"You!" Sylvia’s face turned deathly pale at her words. Her birth parents had always been a thorn in her side, a truth she was unwilling to face.

The Lancaster Family had investigated the hospital where Elaine Hughes gave birth. No other families who had delivered at the same time reported a baby swap.

Although she refused to admit it, Sylvia knew, more or less, that her birth parents were most likely not another wealthy family.

They must have seen that the Lancasters were rich and secretly swapped her with their daughter. Otherwise, Melody Summers wouldn’t have been abandoned on the side of the road.

Sylvia wanted nothing to do with birth parents like that. She even lived in constant fear that two poor people would suddenly show up at her door, claim her as their daughter, and demand she support them in their old age.

Melody Summers carefully observed Sylvia’s face, not missing a single micro-expression.

In her past life, Sylvia’s birth parents had never appeared. Melody was curious if Sylvia even knew who her birth parents were.

But from the look on Sylvia’s face now, it was clear she currently had no idea.

Not getting the answer she wanted, Melody lost her patience. She poured herself a cup of tea, took a sip, and asked, "Alright, what is it you want? Just say it."

Sylvia took a few deep breaths to calm herself and said in a low voice, "The family wants you to go to the Rhodes investigation team and explain things. Admit that you provoked Silas first, and tell them he was just acting in self-defense. If you take all the blame, there’s a chance our older brother can get his job back."

Melody laughed out loud. She shook her head and said, "You guys must be dreaming. Silas Lancaster was the one who attacked me with a knife, and the evidence is irrefutable. Why would I ruin my own reputation to help Simon Lancaster?"

Sylvia had expected Melody to refuse, but remembering what Robert Lancaster and Elaine Hughes had told her to do, she pressed on. "You just have to tell the Rhodes investigation team. It won’t affect your reputation. You have nothing to do with Rhodes anyway, and it’s not like you’re going to work there."

Melody replied distractedly, "Who’s to say? Maybe I will go work for Rhodes in the future. Why should I do something that hurts my own interests for Simon Lancaster’s sake?"

A disdainful look crossed Sylvia’s face. Rhodes had very high hiring standards; even Ethan Sutton couldn’t get a low-level management position there.

’Melody is just a college student with no work experience. Rhodes probably wouldn’t even hire her for cheap labor.’

Sylvia thought for a moment, then said tentatively, "At the end of the day, they’re still your birth parents and brother. Can you really bear to watch them hit a dead end? Or are you just jealous that I stole their love, so you won’t even lift a finger to help?"

Melody glanced at Sylvia’s slightly provocative expression and found it amusing. ’Even when she’s begging for a favor, Sylvia can’t help but try to feel superior. She’s really a hopeless case.’

She shook her head with a hint of resignation and replied, "Didn’t I already say? I don’t want parents and a brother like that. Since you want them so badly, they’re all yours."

With that, Melody leaned back leisurely in her chair, watching Sylvia with a calm and composed look. She continued, "As for the favor you’re asking, you can forget about it. I won’t agree."

Sylvia grew anxious. She tried to persuade her again, "How can you be so heartless? In the end, Silas didn’t even hurt you."

Melody took a slow, deliberate sip of her tea and analyzed the situation for Sylvia. "Silas Lancaster didn’t hurt me because he was incompetent, not because he didn’t intend to."

"Simon Lancaster instigated my adoptive father to come and cause a scene. Silas Lancaster came at me with a knife. I remember all of these debts."

"If the Lancasters dare to provoke me, you will bear the consequences. If you try to cause trouble for me again, it’ll be about more than just losing a job."

Hearing Melody’s words, Sylvia suddenly felt a chill for some reason. She thought again of Hugh Hayes, who had vanished without a trace...

Sylvia frantically pushed the thought away and asked anxiously, "Melody Summers, think this through. If our brother can’t get his job back, Mom and Dad might really have to resort to eating sand vine cakes."

"Even if you refuse to admit it, they’re your birth parents. They’re the ones who gave you life. What good does it do you if they’re living a hard life?"

This emotional appeal was completely useless on the Melody of this lifetime. She replied, "Sylvia Lancaster, if you really care about them, then move them into the Sutton Family’s home, or have the Suttons pay to support them. What, you and Ethan Sutton are so madly in love, but he isn’t even willing to take care of your parents?"

Sylvia bit her lower lip. This was her greatest fear. The Sutton Family already looked down on her for her background. If the Lancasters’ entire livelihood fell on her, her life with the Suttons would become unbearable.

