Chapter 488

“What’s going on? Why isn’t there anything on the painting?” Warner was anxious and angry. His black eyes stared fixedly at Melody, trying to seek an explanation.

If Nickolas hadn’t forbidden him from tainting a place like the black market, he would have told everyone about what happened on the black market forum.

Melody was innocent in the face of Warner’s questioning.

She explained, “I’ve wanted to tell you long ago that there’s nothing on the painting, but you never gave me the chance.” Only then did Warner remember that since he and Melody” recognized” each other, Melody seemed to have something to say to him. However, to prevent the news that he wanted to give Morin’s painting to his grandfather from leaking, he kept stopping Melody from speaking.

He calmed himself down. ‘If Melody wanted to fool me with a piece of paper, she did not have to come personally. Wouldn’t she be courting death if she came personally? There must be something wrong.”

Warner tried his best to calm down. Then, he asked, “Then why did you give me a piece of white paper?”

Nickolas realized that Warner was not joking with him, but that the painting existed.

“Warner, what’s going on?” Nickolas asked Warner, but his gaze was fixed on Melody. However, this time, there was less politeness and more questioning in his eyes.

“Hurry up and explain what’s going on. Otherwise… don’t blame me for not treating you as a friend,” said Warner. In his heart, they were friends if they knew each other’s names.

He did not want the two of them to fall out with each other like they did on the forum.

Melody’s expression did not change. She looked at Warner and said, “Didn’t you tell me your grandfather likes my paintings very much? Today is his eightieth birthday, so I thought that instead of bringing a painting over, I might as well draw a painting for him in front of him.”

Warner was speechless. “Melody, are you mistaken? My grandfather likes Morin’s paintings, not yours.”

Melody spread her hands and said, “Because I’m the Morin you mentioned.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Warner was stunned for a moment. Then, he said with an awkward expression, Melody, if you didn’t have Morin’s painting, you should have told me a long time ago instead of lying here. I hate people who are hypocritical and like to lie.”

“I’m not lying,” Melody said helplessly, “I’m Morin. I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time, but I never had the chance. Please believe me.”

Warner closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He suppressed his anger and said, “Melody, I misjudged you. Leave! I don’t want to pursue your responsibility anymore. I’ll take those 2 million dollars as a lesson, but I hope you won’t deceive others again.”

“Warner, I-“

Melody was about to explain when Nickolas coughed heavily twice. He said earnestly, “Young lady, the most important thing for a person is integrity. Today is my birthday, and I don’t want to make things unhappy. You can leave. After you leave, remember to be a new person.”

Melody had expected that no one would believe her. Although slightly anxious, she said unhurriedly, “Mr. Chapman, Warner, I’m not lying to you. Morin Palmer is the name I used after I learned how to draw. You can let me draw a painting if you don’t believe me. After seeing the painting, you’ll know that I’m not lying.”

When Nickolas heard this, he could not help but scrutinize Melody.

Melody’s expression was calm and her eyes did not look like she was hiding anything. She did not look like she was lying.

‘Moreover, this little girl has already cheated 2 million dollars out of my grandson’s hands. It’s enough to support

her living for the rest of her life. There is no need for her to continue lying here. At the thought of this, Nickolas could not help but waver.

“If that’s the case-” However, just as Nickolas was about to get someone to prepare a brush, Ulric gave Mabel a look and said instigatingly, “Mabel, she’s your sister after all. Tell her to stop being stubborn and stop her.”

Mabel had long wanted to expose Melody’s hypocritical side. But she couldn’t show her aggressive side because Ulric was beside her.

But now that Ulric had said so, she nodded slightly and quickly walked out of the crowd a second before Nickolas asked the servants to prepare a brush. “Mr. Chapman.”

Nickolas looked at Mabel in shock and asked in confusion, Miss Fox, what’s the matter?”

Melody also frowned as she looked at Mabel, who had walked out of the crowd.

When their eyes met, a cold glint flashed across Mabel’s eyes, but it disappeared instantly. It turned into a complicated expression as she walked up to Melody.

Melody pursed her lips coldly. She wanted to see what else Mabel could do.

After Mabel walked to Melody’s side, she looked up at Nickolas and said, “Nickolas, Melody is my elder sister.”

“What?” Nickolas looked at the difference in their appearances and asked in surprise, “You’re sisters?” “Yes.” Mabel nodded and said, “However, my father has chased Melody out of the house because she made a mistake. I was also surprised to meet her here today. However, she is my only sister. Please be merciful and don’t blame her. Because of her health, my father raised her in the countryside since she was young. She wasn’t educated and didn’t know how to draw. She lied to you in public because she was led astray by her friends in the

countryside. But I promise to persuade her to turn over a new leaf.”

As Mabel spoke, she bowed to Nickolas and lowered her head apologetically. “Please!”

Such a sincere attitude and actions shocked everyone present.

However, the more Mabel’s sincerity moved everyone, the more they felt disgusted when they looked at Melody.

“As an elder sister, I can’t believe she needs a younger sister like Mabel to bow and apologize on her behalf.”

“As expected of a girl from the countryside. Although I’ve never been to the countryside, I heard that people from the countryside are cunning and dishonest.” The surrounding people felt injustice for Mabel.

“Miss Mabel, stop bowing. It’s not worth apologizing for such a person.”

“That’s right. You’ve already bowed and apologized, but she doesn’t react. She’s a stubborn person.”

Melody could not help but laugh when she heard that.

She lowered her eyes and chuckled. Her gaze swept across the people who were reprimanding her. Wherever her gaze went, there was pressure, making those people subconsciously fall silent.

After everyone quieted down, Melody looked at Mabel who was still bowing. “I’ve already cut ties with the Fox family. You don’t have to call me sister.” She did not hide her disgust toward Mabel.

However, her attitude once again incited “people’s anger”.

Ulric was the first to speak. “Miss Melody, Mabel is doing this for your good. That’s why she bowed to plead with Mr. Chapman, asking for his forgiveness. It’s fine if you’re not grateful, but don’t you think you’ve gone a little overboard by treating her like this?”