When Yulia got back to Alan’s place, she saw her belongings all strewn on the floor by the door. Inside, a middle-aged cleaning lady was constantly swearing as she worked.

Unable to bear any more, Yulia fled that rented apartment, weeping. She rushed back to the Gu's mansion in panic and desperation.

Naturally, Nelson knew all about the entire debacle. He was lounging on the sofa in the living room when Yulia returned, and she immediately got down on her knees before him as soon as she entered.

"Grandfather, I’ve been so wrong. Please forgive me. I promise, I’ll listen to you from now on. I won’t make stupid, childish mistakes anymore."

She wept and wailed on her grandfather’s lap, airing out all her grievances and sorrow.

Nelson only sighed. "You’d better learned your lesson. If it weren’t for Melinda, who knows how long it would have taken to expose that charlatan. Or how many more women he’d have deceived!"

It was only then that Yulia realized her brother and his wife were also in the room. She shot her grandfather a confused look. ‘What did he mean by that?’

Nelson was smiling warmly at Melinda, and explained everything, praising her every so often in between narratives.

"Grandpa, it’s all just a matter of coincidence and good luck." Melinda brushed off the compliments she was given. It was the truth.

If Jonas hadn’t mentioned that there was something wrong about Alan, she wouldn’t have dwelt on the matter and discovered the con artist’s schemes.

"Be that as it may, it doesn’t change the fact that you’ve done an excellent thing! Citizens of A City have been commending your actions. You’ve brought honor to the Gu family, and I’m so proud."

Yulia felt small in the face of all the praises Melinda was getting, and she grimaced in displeasure. Then she recalled the pictures and mail that she had received.

If she put two things together, it was safe to assume that those incriminating pieces of evidence were from her brother’s wife.

"Still, Grandpa, Yulia was in no fault at all. She was the one cheated on by that bastard." Though her tone was gentle, Melinda shot a snide look at Jonas when she said the word "bastard".

"Thank you, Melinda," Yulia said quietly. She was, in fact, not feeling grateful at all, but she had to mask her bitterness and resentment from their grandfather. This much she could manage.

"Oh never mind about that. Just make sure you use your brains in the future." Melinda’s statement was followed by a heavy silence.

It was a little harsh, but she realized too late, and the atmosphere had become awkward. She felt ashamed of herself. She had meant to comfort the younger girl, but her words slipped out easily unchecked.

Yulia took great offense at Melinda’s words, but she reined in her temper. She settled with silence, lest she said something vile in reply.

"Oh please don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t trying to imply anything mean." Melinda rushed to rectify the situation, but her words got the better of her yet again. "Women meet a bunch of lying bastards all the time. You’re actually luckier than I am in that respect."

Her last remark did not escape Jonas’s notice, and he gave his wife a pointed look. At that, Melinda raised both her hands, deciding to shut up once and for all.

Yulia wasn’t paying attention to them anyway. She hung her head, and her thoughts were filled with vitriol towards Melinda.

must have done it all on purpose. My reputation is ruined now. She must have planned this from the start. She’s behind all this! She

was covered by her bangs. And her resentment against Melinda

an innocent smile on her face. "Melinda, thank you, really. Why don’t we go shopping one of these days? I want to buy you something to express my gratitude. You wouldn’t refuse,

the girl was wearing such an earnest expression, and with her invitation phrased the way it was, it would be in poor

had long known that she would

younger woman held malice towards her, so potent it was practically palpable whenever they were in the

grew more each passing day. Nevertheless, as long as Yulia didn’t strike first, Melinda

mansion avoided speaking of the matter with Alan. Yulia

a habit to badger Melinda into going to the mall with her. Melinda couldn’t put it off any longer,

wore a bright pink dress, not quite fuchsia, but not a

flats, and settled for no

body-hugging, sleeveless top that

women stood next to each other, Yulia looked like the older one, in spite of the truth

jewelry district, dragging Melinda behind her. They weren’t the

finished shooting, she had a considerable amount of time on her hands. She wanted to maximize her break, so she

"Let’s go to the Cartier Shoppe. I have a party to attend in a couple of days

makeup that consisted of a lot of products and took a lot of time

giant sunglasses that covered a

to the fact that she was walking with a handsome and successful young entrepreneur who had undoubtedly been many a woman’s

were recognized by the people the moment they stepped into the mall. Most of the attention fell solidly on Jonas, though. Despite that, nobody dared to approach them because

often," Emily said, leaning closer against

tyrant to most people besides his family, but he was particularly gentle towards her. She was smug about getting that little

Cartier Shoppe and looked at some watches. She mentioned how she noticed that the older woman wore nothing on her wrist, and that she wanted

and then turned towards the entrance. Emily and Jonas had just entered the

the fuss was all about as well. She had a mildly curious expression on her face when she leaned

anytime soon. To her disappointment, Melinda only

Let’s go," she spoke in a very calm tone. Then she

her brother and gave them a big wave to catch his attention. Only then did she

her as she turned to leave, but he was sure that she’d seen him. How could she

also seen Melinda. How could she not, when Jonas stared so

because he was so pissed at his wife at that moment. 'This damn woman, I’m her husband, dammit! How dare she act as if she

a second thought, he shrugged off from Emily’s clutch and strode after the direction

going?" Emily all but screeched, and then followed after him as well. She struggled to match his unrelenting pace,

give her a piece of

sure what exactly was going on. What she was sure of, was that the picture

pang in her chest when she saw them, and that was why she fled the

to forge ahead, her steps confident and even. Yulia was beside her in a moment, looking unbothered at all as she tried to catch up to

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