Everyone was too stunned to react when Kieran said that it was more appropriate to send Charles to
the military instead of Melody.
After all, their plan was to send Melody, the jinx of the family, away from there, not Charles! Charles
was the beloved son of the Sullivan family, they never even thought of making him suffer.
Murmurs erupted in the crowd except for Melody who remained calm and was already losing interest in
the situation.
They were all intrigued by the drama that unfolded in front of them.
Charles’ mouth dropped and his eyes widened.
When he finally came to his senses, he felt anxiety and quickly responded, "No! I don’t want to! I won't
go!"
Kieran looked at Charles sternly, putting authority in his words, "I'm afraid this decision is not up to
you."
Elizabeth knew that once Kieran decided something, it was considered final and she couldn't accept
that, not when Charles was the one getting the punishment.She immediately tried to stop Kieran while
asking for help from Gwendolyn as well.
Meanwhile, Gwendolyn felt distressed for her grandson.
She wouldn't allow Charles to be sent to the military! Gwendolyn faced Kieran and nervously tried to
persuade him, "Kieran, you know that Charles is still young, don't you? Let's talk about this when he
gets older, okay?"
Gwendolyn was smart.She had an inkling that maybe Melody was indeed hard to deal with.She may
have aged but her instincts never failed her.
Melody wasn’t just an ordinary country bumpkin, which was probably the reason why her daughter
came to ask her for help.
It turned out that this harbinger of misfortune that the former head of the Sullivan family sent to the
countryside since childhood brought more trouble than she anticipated.She must turn this situation
around immediately.She faked a warm and gentle smile and looked at everyone.
"Alright, enough talk of that.It's my birthday party and we should celebrate.I would like to thank
everyone here for celebrating yet another year with me.Now, before the dishes get cold, let's eat!"
After Gwendolyn spoke, everyone ceased their whispers and immediately dispersed.
The reason why Gwendolyn suddenly stopped the discussion was that their plan wasn't going the way
they hoped.
It was supposed to be Melody who would be sent to the military but she managed to overturn the
crowd's criticisms from her to Charles.
And because of that, Gwendolyn acknowledged that she definitely underestimated Melody.
Who knew she was much smarter than she let on? In Gwendolyn's eyes, Melody pretended to be
powerless and tried hard not to stand out, as if she was looking for the right time to unleash her real
personality.
And if they continued with the situation from earlier, it was no doubt they would lose against Melody.
They might as well retreat and formulate a more formidable plan to kick that scheming woman out.
Meanwhile, when Elizabeth saw how Gwendolyn tried to divert the people's attention from earlier, she
wanted to argue.
But for the sake of Charles, she remained silent even though Melody wasn't getting the punishment
she deserved.
When everyone found their seats, the birthday party officially began.
Sarah was worried that Melody may have been negatively affected by what happened.She thought that
if she were in Melody's shoes earlier, she would definitely cry and wouldn't have the energy to be part
of this party anymore.She immediately went to Melody’s side to comfort her.
"Mellie, are you okay? What they did to you was totally unfair and Charles was being too immature and
unreasonable.It was a good thing that you were smart enough to resolve the conflict real quick.At least
now, everyone knew that it was Charles who started it and even Grandmother didn’t insist on sending
you to the military anymore."
Melody nodded and Sarah sighed a breath of relief.
When Sarah turned around, Melody smirked to herself and sarcastically thought, ‘Does Grandma really
recognize the truth that it was Charles’ fault, or did she stop the discussion because she knew she
can't win against me?’
Everyone knew what exactly happened or why Gwendolyn diverted everyone's attention when Charles
was the one being oppressed, but Sarah was blinded by her love for her family that she couldn't think ill
of them.
But Melody didn’t want to tell Sarah their dirty laundry.
Since Melody was already aware of this, she would choose to protect Sarah's innocence and kind heart
instead.
As hours passed, the party went on without a hitch.
It was a magnificent celebration with the guests enjoying the event, and offering their gifts and wishes
to the birthday celebrant.
When the party was over, Sarah immediately went to Melody so they could go home together.
Melody was still staying at Sarah’s apartment, so she didn't think it was necessary to wait for Quince
and the others to leave, too.She could just follow Sarah and leave first.
The two of them went up to greet the two elders of the Callahan family and inform them that they were
leaving.
Sarah knew that Melody preferred not to talk to anyone, so she spoke for the both of them,
"Grandfather, Grandmother, I'm afraid we'll have to head home first.
I have work tomorrow and Melody has to wake up early for her morning classes."
