Chapter 510
Having made up her hand, Malissa Waleed to Chic’s door and wincke steppinut stayin
Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed fier keys and dreve off to the Blackmor the villa’s doors opened for her readily enough, but the moment the stepped inside the found water in the living room, sipping afternoon tea.
The woman who had always treated Melissa with deference didn’t even look up. Only she cast a cold, mocking glance.
“Well, look who’s back,” Bella drawled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “What a rare quest up the mess at the Harpers to grace our humble home p>
Melissa’s face darkened. “What’s that supposed to mean p>
Achora cased directly bein
“You know exactly what it means. My husband and your father have been breaking their backs to keep this family afloat And You’ve been out there stirring up trouble like a reckless fool. Do you have any idea how much the family’s stock mas drooped because of your scandals? Several projects are stalled. Your brother and father can’t eat or sleep over the mess, and you have th nerve to show your face here p>
Bella was a full–time housewife who hadn’t worked a day since marrying into the family. In Melissa’s eyes, she was gast who depended entirely on the Blackwood name to survive–someone easily pushed around.
So Melissa immediately slipped back into her old condescending tone, sneering, “You’ve never earned a single penny for family. Who are you to talk down to me? Where are my father and brother? Tell them to come out and see mei
Bella went pale at the retort, but she didn’t dare escalate the conflict. She swallowed her anger and muttered, “They’re at the office, buried in work–unlike you, with all your free time p>
Just as the tension was about to boil over, the study door opened.
Blake Blackwood descended slowly from the second floor.
“Melissa. Come to my study p>
A flicker of hope lit Melissa’s heart. Her savior had arrived!
She shot Bella a triumphant glance and hurried after the old man.
The study door clicked shut.
Melissa was about to launch into a tearful plea when Blake cut her off with a roar. “You still have the nerve to come back! Tell me! Was it you who deliberately got Riley lost all those years ago p>
Melissa froze.
She hadn’t expected her own family to know about that!
“How… how did you…” Her lips quivered as she scrambled to deny it. “No! That’s not true p>
“Still lying!” Blake trembled with fury. “Look at yourself! if the Harpers hadn’t launched a real investigation, we’d all still be in the
Wied
Her legs gave way, tears streaming as she tried to play the syropathy card “Greips turing against me now?
defend you de
“Love you?” Blake was livid at her refusal to repent. “Look at what you’ve dones You expert me to defe matter what? You’ve dragged the Blackwood name through the mud deliberately some legitimate girl of unknown origin p>
At the mention of Elsie, his eyes filled with disgust.
“Don’t think I don’t know. Elsie is the daughter of the scoundrel who tried to run away with you achado his child like a princess for over two decades, while your own daughter was left to end for herself
Melissa’s face turned ashen.
Blake watched her hollow expression and felt his disappointment deepen.
“I’ll be blunt with you,” he said sternly. “If you want any hope of keeping your place as Mrs. Harper, and if you want the Bla family to still acknowledge you, you will send that illegitimate girl away immediately! As far as possible–and make sure shows her face here again!
“You’re still Raymond’s mother, and Riley is your flesh and blood. If you’re willing to cut ties with the past and ge amends with both of them, they won’t abandon you entirely p>
But instead of persuading her, his words struck a nerve.
The thought of sending Elsie away sent Melissa into a panic. She scrambled up, her voice sharp and defiant. “No! Grandpa absolutely