Melody's words sounded sincere, and a strong plea shone in her eyes. Kenneth looked at her silently, his feelings mixed—he felt heartache and frustration, unable to articulate what he was experiencing. The girl he'd fallen in love with at first sight, the girl before him, had gradually developed an incomprehensible murkiness in her once-clear eyes. The clear eyes he'd glimpsed on that bloody night—clean and bright—were now increasingly clouded, unfamiliar even.

He couldn't resist gently rubbing her eyelids with his thumb. Finally, he nodded. "Okay."

Melody smiled and snuggled into his arms. Alexia Harper arrived to this scene. Enraged, she rushed forward, separating them and slapping Melody viciously. The sudden attack surprised everyone. Melody, stunned, stammered, "Alexia, what's wrong?"

"You still have the nerve to ask?" Alexia scoffed, her arrogant demeanor returning. She raised her chin haughtily. "You're quite good at pretending, aren't you?"

"What are you talking about? I don't understand," Melody said, looking aggrieved, anxious, and confused.

Kenneth frowned. "Alexia, what's wrong with you? Why did you hit her? Did Melody offend you?" He wondered where his sister got her behavior. A few days ago, she'd been affectionate; now, this sudden change, this unprovoked assault—his sister was quite a handful.

"Apologize at once," he instructed.

"Apologize?" Alexia snorted. "Dream on! Kenneth, it was only on your account that I didn't slap her more than once!"

"What happened?" Kenneth's face darkened.

Worried about his anger, Alexia explained, "Kenneth, I want this case reopened! Jansen and Melody are siblings, very close. Who's to say she's innocent? What if she was behind it all?"

She continued, "And didn't the two accomplices insist Melody instructed them? Their claims can't be groundless. I want the case reopened and reinvestigated."

Kenneth was surprised. His sister's explanation was clear and logical—unexpected from his usually thoughtless sibling. He had to admit she had a point. Jansen Princeton had two accomplices: Declan Jahn and another man. Their testimonies were remarkably consistent, both stating Melody was the mastermind. Their cross-examination revealed no inconsistencies; they hadn't colluded to lie. According to them, the three acted under Melody's instructions, leaving without encountering Jade Payne. Jansen admitted guilt, producing Jade's necklace as evidence, leading to his conviction.

So, who was telling the truth? Were Declan and the other man framing Melody? Or did Jansen take the blame to protect someone? Superficially logical, the case's details didn't quite fit together. Kenneth's belief wavered; not that he suspected Melody, but he desperately wanted the truth.

Melody noticed the shift in Kenneth's demeanor. Disappointed, she smiled bitterly. "Kenny, didn't you say you believed me? Why are you suspecting me now?"

Before Kenneth could respond, Alexia snapped, "Shut up!" She shook his arm, pleading petulantly, "Kenneth, I'm your sister. Surely you want to help me find the responsible person?"

"Of course," Kenneth replied firmly.

"Then let's reopen the case. Perhaps a surprise will be unearthed during the retrial." Alexia gave Melody a pointed, confident, and determined look. She seemed certain of the outcome.

Melody clenched her fists, unaware who had brainwashed Alexia, causing this rift and making her forget who rescued her. Despite her inner turmoil, Melody remained outwardly calm, playing along. "To prove my innocence, I agree to a retrial. I will cooperate fully."

Alexia greeted this righteous proclamation with derision, content as long as her goal was achieved.

Kenneth was about to act when he received a call. His subordinate reported urgently, "Bad news, Mr. Harper. Jansen Princeton killed himself in prison. He was found near death and couldn't be saved…"

At Luna Villa, Tiffany was stunned. She found it hard to believe Jansen, a greedy man, would sacrifice himself for Melody, especially given their strained relationship. This development was unexpected.

June added, "It's unbelievable, but with his death, there's no need to reopen the case. All guilt falls on him. Even if reopened, there's no evidence against Melody. A queen sacrifice—a stroke of genius."

Tiffany scoffed. "Besides the accomplices, why was Jansen so obedient? He's cowardly. What did Melody promise him?"

Jeremy interjected, "Jansen's state of mind that night was off. He might have been under a spell, his thoughts controlled."

Tiffany remembered Sandra's failed spell at the wedding. She hadn't considered Melody knew mind-control spells. What was this woman's background?