Chapter 661

After a while, the ceremony of holding the cross and reading from the Bible ended. The elderly couple from the Hunter family approached and said, “We appreciate everyone’s efforts. There’s still some time before lunch, so we’ve arranged a lounge at the cemetery where you can relax, have coffee, enjoy refreshments, and warm up.”

It rained heavily yesterday, and although it didn’t rain today, the temperature had dropped even further, with a biting chill lingering in the air. In the southern region, autumn feels more like the onset of winter. After standing here for a while, everyone could feel the cold seeping in, so they all nodded in agreement at the suggestion.

“Sorry for the trouble.”

“Not at all; it’s the least we could do…” With that, the group, led by the Hunter family, made their way to the lounge at the cemetery to rest.

The lounge’s decor was quite ordinary, but the space was ample, with many rooms available for sleeping. The building had three and a half floors, with winding hallways that made getting lost easily if one was there for the first time. The sleeping rooms were set up because some families chose early times for the ceremony and had to bring the ashes ahead of time, staying overnight. However, this was rare since it was a cemetery, and few people were keen on spending the night there.

Melody and Ken followed the group and sat down where drinks and snacks were laid out. She glanced at the drinks, feeling the chill in her hands and feet, but decided not to touch it. It was better to stay cautious.

Before long, a group of people eager to curry favor with the Swanson family gathered around. “Mr. Swanson, it’s been a while since we last saw you. The last time was at the Swanson Group’s annual event. You’re looking more and more handsome.”

“What would you like to eat? Let us get it for you.”

“Mr. Ken, I previously mentioned a project to you…”

As more people gathered, some not recognizing Melody’s identity, they signaled her to move aside. Melody chose to ignore them. However, many of the people carried a strong scent of cigarettes and alcohol. With her heightened senses of taste and smell, she found the odor

overwhelming. She told Ken she would sit nearby and then got up and left. Ken didn’t follow her but gazed towards a corner of the room.

James was standing in the corner, and no one knew when he had arrived. James immediately understood when Ken shot him a glance and quickly followed Melody. She hadn’t left, finding a chair within a turn of Ken’s safe zone, where she sat down.

Not long after sitting down, James approached. “Miss Fox, I’ve come to keep you company.

Melody nodded in response, about to speak, when her peripheral vision caught sight of a familiar figure. Her eyelid twitched as she grabbed James’s sleeve. “It’s Jennie. James was momentarily confused. “Who did you say?”

“She’s Regina’s mother-one of those malicious doctors,” Melody said.

A screen shielded them, so Melody and James leaned back slightly, ensuring the screen blocked Jennie’s view. However, they could still see through the gaps in the screen and observe Jennie. She seemed unaware of their presence, glancing around before stealthily approaching the second floor.

Her furtive behavior immediately made Melody frown.” There’s something wrong. What’s on the second floor?” “It’s just where the guest rooms are-nothing much there. But…” James paused, then added, “It seems the elderly couple from the Hunter family are on the second floor.”

“I wonder what she’s up to, Melody said, frowning. “We need to check it out.”

James quickly said, “You stay here. I’ll go check it out. What if she’s trying to draw us away from something?”

“Alright.” Melody shared the same suspicion. They wouldn’t choose to deal with James now; the target must be either her or Ken. She couldn’t afford to wander around carelessly. “However, be cautious. Jennie isn’t as easy to handle as you might think. If the situation seems off, don’t push it- come back and find us immediately,” Melody reminded. “I’ll be careful, Miss Fox,” James assured.

Seeing Melody nod, James quickly moved toward the direction Jennie had gone, soon disappearing around the corner of the stairs. Melody was about to go and inform Ken but had only taken a couple of steps from her chair when she encountered Wendell.

She didn’t want to cause a scene with Wendell, so she stepped back to let him pass first. However, Wendell stopped before her, glaring with intense, fiery eyes.

“Bitch, let me tell you, you won’t be able to stay on top for much longer! Even if I can’t deal with you, plenty of others can. Don’t think hiding behind Mrs. Swanson and Ken will keep you safe. What goes around comes around, and Cadence will never forgive you, even in the afterlife! She’ll come for you sooner or later to settle the score!”

Melody replied, “Mr. Hunter, I don’t understand why you’re saying these. Whether you believe it or not, Miss Hunter’s death wasn’t caused by me. With all the videos online, why don’t you check them out? Why persist in accusing and slandering me? If it helps you feel better, you can continue to accuse me. I promise I won’t say a word in response.”

“You-” Wendell was seething with anger, and he reached out to slap Melody.

Melody avoided his strike by stepping aside, but she heard a dull thud behind her when she turned. Instinctively, she looked back to see Wendell, his face ashen, clutching his neck with one hand while dark blood trickled from his mouth.

Melody’s eyelid twitched violently as she quickly moved toward him. “Mr. Hunter?

“Wendell Hunter! What’s wrong with you?” She reached out to shake his arm, only to find several deep scratches already on it, likely from him scratching due to intense itching.

She thought, ‘What’s happening? The symptoms look like poisoning.’ As Melody’s mind raced, trying to decide whether to call for help or first attend to Wendell, she heard a group of people approaching from behind the screen. “The weather changes daily; it’s getting colder and colder.” “Yes, we might need to wear down jackets tomorrow.” “You young folks shouldn’t sacrifice warmth for style. If you catch a cold, you’ll be the one suffering later on.”

It was Margaret’s voice.

Melody felt a throbbing in her forehead. Wendell, Jennie, arguments, accusations, and Ulric’s attempts to smooth things over these elements quickly formed a troubling guess in Melody’s mind. Ulric seemed intent on using Wendell’s death to condemn her to a dire fate completely. It appeared Wendell was unaware he was being used as a pawn, sacrificing his life to create trouble for her. It turned out that Jennie’s ploy was to lure James away from the situation.

She gritted her teeth, stood up, and shouted to the crowd,” Help! Is anyone there? Please, someone, help!” Melody looked in urgent panic and quickly ran towards Ken.

But she had barely taken a few steps before Astrid called out to her. “Melody Fox, what are you doing!”