Gwendolyn nodded and smiled at them, "I understand.Be careful on the road.Take these red
envelopes, one for each of you."
Melody looked at the two red envelopes given to them, she already knew that they contained next to
nothing.
When she saw the thick red envelope Charles received, she couldn't help but think it was laughable.
However, Sarah was still grateful and gladly received them.
After all, it was tude if she didn't accept them when it was given by their Grandmother.
When Sarah got the envelopes, Gwendolyn spoke up.
As the family’s elder, she didn't forget to remind Sarah of her duties and responsibilities as a lady of the
Sullivan family.
"Sarah, you are a respectable daughter of the Sullivan family.Surely you don't think that you'll do that
ridiculous job forever, do you? When you're done playing around, feel free to come back and wait for
your father to arrange you with an eligible bachelor of another influential family.Marriage is the key to a
comfortable life."
Sarah scrunched the envelopes in her hands as she turned pale instantly.
When Melody saw Sarah's reaction, she knitted her eyebrows.She was well aware that Sarah was
working hard to make a name for herself in the entertainment industry.
But it turned out that the family didn't even recognize her struggles.
A ridiculous job? Playing around? This old lady really had a knack for hurting and humiliating people.
She didn’t even show an ounce of respect for Sarah and her chosen career.
"Let's go home." Melody said as she grabbed Sarah's hand to lead her out, which also pulled Sarah out
of her trance.
Sarah bade farewell to the two elders again and followed Melody.
Meanwhile, Melody didn’t walk out without secretly glaring at both Roger and Gwendolyn.
When the two ladies were out of Gwendolyn's sight, she finally took the chance to complain to her
husband.
"Elizabeth was right.That Melody girl brings nothing but trouble for both the Sullivan and Callahan
families.Just look at her arrogant personality, it's extremely infuriating."
"No wonder she's called the jinx of the family.Even Sarah wasn't spared and has been led astray.That
barbaric girl should just stay in the countryside forever.She shouldn't have come here in the first place."
Roger stared at the two ladies’ departing figures with a disgusted look on his face.
"It's fine, for now.Let's take our time to devise another plan to kick her out of our families for good.I was
able to send her away before, I should be able to send her away this time around."
Melody led Sarah out the hall of the Callahan family mansion.
When they were about to reach for the door, Sarah suddenly remembered something.
"Oh no, Mellie, I forgot my handbag.I'll get it quickly so please wait for me here.I’m sorry! I'll be back in
a jiffy!" Sarah said as she sprinted.
After her grandmother's words, Sarah was a little sad and upset that she was in a complete daze.
It was only thanks to Melody that she was able to walk this far but instead, she forgot to bring her
belongings.
Before Melody could reply, Sarah was already rushing back to the room in a state of panic.
As Melody looked at Sarah's flustered back, she couldn't help but shake her head and giggle a little.
Honestly, her elder sister could be such a scatterbrain sometimes.She was always panicking and got
flustered easily.
Suddenly, Melody caught movement and a flash of red light in her peripheral vision.She faced the
strange figure’s direction and stared at it with scrutiny.
A few seconds later, a person emerged from the dark corner.
Kieran wasn't fond of too much socialization and noise, that was why he hid in the corner of the hall to
grab a smoke.
Everyone passed by, completely unaware that someone was in the corner.
No one noticed his presence, except for this interesting little girl in front of him.
Kieran raised his head to look at Melody as he flashed her a playful grin.
"You've got sharp eyes, little one." Melody didn't respond to him, instead, she glared at him coldly and
with disdain.
He was, after all, a Callahan.
She didn't trust him at all.
‘who does he think he is? Does he think he owns a cloak of invisibility and thought that people wouldn't
notice him?’
‘Besides, the smell of cigarettes is too heavy.It would be dumb not to notice him" Melody thought to
herself
"He's strange.I still can’t figure him out"
Kieran could see that Melody disliked him and was wary of him.She wasn't hiding her ill feelings
towards him at all.
Suddenly, small frantic footsteps were going towards their way.
Kieran stepped forward and stopped at Melody's side to whisper in a low voice.
"No matter what the circumstances are, you're still my niece.Take this.Don't hesitate to contact me if
you need anything."
Melody reluctantly grabbed the card and was about to protest when she saw Kieran continue to walk
away from her.
She shrugged and decided to put the calling card into her pocket.
When she turned around, she was greeted with a smiling Sarah who finally had her handbag in her
hands.
"Mellie, I found it! Let's go home!."
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