Elizabeth had a sneaking suspicion that Kieran's sudden outpour of affection and concern for Melody
was prompted by his grandmother, Gwendolyn, who had instructed him to do so in advance.
When Elizabeth returned to her mother's house, she made a point of asking her mother about this
particular situation.She took a step forward, a grin plastered on her face as her eyes landed on Kieran.
"Kieran, you came at the right time today.I have a lot of things that I want to ask you," Elizabeth said.
Kieran glanced at her with a serene expression on his face.He did not appear to be enthusiastic as he
said, "We're all family here, so no need to be polite.I'll entertain your questions later."
Elizabeth flashed a faint smile before turning to face Melody.Her once warm and pleasant eyes
instantly became cold the moment her gaze fell on Melody.
Elizabeth was visibly unhappy to see Melody, but she acted like a loving and affectionate mother in
order to keep up appearances.
"My daughter has been giving me a hard time ever since.As you know, she didn't grow up under my
care.She lived in the countryside for several years, and she also learned self-defense during her stay
there.When she came back here, it was like she was looking down on everyone.No one could even tell
her about it personally because they knew that she would be angry.She'll throw a temper tantrum and
even have a physical confrontation with them if they say anything that she doesn't like."
Elizabeth heaved a heavy sigh and continued, "Melody's behavior really gives me a headache.I wanted
to ask you for a favor, Kieran.I heard that being in the military would help straighten out my daughter's
crooked behavior.I am planning on sending her in and letting her stay for a few years."
"I have heard of several news about parents complaining how their sons can't control their urge to get
into a fight.This is just my opinion, but I believe that even if a child is homeschooled, their violent
tendencies are still there.The previous efforts could be considered to be in vain then."
"I have a friend who is a mother of two sons.She once told me that they couldn't control their eldest son
anymore, so they sent him off for mandatory military service for a two-year term so that he could learn
to manage his unconventional ideals and control his impulses."
"Parents only want what's best for their children, but still, there are some boys who are stubborn and
they refuse to be disciplined," Elizabeth muttered worriedly.
She continued, "It is not easy for me to ask you for a favor, Kieran.I never even planned on considering
sending Melody off for military service since she's still young and I've never heard of a girl being a part
of the military."
The people around them heard everything that Elizabeth had said.It seemed like they had gained a
new understanding of who Melody Sullivan was in the family.
Melody was a unique presence in the room because she was the focus of the conversation.
She couldn't care less, so she just sat on the chair tiredly, letting them talk however they liked.
'So this is how things are going to be, huh? Establishing a position of authority is the first move.Now,
they plan to send me away so that I won't be a nuisance to them.How cunning"
Melody pondered to herself.
It was known that absolute obedience and compliance were the most necessary factors when serving
in the military.
It was well understood that once one had enlisted for mandatory military service, it would be impossible
to get out of it.
In the event that Elizabeth made her mind about sending Melody off, even if the Callahan family
banded together with Kieran’s military authority, their combined efforts would most likely still fall short of
Elizabeth's expectations.
Seeing that Melody didn't react at all, Sarah was feeling somewhat anxious because she thought that
maybe Melody hadn't yet realized the severity of the situation that she was in.
When Sarah saw that Kieran was about to reply, she couldn't hold herself in and said, "Wait a minute!
Why don't we think things through first? Are you certain that you want to send her off to the military?
That won't do.Little Melody already has her hands full in studying.She is also busy preparing for the
college entrance exam in a few months.Her grades are usually good.So I think that it's better for her to
enroll in a university."
Sarah had no knowledge of what Melody's results were.She was just concerned about Melody’s
situation if she were to be enlisted in the army.
When the rest of the Sullivan family members and Gwendolyn heard about Sarah's remarks, they all
looked at her with displeasure.
It was impossible not to be shaken by their piercing glare.
"Sarah used to be well-versed in the norms and principles of this family.I don’t know why she is
suddenly acting like this when she has only spent a brief period of time with Melody since her
return.Until recently, she was able to follow the standards of our family without a problem.This is my
fault that my daughter became like this!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
After saying so, she turned to look at Kieran intently.
It was as if desperation could be seen in her eyes.
"Kieran, you have to help me with this! If this continues, I'm afraid that my child's future will be ruined."
The people around them could see how sorrowful and desperate Elizabeth must have felt as a mother.
Sarah's face immediately turned pale when she was called out in front of everyone.She was aware that
her mother disliked her, but she had not anticipated that her mother would say such disparaging things
about her in public.
It was quite humiliating for her.
