Chapter 28

"Mommy, Mommy!" As soon as Melissa walked into the dining room, her two precious children rushed over and clung to her thighs. Melissa tenderly squatted down, her eyes filled with concern "Alvin, Alvina, did you two sleep well last night?" "We slept really well! The bed at our great-grandmother's house is big and soft. It's very comfortable!" Alvin is an independent little man, he never acts shy no matter where he goes. "Alvina, what about you?" Melissa noticed a trace of fatigue in her daughter's eyes, who had been clinging to her leg since the moment she saw her. "I kind of missed mommy." Alvina spoke in a clingy, childlike voice, her demeanor looking a bit languid "Mommy, I dreamt last night that a big black bear came out of the wardrobe and wanted to bite me …" "Don't be afraid, Alvina. Dreams are not real. There are no big black bears in the wardrobe." Melissa gently stroked her daughter's soft hair and comforted her. "No, I want to sleep with mommy tonight!" Alvina, shaking her mom's hand, cooed at Melissa. "Okay, when mommy comes back in the afternoon, I'll immediately come and accompany you, alright?" Melissa promised her children. At this time, Joseph who was standing nearby, suddenly cleared his throat. He interrupted, "So, does that mean you're heading out after breakfast?" "Exactly, I have some matters to attend to" Melissa said decisively. If it were not for Joseph coming to find her late yesterday evening, she would have discussed this matter with Amy last night. She had already wasted a day in the Clarkson Estate yesterday, so she couldn't afford to delay today. "Oh, is that so? Where are you going? I can arrange a car for you." Joseph couldn't figure out what game this woman was playing; he needed to keep an eye on her every move. "There's no need, I can call a taxi myself." Melissa said with a poker face, refusing to give anyone a chance to track her whereabouts. Joseph. squinted, scrutinizing Melissa. She seemed to be an enigma, a woman cloaked in mystery; she looked innocent like a little bunny, yet she gave off a sense of mystique. "What's with all the secrecy? What exactly is going on?" Upon hearing Joseph's question, Melissa gave a start, thinking this man was being overly inquisitive. 'Do I really need to report everything to him?' Melissa gave him a cold glance "Mr. Clarkson, I'm afraid this is none of your business." She ignored whatever expression Joseph might have, turned and left. "...” Joseph wanted to say something, but then stopped, looking a bit deflated as he watched Melissa's retreating figure. After breakfast, Melissa stood at the door, saying goodbye to the kids. "Alvin, Alvina, you must behave while I'm away. Spend more time with your great-grandma, and stay away from this bad uncle." Melissa kissed Alvina's forehead and caressed Alvin’s small face. "Alvin, you need to take care of your little sister." "We know, Mom. Don't worry! We'll be good." Alvin extended his little hand, patting his chest confidently in assurance to his mother. "Mom, come back soon!” Alvina said reluctantly. She watched her mother leave, blowing her a sweet kiss. "I promise!" It wasn’t until after Melissa left the mansion that she realised how difficult it was to hail a cab in such a remote location. After waiting for forty minutes, she finally obtained a vacant cab that was going in her direction. Immediately after boarding, she called Amy. "Amy, are you at home?" Melissa calmly inquired. This time, she wanted to persuade Amy to align with her and in the battle against Nancy the opportunist with ulterior motives.