Chapter 495

Alexia not only refused to open the door, but she also locked it. Melody paced anxiously in the courtyard, muttering, “Damn it. I really didn’t teach her a sufficient lesson last time!” She gritted her teeth, her face filled with fury.

On the night Felix sent Lorenzo to break into the Harper family home, Melody had secretly gone to observe the aftermath. From a distance, she'd seen blood in the courtyard and heard Alexia's wailing cries.

At the time, Melody felt a little sympathy, thinking Lorenzo was ruthless for sewing up Alexia's mouth. Now, however, she felt Alexia deserved it.

Melody stamped her foot in anger. Ignoring her shouts and banging on the door, the servants in the vast courtyard remained indifferent. Her face flushed with rage, she left unwillingly.

As she walked, Melody touched her neck, revealing five distinct, deep reddish-purple finger marks. The bruises were shocking and would likely take several days to fade.

The more Melody thought about it, the angrier she became. Reaching to touch her neck again, she stopped abruptly, her expression changing. "I had a necklace," she thought, "a gift from Kenneth. Where is it? When did I lose it?"

She finally recalled losing it on the night Felix had Lorenzo rob the Harper family. On that dark, starless night, she'd secretly investigated, fleeing in terror at the sight of the blood. She must have lost the necklace then.

"Did I leave it at the Harper manor?" she wondered.

Melody's face paled. Her blood ran cold.

She ran back, knocking on the door again. Searching carefully outside, she found nothing. Days had passed; someone likely found it the day after she lost it.

Trembling, Melody turned to leave as servants chased her away. "There must be a similar one at the mall," she thought. "I need to buy an identical one! That way, if Kenneth finds it, I can explain."

The courtyard servants exchanged bewildered glances, whispering amongst themselves. "Is Miss Princeton crazy?" one asked. "You never know," another replied. "How inexplicable."

In the Harper family manor's backyard, a young servant prepared to wash clothes. Reaching into a pocket, she found a necklace. She'd found it days ago but, busy with her work, had forgotten it. Noting its fine craftsmanship and real diamond pendant, she recognized its value.

After a moment's hesitation, she pocketed the necklace and headed towards Kenneth's quarters. Having found it at the Harper family entrance, she assumed it belonged to Felicia or Alexia and didn't dare keep it.

Kenneth was in his bedroom, with Odin applying medicine to his wounds. Although he'd won his fight with Lorenzo, he'd sustained some injuries.

"Mr. Harper, thankfully, they're superficial," Odin said. "Daily applications will heal them quickly."

"Thank you, Odin," Kenneth replied. "You may leave. And investigate the matter I instructed you to do, as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir." Odin left.

Kenneth sat alone, pondering the bookstore encounter. Doubts gnawed at him. "Was Melody's meeting with Lorenzo an accident? She stayed here for eight days before the incident. What did she do? If she's involved it's my fault."

Anger surged, his face hardening. A knock came at the door. Assuming it was Odin, he opened it without his shirt. It was a maid. Quickly dressing, he asked, "What is it?"

"Mr. Harper," the servant stammered, "I I found this at the entrance. I don't know if it belongs to Mrs. Felicia or Miss Alexia."

Felicia had been ill since Ryan's death. Alexia was arrogant; the servant feared questioning from her.

Therefore, she decided to give it to Kenneth. She presented the necklace.

Kenneth glanced at it, then stared. His expression darkened. "When did you find it?"

"Just just a few days ago," the servant said, waving her hands. "Mr. Harper, I had no intention of keeping it. I found it by the door two days ago while taking out the trash. I put it in my pocket and forgot about it."

"I'm not blaming you," Kenneth said. "I just need to know: are you sure it was the day before yesterday? Are you certain of the time?"

Chapter 493 (This section seems out of place and is incomplete, possibly a mislabeling)

Kenneth said, "I understand. You can leave now. I'll get back to you."

"Thank you, Mr. Harper." The servant left quickly.

The door closed. Kenneth's expression turned cold. He tightened his grip on the necklace. He recognized it instantly; he’d chosen it for Melody over a month ago. The design was unique; he couldn't mistake it.

He'd even engraved a small signature on the back – Melody's name. This necklace had it.

Kenneth's fury boiled. Veins bulged on his hands. "Melody Princeton," he hissed. "I've been fooled by this vicious woman! Jansen kidnapped Alexia but now I think it was Melody."

SEND GIFT