Kayla looked touched, but shook her head gently. "Melvin, please don't. No matter what, Felicia is still my sister. I wouldn't want you to do this for me."

Melvin didn't quite understand, but hearing her say his name exhilarated him. After pursuing Kayla for over a year, with gestures both sweet and thoughtful, he'd never received so much as a smile—let alone her using his name. Now, at her most vulnerable moment, if he didn't intervene, who would?

Determined, Melvin thumped his chest. "Kayla, don't worry. I promise to make this right. Your happiness is all that matters!"

Leaving the Fuller residence, Melvin contacted one of his associates, Lance, the loan shark who'd lent Shawn money.

"Lance, I need a favor," he said, discarding a cigarette—remembering Kayla's dislike of smokers. "I need you to handle Felicia Fuller. Do whatever it takes; I want her gone from Khogend."

Lance paused, recognizing the name. "Mr. Chavez, you mean the real heiress who recently rejoined the Fuller family?"

"Yes."

A smirk spread across Lance's face. "Don't worry, Mr. Chavez, leave it to me!"

Since Felicia's return, Shawn had transformed from a broke gambler into a wealthy man overnight, receiving fifty million dollars from the Fullers. He'd not only repaid his debts but was now flaunting his newfound wealth, showering women with lavish gifts one day and gambling heavily the next. Lance had previously tried to manipulate Felicia through Shawn, but his opportunities had vanished. This, however, presented a new plan.

"Just make sure it's clean," Melvin instructed. "You'll be handsomely rewarded."

"No problem," Lance replied.

After the call, Lance ordered his underling. "Find Felicia, follow her, and when she's alone, grab her."

His lackey hesitated. "Mr. Thompson, she's still a Fuller heiress. If they find out, we'll be in serious trouble!"

"Who cares? With Melvin Chavez backing us, the Fuller family won't dare touch us!" Melvin's family was one of Khogend's four prestigious families—far more powerful than the Fullers.

The lackey, however, remembered Matthew's desire for Felicia to become his granddaughter-in-law, and the potential offense to the Lawson family, the most powerful of the four, whose influence dwarfed even the Chavez family's.

Before he could speak, Lance kicked him. "Go!"

"Right away!" The lackey scrambled away.

Since the banquet, the Fuller residence had been consumed by a silent cold war between Myra and Dexter. More accurately, Myra was waging it alone, unmoved by Dexter's attempts at reconciliation. She focused her attention on Kayla, whom she believed had been wronged while running her beauty salon.

Since Felicia overheard their argument, both parents avoided her, creating a palpable distance despite living under the same roof. Their guilt was evident, even to the maids, who observed Felicia's isolation.

"Ms. Fuller is pitiful," one whispered. "Her father doesn't care; her mother's indifferent. She has nothing but her title."

"Exactly! Blood ties don't compare to raising someone yourself."

Holly, passing by with a tray, overheard and scoffed. "Don't forget her talent for seducing men?"