When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

After exchanging numbers with Jared, I set off to find Eliana.

Neither Clyde nor I had much of a socialwork here, but the Chandlers were a different story.

With their family-owned diners spreading across several states, Eliana had resources that could ease any investigation.

It wasn't long before one of her contacts reported back.

"There are two Millers in the licensing department, but given their ages, it seems like this Garfield Miller, now a high-ranking official there, is our guy. Several of the Crawford family's projects were green-lit by him, and he seems to be on good terms with Talbot."

I hesitated as I looked over Garfield's information.

His high-profile connection to the Crawford family made me wonder-was it really a secret to others?

Suddenly, I noticed the spouse section listed a name, Marilyn, which sounded vaguely familiar.

"Marilyn? What does she do? Is she in the same department as him?"

"Marilyn? Melanie, haven't you heard of her? She was the one who gave that lecture last year, the nephrology expert. Her posters were all over Ironvale. She's quite well-known."

Eliana googled her name on her phone.

Seeing Marilyn's specialty, I had a sinking feeling.

The truck driver who killed my dad was suffering from end-stage renal disease, barely hanging onto life, and died before any legal actions could finalize. He left behind no assets, making compensation impossible.

Ultimately, the insurance company paid out, but the driver had no previous connection to my dad. There was no evidence of premeditated harm. I had wondered if my dad had been rushing because he was onto Galen Brown's trail.

But now, things seemed to be connecting in a disturbing way.

Could all this tie back to Talbot somehow?

Before I could piece everything together, Clyde's call came through.

"Babe, come... come home." His speech was slurred, his words unclear.

"Home? Where are you now?"

"Clyde, I'll take you back to your room. Come on, don't be like this, my dad's still here."

Lisa's voice in the background was a clear signal-they were at home. Eliana's eyes widened with a look of "I knew it" as she stared at me.

Neither of us trusted Lisa, but in that moment, I knew I had to go back.

Eliana, always up for watching drama unfold, drove me home.

Upon arrival, I found Clyde and Lisa struggling on the stairs, with a few

ss trying to help him to his room, yet he refused to go in. This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

Lisa seemed frantic, "Clyde, let me help you inside. What are you doing?"

"What's going on here?"

I stormed øver, furious. It took Clyde a moment to recognize me, but then he collapsed into my arms and whispered, "Take me away"

"Melanie, what's the problem? Tessa was just helping Clyde to his room."

Talbot approached, visibly annoyed, and shot Lisa a look.

I shielded Clyde protectively, "Helping him to his room or planning something sinister?"

"Did it really require so many of you? Your intentions couldn't be more obvious!"

They dared to drug Clyde in broad daylight; who knew what they'd do next. Maybe they planned to

vele

fabricate a scandal to completely entangle Clyde and Lisa.

I turned to Eliana at the door, "Eliana, help me out. Clyde and I aren't staying here any longer!"