When Melody heard what Elizabeth had said, she glared at her with a cold expression.
Her eyes looked dark and hostile.
The people around them were completely unaware that the aura around them had suddenly become
bitterly cold.
Kieran shifted his gaze to Melody and locked his attention on her for a moment.His gaze was deep and
profound.He had the attitude of an elder who was about to educate and give advice to someone
younger.
"I see.So you're still studying.How are your studies going for you? Have you experienced any
inconveniences?" Kieran asked.
Melody furrowed her eyebrows and looked at him.
Reagan suddenly interrupted her before she could have the chance to reply and cut her off completely.
"Uncle Kieran, Melody has no way of getting used to class.She dozes off in every class period! It's like
she doesn’t care about studying.She uses the school bell as an alarm clock since that is the only time
she wakes up.She's already up and out of the door, heading home with her bag the moment she hears
the bell!"
It was Melody's disappearance from the family that Reagan was most looking forward to at this point.
She believed that it was best for Melody to be sent off to the military so that she would be away from
the family.
Reagan also thought that the Sullivan family could finally return to how they were before, and she
would also be regarded as the first and eldest granddaughter of the family.
A tinge of mockery could be heard in Reagan's voice.
But she was as innocent and harmless as an animal could possibly be, and she had a smile on her
face throughout the entire time.
Everyone around them, including all of their friends and other relatives, kept looking at Melody with
ridicule in their eyes, as if she was a laughingstock.
Some of them couldn't even hide the look of mockery in their expressions.
They even went so far as to snicker and chuckle at their own amusement.
As Melody leaned back in her chair, she rested her elbow on the armrest and cupped her chin with her
other hand.
Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she observed Reagan's performance, and the corner of her mouth
twitched slightly, flashing a devious sneer.
After hearing Reagan's words, Kieran immediately turned his gaze to Melody.His eyes had depth.His
voice was deep and gruff, but he did not come off as intimidating.If one listened closely, there appeared
to be a hint of ridicule in his tone.
"Oh, is that so? Melody, is everything that your sister said about you true?"
Hearing that Melody was once again included in the conversation, she slowly raised her head and
intently looked at Reagan.
Reagan subconsciously avoided meeting Melody's eyes.The thought of looking into her eyes made
Reagan tremble.She could feel her heart tremble in fear whenever she saw Melody, and she didn't
know the reason why.
Reagan had not expected Kieran's follow-up question.She was worried that Melody would tell the
whole truth and that she would be exposed in front of everyone.She didn't want to be branded as a liar.
Reagan's fear was that everyone would know that someone like Melody, who always slept in class, was
better than her in every aspect of studies.She didn't want to be called useless by her family.
People like her who committed vile actions were always afraid of being discovered.
In turn, they would always feel a hint of uneasiness inside them.
Melody flashed a faint smile.Her lips were arched coldly.Her tone was calm and uninterested in what
she was saying.
"Yes, she is right,"Melody answered.
She didn't hesitate to outright agree with Reagan's remarks.
After all, Reagan did not lie.
It was true that Melody slept every day in class, but even if that was the case, she was always at the
top of the class rankings.Reagan heaved a sigh of relief the moment she heard that Melody admitted to
what she had said.
Furthermore, it made Elizabeth feel good too as if she had won a fight.
Elizabeth couldn't wait any longer, so she ran her mouth like she always did and verbally antagonized
Melody.
"Kieran, you heard it yourself.It is impossible for me to deal with this child's attitude.She is beyond
repair! You should really consider enlisting her for the mandatory military service."
Kieran looked at her with a profound expression on his face and calmly said, "Melody is still young, and
I agree with Sarah that she should just study to take the college entrance examination.I'm sure that
everyone is aware that it is better for teens her age to study hard.They have been studying for so many
years now, let us not let that go to waste."
Elizabeth became agitated the moment she realized that her scheme was about to backfire.She started
eyeing and winking at Gwendolyn, gesturing that she should say something to help her in any way
possible.
Gwendolyn tried to understand Kieran’s intention behind his words.She was also well aware that
everyone from the Sullivan family would take Quince's words as the final say.
Soon after Quince received the signal, he immediately looked in Melody's direction.
In all honesty, Kieran felt quite dissatisfied and disappointed when he learned about Melody's behavior
at school.
As someone who was sheltered and educated by the Sullivan family, he couldn't accept that an out-of-
control country bumpkin would ruin the reputation of the family.
He let out a light cough and once again tried to compose himself to uphold his dignity as a member of
the Sullivan family.
"Father, what can you say about all of these? What do you have in mind?" Kieran asked politely.
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