"Dad, is Melinda really coming back tonight?" Emily burst into the living room like a gust of wind, full of doubt.
"Yeah, it'd be better if she died out there!" Bobby said through gritted teeth.
"Dad, that Melinda hasn't come back in five years. She probably didn't even finish college and couldn't make it out there, so she's coming home to ask us for money!" Emily's lips curled in disdain, her eyes flashing with provocation.
"If she dares, I'm the one who calls the shots in this house. I still have control over her mom, Connie," Bobby continued.
Emily turned and lightly stepped up the stairs, her skirt fluttering, leaving behind a defiant declaration, "Well, I want to see how she has the nerve to come back. The trouble she caused the family back then was enormous."
Melinda sat in a taxi, softly explaining tonight's "secret mission" to Sam, whose eyes lit up as he nodded repeatedly.
At the Lowe Villa, the family dinner under the night sky was fraught with undercurrents, with everyone harboring their own hidden agendas.
At this moment, Connie was already standing at the door, her eyes filled with a mix of longing and anxiety for Melinda's return. As the taxi slowly stopped, she almost rushed forward. The moment the car door opened, Melinda appeared, holding Sam's hand, leaving Connie stunned.
"What... what's going on?" Connie was shocked. How could there be a little boy beside Melinda?
Melinda looked at Connie, the five years had left their mark on Connie's face and had also softened some of the resentment in her heart.
"Mom, I'm back," she said gently, leading Sam to Connie. "Sam, call Grandma."
"Grandma!" Sam's sweet childlike voice instantly melted Connie's heart.
Connie was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized, her eyes widening as she looked at Melinda, "Is this... my grandson? When did you get married?"
"Yes, Mom, his name is Sam, my son. He's already three years old," Melinda deliberately understated his age to prevent Emily from scheming.
Despite her shock, Connie's eyes were filled with undeniable affection. Sam was just too adorable!
"Where's the child's father?" Connie asked urgently.
"He's working abroad. This time he came back for an event, so I brought Sam to see you," Melinda said nonchalantly.
Connie's eyes reddened, a mix of guilt and love, "Melinda, I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you and Sam from now on."
She hugged Sam tightly, his sturdy body and delicate features making her unable to help but praise him as the most beautiful child she had ever seen.
"Mom, we're family, let's not talk about this," Melinda said with a smile, comforting Connie.
"Whose child is this?" Bobby's voice was full of disbelief, his gaze sweeping over Melinda.
Melinda smiled slightly, her smile calm yet carrying an undeniable strength, and said, "Bobby, long time no see." Her voice was steady, hiding a determination as firm as a rock.
"Melinda, it's been five years. You come back and give me such a big 'surprise'?" Bobby quickly collected himself, a smile spreading across his face.
He thought to himself how to intimidate this uninvited guest.
Seeing this, Connie quickly took over the conversation, a hint of caution in her eyes, "The child's father is busy abroad and couldn't come back with them." She tried to steer the topic away to avoid awkwardness.
Bobby understood, a playful smile curling his lips, "Being a mother isn't easy, Melinda. Now you can finally understand how hard it was for us back then, right?" His words, with that fake smile, were as repulsive as a mask.
At this moment, Sam blinked his big eyes and asked in a sweet childlike voice, "Mommy, Grandma, who is this old man?" He deliberately emphasized the word "old man," clearly having no good impression of Bobby, his "grandfather" he was meeting for the first time.
"What old man, I'm your grandfather!" Bobby, though displeased, maintained a facade of calm.
"Grandfather? Mommy said Grandpa went to heaven," Sam's innocent words hit straight to the heart, instantly freezing the atmosphere.
"Look, Melinda, is this how you teach your child? No manners at all," Bobby feigned surprise, his eyes full of mockery.
Melinda's voice was as cold as frost, her tone resolute, "I'll teach him manners myself, no need for your concern." Her strong presence instantly overshadowed Bobby's.
Connie sighed softly, casting a discreet glance at Bobby, and said gently, "It's been five years. Melinda and Sam have finally come home. Let's not talk about this anymore."
Just then, light footsteps came from the stairs. Emily peeked out, her eyes curious as she saw Sam in Connie's arms. "Oh, where did Sam come from? He's quite cute," she said playfully.
Bobby replied with a bad attitude, "Melinda secretly had him abroad. Satisfied now?"
Emily's face changed instantly, and she rushed down the stairs, pointing at Melinda, "Melinda, were you deceived by some man? Are you bringing this child back for us to raise?"
Connie's face darkened, looking at Bobby helplessly, and explained, "Emily, how can you say that? The child has a father, he's just busy working abroad and couldn't come back."
Emily snorted, continuing her provocation, "Connie, you always believe her lies? Where's the child's father's photo? Show us!"
"Yes, the photo. Prove it," Bobby echoed, the father-daughter duo trying to embarrass Melinda.
Emily took the opportunity to get close to Melinda, lowering her voice, full of provocation, "A woman like you probably had this child as someone's mistress, right?" Before she could finish, Melinda's sharp gaze made her swallow the rest of her words.
Connie sighed deeply. She had little say in this family and could only hold Sam's hand, slowly walking towards the door, leaving behind a room full of awkward silence.
Melinda's gaze was as cold as the wind, her lips curling into a mocking smile, "None of your business."
Five years had not left a mark on Melinda but had added a touch of mature charm.
Emily was almost losing her mind with jealousy. She had grown up in Melinda's shadow and was now being completely overshadowed. She was unwilling to accept it.
Seeing this, Bobby seized the opportunity to attack, his voice sharp, "Melinda, what do you want this time? The Lowe Family has no place for you anymore!"