Chapter 12
“Mabel!” Ynda <b>eximed</b>, rushing to her daughter’s side. “Mom, this is <b>all </b><b>my </b>fault, don’t me her! We found the ne, so let’s just put this behind us. She’s still just a kid!” <b>Ynda </b>pleaded.
Melody couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness. A kid? I have never met a 54–foot–tall <b>kid</b>. Yet, she kept her face empathetic, ying along with the <b>act</b>
“Grandma. Mabel’s passed out. Can we drop this for now? As long as you don’t think I took the ne. I’m fine with whatever,” Melody said, maintaining herposure,
Maria looked from Mabel to Melody, her disappointment tempered with appreciation for Melody’s graciousness. She gestured for <b>Ynda </b>to take Mabel away, then grasped Melody’s hand warmly. “You’re <b>such </b><b>a </b>good girl. I nearly did you wrong. What can I do to <b>make </b><b>this </b>up to <b>you</b><b>?</b>”
Melody gently shook her head. “Grandma, I don’t <b>want </b>anything, I just want you to believe me.”
Tears welled up in Maria’s eyes as she assured. “Of course, I do! No matter what, I will always trust you.”
A subtle smirk <b>yed </b>on Melody’s lips, Maria’s trust was worth more than any gift. And, she felt a twisted thankfulness. towards Mabel for unwittingly solidifying that trust, while Mabel and Ynda hadpletely eroded theirs.
As Mabel was being carried back to her room, <b>she </b>caught Ynd’s stern warning. “Enough with the acting! Get up<b>!</b>”
Slowly. Mabel opened her eyes. “Mom…” But before she could say more, Ynda’s hand came down <b>hard </b>across her face.
“Ouch!” Mabel winced in pain, looking at Ynda in shock.
Despite her sympathy, Ynda’s anger outweighed her pity. “You’re such an idiot! Didn’t I tell you? Don’t mess with Maria until she’s out of the picture. Can’t you ever just listen?”
Mabel’s tears flowed freely as she sobbed, “I didn’t want to, but the opportunity was just there. I… I just wanted to get rid of Melody as soon as possible!”
“That’s why you’re a fool” Ynda snapped back. “<b>Didn’t </b><b>I </by out the n for <b>you</b><b>? </b>Once we’re with the <b>Swanson </b>family tomorrow, Melody will be shunned by everyone in Silveke. Why stir up trouble with her tonight?”
“Now look what you’ve done–your grandmother despises you and feels even more pity for that little brat. Are you happy now?” <b>Ynda </b>berated Mabel, her anxiety peakingN?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
Mabel shrugged, unbothered. “What’s the <b>rush</b>, Mom? Grandma’s practically on herst leg. Who cares if she’s on my side or not! It’s not like she can protect Melody forever.”
“Shut your <b>mouth</b>! Ynda hissed in a low, menacing tone. “Don’t you dare say that <b>again</b>! If your father hears this, he’ll skin you alive!“
Mention of her father sent <b>a </b>shiver of fear through Mabel Russell always favored boys, obsessing over her half–brother abroad <b>and </b>barely sparing her a thought.
Any slip<b>–</b>up and Russell wouldy into her, though in recent years, her dedication to her studies had somewhat improved her standing with him.
“Mom. Grandma won’t tell Dad about me smoking, right? <b>Mable </b>asked.
Ynda snapped. “And <b>you </b>dare bring that up! You better stay the hell away from those things <b>from </b>now on!”
As for whether Maria would spill the beans, at all hinged on whether she could hold out until Russell returned.
12
Chapter 12
Ynda knew she needed to act quickly, to increase the dose of the mercury sulfide.
nevez under would be brushed under
Thinking about this, <b>Ynda </b>cursed her misfortune for not <b>bearing </b>a son. With a son, the carpet by Russell if necessary.
Now, all she could hope for was <b>that </b>Mabel <b>could </b>snag <b>a </b>wealthy suitor during
O’s visit to the Swanson family
<b>With </b>these thoughts, Ynda pushed aside the evening’s events, focusing instead on nning for tomorrow.
