Emily's eyes sparkled with determination. There were still two weeks until the engagement; she had time.
On Christmas Day, Raymond brought Melinda and Sam back to the Thomas Villa.
Larry's face lit up when he saw Sam. He quickly called for the servants to bring the prepared gifts.
"Sam, you've grown taller. Here, this is for you." Sam sweetly called out, "Great-grandpa," took the red envelope, and handed it to Melinda.
"Mom, you keep it for me."
Melinda smiled, patted his head, and looked at Raymond.
Raymond's leg injury hadn't fully healed yet; he still needed a cane to walk, but he stood tall and confident.
"How's your leg?"
"It's getting better, don't worry." He looked at Melinda tenderly, his eyes filled with affection.
Larry felt very pleased seeing this.
After dinner, Melinda and Connie had a video call to exchange Christmas greetings.
"Grandma, Merry Christmas!" Sam sweetly called out to the screen.
"Merry Christmas, my little darling!"
After that, she transferred some money to Sam to buy gifts.
"Thanks, Grandma!" Sam happily took the phone.
After the call, Raymond also gave gifts to Sam and Melinda.
Melinda opened hers to find an unlimited black card and a key card.
"What's this?" she asked Raymond, puzzled.
"The key card to Crystal Waters Estates."
Raymond explained, "Grandpa said that house is a gift for you, as our engagement present."
"This... is too much!" Melinda looked at Larry in shock.
In the following days, the two of them mostly stayed in the villa, enjoying their time together.
The wedding planners frequently visited to confirm details, ensuring everything would be perfect for the engagement day.
At the Thomas Villa family dinner, even Connie was invited and seated at the main table, feeling very honored.
Someone glanced at Sam and remarked, "This kid looks just like Raymond when he was young."
Everyone agreed, saying Sam indeed resembled the Thomas family.
They were just making casual comments, fully aware that Melinda had brought Sam into the Thomas Villa.
After dinner, Larry took the others to the garden, and Connie joined them, enjoying the conversation.
Melinda and Raymond walked hand in hand along the winding path.
As night fell, the moonlight bathed them in a silvery glow.
They reached a quiet spot, and Melinda sat down.
She looked up at the starry sky, a serene smile on her face.
Raymond stood beside her, gazing at her deeply.
Suddenly, he bent down and hugged her tightly.
Melinda was momentarily stunned, then gently closed her eyes, leaning into his broad chest.
In that moment, time seemed to stand still, leaving just the two of them and the peaceful night.
Meanwhile, in the Thomas Villa's hall, Connie suddenly felt a tightness in her chest.
She clutched her chest, her face pale.
She looked around, not seeing Melinda, and said to Roy, "I'm heading back." Roy nodded, and Connie left the Thomas Villa alone.
The cool night breeze brushed her cheeks, sending a chill through her.
She tightened her coat and quickened her pace.
However, as soon as she reached the Lowe Villa, she felt dizzy and barely managed to hold onto the doorframe to avoid falling. She gasped for breath, struggling up the stairs.
Just as she reached the second floor, she collapsed.
Bobby and Emily rushed over, startled to see Connie on the floor.
Bobby knelt down to check her breathing and, finding she was still alive, sighed in relief. He turned to Emily, "Go get Leo." Emily nodded and ran out of the room.
In her daze, Connie heard Bobby and Emily talking.
She heard them say to let her die at home and discuss changing the will to give the Lowe Group's sixty percent shares to them.
Her heart filled with coldness and sorrow, realizing that her husband of over twenty years and the daughter she had raised as her own were eagerly waiting for her death to take what rightfully belonged to Melinda.
She wanted to struggle, but found herself too weak to move.
If it hadn't been for Connie's money saving the Lowe Group, it would have collapsed long ago.
But Connie's father had been cautious, agreeing to help only if sixty percent of the Lowe Group was in Connie's name.
Bobby had harbored resentment for years, waiting for the shares to return to him.
Now, the medicine Bobby gave her slowly dissolved in her mouth, leaving a bitter taste.
She suddenly suspected the medicine had been switched; otherwise, how could she have become so weak so suddenly? Fear and despair filled her heart, and tears streamed down her face.
In the living room, Emily paced anxiously, watching the door.
If Connie woke up now, their plan would be ruined.
She glanced at Connie on the couch, seeing her eyes closed and face pale, and felt slightly relieved.
Suddenly, Connie's eyelids twitched, and Emily tensed up, but Connie only briefly woke before falling unconscious again.
Just then, a car engine sounded outside, and Emily perked up, running to the door.
A black sedan slowly pulled up and stopped at the entrance.
The driver, Fred, got out.
Seeing Emily at the door, his expression changed slightly before returning to normal.
"Fred, why are you back?" Emily asked, surprised.
"I forgot something, came back to get it."
Fred said casually, though his eyes flickered.
He quickly walked inside and immediately saw Connie on the couch.
His face turned pale, and he cried out, "Mrs. Lowe! What happened?"
Bobby and Emily were startled, worried their plan would be exposed.
"Don't make a fuss. Connie had a fall. I've already called an ambulance." Bobby frowned and shouted.
Fred hesitated, then heard another car engine outside. Leo parked and hurried in.
The three of them lifted Connie into Leo's car. Bobby told Fred to stay and watch the house while he and Emily went to the hospital.
In the car, Bobby eagerly discussed the will with Leo.
Leo nodded, "I've arranged everything. As long as you get Mrs. Lowe to sign, I'll handle the rest."
"That's great!" Bobby was overjoyed.
Emily listened to their conversation, feeling a chill in her heart.
She felt conflicted; despite her hatred for Melinda, Connie had treated her well, like a real mother.
But she didn't dare defy her father, Bobby, or she'd lose her financial support.
She could only sigh deeply.
Back at the Lowe Villa, Fred felt uneasy, sensing something was wrong.
After much hesitation, he decided to call Melinda and tell her about Connie's collapse.
Melinda quickly called Bobby.
Seeing Melinda's number, Bobby's heart skipped a beat.
The phone rang urgently, again and again.
Bobby's eyes showed hesitation and unease.