<b>Chapter </b>19
Not long after, Maria emerged, and Melody quickly moved to help her into the <b>car</b><b>.</b>
Ynda caught sight of Melody’s in dress, which looked utterly drab next to Mabel’s sparkling ensemble. The contrast brought a smirk to her face.
<b>With </b><b>Melody’s </b>homely mug, they didn’t need to lift a finger–she was a natural foil to Mabel’s shine. Still, it <b>was </b>a pity their plot to mess up Melody’s dress hadn’t panned out. It <b>would </b>have been <b>a </b>treat to see her embarrass herself even more.
As they <b>drove </b>towards the Swanson family estate, Maria leaned in to give Melody some advice. “When we get there, just zip it and follow my lead. Astrid isn’t someone you can just sweet–talk, but she won’t dare refuse the marriage with me around.”
Melody nodded, all <b>too </b>aware of how formidable Astrid Swanson could be, <b>especially </b>since she was also <b>Ulric’s </b>mom. She had once bent over backwards trying to win Astrid’s approval, all for a shot at marrying Ulric. Despite all her efforts, Astrid had never shown <b>her </b>a shred of warmth<b>.</b>
Now, Melody couldn’t stand the sight of Ulric <b>and </b>had zero interest in currying favor with Astrid ever again. She just nodded absently in response to Maria’s instructions.
The car pulled into the parking lot of the Swanson vi, where luxury cars filled the space and well–dressed guests disembarked.
In her past life, Melody would have been extremely nervous in such a ce like this, but she could now remain calm and focused. She helped Maria out of the car, making sure she didn’t trip or stumble.
<b>Maria </b>was pleased with Melody’sposure. The four of them were walking towards the mansion, when security stopped Melody at the entrance
“Who are you with? <b>Got </b><b>an </b>invitation? We don’t let <b>strangers </b>in the security guard demanded, eyeing Melody with <b>overt </b>distaste.
Her ugly mug and simple outfit made her stick out like a sore thumb amid the opulence of the event, clearly not fitting in with the glitz of the Swanson’s high society.
Mabel couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, but it died <b>as </b>Maria’s cold stare pierced her. She quickly forced out a cough to cover up herughter.
Ynda, catching Maria’s cold stare, hurried forward to address the guard. “<b>Look</b>, this is my daughter, Melody. And here’s the invitation,” she said with a hint of impatience. Reaching into her purse, she presented the invitation with a flourish.
Normally, guests wouldn’t need to show their invitations again, but with Melody in tow, Ynda feltpelled to prove their legitimacy at the event.
<b>Ynda </b>was mortified, but felt a perverse sense of satisfaction too
After years of being overshadowed by Melody’s morous mother<b>, </b>seeing her daughter now struggling to even enter the gates of the Swanson estate felt like a twisted victory.
She might not have been able to outshine that woman, but her daughter had certainly outshone Melody.
The security guard scrutinized the invitation carefully. Satisfied was genuine, he mumbled an apology and let them through.
Melody didn’t utter a <b>word</b>. She shot the guard a withering <b>nce </b>before following <b>Maria </b>inside.
The estate <b>was </b>buzzing with <b>festive </b>energy, decorated with strings of colorful lights, but Melody felt a thill despite the celebratory atmosphere. She was met with disdainful stares and hushed whispers, feeling the weight of judgment from
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Chapter 19
every corner.
She pretended not to notice, quietly staying by Maria’s side.
A familiar voice called out from the grand staircase, “Oh, Mrs. Fox <b>is </b>here!”N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
Melody turned to see Astrid, whose smile cracked for a moment into a grimace of repulsion.
How could someone be <b>so</b>… hideous? Astrid thought to herself, barely maintaining her smile. The mere sight of Melody was enough to turn her stomach.
Is this eyesore <b>really </b>supposed to marry my Ulric? Astrid fumed internally.
However, <b>as </b><b>a </b><b>seasoned </b>socialite, Astrid quicklyposed herself, stering <b>on </b><b>a </b>fake smile. “Mrs. Fox, my mother.has been asking about you. Unfortunately, she’s feeling ill and can’t attend the party. Let me take you to her, she said, leading <b>Maria</b>.
<b>away</b>.
Astrid nced past Melody without a second look, her eyesnding on Mabel with a critical gaze.
Seizing the moment, Mabel quickly introduced herself, “Hello, Mrs. Swanson, I’m Mabel”
“Mabel, right…” Astrid nodded with a forced smile. You were the belle of the ballst
at year, weren’t you?”
Mabel blushed, proud, while Ynda beamed beside her, sharing in her daughter’s glory.
Seeing this, Maria felt a twinge of annoyance.
Although both Mabel and Melody were guests, today was supposed to be about Melody. Mabel’s forwardness <b>had </b>thrown off
the focus.
Frustrated, Maria cut in before Astrid could dismiss Melody any further. “Astrid,” she interjected. “I don’t think I’ve properly. introduced you to Melody. You remember<b>, </b>I mentioned her before–she’s<b>…</b><b>”</b>
Astrid cut her off. “Let’s not go there right now. You really should visit my mom first. It’s been ages, <b>and </b>she’s been <b>asking </b>about you.”
Clearly<b>, </b>Astrid <b>had </b>no intention of letting anyone find out that Melody was
ed to her s
She hadn’t expected that Wilona Fox, once celebrated for her beauty, would <b>have </b>such a ugly daughter. So she <b>had </b>dismissed. the rumors as mere gossip just yesterday. But seeing Melody <b>in </b>person was a reality check that hit her like <b>a </b><b>p </b>in the face.
This only cemented Astrid’s resolve to call off the engagement.
Maria, picking up on Astrid’s barely concealed <b>distaste</b>, quickly caught on to her true sentiments,
Though Astrid liked to think she ran things in the Swanson family, she wasn’t the end<b>–</b><b>all</b>. As long as Margaret <b>approved</b>, Astrid’s objections wouldn’t stand <b>in </b>the way of the marriage.
With <b>this </b>in mind, Maria kept her thoughts to herself. Turning to Melody, she <b>said</b>, “Melody, let’s go see Mrs. Swanson together.”
Just as Melody was about to respond, Astrid interjected, “Mrs. Fox, Margaret is really not up for visitors. How about I show Melody around a bit<b>, </b>and you go see her first?”
<b>Maria</b>, not being <b>in </b>a hurry, nodded in agreement,
A servant escorted <b>Maria </b>away while Astrid led Melody, Ynda<b>, </b><b>and </b>Mabel towards the drawing room upstairs.
“There are quite a few guests today<b>, </b>and most of thedies are upstairs enjoying coffee. <b>Please</b><b>, </b>join them,” Astrid directed.
Chapter 19
As they ascended, Astrid’s focus was entirely on Mabel, treating Melody as if she were just part of the backdrop. It was obvious Astrid preferred Mabel over Melody by a long shot.