Melody thought it over. It didn't matter whether Roretha had actually seen her back then or if Jonathan had paid her off to say so. If Roretha disappeared for good, then her problems would be solved once and for all.
It was risky, and she knew snatching someone from Jonathan wouldn't be easy, but she had no choice. Last time, she and Lenora had only upset Anneliese's grandmother enough to land her in surgery, and Jonathan wanted both of them in prison for it.
Back when Nakala died, it had been two lives lost. If Melody were convicted for that, the lightest sentence would be manslaughter.
Still, Melody had the recklessness of someone who didn't know any better. Once she made up her mind, she figured Jonathan was just a guy in his twenties. If she spent enough on some pros to tail him and track down Roretha, she could handle the rest.
A cold look flashed in Melody's eyes as she sprang into action.
She gathered up her savings. On top of that, she even packed up the clothes, purses, and jewelry she'd gotten Anneliese to buy for her over the years, ready to sell everything for cash.
What she didn't know was that Jonathan already had people watching her every move.
As soon as she reached out to a reseller with her armfuls of luxury goods, word got back to Jonathan.
"Mr. Fullbuster, what's up with Melody? Do you think she's selling everything so that she can run off to another country?" Zion guessed.
Jonathan gave a little laugh. "She barely finished middle school, and she has no connections or experience to survive overseas. Leaving the country? She wouldn't last a day. Besides, she'd never give up all her comfort and risk not being able to come back to Lunasia."
He bet Melody still thought she could get a light sentence for what happened to Nishay, and that Zacharias could pull some strings to get her probation—then she could go back to living in luxury.
Zion caught on right away. "She must be trying to find Roretha and shut her up for good."
Honestly, Melody's got guts.
She actually thinks she can kill someone right under Mr. Fullbuster's nose. She must have a death wish.
She really is vicious, too. Mrs. Fullbuster's adoptive mother and Melody used to be neighbors. Mrs. Fullbuster treated Melody so well, only to be killed by her in the end.
Maybe Mr. Fullbuster always knew Melody would try something like this, which is why he baited Zacharias in the first place.
As Zion was thinking all that, Jonathan gave an order. "When the time comes, leak Roretha's location to her. Make it obvious enough, but don't spook her before we catch her."
"Got it, Mr. Fullbuster. Don't worry, we'll catch her red-handed. There's no way she'll talk her way out of this."


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