Chapter 9 Bumping Into Two Children

• "No, I didn't do it." Melanie immediately lowered her head in denial. Her mind was blank, and her expression looked panicked even. How did he find out?
• "You didn't?" Hanson repeated coldly, his dark eyes sharp.
• Melanie nodded as tears rolled down her face. Her wistful appearance might have been able to make other men pity her, but to Hanson, he felt nothing but disgust and annoyance.
• He tossed the information from the investigation onto the table. "Look for yourself. I've never had the habit of accusing others."
• Melanie picked the documents up anxiously, and her face immediately fell.
• All of this didn't go unnoticed by Hanson, whose lips tugged down at the sight. "Does that look like you didn't do it?"
• "I... I..." Melanie immediately became regretful again. "Hanson, I was wrong! Please don't get mad at me. It's just that I care about you too much, which is why I did something this stupid. I won't do it anymore in the future. Hanson, I really like you, so I was afraid that other women would snatch you away. Can't you understand my feelings? I only made a mistake because I was too worried."
• However, Hanson only looked at her icily. "I've told you a long time ago. I will never have any feelings for you."
• "But, Hanson, we've been together for five years. Do you really not feel anything for me at all?" Melanie clutched her chest, feeling extremely pained.
• "Don't test my bottom line!" he warned before leaving.
• As she watched his retreating back, Melanie collapsed onto a chair and clenched her fists. For five years, she had been unable to win over Hanson's heart; now that Vania had reappeared, if the truth got exposed, she would not even have the chance to remain in the Luke Family! All at once, a dark glint flashed in her eyes. Hanson is mine, and only mine! No one can snatch him away from me!
• After a pause, she grabbed her phone and called Vania. Once the call went through, she ordered, "Come to the appraisal event two hours earlier tomorrow."
• "Mm."
• Beep—
• When she heard the curt answer followed by the sound of static from the phone, Melanie nearly exploded with anger. Where did this b*tch get this high and mighty attitude from in the past few years? She's nothing but a pitiful bug that had been chased out from the Greyson Family!
• The next day, after bidding goodbye to her children, Vania arrived at the appraisal event site, Porttiyc International Hotel, two hours in advance as agreed. The appraisal later that day not only gathered all kinds of jewelry design masters, but also business people from all across the world. Moreover, there would be an important new product coming out at the end of the event, which was the most anticipated occasion of the day.
• When she entered the venue, she looked around, but did not see Melanie anywhere. After leaving some words to her assistant, she went to the garden to take a stroll while she waited. On the way there, thoughts of her two children whose whereabouts were unknown resurfaced in her mind again, making her feel depressed.
• In the back garden, there was a small bridge over a murmuring brook and a rock gazebo, while various exotic flora and fauna gave off a charming aura. As Vania felt the wind on her skin, she suddenly felt her annoyance ebbing away considerably. After taking a few steps further, she heard the voices of two children.
• "This flower is so beautiful. Can you draw this, Morales?"
• "Of course I can. Later, we'll be able to see a lot of good works later, and I can draw all of them."
• "Then, when you're done learning them, can you teach me too?"
• "Of course I can."
• There are children attending today's event as well? From their voices, they sound close to my little ones' age. Vania walked over curiously, only to see two children that were around her children's age sitting on some rocks by the lily pond, drawing with a canvas in their hands. Upon hearing her footsteps, the two children raised their heads and looked over in alarm.
• As their eyes met, both sides were taken aback. It felt strange, as though they had met each other somewhere before.
• Vania stared intensely at the two children before her. One of them was slightly scrawnier and looked older. His features were distinct and handsome, and an air of politeness surrounded him. The other still had a little baby fat, but was still good-looking. It was enough to tell that these two would grow up into devastatingly attractive men in the future.
• However, they were different from her cheeky, mischievous children, for their eyes were shocked and panicked as they looked at her. It was clear that they didn't interact with strangers much, and were two introverted children. They were also staring at her with their heads tilted, as if trying to look for something on her face. Vania felt like she was about to be sucked into those bright eyes of theirs.
• A long pause later, she finally returned to her senses. With a gentle smile on her face, she greeted them first, saying, "Don't be scared. My name is Vania, and I'm here to join the appraisal event. I accidentally overheard your conversation earlier. Are you two here for the event too?"
• In order not to scare them, Vania remained in one spot and didn't dare to move forward.
• After hesitating for a moment, the two children nodded, but didn't seem to have any intention of speaking. Their father had always told them not to talk to strangers. However, there was a strange feeling in their hearts that didn't make them refuse Vania's questions, and even made them continue staring at her.