As the security guard crawled toward Melody Summers’s feet, about to grab her leg, the security captain rushed over.

The captain landed a fierce kick on the security guard, sending him flying!

The security guard slammed into the wall with a dull THUD.

The captain ran over and kicked him several more times, roaring, "Leopold Lowell, have you lost your goddamn mind? How dare you treat a hotel guest like that? You were about to attack a guest? Do you have a death wish?!"

Leopold Lowell wailed as the captain kicked him, but he didn’t dare to even try to dodge.

Facing his superior, all the insolence and arrogance he’d shown toward Melody Summers and Lucy White vanished. He was as docile as an innocent lamb.

He let the captain kick him while begging incessantly, "I was wrong! I really know I was wrong! I thought Supervisor Walsh and Miss Walsh were important guests, so I was just trying to help her... I’ll never do it again! Please, just give me one more chance!"

Just then, a man in a casual suit who had been standing silently behind the other guards slowly stepped forward.

He was young and handsome, with a high nose bridge and a pair of charming, almond-shaped eyes.

Looking at Leopold Lowell, who was on the ground crying with his head in his hands, the man scoffed. "Since you’re so eager to help Miss Walsh, why don’t you go work for the Walsh family? There’s no place for you here."

Leopold Lowell’s body jolted as if he’d been struck by lightning.

His face turned pale as a sheet, and his lips trembled as he spoke in a desperate tone, "Mr. Jennings, I really know I was wrong! Please, just give me one more chance. I swear I’ll never make this mistake again!"

"Mr. Jennings, I can’t lose this job! My whole family depends on it to survive! I’m begging you, please give me a way out. I promise I’ll never do it again!"

Leopold Lowell’s eyes were filled with terror and pleading, but Carter Jennings didn’t even spare him a glance.

He shot the security captain a look. The captain understood, stepped forward, and kicked Leopold Lowell one more time. "Enough of your crap! Pack your things and get lost!"

Ignoring Leopold Lowell’s pleas and struggles, two or three guards came forward, clamped a hand over his mouth, and dragged him away like a dead hog.

After Leopold Lowell was hauled away, the security captain wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and bowed his head to Carter Jennings. "President Jennings, this is all my fault. I’ll be sure to discipline my men properly from now on."

Carter Jennings waved his hand impatiently. "Alright, that’s enough. All you guys do is embarrass me... Use your heads from now on and don’t cause this kind of trouble for me again!"

The security captain continued to wipe away sweat as he bowed and scraped his apologies, then led the other guards away.

After the guards had all left, only three people remained on the scene: Ronan Rhodes, Carter Jennings, and Melody Summers.

Melody Summers looked at Ronan Rhodes and Carter Jennings, a little embarrassed. "Sorry," she said. "I’ve caused you trouble."

Carter Jennings shook his head and replied with a smile, "Not at all. It’s my failure for not managing my staff properly. I’m sorry you were frightened."

Ronan Rhodes added, "Don’t say that. It was our oversight. We should have had bodyguards stationed here. I..."

Ronan Rhodes trailed off, stopping abruptly.

His gaze fell on Winnie Summers’s dress. He could clearly see the priceless Blue Diamond brooch pinned to it.

Ronan Rhodes was stunned for three seconds before understanding dawned on him. ’That’s my uncle for you,’ he thought. ’He even knows that to win over the wife, you have to win over the mother-in-law first...’

’But why give such an expensive gift to win her over? This thing is worth billions! That’s way too extravagant...’

Melody Summers didn’t notice the stiff expression on Ronan Rhodes’s face. Recalling what Zara Walsh had said, she asked with some concern, "Is this really not going to cause you any trouble? I heard from Zara Walsh that her aunt is about to marry your uncle. Doesn’t that mean your families are about to become in-laws? The way you just handled that... wasn’t it a bit harsh?"

Hearing Melody Summers say this, Ronan Rhodes immediately panicked.

He cursed Zara Walsh in his head for spreading such nonsense. ’Isn’t this just dragging my uncle’s name through the mud!’

At that thought, Ronan Rhodes waved his hands frantically, his tone urgent. "That’s not true! What marriage? My uncle and Zara Walsh’s aunt barely know each other. That’s just a rumor Zara made up herself!"

Melody Summers nodded, feeling a little relieved.

’It would be terrible if I caused problems for someone’s marriage,’ she thought, truly afraid of causing trouble for others.

Ronan Rhodes watched Melody Summers’s expression and clarified, "My uncle is single. Zara Walsh’s aunt might be interested in him, but my uncle has absolutely no interest in her!"

Melody Summers nodded and replied, "Oh."

Ronan Rhodes continued, "My uncle is a man of principle. In his whole life, outside of work, he’s barely had any contact with women!"

Melody Summers thought about it. ’Officer Roman Rhodes really does seem like the type who isn’t interested in women...’

So she nodded and said, "I see."

Ronan pressed on, "My uncle doesn’t have any other bad habits, either. He didn’t smoke or drink at all when he was younger. He might have an occasional cigarette these days when he’s stressed, but he has incredible willpower. He could quit anytime he wanted!"

Melody Summers: "..."

’What does this have to do with me?’ Melody Summers wondered.

’Why is he telling me all this?’

Just then, a woman’s voice came from behind them. "Oh, my, why is everyone here?"

Melody Summers turned to see Miss Joanna Dunn approaching with a smile, dressed in a red gown.

Joanna Dunn greeted everyone, then immediately pulled Winnie Summers aside. "There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you. I just ran into a friend who’s from the same hometown. Come on, I’ll introduce you!"

Winnie Summers smiled and nodded. "Okay."

Then she glanced hesitantly at Melody Summers. "Are you coming with us?"

Melody Summers quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I’ll pass. Mom, you go have fun with Miss Dunn and her friends! I’ll come find you later!"

Melody Summers really couldn’t bear joining the group of older women again. The reason was simple: the last time she’d gone over, she had instantly become the center of attention.

A crowd of them had enthusiastically surrounded her, all talking over one another.

They were either asking about her life plans, her future career goals, or trying to set her up with someone.

One woman had even tried to recruit Melody as a daughter-in-law on the spot, pushing her son’s QR code at her to scan.

Melody Summers had had enough.

She had just escaped their encirclement to get some fresh air, which was when she had run into Lucy White, who had also been by herself.

Seeing this, Miss Joanna Dunn smiled and said to Winnie Summers, "Alright, there are so many young people here. Just let them have their fun!"

Winnie Summers could only nod, and she left with Miss Joanna Dunn.

After Winnie Summers and Joanna Dunn left, only four people remained on the scene.

Carter Jennings gazed at Melody Summers’s profile, pondering for a moment.

Then, he walked up to Melody Summers with a smile. "Miss Summers," he said, "I’m sorry you were frightened because of my hotel’s security. It was a failure of my supervision. As an apology, allow me to buy you a drink. Shall we sit down together?"