Mr Melendez,Your Wife Wants Divorce Long ago novel Chapter 382

**Fading Into You by Iris Blake**
**Chapter 382**

He had truly miscalculated the strength of this woman.

Arabella cast a fleeting glance at Linda, her expression unreadable, before turning her attention to Franklin. “Mr. Group, just lay it out for me. What’s the price?”

“Godmother, I know,” came Edmundo Group’s cheerful voice, crackling through the phone. “It begins with a three, and then… one, two, three, four… seven zeros.”

As she listened to Franklin’s muted voice on the other end, scolding his son, a smile crept onto Arabella’s lips. “Thank you, my dear Edmundo. Now, be a good boy and listen to your father; it’s time for bed.”

With that, she ended the call and surveyed the room, taking in the astonished faces around her.

Mr. Caldwell and Linda, in particular, looked as if they had just witnessed a miracle; the idea that Arabella was the godmother to Franklin’s child was utterly beyond their comprehension.

Unfazed, Arabella retrieved her phone and calmly stated, “Mrs. Caldwell, thirty million, plus medical expenses. Do you prefer cash or a bank transfer?”

Linda was still reeling from the revelation, her mind racing to catch up with the reality of the situation.

“No,” she blurted out instinctively, her voice shaky. “That dress you’re wearing is worth at most tens of thousands. How can you take the word of a child so seriously?”

Olivia and Georgina’s brother and sister-in-law chimed in, their voices dripping with skepticism. “Exactly! A child can barely count to ten. How can you trust anything they say?”

Samuel, ever the voice of reason, picked at his ear, his tone dripping with authority. “This gown was custom-made for Dr. Palmer by my sister-in-law, at Mr. Group’s request. The diamonds on the waist chain alone are worth tens of millions. Mrs. Caldwell, you may be oblivious to its true value, but questioning my sister-in-law is a grave mistake.”

A ripple of shock passed through the crowd, and Linda felt her knees weaken, almost buckling beneath her.

Before Samuel could finish his sentence, Mr. Caldwell approached Arabella, his demeanor shifting from disbelief to urgency as he transferred four and a half million dollars to her on the spot, along with an additional thirty thousand in cash.

Arabella, without a moment’s hesitation, stuffed the cash into her purse. “You all can keep talking; I’m leaving now.”

She exchanged a meaningful glance with Zachary, and together they turned on their heels, heading toward the stairs.

Meanwhile, Samuel noticed Jayceon’s condition deteriorating and quietly urged him, “You shouldn’t stay here. It’s too dangerous like this. Let me take you to the hospital for a check-up.”

Jayceon pushed Samuel away, his voice laced with frustration. “Just leave me alone.”

But why? Why would Franklin gift Arabella an evening gown valued at four and a half million dollars?

Arabella had always maintained strict boundaries; she never accepted gifts lightly from anyone. She had explicitly stated that she only cherished the gifts he provided her.

So why? Why would she accept something from Franklin?

Jayceon reached for the door of Arabella’s car, but Zachary stepped in front of him, a protective barrier.

“As a doctor, I can see you’re not well, Mr. Melendez,” Zachary stated, his tone even and authoritative. “The stomach is an emotional organ. You were just rushed to the hospital this morning for stomach bleeding. For your own health, you need to manage your emotions.”

Jayceon’s chest heaved with barely suppressed anger, his voice trembling as he struggled to maintain control. “Zachary, I hope you won’t meddle in the matters between my wife and me.”

Zachary stood his ground, unwavering. “Mr. Melendez, I am Arabella’s senior and her partner. It is my duty to ensure her safety.”

Jayceon, who had been holding back his emotions all evening, finally reached his breaking point.

In a sudden surge of frustration, he lunged forward, grabbing Zachary by the shoulder. Zachary swiftly countered, locking Jayceon’s wrist with a firm grip.

Arabella, witnessing the escalating confrontation from inside the car, sprang into action and rushed out.

Just as she stepped out, Samuel arrived on the scene, his eyes wide with alarm.

“Jayceon, what on earth do you think you’re doing?” Arabella demanded, pushing Jayceon away as she instinctively shielded Zachary.

Jayceon staggered back, momentarily taken aback by her fierce protectiveness.