Chapter 670

The servant who delivered the message was surprised to see Melody immediately leave her meal.

However, she quickly seized the opportunity when no one was watching and followed Melody.

Once they reached the second floor and found themselves alone, the servant whispered, “Mrs. Swanson, there’s something else I need to tell you.”

Melody slowed her pace. Since the message had come from Ken, she assumed the servant was trustworthy. She nodded patiently and said, “Go ahead, what is it?”

The servant spoke rapidly, explaining that when they returned yesterday, Margaret had instructed Astrid to return to her family under the pretense of visiting her parents. Astrid, panicking, had packed up and left without fully understanding the implications of the request. This morning, realizing what had happened, she returned with her suitcase, only to be stopped by Margaret’s servant.

Melody raised an eyebrow and asked, “So she was stopped?”

“Yes.” The servant nodded. “Mrs. Astrid’s face turned quite pale when she saw it. But Lucy, one of Mrs. Margaret’s most trusted servants, didn’t flinch. She quoted Mrs. Margaret directly, saying that Mrs. Astrid should reflect on her parenting and that she couldn’t return without explicit orders. Unable to tolerate the humiliation, Mrs. Astrid had no choice but to leave angrily.”

Margaret’s authority within the Swanson family was immense; even her servants had the power to enforce her will. Astrid didn’t dare argue. Astrid might have reacted differently if the servant had been someone else.

Melody nodded. “I understand. You can go back to your duties now.”

“Noted.” Once the servant had left, Melody knocked on Margaret’s door.

Soon, Lucy answered the door. Seeing Melody, she quickly ushered her inside. “Mrs. Swanson, you must check on Mrs. Margaret. She’s started talking unclearly, and no matter how I persuade her, she refuses to go to the hospital.”

“Don’t worry, I’m here,” Melody reassured Lucy before quickly heading into the room.

Melody found Margaret writhing in pain, her lips pale, and her forehead drenched in cold sweat.

She immediately checked the temperature and confirmed it was a fever, though thankfully, the temperature was not high. Recognizing that fevers can be more severe for older individuals, Melody didn’t let her guard down. She carefully pulled Margaret’s hand from under the covers and took her pulse.

Lucy, standing behind, eagerly asked when she saw Melody had let go of her wrist, “How is Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Swanson?”

Melody, feeling slightly relieved, said, “It’s nothing serious. It’s just chills and a fever caused by wind and cold.”

Lucy glanced at Margaret and said, “It seems like she is in a lot of discomfort. Are you sure it’s just a cold?”

“It’s normal. Older people are much more affected by a fever than the young. Once the fever goes down, she’ll feel much better. She likely caught a chill at the funeral yesterday.”

Lucy sighed, saying, “If that’s the case, then it’s my fault. I only noticed in the middle of the night that she was crying in a thin gown by the window. That must be when she caught the cold.”

Melody nodded. “That’s likely the case. But you don’t need to worry too much. Even though the illness came on strongly, it will pass quickly. I’ll prescribe some medicine for you. Have someone go to Herbathrive to get it. Once she drinks it and sweats it out, she should feel much better by tomorrow.”

Lucy breathed a sigh of relief, clasped her hands in gratitude, and said, “Thank you so much, Mrs. Swanson.”

“Don’t mention it.” Melody got up, filled a basin with water, and soaked a towel in it. She folded the towel into a square and placed it on Margret’s forehead. The cool compress seemed to offer some relief, and her furrowed brow began to relax.

Seeing that Margaret looked a bit more comfortable, Melody took the opportunity to call Ken. Knowing she was calling about Margaret, Ken asked, “How is Grandma doing?”

“It’s just a cold with a fever, compounded by her emotional stress. I’ve already prescribed a remedy to help with the cold and fever and ease her worries. You don’t need to worry about it; focus on your work.”

Ken was utterly relieved by her words. “Then I’ll leave it to you to care for her today.”

“No problem.” The two of them no longer needed many words; everything was understood without being spoken.

After ending the call, Ken instructed James, “You don’t need to accompany me. Go back to the villa.”

James hesitated, feeling that returning would only leave him as a passive observer, unable to assist Melody. But then Ken added, “Since Astrid isn’t around, use this opportunity to replace her and Ulric’s people. Bring in more of our people, and don’t hold back.”

James’s eyes lit up. He thought, ‘Ah, finally some action!’

“Got it!” he responded loudly, quickly nodded before turning on his heel and leaving.

He had been waiting for this day for a long time. He thought, ‘In the past, Mr. Swanson never fought back or argued, even when he was wrongly accused and labeled as the villain who ruined his brother’s legs. But now, he’s finally decided to fight back and take them on.

Lucy quickly brought back the medicine from Herbathrive inside the villa per Melody’s prescription.

Melody stood by brewing the medicine and personally carried it to Margaret’s room. In such critical times, every detail mattered, and nothing was left to chance.

After taking the medicine, Margaret soon fell into a deep sleep. When she woke up, she had sweated profusely, and her condition had noticeably improved. Most reassuringly, she even began to feel hungry.

Feeling hungry after a fever is a positive sign. Melody instructed Lucy to have the kitchen prepare a bowl of banana oatmeal while she took the opportunity to check Margaret’s temperature.

At nearly 99°F, Margaret’s temperature was slightly elevated compared to her usual, but she was expected to recover fully soon.

After finishing a bowl of banana oatmeal, Margaret could sit up by herself. She held Melody’s hand and said, “I’m sorry to trouble you again.”

Melody shook her head and replied, “Don’t mention it. As your granddaughter-in-law, it’s only right for me to care for you.”

Although the title was temporary and could be removed at any time, she had previously been urging Ken to get a divorce. However, she was hesitant, even reluctant, to say it out loud.

She knew it wasn’t right, but even the sharpest mind can falter once emotions take over. She now understood that her heart had already been given away.

The only silver lining was that even if she and Ken don’t become actual spouses or lovers, they will remain lifelong allies. Just thinking about this brought her some relief from the bitterness.

Melody shook off the confusing thoughts and said, “You have a task today. You need to drink at least nine glasses of water.”

Margaret, who disliked drinking water, bargained with Melody, “How about six glasses of water?”