Charlie was in a daze, his memory flashing back more than ten years. He was young then, with a beautiful, gentle wife and an adorable daughter. Their one-year-old would rub his stubble and giggle, wobbling and toddling toward him. He could still smell the baby scent on her. He’d sworn then to give his wife and daughter everything.

More than ten years had passed in the blink of an eye. The thought of the changes filled him with distress and guilt. He closed his eyes, looked at his wife seriously, and said slowly, "Don't do this."

His simple words shattered Thalia's and Melody's expectations. Melody, overhearing from the examination room next door, felt overwhelmingly disappointed. She wondered why her parents, clearly capable financially, wouldn't acknowledge her. Only one possibility occurred to her. Tears streamed down her face, a mixture of sarcasm and hurt. "No one has ever asked if this is fair," she thought. "They treat me like something unwanted. What did I do wrong?"

Sobbing, her eyes red and filled with faint hatred, she was dismissed by the nurse. "You may go out now. What's wrong?" the nurse asked.

"I'm fine," Melody replied, wiping her tears before opening the door and leaving.

The Kellys, mid-argument, fell silent. Melody said, "Mr. and Mrs. Kelley, thank you for your help. It's just minor injuries; I'll be fine after a few days' rest. Thank you for your trouble."

"No worries," Thalia replied.

"I can go back myself. Thank you for covering my medical bills. I'll repay you when I can. Thank you!" Melody nodded, leaving with her medicine.

"Wait!" Thalia stopped her. Hesitantly, she said, "Take care. And you're welcome to visit us when you're free."

"Okay," Melody replied, smiling sweetly before hurrying away.

On the drive home, the usually loving couple argued fiercely. "You're so selfish!" Thalia raged. "I must have been blind to marry you!"

Charlie remained calm and rational. "Don't be like this. We reached an agreement yesterday, and I promise they won't dare to do it again!" He believed the $200,000 check would keep the Princeton family occupied for a while; if needed, he'd give them more. He could afford it; it was better than escalating the situation.

Thalia understood the logic but couldn't let go of her anger and worry. She couldn't acknowledge Melody as her daughter and watched her suffer. Turning away, she ignored Charlie, her anger directed at herself or him, it was unclear.

The chauffeur, witnessing their first-ever argument, was shocked but silent. Soon, they arrived at Cedar Ridge Villa.

Tiffany had returned some time ago. "Ms. Kelley, you're finally back," a servant said. "Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have been worried sick. They've been sleeping late and looking forward to your return."

"Where are they?" Tiffany asked.

"They said they had something to do and went out. They'll probably be back soon," the servant replied.

As the servant finished, a car pulled up. Tiffany, intending a surprise, was met with Thalia's silent entry and immediate retreat to her room. Tiffany was stunned.

Turning to her father, she asked, "Dad, what's going on? Did you make Mom angry?"

"No," Charlie denied, pinching her face and smiling. "Hey, my precious daughter, you're finally home. Tell me if you suffered in the mountains. You didn't suffer much, right?"

"No, I'm not a kid," Tiffany replied, unsure how to react.

"What a relief," Charlie said. "When Eric gets back from school, let's go out for dinner. Owen's opened a restaurant downtown; let's try it!"

"I'd like that," Tiffany agreed, having no reason to refuse, given her gratitude towards Owen for his help with Stan's attempted kidnapping.

Despite Charlie's attempts to change the subject, the strange atmosphere and his unnatural expression were noticeable. Tiffany saw the traces of tears and bloodshot eyes beneath his elegant smile. Thalia's swollen eyes also didn't escape her notice. Thalia, avoiding Tiffany, retreated to her room.

Tiffany, under the guise of a walk, approached the chauffeur, David. He was washing the car. "Ms. Kelley, is there anything I can do for you?" he asked.

"Yes," Tiffany said. "David, where did you go, and what happened?"

David, clearly instructed to remain silent, stammered, "We didn't go anywhere. Just to the company for a short while."

Tiffany didn't believe him, but David insisted. His evasiveness only increased her suspicion. She didn't press further, returning to her room and calling June to investigate.

June's investigation revealed that the Kellys had saved Melody from an assault on Evergreen Street, taken her to the hospital, and paid her father for a car. June added, "I also checked on the Princeton family. Melody's father excitedly went to get a car, paid for, I assume, by Mr. Kelley."

Tiffany frowned, puzzled by her parents' actions. Saving someone and giving money? Her suspicions grew.