Chapter 525
Nana was not naive. Hearing Melody’s words, she immediately understood that she wanted to discuss Janet.
She promptly suggested, “Let’s find a place to talk in detail.”
Melody nodded and instructed David, “Please show Mrs. Jensen around the clinic and the kitchen, and inform the accountant. Nana and I will discuss some matters at the coffee shop across the street.”
David did not question this and nodded. “Yes, Miss Fox.”
Soon, the two of them were at the coffee shop across from the clinic. The coffee shop offered good privacy, so they didn’t have to worry about eavesdroppers.
Melody got straight to the point. “I believe you have something to tell me regarding Janet, whether from your school days or after graduation…”
Nana took a sip of coffee, seemingly using it to bolster her courage. Betraying Janet was not an easy decision for her.
Melody was patient. She waited for Nana to gather her thoughts.
Fortunately, Nana didn’t take long before she began. “Janet and I kept in touch frequently during university, but less so after graduation. However, I’ve always known she is a dangerous person.”
Melody raised an eyebrow and asked, “What do you mean?”
Nana replied, “We both attended university abroad. The Halcyon students at our school often gathered together. Janet knew Ken and Sid before university, so she was closer to them. They even started a business together during university.”
Melody listened attentively.
Nana paused for a moment before continuing, “The three of them had always been close, but not many people in Halcyon knew that they weren’t just a trio during university. It had been a group of four.”
Melody was surprised. “A quartet? Was it James?”
Nana shook her head. “No, James was just one of Ken’s subordinates.”
“Then who was the fourth?”
“It was a girl… She was beautiful, a mix of three nationalities, with stunning blue eyes. She joined their group later. I wasn’t very familiar with her, but everyone called her Mango because she loved eating mangoes. Mango’s family was originally wealthy, but after they went bankrupt, she had to work part-time to pay for her tuition while studying.”
Nana continued, “Initially, she and Ken were just friends, but they grew closer and often went out together. But one day, Mango suddenly dropped out of school. None of us could contact her. Ken looked for her for a long time, and so did we…”
She added, “In the end, all we found was a letter she left behind, saying she was tired of this life and had returned to her home country. If Mango hadn’t suddenly disappeared, she would still be with Ken today.”
Melody’s grip on her coffee cup tightened.
“Do you know something about Mango?” Melody asked.
Nana nodded, seeming to summon all her courage to continue, “Mango… she died.”
Melody was shocked. “What did you say?”
“I saw with my own eyes that Janet pushed her off the back hill of the school…” Nana’s voice trembled. “Janet doesn’t know I saw it, and I’ve never told anyone. But Janet used me and then discarded me, so I don’t want to keep her secret anymore.”
Melody remained silent for a long time before asking, “Does Ken know about this?”
Nana shook her head. “Ken doesn’t know, but there’s another person who does.”
“Who?”
“Sid.”
Melody felt a turmoil in her chest, struggling to digest this information.
She couldn’t help but wonder if Sid would expose Janet even if he regained consciousness. She thought probably not. Melody realized she couldn’t rely on Sid alone to reveal Janet’s true nature.
Nana continued, “Sid was there, but he didn’t see me. I always thought he would speak out, but he chose to remain silent.”
Melody asked with a complex expression, “Was Mango’s body ever found?”
“No.” Nana shook her head. “I’ve been keeping an eye on this, but there’s never been any news from the school. I think either Janet and her family managed to suppress it, or Mango’s body was never discovered.”
Melody noted this information, listening as Nana recounted more of Janet’s minor misdeeds.
As the sky darkened, Melody finally interrupted. “Let’s leave it at that for today. If you remember anything important, let me know.”
“Okay.” Nana agreed.
As they were about to leave the coffee shop, Nana suddenly said, “Miss Fox, there’s one more thing. I’m not sure if I should mention it.”
Melody responded, “Go ahead.”
Nana hesitated and said, “Your eyes… They look a lot like Mango’s.”
Melody’s eyelids flickered, a complex emotion surging in her heart. She quickly composed herself, smiling faintly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“What?” Nana was puzzled.
Melody’s smile deepened. “Didn’t you say Mango was a beautiful girl?”
Nana was momentarily stunned but understood Melody’s meaning. Melody indeed wasn’t conventionally “pretty,” but her eyes were reminiscent of Mango’s. However, they held a steadiness and sharpness Mango lacked.
Back at Herbathrive, Melody handed Nana to David and went to the backyard.
Zara was sound asleep, and after a glance, Melody returned to the front hall to help. She worked until past eleven.
David said, “Miss Fox, there’s one last patient. Let me handle it. You haven’t rested for hours.”
Melody replied, “It’s alright, I’ll take the last one.”
David was puzzled. “Miss Fox, are you in a bad mood?”
Melody looked up in confusion. “Why do you say that?”
David shook his head. “Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems you’re deliberately keeping yourself busy.”
Melody was startled and suddenly lost the desire to continue. She stood up and said, “I am a bit tired. You take the last patient.”
“Alright, you should rest.” David nodded.
自
Melody tried to smile but couldn’t manage it. She felt lost and upset and couldn’t tell why.
She wandered the streets aimlessly, unsure of how long she walked until her phone’s vibration stopped her.
Mechanically, she took out her phone and saw “Ken” on the caller ID. The name seemed to snap her back to reality.
Looking up, Melody realized she had walked from the city center to the outskirts. It was already past 2 am.
She had been walking for three hours! Her feet ached, and even her knees felt sore.