Chapter 5
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Winona was so furious that her chest ached.
She pointed at Melanie, completely lost for words. Finally, she turned to Bethany and said, “Bethany, this is the granddaughter you insisted on bringing back. Look at her. She’s been home less than an hour and has already caused chaos. Now she’s even trying to hit her sister. Are you really going to let this troublemaker stay in our family?”
Bethany glanced at Melanie.“Mel doesn’t have a sister. Aren’t you a professor? Don’t you believe people should face consequences for their actions? So if Mel makes a mistake, she should be punished. But if Estelle does, she gets a free pass?”
“It’s not the same!” Winona snapped.“Estelle was raised with care. She’s smart, well–behaved, and about to attend the University of Chicago. How can Melanie compare? And the necklace thing wasn’t even Estelle’s fault. It was a tiny issue. Why should she be punished for that?”
Bethany sneered, “If she makes a mistake, she has to face the consequences. As Estelle’s mother, you’re just as responsible. You’ve always covered for her. If she can’t pay, then you should.”
“Bethany, how could you?” Winona was stunned. She couldn’t figure out why Bethany hated Estelle so much.“Estelle is your granddaughter too. She’s always been kind to you. Don’t you care about her feelings?”
Bethany’s expression didn’t change.“If you can’t teach her, maybe Atlanta Federal Prison will.”
Estelle grabbed Winona’s hand, terrified.“Mom, I don’t want to go to jail.”
Winona was so angry that she felt like she might pass out.
She felt like she’d never been so angry in her whole life.
But seeing Bethany’s indifference, she had no choice.“Fine! I’ll pay the money for Esty.”
She reluctantly transferred 830 thousand dollars to Melanie.“This is for Master Lily. Don’t you dare spend it on anything else.”
Melanie checked the transfer, shoved her phone in her pocket, and didn’t even look at her.
Winona was furious at her attitude, but there was nothing she could do.
Bethany rubbed her forehead. “I’m tired. Mel, help me upstairs.”
Melanie nodded and helped Bethany upstairs.
Evander glanced at the others, scoffed, and followed them.
The rest of the Rasmussen family gave awkward laughs and quickly left.
Only Winona, Estelle, and Simon remained.
Estelle looked upstairs, resentment flashing in her eyes.
She cursed in her heart, “Melanie! I worked so hard for everything I have. Why should I give it up just because you’re back? Everything in the Rasmussen family is mine. You won’t get a single cent.”
The next morning, Melanie came downstairs and saw Alberto Rasmussen sitting on the sofa, reading the newspaper.
Alberto was her biological father.
Melanie smirked and walked down.
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Bethany was at the table. When she saw Melanie, she smiled and waved, “Mel, come sit with me.”
“Grandma, Melanie greeted her and sat beside her.
Evander came down shortly after and sat next to Melanie.
Bethany held Melanie’s hand, her eyes warm.“Did you sleep well last night?”
Yeah, I slept like a baby,” Melanie replied politely.
Simon saw this and scoffed.
He thought to himself, “She’s raised by a female escort. No wonder she’s so good at sweet–talking and reading the room.”
One by one, the rest of the Rasmussen family arrived.
Alberto folded his newspaper. When he saw Melanie, he paused and then nodded coolly.“You’re back?”
He didn’t get along with Winona, and he never cared much about the kids.
All he knew was that Estelle was fake, and Bethany had worked hard to find the real one and bring her back.
To him, whether Melanie returned or not didn’t matter.
He never liked any of the kids.
It was just one more mouth to feed.
So he left the decision to Bethany.
He came home late the night before and slept in the study.
He hadn’t realized Melanie had already returned.
Seeing her now, he was a little surprised.
But the strong presence she gave off made him see her in a new light.
If he remembered correctly, Melanie was raised by a female escort.
Could a female escort really raise a kid with such a commanding aura?
“Dad,” Melanie greeted flatly.
She didn’t feel much for Alberto. Yet, she didn’t hate him as much as she hated Winona.
To her, he was just a stranger living under the same roof.
Alberto nodded and said nothing more.
The room fell silent for a moment.
“Since everyone’s here, I have something to say,” Bethany said seriously, putting down her fork.
Everyone waited quietly.
“The marriage between the Fulton and Rasmussen families was originally meant for Mel. But because she was lost…” Bethany paused.“Mel and Estelle were switched at birth, so the engagement went to Estelle. Now that Mel is back, it should return to her.”
Estelle’s fingers clenched.“Grandma, Madam Fulton named me for the engagement. And Mr. Fulton and I really like each other…”
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Estelle thought, “Damn it! Melanie just got back and already took my things. Now she wants my marriage too?
“I’ve liked Warren Fulton since we were kids. I worked so hard for this. Why should Melanie get it now?”
“Besides,” Estelle added, “Melanie wasn’t raised with proper manners. The Fulton family probably wouldn’t accept her.” She knew Bethany didn’t like her.
But she had to fight for this marriage.
Bethany’s expression turned cold.“Manners can be taught. But no one can take what belongs to Mel.”
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Winona jumped in, “Bethany, even if you play favorites, there should be a limit, right? Esty isn’t my biological daughter, but she grew up in our family and truly cares about us. Everyone knows she loves Warren. Now you want her to give up on her fiancé? Have you thought about how she feels?”
With that, Winona turned to glare at Melanie.“Mom, you can’t always favor Melanie. She was raised by a female escort. If she marries Warren, wouldn’t that embarrass the Fulton family?”
Melanie was texting. When she heard her name, she looked up.
Winona got even angrier.“What are you looking at? Do you think you’re some rich lady now? Someone like Warren isn’t for you. Stop dreaming.”
Melanie was stunned.
She only caught a name.
She was not sure.
“Who did you say?”
Winona nearly exploded.
She thought, “I’ve talked so much. Yet, she wasn’t even listening?”
“Mel, we’re talking about your engagement to Warren. It was originally yours, but since you weren’t here, it went to Estelle. Now that you’re back, it should be yours. What do you say?”
Words failed Melanie.
Warren!
She glanced at the blocked contact labeled “ex–boyfriend” and said nothing.
Melanie calmly put her phone away.“Engagement tomorrow!”
“What?” Winona was stunned. She never expected that Melanie would agree to marry Warren. Furious, she snapped, “Melanie, you…”
“Tomorrow is a good day for engagement. Estelle and Warren should get engaged as soon as possible.” Melanie stood and cut her off.“It’s settled. Just let me know the details.”
She just sold off her ex.
It was a smart move.
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Chapter 6
