Chapter 177

S21 7. Hidden Intention

Melanie pulled Barbara to sit with her on the edge of the bed. “We have to win your brother’s sympathy. Now that I think about it, he has been blinded by those lowly people. We won’t be able to shift their position openly.”

“Then what should we do? I don’t want to pretend to be nice to them. That’s not my style.”

Melanie patted the back of Barbara’s hand. “Just ignore them. If you can’t do anything good, just be neutral. Don’t bother or mention anything about them.”

Barbara frowned. “That’s even more difficult.”

“Just focus on winning your brother’s heart. Don’t think about anything else.”

“How do we do it? You don’t even remember his allergy. We need to know the enemy before challenging him,” Barbara said sarcastically.

Melanie took a deep breath, controlling her emotions. “I haven’t had anything to do with Frank for a long time. Isn’t it natural that I forgot about his allergy? My focus has only been on you, Darling.”

Gradually, the wrinkles on Barbara’s face faded. After her heart softened, she sighed in resignation.

“That means we have to find out about him first?”

Melanie tapped her daughter’s hand. “I told you about the Harper family standards, right? How about you try to live up to them?”

“You told me to go back to college? Or do you want me to work?” Barbara’s voice suddenly became shrill.

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“Savior is a big company. In recent years, they have also been trying out the fashion sector. How about you try it? I will persuade Frank to give you a position. You can’t waste it.”

Barbara’s jaw dropped. “What position? Can I? I don’t know anything about the company.”

Once again, Melanie patted the back of her daughter’s hand. “You definitely can. You inherited my brain. You can achieve anything with a little effort.”

“But you have to direct me, Mom.”

Melanie quickly nodded. “Yeah, don’t worry.”

While mother and daughter were busy developing strategies, Frank was busy talking about his excitement with Kara in Bali. The twins couldn’t stop sighing with envy. They even put Bali on their bucket list.

“Next holiday, Mommy and Daddy have to take us there.”

“Yes! Apart from that, we also have to go to Lombok. I heard it’s also beautiful there. Then we can go to Komodo Island to see the oldest

lizard in the world!”

“Komodo? That’s scary, Louis.”

“But it would be cool!”

As the twins continued to argue, lunch was over. Frank rushed off on his own, calling Jeremy.

“What’s wrong, Frank? Why did you cancel our lunch?” Jeremy asked as he received the call.

Sitting in his work chair, Frank sighed. “My mother is back.”

“Your mother? Melanie Harris?” Jeremy’s voice rose.

“Harper. She claims to be Melanie Harper. I don’t know what her

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y more comporary.

“You want me to investigate them?”

Frank tapped his fingers on the table. His eyes fell on her wedding photo which was framed in gold.

“Yes. I won’t let anyone ruin our happiness. Please investigate the

cause of the downfall of the Harris company. And prevent your

mother from coming here. I don’t want any war here.”

“Okay. I’ll also step aside for a while. Send my greetings to the others.”

“Thanks, Jeremy.”

After putting down the cell phone, Frank lifted the photo frame in front of him. Gently, he stroked Kara, Louis, and Emily’s faces.

“Please be patient, My Loves. I will take care of them soon.”

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Frank put the frame back in place and opened a nearby document. “Come in.”

“Hello, Son. Are you working?” Melanie smiled and closed the door,

Frank twitched an eyebrow. His gaze refused to look away from the document.

“I left the office for almost a week. My work has piled up.”

Melanie’s mouth rounded. “Who takes care of the company while

you’re on leave?” She tried to sound natural, but Frank could detect her hidden meaning.

“Jeremy.”

Melanie’s expression started to look strange. “That illegitimate son?” Her tone was careful.

Frank put down his pen and brought up his gaze. “He’s my older

brother, Mom. Do you have a problem wire

that fact?”

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Melanie blinked and shook her head stiffly. “No. It’s your company. Of course you have the right to entrust it to anyone.”

While taking the chair opposite Frank, Melanie put on a listless look. ”

It’s hard to believe that your father had such a dark secret. If it weren’t

mad

for your brother, Rowan’s entire inheritance would have fallen into your hands.”

Frank’s brow furrowed. “What do you know about that inheritance?”

“Just what was told by the media. Your children became the main shareholders. Jeremy and your wife got their shares too. I can’t understand your grandfather. How could he make those decisions?”

“I don’t mind. They deserve it,” Frank interrupted, leaving Melanie gaping, holding back her words.

“What do you actually want, Mom? There’s no way you can come into my study without a purpose.”

Melanie pursed her lips. Her expression was difficult to decipher.

“As you know, your mother and sister are having a hard time. So, if Norman’s illegitimate child can inherit, don’t you think Barbara can also get her share?”

Frank’s breath hitched. His hands were clenched into fists, restraini

his common sense so as not to dissolve into annoyance.

Melanie did not detect the change in her son’s expression. She

continued her efforts.

“Not much. One position is enough. She just needs the opportunity t prove herself and develop her abilities.”

“Can I see your daughter’s portfolio?”

Melanie gasped. “Portfolio?”

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“Yes. I appointed Jeremy as my confidant not because he is my brother, but because of his abilities. Same with Kara and our children. They are all qualified. And your daughter?”

Frank held out his hand. “Let me see her portfolio. Only then can I determine the right position for her. Savior never hires random. employee.”

Melanie swallowed hard. Her shoulders started to shake. However, after one breath, she smiled. “I will send it to you later.”

Frank also raised the corners of his lips. “Good.” His hand lifted the pen again.

“Is there anything else you want to talk about, Mom?” he asked as he studied the documents.

Melanie almost snorted. “No.” With a rough movement, she got up from the chair.

“Thanks for your time.” She emphasized her last sentence so that it sounded like sarcasm.

Frank showed a flash of a smile. “You’re welcome.” Then, he returned to focusing on work.

Melanie could not stand being treated so coldly, so she rushed out o the room. Her chest was hot. Her lips itched to express her feeling

“Damn! Can he read my mind?”

Melanie snorted in annoyance. Her eyes began to fill with red streak

“This must have something to do with those kids and that filthy woman. They must have complained, inciting Frank to hate me.”

Right at that moment, Kara appeared from the stairs. Their gazes accidentally met. In a blink of an eye, Melanie’s lips curved mysteriously.

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