Chapter 296

– Bad Daughter

Yolanda was shocked by the viciousness in Melody’s eyes for a moment, but she quickly calmed down and put on that fake smile again. “Melody, what do you mean? I only borrowed Hattie for a few days. Why do you sound like I kidnapped Hattie? She’s just a servant. Why would I kidnap her?”

Melody retorted, “Cut the crap. You know what you’re trying to do. You better stop now, or you’ll regret it.”

Yolanda was about to speak when she heard footsteps behind her. She immediately teared up and looked extremely aggrieved. “Melody, I know you’ve never liked me, but you can’t slander me just because you don’t like me. Am I so vicious to you?”

“You-” Melody was about to flare up when Russell walked out. He was wearing matching pajamas with Yolanda.

Russell frowned and asked with concern, “Yolanda, what’s wrong?”

Yolanda threw herself into Russell’s arms and cried as she said, “Russell, I can’t stay in this house for another minute. I only borrowed Hattie from Maria for two days and asked her to go to the country to visit my mother on my behalf. But Melody said that I kidnapped Hattie… Everyone said it’s difficult to be a stepmother, but I didn’t expect it to be so hard. Melody always shouts at me rudely, and she’s slandering me now.”

Russell’s anger immediately surged. ‘How ill-mannered Melody is,’ he thought.

Russell comforted Yolanda a little, then walked to Melody to slap her.

However, this time, Melody did not endure it silently. Instead, she grabbed Russell’s hand.

Russell was stunned. He clearly did not expect Melody to dare to resist. The anger in his heart instantly burned even more fiercely as he tried to pull his hand back.

However, Russell was surprised that the seemingly thin Melody was surprisingly strong. No matter how hard he tried, he could not break free from Melody’s grip.

Furious, Russell tried to kick Melody in the stomach.

It was obvious that this kick was extremely strong. Melody was shocked and quickly dodged.

“You bastard. How dare you dodge? I’ll beat you to death today.” Russell’s hand was free now. He rushed up, wanting to punch and kick Melody.

Melody did not have the time to waste with Russell. She turned and ran downstairs.

Russell’s furious voice came from behind. “You son of a bitch. Come back here.”

Melody ignored Russell and ran out of the house.

When Melody ran to the entrance of the neighborhood, she was surprised to find that Ken was still standing there.

Ken’s eyes were filled with surprise when he saw Melody. He stubbed out his cigarette and walked forward. He could tell at once that there was a hint of vulnerability in her eyes. He immediately sensed that something big had happened because Melody had never shown such a side to him.

As Ken observed Melody’s expression, he asked, “What happened?”

“Ken.” There was a slight lump in Melody’s throat. It was unknown if she was feeling wronged or worried about Hattie. Her voice was shaking.

“I’m here. Tell me,” Ken said.

These four words seemed to have some power that calmed Melody’s chaotic emotions.

Melody took a deep breath and said as calmly as she could, “My grandmother’s servant, Hattie, was sent away with an excuse by Yolanda. I can’t contact her now… Hattie has helped me many times during this time. I suspect Yolanda is going to do something bad to her.”

Ken listened carefully and opened the passenger door. “Get in the car.”

Melody nodded and got into the car.

After Ken asked about Hattie’s basic situation, he dialed a number. His phone automatically connected to the car, and Sid’s voice sounded in the car. “Boss, where did you send Melody off to? Why aren’t you back yet? Jane is about to get drunk. Come back now.”

Ken frowned and said, “Don’t let her get drunk. She just went to the emergency room a few days ago because she was drunk.”

When Melody heard this, an unprecedented feeling arose in her heart. It was as if she had eaten something bitter. Mixed feelings rose in her.

This feeling had vaguely appeared when they were playing Truth or Dare tonight, but it seemed to be getting stronger and stronger now.

Melody didn’t know what was wrong with her, but she pursed her lips and tried to suppress the strange feeling. Ken did not notice the change in Melody’s expression. As he drove, he said, “I have a situation here. Get your family to investigate someone for me… See if she got on the train tonight.”

On the other end of the phone, Sid didn’t suspect anything and replied, “Oh… Okay, send me her information on your phone.”

Ken did not waste any time. He hung up the phone and sent Hattie’s message according to Melody’s description and photo.

After doing this, Ken looked sideways at Melody. “Don’t worry, they’ll find her soon.

“Okay…” Melody said.

A moment later, Sid called, “I found her. Hattie was supposed to be on the 8:50 p.m. train tonight, but she didn’t get on the train, and there’s no sign of her at the train station.”

“Got it.” Ken hung up and was about to get someone to check the surveillance cameras from when Hattie left when he heard Melody ask, “Do you have a computer in your car?”

“Yes.” Ken took out a laptop from the backseat and handed it to Melody. He asked, “What do you want the laptop for?

“To check the surveillance cameras, Melody said concisely as her fingers quickly typed on the keyboard.

Ken glanced at the computer screen and was surprised Melody was clearly hacking into the nearby surveillance system.

In less than a minute, several surveillance images appeared on the screen

Melody adjusted the surveillance camera according to the time Maria said. Soon, she found the image of Hattie being taken out of the neighborhood by the butler, Roy, on a motorbike.

However, after leaving the neighborhood, they did not drive toward the train station.

Thinking that Roy was Yolanda’s trusted aide, Melody took a deep breath and quickly checked the surveillance cameras along the way.

Roy brought Hattie to a secluded suburb. The surveillance cameras couldn’t give any clue here and she could not find Hattie at all. But it should be there

Before Melody could say anything, Ken had already changed direction. The car sped toward the suburbs.

On the way, Melody’s hands could not help but tremble. She felt both worry and self-blame. If Hattie had not helped her during this period, Yolanda would not have taken action against Hattie

As Melody thought, Ken spoke as if he could read her mind, “Melody, never blame yourself for other people’s mistakes.” Melody’s eyelids twitched as she looked at Ken

Ken said as he focused on driving. “When I knew my mother’s death might have something to do with Astrid and the Lawrence family, I felt useless at first and even gave up on myself for a long time. But later, I thought it through. The ones who were wrong were Astrid and the Lawrence family, not me. What I have to do is to work hard to find the truth, not waste my time punishing myself.”

Melody moved her lips and said, “Thanks…”

“I told you, you don’t have to thank me. We’re… friends, aren’t we?” Ken asked.

‘Friends? Us?’ Melody thought. Her eyelids trembled. ‘Since we are friends, why did he send James to investigate me? Melody was about to blurt out the question…