Chapter 57 The Wife

When Yulia got back to Alan’s place, she saw her belongings all strewn on the floor by the door. Inside, a middle-aged cleaning lady was constantly swearing as she worked.

Unable to bear any more, Yulia fled that rented apartment, weeping. She rushed back to the Gu's mansion in panic and desperation.

Naturally, Nelson knew all about the entire debacle. He was lounging on the sofa in the living room when Yulia returned, and she immediately got down on her knees before him as soon as she entered.

"Grandfather, I’ve been so wrong. Please forgive me. I promise, I’ll listen to you from now on. I won’t make stupid, childish mistakes anymore."

She wept and wailed on her grandfather’s lap, airing out all her grievances and sorrow.

Nelson only sighed. "You’d better learned your lesson. If it weren’t for Melinda, who knows how long it would have taken to expose that charlatan. Or how many more women he’d have deceived!"

It was only then that Yulia realized her brother and his wife were also in the room. She shot her grandfather a confused look. ‘What did he mean by that?’

Nelson was smiling warmly at Melinda, and explained everything, praising her every so often in between narratives.

"Grandpa, it’s all just a matter of coincidence and good luck." Melinda brushed off the compliments she was given. It was the truth.

If Jonas hadn’t mentioned that there was something wrong about Alan, she wouldn’t have dwelt on the matter and discovered the con artist’s schemes.

"Be that as it may, it doesn’t change the fact that you’ve done an excellent thing! Citizens of A City have been commending your actions. You’ve brought honor to the Gu family, and I’m so proud."

Yulia felt small in the face of all the praises Melinda was getting, and she grimaced in displeasure. Then she recalled the pictures and mail that she had received.

If she put two things together, it was safe to assume that those incriminating pieces of evidence were from her brother’s wife.

"Still, Grandpa, Yulia was in no fault at all. She was the one cheated on by that bastard." Though her tone was gentle, Melinda shot a snide look at Jonas when she said the word "bastard".

"Thank you, Melinda," Yulia said quietly. She was, in fact, not feeling grateful at all, but she had to mask her bitterness and resentment from their grandfather. This much she could manage.

"Oh never mind about that. Just make sure you use your brains in the future." Melinda’s statement was followed by a heavy silence.

It was a little harsh, but she realized too late, and the atmosphere had become awkward. She felt ashamed of herself. She had meant to comfort the younger girl, but her words slipped out easily unchecked.

Yulia took great offense at Melinda’s words, but she reined in her temper. She settled with silence, lest she said something vile in reply.

"Oh please don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t trying to imply anything mean." Melinda rushed to rectify the situation, but her words got the better of her yet again. "Women meet a bunch of lying bastards all the time. You’re actually luckier than I am in that respect."

Her last remark did not escape Jonas’s notice, and he gave his wife a pointed look. At that, Melinda raised both her hands, deciding to shut up once and for all.

Yulia wasn’t paying attention to them anyway. She hung her head, and her thoughts were filled with vitriol towards Melinda.

‘She must have done it all on purpose. My reputation is ruined now. She must have planned this from the start. She’s behind all this! She couldn’t bear to see me living a happy life.’

As Yulia lowered her head awkwardly, her face was covered by her bangs. And her resentment against Melinda was also obvious. Her reputation was ruined this time.

As a vicious plan formed in her mind, Yulia raised her head and pasted an innocent smile on her face. "Melinda, thank you, really. Why don’t we go shopping one of these days? I want to buy you something to express my gratitude. You wouldn’t refuse, would you?"

Since the girl was wearing such an earnest expression, and with her invitation phrase

let’s go have a look around some of these shops, why don’t we? Let’s lighten up our moods and forget about what just happened." She made a grab for Melinda’s wrist as she tried to cajole her.

The older woman deflected Yulia’s hand easily, making a show of reaching to pat her and smooth her hair. Melinda would prefer to have zero physical contact with this girl.

The slight did not escape Yulia. Not to be deterred, she put on a fake smile. "There are still many shops up ahead; let’s go and have a look."

Melinda tilted her head in acknowledgment, and led the way. Yulia opted to follow behind to cover up her embarrassment. And a little distance behind them strode Jonas, who was being quickly followed by Emily.

If looks could murder people, Melinda would soon be a corpse with multiple stab wounds on her back. Emily was sporting a homicidal expression that was so unlike anything she’d usually show to other people.

But this bitch deserved the vicious looks she was serving her. Emily’s feet were hurting trying to keep up with Jonas, who never took his eyes off the figure of his retreating wife for a second.

"Jonas, where are we going?"

Jonas ignored, ruthlessly keeping his large strides. He didn’t seem to care that she was floundering in her high heels. She wanted to pull him to a stop, but she couldn’t even get close enough to touch the sleeve of his shirt.

Up ahead, Melinda was glancing at the shop displays as she walked, and accidentally bumped into a person. The impact had her taking a few steps back, and a few seconds to collect herself.

"Sorry." She gave the stranger a little bow, and made to walk around him to carry on her way.

Behind her, Yulia saw what just happened. As she recognized the man before them, a cruel smile crept into her face. It was not unlike the smile of a cat that had swallowed a mouse.

"Hey, what’s wrong with you?" the man yelled at Melinda as he blocked her path. "Why aren’t you watching where you’re going?"

Taken aback by his reaction, Melinda offered another apology, this time bowing a little lower. She made to leave again, and again the man blocked her.

The man eyed her up and down, a lascivious glint lacing his gaze. ‘So it turns out the woman I was paid to tease was actually a beauty. Lucky!’

"Sir," Melinda tried again with a firmer tone. "We were both at fault here, and I have already apologized to you." She glared at the man, trying to get her intent across.

The man was a little surprised at first, but then he barked out a loud, deprecating laugh. "You’re a hot piece of ass, aren’t you?"

Now he was being openly obscene, both in his actions and his words. It ticked Melinda off, and she felt a vicious urge to smash this man’s face in.