Chapter 326: Chapter 326: I Guess... It’s Xiyang

Ever since learning that his eldest grandson, Roman Rhodes, was likely in a relationship, Mr. Rhodes had been on pins and needles at home, completely wired.

Before this, Mr. Rhodes would wake up each day and calmly begin his daily health regimen.

He would practice tai chi, play chess, read, and savor tea—all to strengthen his body and cultivate his mind.

But lately, he’d thrown that whole "cultivating his mind" routine right out the window.

The moment he opened his eyes each day, he’d call Ronan Rhodes and ask for any news about his prospective granddaughter-in-law.

Ronan Rhodes, of course, had no real news. All he could do was periodically report to his grandfather when Roman Rhodes went to The Metropolis Residences and how long he stayed each time.

Mr. Rhodes was practically tearing his hair out waiting for updates, wishing he could call Ronan eight hundred times a day.

Mr. Rhodes just couldn’t help himself. He was simply too desperate for any information about his eldest granddaughter-in-law.

He even pulled Ronan aside, tears streaming down his old face, and told him that he only had a couple of years left to live. He said his only dying wish was to see his granddaughter-in-law, begging Ronan to figure something out.

Ronan had always been a filial grandson, and seeing his grandfather like this, he started crying too.

But crying was useless. He had no idea how to get his grandfather a glimpse of his future granddaughter-in-law.

Melody Summers had barely left her home since she moved, and Mr. Rhodes couldn’t exactly show up at her door. The whole family knew Roman Rhodes’s temper; no one dared to meddle in his affairs.

Every day, the old man would clutch the empty box that once held the Blue Diamond brooch, waiting and waiting.

That empty box was practically polished to a sheen from how much Mr. Rhodes handled it. Then, finally, the day came when Melody Summers went out!

After learning from Sophie Thorne that Melody Summers would be attending a banquet at The Nimbus Hotel, Ronan immediately informed his grandfather.

As soon as he got the news, Mr. Rhodes couldn’t sit still anymore. He insisted on going to see with his own eyes the long-awaited granddaughter-in-law he had been anticipating for over twenty years.

The thought that Mr. Rhodes was probably looking for a chance to secretly observe his granddaughter-in-law right now made Ronan feel a little awkward.

’He felt like what he and his grandpa were doing was pretty crazy...’

He lowered his voice and said to Zane Simmons, "My grandfather... is probably resting right now. He might attend the auction later."

Zane Simmons chuckled at his words and teased, "What kind of amazing auction is this? Important enough for Mr. Rhodes to attend in person?"

Ronan replied, "It’s just a charity thing. The items were all donated by various members of society, and all the proceeds will go toward the relief efforts for the recent snow disaster."

Nearby, Melody Summers was completely oblivious to Ronan’s thoughts. She lifted her glass, took a sip, and began scrolling through the videos on her phone.

She still had the video of Ivan Warren saying he wanted to be her sugar daddy, as well as evidence of how Ivan Warren and Maisie Lynch conspired with Ethan Sutton’s parents to frame her.

Although Ronan had just promised to deal with Supervisor Walsh and Ivan Warren severely, Melody was prepared to add more fuel to the fire.

After all, if she didn’t use this evidence, she would have saved it for nothing.

She compiled all the evidence, preparing to draft an email and send it to the public whistleblowing address for the Rhodes Corporation.

...

Meanwhile, a lavishly dressed Elaine Hughes, arm in arm with Robert Lancaster, walked slowly into the lobby of The Nimbus Hotel in her exquisite high heels.

In her youth, Elaine Hughes had been a top-tier beauty, with stunning features and bone structure. Although she was older now and had been worn down by the apocalypse, after an entire afternoon of careful preparation, she still possessed an exceptional grace and captivating beauty.

Her makeup today was also expertly done; if you didn’t look closely, you couldn’t even see the fine lines at the corners of her eyes.

Gazing at the luxurious and elegant decor of The Nimbus Hotel, Elaine couldn’t help but sigh. "It’s been so long since I was last here. It seems like nothing has changed..."

