Melinda chuckled lightly, her smile hiding a sharp edge: "Oh? Don't forget, if it weren't for my grandparents' support back then, would Bobby's company have done so well? It probably wouldn't even exist now, right?" With that, her eyes turned cold.
"If it weren't for that, why would the Lowe Family be so eager to marry my mom?"
Hearing this, Emily shrieked arrogantly, "Melinda, don't go too far! Five years ago, I could make you leave, and I can still do it today!"
Melinda's cold smile: "In this house, I only acknowledge my mom. As for you? You're just irrelevant passersby."
Bobby, standing nearby, turned livid and said viciously, "You come back with a bastard of unknown origin and still want to gain benefits from the Lowe Family? You're daydreaming!"
Melinda sneered contemptuously, her retort as sharp as a blade: "Some people have such short-sighted vision, unaware of the vast world, only knowing how to idle away their time." Her words instantly extinguished Bobby and Emily's arrogance.
Emily was the first to recover, she sneered and glared provocatively at Melinda: "Are you trying to reclaim your grandparents' inheritance?"
Melinda didn't speak, just stared coldly at Emily, as if looking at a clown.
Her gaze was firm, as if warning, "Yes, I will take back everything that belongs to me."
Hearing the argument, Connie hurried back into the room, pulling Melinda to her side, trying to calm the situation.
Melinda didn't want to strain the recently improved relationship with her mother, so she turned away to get her phone, ignoring Bobby and his daughter.
Bobby, furious, was about to explode, but Connie's pleading look stopped him. He could only forcefully suppress his anger.
At the dining table, Connie specifically instructed the servants to prepare two non-spicy dishes to suit Sam's taste. Her affection for Sam undoubtedly added to Bobby and Emily's frustration.
Curious about Melinda's work, Connie asked, and Melinda smiled as she replied, "I'm studying biomedical science abroad and just returned to participate in an event at the Shadow City International Hospital's virology research conference."
Connie praised her endlessly, "That sounds impressive, Melinda, you've really become amazing."
Unwilling to be outdone, Emily interjected, "I recently found a good job too." However, Connie just frowned slightly and didn't respond, making Emily feel a bit awkward.
She nudged Bobby beside her, signaling him to help out.
Bobby quickly spoke up, "Emily will take over the company in the future, she doesn't need to work so hard." His words were meant to belittle Melinda and elevate Emily. But Connie just smiled faintly and said nothing.
"Grandma, my mommy is amazing!" Sam said proudly, shaking Connie's arm. Connie beamed and patted Sam's head affectionately, "Yes, yes, Melinda is the best."
Seeing Connie's love for Sam, Melinda felt immensely gratified. Meanwhile, Bobby and Emily grew increasingly annoyed by Sam.
After dinner, Melinda rode with Connie to a nearby mall. Connie generously bought Sam various gifts, spending thousands of dollars on robots and toys without batting an eye. Melinda quickly tried to stop her, but Connie felt it was far from enough to make up for her neglect of Melinda over the years.
After insisting on driving Melinda back to her neighborhood, Connie felt a pang of sadness seeing the modest place Melinda lived in. Over the years, Bobby had used her parents' money and connections to grow the company, while Melinda still rented a place. She decided to make it up to Melinda.
After Connie left, Melinda sat on the couch with Sam. Suddenly, Sam tilted his head and asked, "Mommy, where is my daddy?"
Melinda was taken aback; she knew Sam would ask this question eventually.
She gently stroked Sam's head, feeling conflicted and unsure how to answer.
Sensing Melinda's complex emotions, Sam reached out and touched her cheek, his voice tender yet firm, "Mommy, having you is enough for me!"
With that, he turned and sat on the mat, happily assembling his toys, immersed in his little world.
Watching Sam's sensible little figure, Melinda felt a surge of complex emotions.
She knew that Sam was her everything.
She sighed softly, burying her emotions deep inside.
She knew she had to be strong, their hearts closely bonded together.
Meanwhile, at the Lowe Villa, Emily woke up from a nightmare in the middle of the night. She dreamt that Raymond discovered the truth and mercilessly kicked her out of the villa, with Melinda taking her place.
Terrified, she sat up, her nightgown soaked in sweat. Looking around, she confirmed she was in her own room, it was just a dream, but it left her deeply unsettled.
Thinking of everything she had now—money, status, and Raymond's love—these were things she couldn't afford to lose!
"Melinda, why didn't you die abroad?" Emily roared, throwing her pillow to the ground. To her, Melinda's existence was the biggest threat!
Emily decided to see Melinda, to test if she knew about the past. If Melinda knew the truth, she would have to take action!
The next morning, Melinda hurriedly sent Sam to school and rushed to the company. There was a morning meeting, and the atmosphere in the conference room was tense and serious.
"I heard if this antiviral vaccine succeeds, Mr. Thomas is offering a five-million-dollar bonus." Someone whispered.
Melinda had a vague suspicion but found it hard to believe. What was Raymond up to, offering such an outrageous bonus?
Back in her office, Kathy brought her a cup of coffee, "Melinda, someone is here to see you."
Melinda looked up in confusion, "Who?"
After a knock on the door, a figure walked in.
Seeing that face, Melinda's eyes instantly filled with hatred!
"Emily, how dare you come to see me?" She glared coldly at Emily.
Emily smiled, pretending to be affectionate, "Oh, Melinda, don't be so distant. I'm just here to check on you."
"Check on me? Do you have such a good heart?" Melinda struggled to resist the urge to slap her.
"Oh, Melinda, how can you say that? I'm sincerely here to see you." Emily said, a hint of malice flashing in her eyes, "But, don't you feel disgusted, having slept with another man that night?"