Chapter 327

Karl, already drunk and out of control, beat Melody until she was covered in blood. Unable to endure it any longer, Melody turned, coldly stating, “You deserve to die!” She ran, prompting Karl and Audra to chase her with furious intent. They looked determined to beat her to death.

Panicked and desperate, Melody ran, recalling Sandra's email: the Kelleys had known about the test results for days but seemed unconcerned. Melody had waited so long, but hadn't given up hope. It will break their hearts to see my life firsthand, she thought. How can they not feel guilty? They won't continue letting me live with these cruel, greedy parents, will they?

Melody fell, scraping her knees and palms. Karl caught up, raising a broom and beating her relentlessly. "I told you not to run," he snarled. "I'll teach you a lesson."

At a street intersection, passersby intervened. "Hey! Why are you hitting her?" a stranger asked.

Karl glared. "Mind your own business. She's my daughter. Get lost!"

Shielding her head, Melody wept inwardly: Why didn't my real parents come for me? Why have they abandoned me all these years? Why do they ignore my suffering?

Melody screamed in pain as Karl continued to beat her. Just then, a black luxury car approached. Thalia, visibly nervous, joked to Charlie, "I'm so nervous just driving by, and we're still far from her place."

Charlie reassured her, "Don't worry." They had decided to keep their secret, but needed to see Melody's well-being. If she was struggling, they would secretly help.

As their car neared the intersection, Thalia gasped. The scene before her was far from what she had imagined. "Stop! Stop the car!" she cried, her face flushed with anger. The driver immediately pulled over.

Thalia ran to the intersection, shouting, "Stop!" Melody lay on the ground, pale and tear-streaked, her injuries gruesome. The sight broke Thalia's heart. Karl, with a cigarette dangling from his lip, said nonchalantly, "Who are you? It's my right to hit my daughter."

Thalia almost revealed their secret, but stopped herself, tears welling. She knelt, gently taking Melody's hand. "Are you… alright?" she choked out.

"I'm okay, Mrs. Kelley," Melody forced a smile. "Please leave. My father's crazy. He'll hurt you too."

Thalia wept, overwhelmed by sadness, guilt, and self-reproach. Karl spat, "Get lost, or I'll hit you too!"

As he raised the broom, Thalia protectively hugged Melody. Charlie arrived, kicking Karl away. Their driver summoned help. Bodyguards quickly subdued Karl and Audra, who screamed about being bullied.

A bystander rebuked them: "You think using violence is acceptable? Even if she's your daughter, you'll be punished."

Karl and Audra remained unfazed, continuing their lies. Charlie and Thalia, however, were shaken by the warning.

Thalia, heartbroken, helped Melody up. Seeing Melody's wounds, Thalia's tears flowed freely. I would have suffered all this for you, she thought.

Melody, still trembling, wiped Thalia's tears. "Mrs. Kelley, I'm fine. Thank you for saving me," she said.

Thalia’s heart ached at Melody's words. "Do… do they often hit you like this?" she asked softly. Melody nodded weakly, then gave a sad, determined smile. "It's okay. I'm used to it."

Thalia was devastated. After a pause, Charlie interrupted Thalia's attempt to take Melody away, saying, "Let's go to the hospital first."

Melody gratefully accepted. Charlie instructed the bodyguards to take Karl and Audra home, but not before delivering a severe beating and warning: "Mr. Kelley can give you a good life, but if you touch your daughter again, you'll be dead by tomorrow."

A generous bribe ensured their compliance. At the hospital, Melody was diagnosed with multiple contusions, a concussion, and tinnitus.