After drinking the coffee the servant brought, Melody leaned back on the sofa and fell asleep for a few minutes. Although brief, the nap brought her an unprecedented sense of peace and relief. However, when she opened her eyes, she saw Jade smiling, and Melody was terrified by Jade's red dress.

"Ah!"

So frightened, Melody fell off the sofa. Kenneth hurriedly helped her up, asking in confusion, "Did you have a nightmare?"

"S-she…" Melody pointed behind her, shaking uncontrollably. "There's a g-ghost…"

Her nervous confession was met with a torrent of scolding. "To think I considered you obedient and sensible! You have no manners at all!"

Hearing this voice, Melody carefully turned around. It wasn't Jade, but Felicia. Panicked, Melody immediately apologized. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Harper. I had a nightmare. Perhaps I'm still affected by my previous fears…"

Felicia, however, couldn't hide her disappointment. Her good impression of Melody was shattered. "You're so pretentious!" she chastised.

Although Alexia had compromising photos taken of her, she recovered after two days of reassurance from her family. However, the culprits remained unknown, and the photos' whereabouts were uncertain. Days passed without threats or extortion, but Felicia felt like a time bomb hung over her head, threatening to explode and expose the family. To make matters worse, the Harper family was under investigation for tax evasion, leaving them preoccupied.

Felicia glared at Melody. "Alright, alright. You don't have to be so protective of her, Kenneth. Do you think I'll eat her? Instead of comforting her, focus on catching the people who hurt your sister! If those photos leak, our family's reputation will be ruined!"

Kenneth nodded. "I understand, Mom."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Harper…" Melody cried, repeatedly apologizing to the ghost-averse Felicia. Angry, Felicia ignored her and left.

Kenneth said, "It's okay. Mom won't blame you. That's just how she is—very blunt. Don't cry. I'll send you home."

"Okay," Melody nodded, her throat tight. Her haggard appearance stirred Kenneth's protectiveness.

After returning Melody to the villa, Kenneth immediately left, prioritizing finding his sister's attackers over romantic feelings.

Alone, Melody's face turned pale. Afraid, she didn't dare sleep alone, feeling watched from every corner, a chilling omnipresence. This time, however, upon entering, she saw Jansen with an elderly man, his white hair and beard exuding an otherworldly charm.

"Who is this?" Melody wondered, stunned.

The old man scrutinized her before stating, "A spirit has attached itself to you."

Melody was skeptical. How can this be? Just as I'm tormented by Jade, an expert appears? she thought, dismissing him as a scammer. Ignoring him, she started upstairs. But he gave her an amulet, saying, "This will protect you for one night. Ten dollars."

Melody stared speechlessly, her mouth twitching. She sneered and went upstairs. Jansen was still talking to the old man. "I invited you to evaluate the villa's design and my financial luck, not focus on my sister!"

"This house has bad energy. My answer remains the same," the old man replied before leaving, leaving only the amulet.

That night, remembering the old man's words, Melody wore the amulet. Miraculously, Jade didn't bother her. After a good night's sleep, her skepticism faded, replaced by growing trust.

The next day, she asked Jansen, "How do you know that old man? Is he trustworthy?"

Jansen replied casually, "He's had a stall there for years, reading palms. Why do you ask?"

"Give me his contact details," Melody said.

The old man wasn't surprised to see her. "Pay up," he said, extending his hand. Melody readily paid. Then, she asked, "Since you knew something was wrong, how do I get rid of it?"

"That's easy. Ten dollars per question," he replied.

Melody paid. The old man said, "The evil aura is strong. One way to resolve it: publicize your wrongdoings, and the resentment will disappear. Or, repent at the other party's grave. Beg for forgiveness until she gives up revenge. Treat her parents well. Show sincerity."

The first option was impossible. Melody chose the second, finding it the easiest.

"Are you sure this works?" she asked.

"Believe me or not," the old man replied enigmatically.

Melody made up her mind. She visited Jade's family, posing as a concerned classmate, helping care for them and working in their breakfast shop. Her kindness comforted Jade's parents, who even took her in as their goddaughter. The school praised her, contrasting sharply with Tiffany's renewed criticism.