Chapter 379
Tiffany wasn't surprised to hear about Melody's face being covered in red welts. After all, once expelled, a bloodbite instinctively tries to return to its host for survival, causing a backlash on the person who initially applied it. But to see Melody's face full of red spots? Poetic justice. Of course, instead of reflecting on her actions, Melody directed all her anger toward others.
Tiffany asked, “Lucy, did you contact the hospital? How's the makeup artist doing?” After all, this happened at the Kelley family home, and Melody's behavior reflected poorly on the entire family. They couldn't ignore the situation.
Lucy hesitated. “Yes, I did. Unfortunately, the baby… didn’t take it.”
Tiffany felt a pang of sadness.
“Who would have thought Melody could be so ruthless, kicking a pregnant woman…” Lucy sighed. “But don’t worry. The makeup artist works for the Harper family, so we’ll handle the compensation.”
Tiffany nodded thoughtfully.
A little later, Eric came downstairs. Lucy brought out breakfast with a smile. “Sir, come along now and eat up. We’ll be heading to the hotel shortly.”
The engagement party was at a hotel around noon, and as representatives of the bride's family, they needed to arrive early. Eric, dressed in a little suit with a blue bow tie and combed-back hair, had a mature, dashing look. With his baby face, though, he looked more like a serious little adult.
Tiffany laughed. She couldn't help it. “You look ridiculous.”
Eric pouted playfully. “Am I not cute?”
“Okay, you are. Happy now?” She grinned. “Now, hurry up and eat. Your oatmeal’s getting cold.”
“Alright.”
Eric took a spoon. He ate slowly and carefully, like a little noble prince—graceful, but with the cute charm only a child could possess. Tiffany barely resisted the urge to pinch her little brother's adorably chubby cheeks.
At ten o'clock, a convoy from the Harper family arrived, and Melody was taken on board. Since she couldn't cover the red welts on her face and body, her original backless gown was swapped for a more modest one. Even with layers of makeup, her skin condition couldn't be entirely hidden, so she opted to veil her face with white tulle matching her gown. However, even from a distance, her red spots were faintly visible.
Chapter 379
The procession moved grandly down the road toward the hotel. Melody tried not to look at herself in the mirror during the ride and even called Kenneth, pouting, “Kenneth, would you still marry me if I were disfigured?”
“What brought this up all of a sudden?” Kenneth replied, sounding distant.
“Last night, I drank a glass of water and ended up like this. The doctor says it’s an allergy, but I suspect there was something… in that water,” Melody said, her voice heavy with tears. “Kenneth, don’t you think Tiffany’s behind this?” she added, her voice tinged with bitterness. “She must have done something to make me break out in these awful red spots, all just to make sure I’d be miserable. Isn’t this exactly what she wants?”
Kenneth frowned and changed the subject. “Don’t overthink it. Regardless, I’ve committed to this, and I’ll learn to be a proper husband. Today is our engagement. Wait for me at the hotel. I’ll be there soon.”
“Alright…” Melody replied sweetly before hanging up. She knew Kenneth was being polite, but she knew him well enough to know that his pride wouldn't allow him to go back on his word once he'd made a commitment.
The convoy proceeded in grand style. Since the alliance of the Kelley and Harper families had drawn significant public attention, journalists lined the route, taking photos and covering the event with glowing praise.
Meanwhile, at Luna Villa, June laughed when she saw the news and promptly got up. “A perfect match?”
Jeremy raised an eyebrow. “Where are you off to?”
June said, “I feel like stirring things up a little at this engagement party. Care to join, Mr. Cooper?” June’s smile turned mischievous. “Time to vent some frustration for Tiffany.” She’d had enough of Melody’s scheming and wasn’t about to let her have her way. “That woman has repeatedly schemed against Tiffany. Does she think she’ll get her way so easily? I won’t let her have her wish!”
Jeremy, munching an apple, tossed it aside. “I’m in.”
“Perfect. Let’s head to the Harper family’s manor.”
Back at the Harper family manor, the butler checked the time and called out, “Sir, it’s past ten o'clock. If we don’t leave now, we’ll be late. The cars are ready. Please, let’s go.”
Kenneth replied curtly, “You all go ahead. I’ll be down shortly.”
“But, sir…”
“Just go.”
Reluctantly, the butler and staff left. Alone, Kenneth stared at his reflection in the mirror, dressed in a formal, tailored suit, looking poised yet burdened. A faint, bitter smile formed on his lips.
07:04 Mon, Nov 4 Chapter 379
This was his second engagement. A year ago, when he and Tiffany were first engaged, he’d skipped the party because Sandra had been in the hospital alone, crying after being hit by a car. He felt pity for her and had used that as an excuse to miss his own engagement, hoping Tiffany would give up on him. But instead, Tiffany had stood there alone, facing judgment and ridicule. Despite Charlie’s fury, Tiffany had defended Kenneth and pleaded tirelessly, somehow convincing Charlie to keep the engagement. Thinking back, Kenneth felt disgusted with himself.
Kenneth lowered his head, his hand trembling slightly. Then, a woman’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“The despicable things you’ve done don’t stop there, do they? Feeling guilty now?”
Kenneth spun around, only to see two strangers—a sharp-eyed young man and June.
“What are you doing here?” Kenneth demanded, shocked. He didn’t have any ties to them. Last time he’d gone to Luna Villa to beg for Sandra’s medicine, the sharp-tongued Miracle Healer had mercilessly put him in his place.
“We came because we wanted to,” June replied smoothly, casually seating herself on the couch and pouring coffee for herself and Jeremy. “By the way, your security here isn’t very good.”
To intrude into someone’s house and then criticize their security was bold. Her attitude was just as arrogant as the Miracle Healer’s.
Kenneth scowled. “Cut to the chase. What are you here for? I have to get to the hotel soon.”
SEND GIFT