Chapter 22

By the next morning, Melody could tell that everyone was looking at her differently. Tiffany pulled her aside and whispered a warning, "Ms. Langford said that apart from the care team, you're the only person who saw her at the hospital." She looked tense. "Mel, she might... suspect you." That morning, Melody was indeed called to the department head's office. Jeremy and Tessa Langford were both there. Lately, Tessa's company had been in chaos because of her illness. It even made the news several times. Her face looked terrible. She was clearly guarded when she saw Melody. The department head, Benson Turner, let out a sigh and chose his words carefully. "Ms. Wardolf, you're familiar with the hospital's rules, aren't you?" Melody stood up straight. Her knuckles tightened a little. She explained seriously, "I did see Ms. Langford in Dr. Chesson's office, but I didn't recognize her. I had no idea she was in the hospital." Tessa looked pale and exhausted from her illness, but anger shone in her eyes. "You barged in on purpose that day! Before that, nobody else ever came in during my talks with Dr. Chesson. Why did you decide to enter on that day?" Melody explained patiently, "That day, Dr. Franklin asked me to bring Dr. Chesson a patient file." Tessa didn't believe her. She turned to Benson and said, "I want the hospital to give me an explanation. I came here because I trusted you, and now you've sold my information to the media!" Benson tried to calm her. "Ms. Langford, rest assured. We'll get to the bottom of this. We'll make sure you're satisfied." Tessa had kept her illness completely under wraps. She came to the hospital alone. Now, the scandal was blowing up everywhere. When Melody stepped out of Benson's office, she followed Jeremy into his office. She said, "That day, Dr. Franklin really did tell me to bring you the files. I had no idea Tessa was inside." Unfortunately, Harold had gone out of town for a conference these past two days. Tessa's situation had been brewing for a while. It didn't get big until recently. Jeremy had been handling it and was starting to look drained. He tossed a folder onto the desk and fixed his eyes on Melody with no change in emotion. "Explaining that to me won't help unless you have direct proof you weren't involved. Right now, Tessa does suspect you." Melody stayed silent for a moment. Her hand, resting on the desk, clenched slowly. She suddenly looked up at Jeremy with uncertainty. "Did you tell Tessa I bumped into her here?" There were only three people in the office that day—Melody, Tessa, and Jeremy. Melody and Tessa didn't know each other at all. Jeremy's handsome face showed nothing but a distant coldness. He just lowered his gaze and gave Melody a quick glance. He said flatly, "Ms. Langford wants to investigate every detail. Telling her was the right thing to do." "So... you suspect me too?" Melody asked, her voice strained. She knew Jeremy was always strict and stuck to the facts. However, it hurt to think he might suspect her. Jeremy's brow tightened for a moment. He felt a strange tug in his chest. He met Melody's eyes, which were filled with hope and desperation. After a brief pause, he said, "Whether I do or not doesn't matter. We'll see when the investigation is over." Tessa's case caused a big stir in the hospital. Everyone knew Melody was under suspicion, and they tacitly avoided her. Tiffany felt terrible about it. She complained quietly behind the head nurse's back. "Tessa's just picking on you. Maybe she revealed her illness herself. She just wants to pin it on you. They're going after you because you're easy to push around." Melody hadn't said anything when a hostile voice sounded. "Talking behind a patient's back? What happened to your professionalism?" The voice belonged to Krystal. Melody looked up to see Krystal and Jeremy standing just outside the front desk. Krystal stared at her without expression. "The hospital is already investigating. I understand you're unhappy about being a suspect, but please cooperate." After speaking, Krystal walked away. Tiffany rolled her eyes at her behind her back. Melody raised her head to look at Jeremy. He seemed calm as ever. Their eyes met for a moment before he turned and left as well, not caring in the slightest. News of Tessa's situation reached the Wardolf family, and Melody got called home that afternoon. Andrew frowned at her. Laura was sitting next to him, letting out a mocking laugh. They stayed like that for a while. Then, Andrew finally spoke. "Mel, you know Regallo Group has a partnership with Ms. Langford's company, right?" Melody pressed her lips together and lowered her gaze. "Ms. Langford's issue has nothing to do with me. I have no idea why her information got leaked." Andrew sighed. His refined features were clouded with disappointment. "Mel, making a mistake isn't the real problem. What matters is having the courage to own up to it." He had never seen Melody as a particularly outstanding child. In fact, her hearing issues required more effort on his part. He prided himself on being a good father, so even when criticizing her, he still used a gentle tone. "You can't expect the Wardolf family to clean up your messes every time. You need to grow up." Laura let out a short laugh. "I don't have time to clean up her mess. Krystal's banquet is coming up, and I've got a lot to prepare." Mentioning Krystal made Laura's gaze sharpen as she looked at Melody. "Speaking of which, how's that matter of you leaving the family? When are you planning to hold the press conference?"