Chapter 18 ‘s voice was trembling as she reached out to hold him.
Jeremy suddenly gripped her wrist and questioned her, his voice hoarse. “Who told you to come?”
Melanie looked away without explaining herself, then replied calmly, “Get your injury treated. I’ll deal with
Zachary.”
Upon hearing that, Jeremy forcibly pulled her behind him. He didn’t even notice that his wound had torn open. “Zachary has lost his mind. If you go in now, you’d just be walking into his trap.”
“Jeremy, trust me. I’ll protect myself.” Melanie held Jeremy’s blood-stained fingers and gave them a gentle squeeze.
At the same time, a man in black urged, “Ms. Lloyd, now that you’ve seen him, can you go in already?”
“Got it.” After replying to the man, Melanie glanced at Jeremy before she leaned in and whispered, “Wait for me. I’ll be back.”
Jeremy pursed his lips tightly and gulped, seemingly wanting to say something. His eyes lingered on
Melanie for a long time.
After Jeremy made sure that Melanie had entered the villa, he stumbled.
Terry rushed over and held him before he collapsed to the floor.
“Quick! To the hospital!”
The many men in black led Melanie into a room.
As soon as the door shut, Melanie felt a heat against her back.
Zachary wrapped his arms tightly around Melanie, his warm breath brushing against the back of her ear.
Melanie stood frozen, but she didn’t fight back.
She stared at their shadows cast on the wall, her voice terrifyingly calm. “Zachary, you’re forcing someone who hates you to stay by your side. Is this what you want?”
Zachary remained silent as he sniffed Melanie’s hair desperately. He wished he could devour her whole.
He replied in a husky voice, “I know. I only want you to stay.”
Melanie laughed at his words. Then, she turned around and met his eyes.
“There were many times you could’ve made me stay. When I was locked in the room, when I was pushed off the cliff, and when I cried and begged you not to burn those things my mom had left behind…
“Zachary, at that time, did you ever think we’d end up like this?”
Zachary felt as if his heart had been ripped apart when he saw her reddened eyes.
He eagerly explained, “Mel, I was wrong. I’ll make it up to you with everything I have for the rest of my life.”
“Really?” Melanie arched an eyebrow. “Even if you have to give up something that matters the most to you?”
“What do you want?”
Melanie replied without a second thought, “I want Fuller Group. If you give it to Jeremy, I’ll give you a
chance to repent for your mistakes.”
Zachary’s face fell when he heard that.
He gripped Melanie’s shoulders. “Have you fallen for Jeremy?”
Melanie stayed composed as she enunciated each word. “It’s none of your business.”
“Mel.” Zachary took a deep breath. “I can fulfill any of your wishes, but not this.”
He had worked so hard to build Fuller Group, and Jeremy was his rival whom he had been trying to get rid of.
Handing Fuller Group over to Jeremy was no different from killing him.
Melanie had expected Zachary to turn down her request, so she said apathetically, “In that case, I think we’re done here.”
She wanted to turn and leave, but Zachary called out to stop her. “This isn’t Jeremy’s turf. Without my permission, you can never leave.”
With her back facing him, she said coldly, “I’m not leaving. I merely want to get some rest.”
The moment she set foot in the villa, she knew Zachary wouldn’t let her go easily. Of course, she wouldn’t just sit by and do nothing either.
Since she had told Jeremy to wait for her, she would surely figure out a way to escape this place.