The corridors flanking the lobby were wide and bright, the carpet underfoot was soft and plush, and the walls were adorned with exquisite paintings and works of art, each one priceless.

Elaine couldn’t help but recall the high-society life she once lived here, but those days seemed as distant as a past life...

Joanne White had been waiting in the hotel lobby for some time. She anxiously awaited the Lancasters, her heart pounding with unease.

Bernard Simmons was something of a public figure, with his every move being watched, so he had Joanne come downstairs to greet Robert Lancaster and Elaine Hughes.

Even though she knew Bernard Simmons had arranged everything, Joanne still felt apprehensive, as if something might go wrong tonight...

Just as she was quietly rubbing her pregnant belly to soothe her anxiety, she saw two familiar figures walk into the hotel lobby.

It was Robert Lancaster and Elaine Hughes, whose photos she had seen before!

Seeing Elaine and Robert walk in, Joanne quickly went to greet them. With a smile, she said, "Are you Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster? Please, follow me."

Elaine assumed Joanne worked for Robert’s friend. She smiled and replied, "Thank you for showing us the way."

Joanne led the way, with Elaine and Robert following silently behind.

Elaine tilted her head and whispered in Robert’s ear, "Your old friend seems quite thoughtful. Not only did he send a car for us, but he even had someone come down to guide us."

Robert was clearly not as happy as Elaine. Looking at her smiling face, he just gave a quiet "Mm."

Joanne led the two upstairs and into the Simmons Family’s presidential suite.

A table had been set in the main room, already laden with a sumptuous feast.

Elaine and Robert stared at the spread of delicacies from land and sea, swallowing involuntarily.

It had been a very long time since they had eaten such food.

Joanne glanced at Robert and Elaine and said, "If you two would please have a seat and wait, Sir will be here shortly."

With that, she turned and left.

Elaine and Robert stood there awkwardly for a few minutes. Then, the door to the second-floor bedroom opened.

As a smiling Bernard Simmons, dressed sharply in a suit, descended the stairs, Elaine’s eyes widened in astonishment.

She blurted out, "Bernard? What are you doing here?"

...

******

Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, everyone was deep in pleasant conversation.

After a few drinks, a faint blush appeared on Carter Jennings’s face, and his eyes took on a slightly hazy look.

He tapped the table lightly and asked Melody Summers and Lucy White, "Alright, let me test you two. Guess where I’m from."

Melody Summers: "..."

’Why is it that men of every age, rich or poor, love to play this ’let me test you’ game?’

Lucy White smiled and said, "Oh, I could never guess. Why don’t you give us a hint, Mr. Jennings?"

Carter Jennings thought for a moment, then offered a hint, "The specialty of my hometown is a type of cherry."

Melody knew at once. People who said their hometown’s specialty was cherries were, nine times out of ten, from Soleia.

As this thought crossed her mind, her fingers never stopped moving, still tapping away on her phone.

She had just finished compiling the evidence against Ivan Warren into an email and sending it to the Rhodes Corporation’s official website. Now, she was organizing the "incriminating evidence" against Zara Walsh.

No matter how powerful Zara Walsh’s backing was, Melody had to try. If the higher-ups really did cover for Zara, then she could finally give up all hope and begin her own revenge without any reservations.

Seeing that Melody wasn’t saying anything, Carter Jennings asked her directly, "Can you guess, Miss Summers?"

Melody paused at his words.

She had no desire to participate in any "let me test you" games.

Because once you answered one question—

Since Carter Jennings was still looking at her, Melody had no choice but to answer, "I’m guessing... Soleia?"

Now it was Carter Jennings’s turn to be stunned.

He looked at Melody in surprise and asked, "How did you guess that, Miss Summers?"

Melody thought to herself, ’See? I knew I shouldn’t have answered. And right on cue, here comes the second question...’

Carter Jennings had completely derailed Melody’s train of thought for writing up the "incriminating evidence."

She looked up and replied with a hint of exasperation, "Didn’t you just say your hometown’s specialty was cherries...?"

Carter Jennings shook his head, still puzzled. "There have to be at least eighty, if not a hundred, cities whose specialty is cherries. How did you figure out my hometown was Soleia?"