Chapter 104: How Long Am I Supposed to Wait?

Lindy's voice cut through the silence, her patience wearing thin.

Colton seemed to be taking his illness far too lightly. The restart of the mysterious Hacker World remained uncertain, leaving Lindy impatient.

"In the meantime," Lindy said, "you better start making contacts abroad. Another attack could be fatal."

Although his pain had subsided, Colton felt worse after seeing Melany. Her family's supposed lack of foreign connections contradicted Melany's apparent uselessness. Meanwhile, Allison, an orphan, proved far more resourceful.

Melany felt Lindy's scrutinizing gaze. With a serene smile that barely masked her frustration, Melany announced, "Lindy, I have good news. My parents have cleared their schedules and arrive today from abroad to help with the wedding. They'll bring gifts."

His tone was sweet, but the underlying message was sharp: unlike the easily controlled Allison, Melany had influential parents. Lindy's expression hardened, then softened as she grasped the implication. Even without surpassing Allison in every aspect, wealthy parents were a significant advantage. In the ongoing battles with lovers and rivals, a well-connected daughter-in-law was a powerful asset.

"Ah, I see. That's wonderful," Lindy said, her voice softening as she took Melany's hand, her touch warm but calculated. "I've been unwell and may have said things I shouldn't have. You've already been through so much. With your parents' arrival, I can organize a welcome dinner—a perfect opportunity to meet my in-laws."

She glanced at Colton, whose attention wandered again. "I had to remind him of his priorities," she thought. "As for the medicine," she said aloud, "you and Melany don't need to worry. I'll arrange it. I can always use Keanu's contacts if necessary. Colton, focus on your future in-laws and finalizing wedding plans."

Her unspoken motive was clear: Melany's parents' financial support would be invaluable. Seeing Colton still distracted, likely thinking of Allison, Lindy nudged him. "What's wrong? You're already daydreaming about your in-laws."

Colton looked at Melany, who smiled. The wedding, a lifelong dream, should have filled him with joy, but a growing unease persisted. Allison's face kept intruding into his thoughts. The old Allison wouldn't have caused this worry, but the current Allison was colder and more distant than ever.

Pushing aside his unsettling feelings, Colton maintained a neutral expression. "Of course. I'll give them a warm welcome." He tucked a strand of hair behind Melany's ear; she leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. From afar, they seemed the perfect couple, but beneath the surface, both were playing their own game.