Chapter 424
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Melanie’s fingertips were pale from how tightly they were curled up. The smell of disinfectarft permeated the hospital ward, and each breath felt like a weight on her chest.
She avoided meeting Eugene’s gaze. She did not want her frustration to be too obvious. Eugene was too smart, and she could not hide anything from him.
Glancing at Peachie’s IV drip, Melanie muttered some things before grabbing her bag and preparing to leave.
Viola looked at her. “Melanie, where are you going?”
Melanie replied, “To the hotel.” She then left without looking back.
Viola frowned and then looked at Peachie, who was lying in bed. She sighed helplessly and whispered to Eugene, “Eugene, wait for me here. I’ll go check on Melanie. She must be angry.”
Once outside the ward, Melanie’s emotions finally settled. She knew finding evidence implicating Viola and Dylan would be difficult given Viola’s provocative attitude.
However, if Viola had indeed been whispering into George’s and Dylan’s ears, then she was indirectly the cause of her grandfather’s suffering. Melanie could not let that go so easily.
Lost in her thoughts, Melanie failed to notice the person following her.
It was not until she exited the hospital and reached a nearby alley did Melanie hear eerie laughter behind her. “You’re George’s daughter, right?”
She halted and turned around, only to see the thugs she had encountered at the branch office not far behind her.
Melanie was immediately on her guard while still maintaining her calm. She took two steps back and said, “You’ve got the wrong person.
One of them had a phone and was comparing Melanie’s features with a photo. He then threw the phone in front of her. “Dare you say the person in the photo isn’t you?”
On the phone was unmistakably a photo of Melanie. It was taken surreptitiously at a hospital in Jepton.
The guy had a sly look. He had tanned skin and wore a large gold chain around his neck. His gaze on Melanie was malicious.
“We’re your dad’s friends. He said his daughter is doing well, so how about you show some respect and give us some money? That shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
These men looked to be roughly the same age as George, but they exuded a more streetwise savviness. They were clearly accustomed to a life outside the mainstream.
Disgust marred Melanie’s features at the mention of the man. “I have no relation to him. You’ve got the wrong person.”
“Wrong person? We’ve been waiting at that crappy company every day. That old turtle swore his son–in–law was wealthy and told us to look to him for money, but we haven’t seen a dine.
“Anyway, you’re his daughter. Showing some filial piety won’t hurt.”
Chapter 424
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The guy was about to reach out and grab Melanie when she suddenly raised her voice. “You think I won’t I’ll call the police?”
“Sure, go ahead and call them.” One of them even whistled mockingly.
Cornered right out of the hospital, Melanie’s mind raced for an escape plan. They were at the mouth of an alley now, and on the other side was a place selling things. However, it was separated by a busy road.
As Melanie was contemplating her next move, a yelp came from behind them. She sharply turned around to see Viola standing not far from the alley, her face filled with terror. A black cat was by her feet, but it quickly scurried away as everyone’s attention shifted to it.
Only a pale–faced Viola remained. She was frozen in place, staring anxiously at Melanie.
Feeling genuinely alarmed, Viola took a couple of steps back as if trying to make a run for it.
With a stern expression, Melanie was about to speak up when the young thug next to her quickly ran past her and grabbed Viola’s arm. He pulled her back.
Smirking, he said, “I just saw these two together. Perfect timing.”
Terrified and panicked, Viola had no choice and instinctively grabbed Melanie’s hand. In a trembling voice, she said, “Melanie, please tell them that I’m just here for a business trip I don’t know anything.”
Chapter 425
