Chapter 10 Concussion

Jonas narrowed his eyes and looked at Melinda who was leaving for her room. Part of him felt that things had changed between them. There was no difference from how things were before, but his heart told him that something was going on. He couldn't figure out what was happening.

But he had a strong feeling that Melinda had become more cunning. He had to be careful with her. After casting a glance at Yulia, Jonas turned around, and left the hall. He had promised Emily that he would help her pick the right outfit.

Melinda had been resting well for the past few days. She felt a fresh burst of strength surge through her veins. She went back to her room, put on a coat, and went to the garden. Then she saw the nanny, who had packed her things, preparing to leave. Her eyes widened with shock.

"Are you really going to leave?"

Melinda thought that the nanny had talked about quitting only because she was angry. She didn't expect it to be true. After all, the Gu's mansion paid a hefty salary. No one would have the heart to leave a job that paid them well.

"Yeah. That crazy woman wouldn't let me work in peace. I cannot stand her accusations," the nanny said.

Melinda felt that the nanny was a righteous woman. It was reasonable for her to quit the job. Yulia was a vindictive woman who made others suffer.

"I understand, but not everyone's like her.

I can ask the butler to arrange a better job for you in the mansion. All you've gotten to do is just keep your distance from Yulia." Melinda tried persuading the nanny, but she was determined to leave.

"It's alright, she is a maniac. If I continue to work here, I'm sure she will find a way to turn my life into hell." Then the nanny turned to look at Melinda and held her hands. "Mrs. Gu, you're a good person. I can't imagine how you've been tolerating her all these years. I was also weak in the beginning, afraid of talking back. But then I realized that nothing is more important than self-respect. Sometimes we've gotten to place ourselves above others. If we don't stand up for ourselves, then who will?"

The nanny smiled. Melinda could understand her feelings. She had been incredibly naive and endured Yulia's torture without uttering a word about it to anyone.

It had taken all these years for Melinda to understand her worth. She didn't deserve any of this and finally got the courage to divorce Jonas.

"I'm sorry, everything is my fault. Yulia was mean to you only because you were taking care of me. One second." Melinda turned around and quickly went upstairs, without giving a chance for the nanny to respond. She went to her room and opened a small cabinet. Then she grabbed some money and went back to the garden.

Melinda smiled and gave the money to the nanny. "Thank you for taking care of me. Please accept this money. Consider it as your salary for looking after me." The nanny opened her mouth to say something but Melinda cut in, "Please don't refuse it. I can manage here but I know this money is important for you."

"Thank you." The nanny smiled gratefully. She put the money inside her pocket and left.

Melinda was right. She needed the money to make ends meet. Moreover, the nanny had slapped Yulia. God knew whether she would go to any extent to torture the nanny even if she stopped working for the Gu family.

"Aww, you two make the perfect master and servant duo. The love you two share is heart-warming."

Yulia snickered. Melinda was lost in thought and had failed to notice Yulia who was standing behind her.

She turned around to look at Yulia. The latter was glaring at her, mad at Melinda for messing up with her. She had never been humiliated before and wanted Melinda to pay for her actions.

"Yulia, why are you like this? You always bully the weak just because they can't do anything to you. It's nothing to be proud of. Find your right opponent and defeat them. Stop going after innocent people. You're just a fucking coward!"

Melinda felt that Yulia hadn't learned her lesson yet. She had forgotten Melinda's threat and was trying to provoke her again.

"I'm a coward, huh? You're being ridiculous, Melinda. You think too much of yourself, don't you? Don't forget that my brother hates you and you mean nothing to the Gu family. Stop blaming me for your plight." Yulia smirked. No one was around and she didn't have to pretend like she cared for Melinda.

"You're too funny, Yulia. I'm your sister-in-law. Don't forget that."

Melinda arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms across her chest.

"Don't be too arrogant, Melinda. My brother will divorce you soon. You're a cunning bitch. You don't deserve my brother," Yulia roared.

But she was disappointed to see Melinda's reaction.

A slow grin stretched on her lips. "That's exactly what I want."

Yulia's eyes widened. Melinda would always become frustrated at the mention of divorce. Yulia didn't understand why she was suddenly eager to divorce Jonas. Yulia wondered what had happened to her. Was she the person she had bullied all these years?

Yulia rubbed her eyes and looked at Melinda almost as if she wanted to make sure that she was talking to her.

Melinda had always been weak and vulnerable. Yulia was not

used to seeing her like this. Melinda's words were still ringing in her ears.

