </b><b>tucked </b>in bed?”
Mabel squirmed a bit, caught off–guard by her blues<b>–</b>busting secret smoke being discovered. <b>But </b>she thought Melody <b>was </b>clueless about this<b>.</b>
Mabel let out a sigh of relief before throwing out her jab. “I should be <b>asking </b>you! It’s pitch ck out here, <b>What’s </b>a country bumpkin like you doing out here alone? No funny business, right?”
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Chapter 9
With a scoff, Mabel pushed Melody aside and crouched down to inspect the hole behind her.
It was empty, not a trace left. She found it strange that Melody was out here digging holes in the <b>dead </b>of night.
Melody <b>was </b>secretly relieved she had trusted Ken to take the Corydalis Rhizome. If he <b>hadn’t</b>, her cover would’ve been blown wide open
She faked a bashful smile. “Ah shit, sorry about that. Let’s keep this our little secret, yeah? Old habits die hard. I guess I just love digging around in the dirt.”
Mabel
Mabel scoffed, her face twisted in contempt. “I knew it! You’re still nothing but a hick at heart!”
“Yup, you caught me.” Melody yed along, chuckling lightly. Had my bit of fun, now it’s time to hit the <b>sack</b>. Night, Mabel”
<b>With </b>the medicinal bag clutched tightly to her chest, she made her exit from the backyard<b>.</b>
Mabel’s expression <b>soured </b>as she <b>watched </b>Melody walk <b>away</b>, lost in her own thoughts.
Once out of sight, Melody got to work on making medicine for Maria
This blend <b>was </b>supposed to be soothing for coughs and all, and skipping the Corydalis Rhizome <b>wasn’t </b>a big deal.
The medicine <b>was </b>ready in no time, and Melody hurried it over to Maria’s room. “Grandma, drink this while it’s still warm, she urged.
“Alright.” Maria nodded, relieved. She gulped down the <b>medicine </b>in one go just as there was a frantic knock at the door.
“Who’s there?” Hattie called out, heading to open the door.
It was Ynda’s servant, <b>which </b>made Hattie furrow her brow. “What’s up? Mrs. Fox just finished her meds”
The servant looked apologetic. “Sorry to disturb, but Mrs. Fox’s needed in the living room. We got a thief situation on our
Hattie’s eyes widened in <b>shock</b>. <b>She </b>hurried back to Maria’s room to fill her in.
Thief?” Maria shot up in bed, suddenly wide awake. “What’s missing?”
The servant stepped into the room, looking troubled <b>as </b>she exined, “It’s Miss Mabel’s gemstone ne, the one her <b>dad </b><b>gave </b>her as <b>a </b>birthday gift today. It’s worth over 6 million.”
“More than 6 million?” Maria’s eyelids twitched. That was no small sum, “Help me to the living room, and gather all the servants there” she instructed urgently.
“Madam’s <b>already </b>rounded up everyone except those who can prove they didn’t do it. It’s just both of you and Miss Melody left,” the servant added.
Melody’s heart sank as she took in the news, a sense <b>of </b>unease selling in.
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