Chapter 10
Melody remembered she had seen that gemstone ne on Mabel in the backyard. How the hell could it vanish in just half <b>an </b>hour? she wondered.
“Let’s go,” Maria said, already changed and urging Melody to head to the living room with her.
The living room was aze with light, a cluster of servants stood around, looking guilty as sin. Ynda and Mabel were sitting there with faces like thunder. But Melody noticed Mabel’s eyes flicker <b>with </b>something unreadable as she <b>entered</b>.
“Hey Grandma<b>, </b>you’re here!” Mabel rose up from her seat and motioned for Maria to take over.
Then Ynda chimed in. “Mom, I’ve grilled them all, but these eleven can’t prove they were anywhere else.”
<b>Maria’s </b>expression darkened as she turned to Mabel. “Did you check your <b>room</b><b>?</b><b>”</b>
“Tve torn it apart.” Mabel replied, her eyes brimming with tears. I swear, I was wearing it right before my bath, and in less than half <b>an </b>hour, poof, it’s gone. I left it right on the <b>vanity</b>. Her voice broke as she added. “It was a gift from Dad. How the hell do I exin this to him when he returns?”
Ynda quickly consoled Mabel, then whirled on the servants with a re that could curdle milk. “Who here took Mabel’s ne! Spill it now, <b>and </b>we can forget this mess ever happened
“I swear it wasn’t me! I <b>was </b>on night duty, and hit the sack early today, one servant protested.
“Same here. I needed to crash because I’m up early tomorrow, another piped up.
As everyone scrambled to defend themselves, one servant hesitated before stepping forward. “<b>Ma’am</b>, while Miss Mabel was showering. I <b>was </b>cleaning here and <b>saw </b>Miss Melody head upstairs.
All eyes turned to Melody who stood by Maria’s <b>side</b>.
Melody’s gaze turned icy, and she realized in an instant that the me for the missing ne was being squarely ced
on her.
<b>you </b>want, bur
Her face turned to ice as she red at the maid who’d singled her out. “You can throw around usations <b>all </b>don’t fucking pin this on me. I was in the kitchen brewing up some meds for Grandma. I didn’t go <b>upstairs</b>. You got any proof, or are <b>you </b>just talking out of your ass!”
Mabel surprisingly jumped to Melody’s defense. “Look, my sister might’ve grown up in the sticks, <b>but </b>she’s no thief. The <b>folks </b>who looked after her are straight as arrows. <b>You </b>sure you didn’t fuck this up?”
The maid, shocked, dropped to her knees with a thud, looking uterly devastated. “Mrs. Fox, I’ve been here nearly ten years. Everyone <b>knows </b>I’m straight–up. Why the hell would I frame Miss Melody! I never said she took the ne, just that I saw her go upstairs. I didn’t touch <b>Mabel’s </b><b>ne</b>, swear to God!”
Tears streamed down her <b>face </b>as she pleaded her innocence, clearly distressed.
At that moment, Maria’s <b>gaze </bnded on Melody.
Mabel seized the opportunity to talk with a sympathetic expression. “Melody, if you <b>took </b>it, just give it back, okay? I get it, life in the countryside can be tough, and maybe you just wanted something nice for a <b>change</b>. If you want something else, just ask me. But that ne means the world to me. <b>Can </b><b>you </b>please return it?”
Melody clenched her fists in frustration. She knew Mabel <b>was </b><b>a </b>master at ying the victim <b>card</b>. This was exactly where Melody had falteredst time. But this time, Melody <b>was </b>ready. The crying kid gets the milk, and now she understood thatN?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
better than ever.
12
Chapter 10
“Grandma,” Melody choked put, her voice thick with <b>a </b>swirl of fresh and old resentments. Tears welled up without any ellort, as raw emotions took over.
“I swear I didn’t take it, and I’ve never even been upstairs. If you doubt me, go ahead and search my <b>room</b>,” Melody dered
<b>with </b>firm resolve.
As she <b>spoke</b>, her gaze turned icy,nding on the trembling servant kneeling on the floor. “And if it turns out I’m innocent, I expect a damn <b>apology </b>from you,” she added sharply
Despite being just a young girl, Melody <b>emanated </b>an intimidating presence that sent shivers <b>down </b>the servant’s spine. The servant shuddered under the weight of Melody’s intense stare. She quickly averted her eyes, too scared to meet Melody’s piercing gaze any longer.
Maria’s heart melted at the sight of Melody’s distressed expression. <b>She </b>gently patted Melody’s shoulder, reassuring “Don’t worry, sweetheart. As long as I’m here, no one’s gonna falsely use you of anything
her
Melody’s tension eased slightly at Maria’sforting words, Just <b>as </b>she was about to thank her, a servant hurried into the room, breathlessly announcing. “I <b>found </b><b>the </b><b>ne</b>
All eyes darted towards the servant, causing Melody’s heart to leap into her throat.
Maria’s brow furrowed deeply as she demandeil. “So where is it?
曲