Meanwhile, after leaving the Fox family, Ken immediately took off his jacket and instructed his bodyguard to burn his clothes.
The bodyguard was baffled when he found dirt in the pocket. He hurried to dispose of the dirty clothes.
After burning the clothes, the bodyguard returned to the car and respectfully asked, “Sir, heading straight home now?”
“Yeah. Ken replied, his expression slightly sour. He nced out the window and smiled yfully, thinking. “That girl’s name is Mabel, huh?”
The next day came in a sh. Mabel unted her morous attite early in the morning, purposely showing off her jewelry in front of Melody. “Hey, Melody, looks like you don’t have anything nice to wear to the party. <b>Want </b>to borrow something from me!”
Melody smirked, seeing right through Mabel’s attempt to gloss over yesterday’s debacle with her shy disy. “Appreciate <b>the </b>gesture, <b>Mable</b>, but I’ll <b>pass</b>. Don’t fancy getting pricked by any more of your idental needles,” she <b>quipped </b><b>with </b><b>a </b>cool smile.
Mabel was livid, feeling <b>like </b>she could explode, She realized Melody was mocking her, hinting <b>at </b>the trap she <b>and </b>her mother had fallen into with the fox fur <b>coat </b>incident. Anger from past and present grievances <b>surged </b>within her. “You little bi-”
“Melody!” Maria’s voice cut through just as Mabel <b>was </b>about to burl more insults, saving Melody from her venom.
Mabel clenched her jaw <b>and </b>shot Melody a venomous look, but quickly resumed her faux sweet demeanor. “Grandma,” she greeted with forced warmth.
Maria eyed Mabel with a hint of disapproval and then turned to Melody, handing her a <b>bank </b>card. “This is for you.”
Confused, Melody asked, “Grandma, what’s this for!”
With a warm smile, Maria exined. The birthday bash calls for formal wear. I’m not <b>so </b>Sharp–eyed anymore. Take this card and treat yourself to some nice clothes and jewelry at the mall
Melody immediately recognized the card as one from Maria’s private savings. In her previous life, Maria’s remaining assets could have bought a dozen homes in the city, so this <b>card </b>was undoubtedly loaded. Melody was deeply moved by Maria’svish trust
This heartfelt gesture reaffirmed Melody’s resolve to protect Maria at all costs. Knowing now about the poisoning that had led to Maria’s demise in her <b>previous </b>life, Melody <b>was </b>determined not to let history repeat itself under Ynda’s scheming
Tharks, Grandma” she said gratefully
“No need for thanks<b>, </b>we’re family” Maria dismissed <b>with </b>a wave of her <b>hand</b>. I’ve arranged a ride for you to Epoch <b>za</b>.
find something perfect there. Perhaps get your makeup done too, cover up that.”
suled off. Appearance meant a lot for teenagers, go bad <b>that </b>Melody’s face had turned out this way
Chapter 12
Melody picked up on her grandma’s expression, but she wasn’t worried, knowing her looks would bence back sooner or
Meanwhile, <b>Mabel</b>, recognizing the card, was ovee with jealousy. She pinched her thigh hard enough to dras
“Grandma…” Mabel’s voice trembled as she clutched Maria’s hand, her eyes brimming with frigned tears. “I’ve spent the whole night reflecting. I realize my <b>mistakes</b>. I promise to get along better with Melody Mease, <b>bath </b>of you, give me onest chance to make things right.”
Maria’s face clouded over as she remembered the drama fromst night. Yet, as she looked into Mabel’s sincere, innocent eyes, she found she couldn’t distance herself from her granddaughter.
After a long sigh, <b>Maria </b>finally <b>said</b>, “Alright, go with your sister to the mall and pack something <b>you </b>like. But listen, if this happens again. 111 act <b>as </b>though I don’t have a granddaughter Get r
SEND GIFT