"Do you know what you are talking about?" Yulia swallowed loudly and asked in disbelief.

"Yulia, if you're as smart as you claim yourself to be, advise your brother to sign the divorce papers soon. I don't deserve a cheating scumbag like him. I pity your mother, Yulia. Thank God, I'm luckier. I wouldn't want to live a life like that."

Melinda leered at Yulia who was shaking with anger. She had said those words only to provoke Yulia. She was satisfied to see the anger and frustration on her face.

Yulia's anger was evident and she couldn't hide it anymore. Melinda had hit her weak spot and a wave of emotions gushed out of her.

"Melinda, I will fucking break your face." Yulia raised her hand to slap her sister-in-law. But Melinda quickly stepped away. Yulia lost her balance and fell to the ground. She yelped in pain as her head collided with the parterre. She tried to get up but tripped on a stone and toppled over.

Melinda tried to suppress her laughter. It was priceless to watch her fall down.

"Miss Yulia, are you all right? What happened?" a servant bellowed.

Yulia's cheeks were flaming with embarrassment. She shut her eyes and pretended to pass out. The servant's voice had drawn the butler's attention who immediately called the doctor.

Yulia was drowning in shame. Almost everyone had seen her fall.

Although Yulia didn't hold a special position in the Gu family, she was still Nelson's granddaughter. He had immediately arranged a car to take her to the hospital after a servant reported to him about Yulia's fall.

Yulia's condition wasn't serious. There were only a few cuts and scrapes. The doctor had sterilized the wounds and applied a thick coat of medicine. Yulia came up with a plan when she saw Nelson in the room.

"Doctor, I still feel dizzy and nauseated," she said, rubbing her chest.

The doctor checked her again. The results were normal and the doctor couldn't understand why Yulia was complaining of a headache.

"I think you have a mild concussion and the wound on your foot looks serious. I would suggest you to stay in the hospital for a few more days," the doctor said as he instructed the nurse to take her to the ward.

Yulia was in the ward. Nelson, Gavin and a servant were taking good care of her. "Take care. I'm sure you'll recover soon," Nelson said as he stroked Yulia's hair.

"Grandpa."

Yulia was touched by Nelson's kindness. She seldom received such care, so she cherished every moment of it. A lone tear escaped from her eye as Nelson patted her shoulder.

"Good girl."

"Grandpa, I'm scared."

Yulia was terrified of Melinda. She tried defeating her but ended up making a fool of herself.

Melinda must have enjoyed watching her trip in front of her.

"Don't worry. You'll get well soon. The doctor wants you to rest well. Be careful from now on," Nelson said.

Although Nelson cared about Yulia, he knew her very well. She had always been dramatic and exaggerated everything. Yulia bowed her head and averted her gaze as a new plan cropped in her mind.

"Grandpa, it's not true."

Yulia lifted her head to look at Nelson. Her eyes were glistening with tears as she bit her trembling lips.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Nelson frowned. He had been a soldier and hated to see people cry. He felt that crying was meant for weak people. Yulia heard the change in his tone. She was afraid that he had seen through her act.

"Grandpa, there was a misunderstanding between me and the nanny who took care of Melinda. She slapped me in front of everyone."

Yulia was sobbing loudly. She would never forget the humiliation. She had wanted to fight back but no one was willing to stand up for her.

Nelson's frown deepened. The nanny's actions were unacceptable but he also knew that Melinda would never hire arrogant people. Nelson looked at the butler and asked him to explain the incident.

"Grandpa, I know I was wrong. But Melinda had crossed all her limits."

Yulia was winking at the butler, signaling him to hide the truth. But the butler was a righteous man and told everything without altering the story.

"I know Melinda very well. Everything is your fault, Yulia," Nelson said sternly.

He trusted Melinda with all his heart. But he didn't know that his affection towards Melinda made Yulia hate her even more.

"Grandpa, I'm injured because of her. Why do you always support Melinda and put me down? I'm your granddaughter, not her."

Tears welled up in Yulia's eyes. The butler looked at Yulia and sighed sympathetically. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Everyone knew that Nelson adored Melinda and Yulia was struggling to earn a place in his heart.

"I know Melinda very well. She wouldn't hurt people. I know what you're capable of as well. I'm going to check the surveillance video. It will reveal the culprit." Nelson was guilty. He felt that Melinda wouldn't have gone through any of this if he hadn't forced her to marry Jonas. Her grandson neglected her and Yulia was defaming her. He couldn't stand it anymore.

Melinda was a wonderful person and didn't deserve to go through any of these.