When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

"Clyde! Stop it right now!" I tried to get out of bed but barely had the strength. Probably, Vinson felt the same. Just as Clyde's fist was about to strike, Warren suddenly appeared, grabbing his elbow.

I couldn't see what he did, but Clyde yelped and immediately withdrew his hand.

Still poker-faced, Warren quipped, "Mr. Patterson, you've got a weak constitution and should get that checked."

"You're the weak one here! Screw you!" Clyde couldn't care less about saving face, shouting back in defiance.

Warren looked at Clyde calmly. "I'm not weak. I get my check-ups yearly and keep a healthy lifestyle. Only those who play the field end up weak."

I stared at Warren, his face unchanging except for a slight curl at the corner of his mouth, showing he enjoyed the banter.

Before Clyde could retort, Warren added, "I saved Mrs. Patterson. Go easy on me, Mr. Patterson, will you?"

"You?" Clyde looked at him incredulously.

Warren adjusted his glasses. "Yes, the two of them got drugged. Eliana and I sought help just before it got worse. This poison's strong, even more so for someone like Melanie..."

"Dr. Warren!" I quickly interjected, sending him signals with my eyes.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

Warren glanced at me emotionlessly and pushed up his glasses again. "Mrs. Patterson is too slim, and the poison acted fast in her. Luckily, I had the antidote. In essence, I saved her life, and indirectly, Mr. Patterson's as well."

Hearing that, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Clyde seemed to want to ask more, but then his phone rang.

Seeing it was Merritt calling, I braced myself for a scolding. Sure enough, Merritt summoned us both immediately back to Patterson Mansion together. Eliana peeked from behind Warren. "You're still weak."

I had already put on my shoes. "It's okay., Clyde will take care of me. Sorry to trouble you to look for more evidence. The video alone isn't enough." Eliana nodded quickly. "Do you have any enemies? What about Vinson?"

Vinson just looked at me, silent.

I glanced at Clyde, taking a hard swallow, "Kayla, maybe. She's the only one I can think of." Maybe York, too, but that was not for outsiders to know. Clyde didn't say much and just led the way out. In the car, he finally spoke, "How can you be sure it's her?"

I just smiled, not replying. How could I not be sure? It wasn't her first time framing me.

But Clyde believed Kayla. I sighed silently. After all, they had kids together, so it made sense.

Clyde seemed upset, but seeing my indifferent attitude, he didn't know what else to say.

I just closed my eyes, knowing a tough battle lay ahead. Sure enough, arriving at Patterson Mansion, the whole Patterson family was there. Merritt sat beside Kayla.

"I always said, not having kids, and now that you have, how can you just enjoy yourself?" Lucia was the first to accuse me.

Laird and York joined in, insinuating I lacked morals.

Kayla stood up, supporting her

waist. "Melanie, the Patterson family

can't cover for you this time. Your face is in the video. Doing such things in the restaurant's private room, you've humiliated Clyde" Her voice tried to sound compassionate, but her eyes betrayed her glee.

"The video's not me." My tone was cold, unwilling to explain further.

Kayla immediately retorted, "If not you, then who? Could the video be fake?"

Lucia stood before me, pointing at my nose. "Your body and face are in it. It's all over the inte. You've disgraced the Patterson family!"

Evelyn pulled her aside, continuously

signaling e. "Melanie, I know you're

a good girl. Surely, you wouldn't do this. Is there some

misunderstanding? Or were you framed?"

Evelyn was clever and insightful, her gaze inadvertently shifting toward Kayla.

Everyone in the family knew what was happening, each harboring their motives.

Merritt remained silent, just watching me.

Clyde stood by my side, mouth opening but no words coming out.

I chuckled self-deprecatingly, not expecting Evelyn, with her agenda, to speak up for me.

I said expressionlessly, "I can prove my innocence."

"Melanie, you don't think a few witnesses and a video can prove it's not you in that video, do you?" Kayla's voice came with sarcasm, making me nauseous again.

Suppressing the urge to vomit, I took a deep breath and began to remove my jacket, reaching for the buttons of my shirt.

Evelyn instinctively grabbed my hand. "Melanie, what are you doing..."

Then she followed my gesture

toward the surgery scar on my chest, slowly releasing her grip and glaring fiercely at Kayla. Evelyn

stepped aside, and I only opened half of my collar.

I heard a servant gasp.

Lucia pointed at me, speechless, and Merritt closed his eyes.

It took Clyde a few seconds to react, quickly draping the jacket over me.

I looked around, emotionlessly stating, "You've all seen the video. This scar should prove it's not me, right?"