Looking at Sylvia’s pale face, Melody suddenly felt bored. She drained the tea in her cup, stood up, and said to Sylvia, "Alright, this pot of tea is on me. Sylvia Lancaster, I won’t agree to what you’ve asked. You can go. And you don’t have to worry about me stealing your parents and your brothers. I never pick up trash."

Then Melody thought for a moment, leaned closer to Sylvia, and whispered, "Since you’re pregnant, you should go home and take care of yourself. This is the bloodline that Ethan Sutton’s father values most. He’s a man who cares so much about lineage, so you’d better not disappoint him!"

Sylvia’s pupils contracted sharply. She stared blankly at Melody, feeling that her words held a hidden meaning. But Melody didn’t give her a chance to speak, turning and walking away as soon as she was finished.

Sylvia sat in her seat, her mind in turmoil, and felt a dull, pulling pain in her lower abdomen. Her face was ashen as she could only watch helplessly while Melody paid and left.

*

Sylvia returned to the Sutton residence, completely dejected. Melody was unwilling to help, and she had no idea how she was going to explain this to Robert Lancaster.

Mrs. Sutton, sitting in the living room, saw Sylvia return and asked with displeasure, "You’re pregnant. Where have you been running off to now? What kind of daughter-in-law waddles around outside every day with a big belly?"

Sylvia forced a smile and said placatingly, "Mom, Silas hurt his leg. My mom is taking care of him and my dad all by herself, so I was a little worried and went back to check on them."

Mrs. Sutton sighed and replied with some exasperation, "Alright. Ethan’s brother, Elias, is coming back to the country soon. As his sister-in-law, you shouldn’t be running around all day. The most important thing is to stay home and focus on your pregnancy."

Sylvia was stunned. Elias Sutton was actually coming home.

Elias Sutton had been studying abroad since middle school and had lived overseas for many years.

Recently, multiple countries had issued volcanic eruption warnings. It seemed likely that many volcanoes on Terra were about to erupt.

Once large-scale volcanic eruptions began, air travel would inevitably be suspended, making it extremely difficult to return to the country. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

With the unstable situation at home and abroad, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton were deeply worried about their younger son overseas and had urged Elias Sutton to return home at once.

Sylvia nodded obediently. "I understand, Mom. I’ll focus on my pregnancy."

*

Melody Summers drove back to The Metropolis Residences and saw two cars parked in front of the Lorne residence.

A young man in a white shirt was directing people to carry bags and luggage inside.

Melody was surprised. She’d heard from her grandmother and Miss Lowell that the family at the Lorne residence had only stayed for a few days a while back before moving out again. She didn’t expect them to be moving back in today.

Just then, the young man in the white shirt turned to look at Melody. He paused for a moment, then smiled and greeted her, "Miss Summers, long time no see."

Melody recognized him as Yuri Walsh, the doctor who had helped her get the special medicine at the hospital. She asked in surprise, "Dr. Walsh? What are you doing here?"

Yuri Walsh chuckled and replied, "I’m helping my sister move. I didn’t expect to run into you again. What a coincidence."

Melody nodded. It was indeed a coincidence. She never would have guessed that the family living at Lorne were relatives of Dr. Walsh.

Just then, a tall, beautiful young woman walked out of the villa. Her features had a mixed-race look. She wore a wine-red slip dress that outlined her exquisite figure. Her slightly curly black hair was casually pinned up, with a few strands falling from behind her ears, giving her an air of careless languor.

She spoke softly to Yuri Walsh, asking, "Yuri, do you know this girl?"

Yuri Walsh nodded and replied, "This is Miss Summers, a friend of mine."

Then he introduced her to Melody, "This is my sister, Zara Walsh. She just got back from Icelia today and will be staying here temporarily."

Melody froze. ’Zara Walsh?’

’Isn’t that the girl Ethan Sutton was trying so hard to impress at the Nimbus Hotel auction hall?’

’Ethan Sutton even spent 420 million on the Pink Diamond that I sold, all for her.’

Melody’s feelings were complicated, but she still smiled, nodded, and greeted Zara Walsh.

Zara Walsh’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. She tilted her head up a little, looked Melody up and down, and then let out an ambiguous scoff.

It was a very disrespectful gesture.

Melody found her behavior bizarre. She frowned slightly and said to Yuri Walsh, "Well, Dr. Walsh, I’ll let you get back to your work. I won’t disturb you any longer."

Then Melody ignored them both and turned to walk through her own door.