Melody nodded with a bitter smile. "When I got to the club, they said they were stuck in traffic and asked me to go in first. I know my mom favors my sister, but I never expected her to put me in harm''s way. I guess I was just too naive. They nned from the beginning to offer me to William like some sacrificialmb."


    Lucas narrowed his eyes. At this moment, he pitied Melody.


    He could not fathom what kind of parents would plot against their own daughter, treating her as a sacrifice to an older man for the sake of her sister.


    ''If that''s the case, the night when we first met... Was she also manipted by her family? Is she just an object that can be passed on from one man to another in her parents'' eyes?'' wondered Lucas.


    After a long silence, Lucas finally said, "If you need, I can apany you back to your family''s home. I''m sure they pull a stunt like this anymore once they know you''re married to a Rivera."


    Melody looked up at Lucas in surprise. She only wanted to clear up the misunderstanding, not y the victim. Unexpectedly, Lucas was willing to stand up for her. After all, apart from that one night, they were practically strangers, not even friends.


    Although Lucas'' offer deeply touched Melody, she could not bring herself to ept it.


    Lucas could indeed step in and warn her family, making them afraid and ensuring they would not force her into such situations again. s, Melody knew the true nature of her family. Once they caught wind of her connection to the Riveras, they would use that as an opportunity to climb the socialdder. They would stop at nothing to force Melody to use the Riveras'' status for Wendy''s benefit.


    Moreover, Melody was not genuinely a Missus Rivera. Their rtionship was just a contractual agreement.


    She neither had the capacity nor the inclination to engage in such maniptions. The Riveras had been kind to her, especially Cedric and Beatrice. Thus, Melody did not want to disappoint them, and she certainly did not want to take what did not really belong to her.


    After a moment of hesitation, Melody shook her head. "Thank you, Lucas. I appreciate your kindness, but this is a family matter. I''ll handle it on my own."


    ''D*mn it. She knows that''s the easiest fix, yet she''d rather take the hard way out than let me help! Fine, whatever.'' Lucas felt an inexplicable anger at her refusal.


    Nevertheless, Melody had a point. It was her family problem, and he, as an outsider, should not be meddling too much.


    "Fine." Lucas suppressed his displeasure, grabbed a set of clothes from the cab, and headed into the bathroom. After putting on the ensemble sans the shirt, he left. Melody was not certain what had gotten into him but sensed she might have unintentionally irked Lucas.


    After Lucas left, the hotel staff promptly delivered her clothes. She was about to leave after changing when a sudden realization struck her.


    She turned to look at therge bed in the room and thought, ''If Lucas brought me here yesterday, did he also undress me and put me in this bed?''


    Melody immediately blushed at the thought. Although nothing else happened, the notion of Lucas having seen her entirely naked flustered her greatly.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.