Melody: "..."
Melody almost laughed in exasperation. ’What is wrong with this world? Why are so many people suddenly popping up, trying to be my parents?’
She had assumed the woman was crazy and was just about to ask Carter Jennings to send the couple to the police station when the woman continued, "Daughter! It’s me, your mother! ... Daughter, did you know? Your older brother and Silas are both gone. You’re all I have left! SOB SOB SOB..."
Amid the woman’s sobbing, Melody felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, frozen to the spot.
’These two... are actually Elaine Hughes and Robert Lancaster?!’
’This is completely insane!’
It was no wonder Melody hadn’t recognized them. They had changed so drastically.
In Melody’s memory, Robert Lancaster had always been obsessed with his appearance. His shirts and suits had to be impeccably pressed, as if he were ready for a business magazine cover at any moment. But now, he was in rags, his face twisted and his expression vacant, giving him the look of a simpleton.
Drool trickled from the corner of his mouth, running down his chin and onto his clothes, soaking his entire collar. It was a revolting sight.
Elaine Hughes’s transformation was even more dramatic. Her once well-maintained face was now etched with deep wrinkles, making her look twenty or thirty years older.
The last time Melody had seen Elaine Hughes was at the Nimbus Hotel. Back then, Elaine had been meticulously dressed and sent to Bernard Simmons’s bed. She had been wearing a beautiful qipao, and though her face was streaked with tears, she possessed a certain tragic beauty.
But the Elaine Hughes of today was sallow and gaunt. Her face, the feature she had always treasured most, was covered in dark, chapped patches. It was impossible to imagine she had once been a top socialite hounded by the media.
’I can’t even imagine what this couple must have gone through to end up in this state.’
While Melody was still reeling from the shock, Robert Lancaster raised his head to stare intently at her, mumbling, "...Me... Mel... ody... Daughter... Sa... save... Dad..."
Melody: "..."
Melody didn’t know how to describe what she was feeling right now.
’I just finished dealing with the three Lancaster siblings a few days ago. I can’t believe Robert Lancaster and Elaine Hughes are now delivering themselves right to my doorstep...’
Robert Lancaster wanted to say more but couldn’t get the words out. Growing anxious, he nudged Elaine Hughes with his elbow, urging her to speak.
Elaine’s eyes were rimmed with red. She looked at Melody and said, "Daughter, we only have you left now... You can’t abandon us. Please, take your father and me home!"
Melody: "..."
Melody was rendered speechless. Suppressing the urge to swear, she frowned and said, "Who’s your daughter? I think you’ve lost your mind!"
Carter Jennings had been standing off to the side with his arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with an unhurried air. His gaze flickered between the Lancaster couple on the ground and Melody.
He had heard the story about the Lancaster Family’s daughters being switched at birth. So when he saw Elaine Hughes’s identification and heard them ask for Winnie Summers, he quickly pieced together what was happening.
He hadn’t been sure how Melody felt about her biological parents, which was why he’d called her over. From the looks of it now, she clearly had no intention of acknowledging them.
So Carter Jennings clicked his tongue. "I agree, these two seem to have lost their minds," he said nonchalantly. "Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here spouting such nonsense."
He then looked at Elaine Hughes and said mockingly, "Miss Summers is the daughter of Director Summers from the Reconstruction Department. How could she possibly be the daughter of a crazy woman like you? If you keep talking nonsense, don’t blame me for getting rough."
To his surprise, hearing the name "Director Summers" seemed to set Elaine Hughes off. Her eyes instantly reddened, and she shrieked in a hoarse voice, "...You’re lying! Melody is my daughter! I gave birth to her! It has nothing to do with that woman!"

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