Her serious expression really called out to the old Mr. Seymour.

The hall fell into silence.

If the old Mr. Seymour wasn’t desperately holding it in, he might have fallen ill right then. After waiting for so long, he finally waited until today. It wasn’t for nothing that he held out until now.

"Grandfather, do you wish to see me in pain?" Melody Thorne seriously looked at him, "Is choosing a path of pain for me what you truly wish for?"

Mr. Seymour’s gaze was complex, "Let’s decide it like this. One day, you will understand my good intentions. Ten days from now, you will marry Hans Montrose."

"And what if I say no?" Melody Thorne looked at the old man with heartache, "Ever since I was little, I saw other grandparents protecting their granddaughters, giving them whatever they liked, wishing to give them everything. Do you know how envious I was? But you, why did you never seek me out for so many years, and once you found me, forcibly brought me here without considering my feelings, just to have me marry someone like this?"

She already had a family, couldn’t she accept Jared Quinn? Everyone would be so happy.

The old man closed his eyes and regained his former authority, "There’s no room for discussion on this matter. It’s settled. If you want your grandfather and your parents in the Thorne Family to live well, then follow my arrangements."

Threats, yet again threats.

Melody Thorne was utterly disappointed in the Seymour Family, who never truly considered her feelings.

The reporters who had been waiting outside the hall documented everything that happened today. Of course, they didn’t have the guts to write about Mr. Seymour’s threats, only recording words of blessing,

saying that she and Hans Montrose were in love, saying they loved each other since childhood. Ridiculously absurd.

"As for the heir’s position, I hereby announce that it will be inherited by Melody..."

Before the old man could finish his words, Melody Thorne, who had been standing fine all along, suddenly fainted.

"Call the doctor, call the doctor!" The hall descended into chaos.

Even Mr. Seymour almost had a seizure.

"How is she?" The old man’s chest felt blocked by something, and at this moment, even breathing became difficult.

"Her blood pressure caused an imbalance, it’s nothing major, but the young lady’s health is extremely weak. It’s only at half the strength of an average adult. If this continues, the consequences might be unpredictable," the doctor said.

"Why is her health so weak?"

"Well, we can’t really guess. The young lady needs a comprehensive examination at the hospital."

The old man waved his hand, signaling the doctor to leave, his cloudy and time-worn eyes filled with helplessness, "Did I make a mistake?"

In her heart, he was probably the worst grandfather.

While Mr. Thorne had always been silent, even he couldn’t help but speak up at this moment, "Have you forgotten something? Didn’t Howard Seymour choose to walk away under your pressure back then, which eventually cost him his life?"

The old man’s gaze was filled with grief, "I’m already someone at death’s doorstep, everything I do is for her own good. Jared Quinn is inherently incompatible with her; they will not have a good outcome."

As for why the elder didn’t want Melody Thorne to be with Jared Quinn, Hans Montrose also knew the reason. He had heard it from Caleb, half believing, half doubting, but he knew full well how many things had happened during the few months he had returned to the country.

"Mr. Thorne, don’t you think every time she’s with Jared Quinn, she nearly loses half her life? From the first time she saw Jack Montrose, she almost drowned in the swimming pool, and numerous times she nearly lost her life just to marry Jared Quinn, have you forgotten all of these?"