Chapter 32

Chapter 32

But Astrid dared not say more. Ken was a madman. No one knew what he might do in a fit of impulse.

After scolding Ken, she turned to Fairlee and said, “You surely didn’t expect things to turn out like this today. Don’t take Ken’s words to heart. Take Barclay to the hospital for an examination. We’ll cover his medical expenses”

“Do you think we can’t afford the medical expenses?” Fairlee gritted her teeth. She wanted to say something more harsh but swallowed her words and said instead, “This isn’t over yet. When Barclay recovers, I hope Mabel and Melody will cooperate with my investigation.”

Melody narrowed her eyes. “Anytime.” She had a clear conscience and was not afraid of any investigation.

Mabel, however, kept crying pitifully, which annoyed Melody, so she looked away.

Fairlee snorted coldly at them, then ordered her people to carry Barclay out.

Barclay wanted to curse at Mabel and Melody, but a stern look from Fairlee silenced him. “Have you not embarrassed us enough?!*

Barclay moved his lips but dared not say more.

As they passed Melody, Fairlee slowed her pace. “Melody, we shall meet again.”

Melody met Fairlee’s gaze without fear, her expression indifferent. Fairlee was furious but could do nothing. After all, she was at the Swanson’s. She gritted her teeth and followed the stretcher out.

Due to the chaos Barclay had caused, the birthday party ended early, and Astrid saw the guests off.

Meanwhile, Yolanda whispered to Mabel, “Go apologize to Melody and Mrs. Fox.

Mabel, with a heavy heart, went up to Melody and Maria, her eyes red from crying. Sorry, Grandma, Melody. I messed up and fell for Barclay’s nonsense. Please forgive me. I won’t be so gullible next time, I promise.”

Mabel was quite the actress. As she spoke, she shed a few perfectly timed tears and finally bowed to Maria.

Maria took a few deep breaths and then sighed heavily. “It is clear now. It’s all Barclay’s fault. It has nothing to do with you. There’s nothing to

apologize for.”

Her words implied she did not want to pursue the matter further. The truth, at this point, didn’t matter anymore.

Mabel was overjoyed and quickly stepped up to support Maria, pushing Melody aside. Melody almost lost her balance. She pressed her lips together slightly and said nothing.

She wasn’t happy but didn’t blame Maria either. She knew Maria was not being partial to Mabel but trying to protect the Fox family’s

reputation.

Melody lowered her gaze, thinking of Ken, who had helped her twice. She wanted to thank him but couldn’t find him.

Yolanda joined in, while constantly criticizing Barclay.

Maria, annoyed, frowned and said, “Enough, Don’t mention this again.”

Seeing Maria’s displeased face, Yolanda reluctantly fell silent.

At that moment, Astrid came back after seeing off the important guests. When she saw the four of them still there, she quickly put on a fake smile. “Mrs. Fox, I’m really sorry about what went down today. Let me make it up to you by walking you out.”

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Chapter 32

She said this because she wanted to get rid of Melody who had embarrassed her today.

S14%創

Several noble ladies had asked her about Ken’s marriage, and she had answered them vaguely. She couldn’t feel at ease as long as Melody was around.

Astrid gestured for them to walk in front of her when Maria spoke up. “Walk them out. I’ll take Melody to see Margaret.”

Astrid’s smile faltered. Yolanda and Mabel also looked displeased. They had long sensed Maria’s favoritism, but this was out of line. Both Mabel and Melody were her granddaughters, and Maria only wanted to take Melody to see Margaret.

Yolanda’s arm muscles tensed in anger, and veins popped.

Astrid, forcing a smile, said, “Mrs. Fox, Margaret is resting now. Perhaps you could come another day? I’ll arrange a good time for you. You know, she’s not in a good condition.”

“Don’t get me wrong. It isn’t my idea.” Maria glanced at Melody. “Margaret wants to see Melody herself. I haven’t lost my mind.”

If it wasn’t for pushing Melody to marry into the Swanson family and Margaret’s request, Maria wouldn’t have brought Melody to visit. The fewer people who knew, the smaller the chance of the secret getting out. But she trusted Melody with the secret.

Astrid’s face darkened, but since it was Margaret’s idea and Maria insisted, she had to comply reluctantly. “Very well, I’ll take you upstairs. Margaret is often in a bad mood. I hope you can talk with her…”

Astrid really didn’t want Maria to meet Margaret because she was afra

afraid Maria would talk Margaret into giving her blessing for Melody and Ken’s marriage. Astrid thought this would totally ruin Ken’s reputation and make him a laughingstock in Silverlake and maybe even the whole country.

Damn it!‘ she cursed

mwardly.

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