Chapter 184
Melvin’s Plan.
“I knew it!” Melvin exclaimed, snapping his fingers while his eyes narrowed. “I knew it was them all along p>
Jean turned to him, her expression confused and slightly alarmed. “You knew? How p>
Melvin straightened in his seat, confidence swelling now that danger had passed him by. He turned toward Sterling and Celine, lowering his voice as if offering wisdom instead of poison.
“Listen, Sterling. Celine,” Melvin said. “I’ve always had my doubts about Charles and Stella. I know they’ve been your closest friends for years, but envy can hide beneath loyalty. You may not have seen it – but I did p>
“You did?” Jean echoed weakly. “I… I suppose I wasn’t that observant p>
Sterling and Celine exchanged a look, their jaws tight with anger. They had every right to be furious. The thought that Stella and Charles had ordered Serena’s kidnapping must have devastated them.
Melvin watched their reaction carefully.
He didn’t know how Victor had managed to shift the blame onto the Montgomerys,
or how he had convinced anyone of it, but Melvin didn’t question it.
He welcomed it!
There had already been tension between Sterling and the Montgomerys. The friendship was fractured beyond repair.
And Melvin saw exactly what this was.
An opportunity.
If the blame was already leaning in their direction, he would push it.
“Still, I was taken aback that Victor was alive. I thought he had died,” Melvin muttered.
“He had apparently escaped during the prison fire four years ago,” Silas relayed. “And according to Victor, it was Charles who arranged his fake death p>
“We are digging into Stella and Charles Montgomery, but Victor has given his statements and a few leads,” Nathaniel said, his eyes narrowing. “I know his information is solid. Too bad we couldn’t extract more details from him p>
“Victor is probably the kind of person who won’t confess without leverage,” Melvin suggested. “If he’s giving names, it’s because he believes they’re already compromised. He probably already knew about the conflict between you and Charles p>
“So for now, no one must say a word about the investigation, especially to the Montgomerys,” Nathaniel suggested. “We don’t want to alert them p>
“Of course,” Melvin said. “I agree with you there p>
Melvin smirked inwardly. He was already planning.
Only Stefan had been locked up. So Stella and Charles were free.
‘I will meet with Charles and Stella and plant evidence in their home. They will be my scapegoat!’ Melvin concluded.
As they discussed, his mind was already racing.
‘Still, the plan to take over VanderMed Technologies must continue,’ he thought. He knew now it was crucial to take Sterling and Silas’ power.
“So, now that we have it all figured out and that our direction is clear,” Sterling said, looking at everyone before settling on Melvin, “we must work together, as a family.” Melvin gave a solemn nod, his wife included.
They had lunch next, and nothing was out of the ordinary. Whatever doubts Sterling and Serena had about Melvin had clearly vanished. It looked like they truly understood that it was a simple mistake a lack of judgment on his part.
Melvin got to speak to the kids. He even got to hug them.
At some point, they all managed to smile and hope for the future. Sterling had even mentioned in passing, “You know what, Melvin? You should have a more active role in the company p>
Perhaps the best part of the gathering was that Nathaniel agreed to meet him personally on a separate occasion.
For Melvin to succeed with his pursuits, Nathaniel had to be out of the picture. At the very least, he shouldn’t be around to protect Sterling and the others.
So as a start,
De
had to build a relationship with Nathaniel Thorne. And maybe, just maybe… along the way he could convince Nathaniel to switch sides. If not then he would have to manipulate Sterling into believing that Nathaniel Thorne had bad intentions.
In the middle of the week, Nathaniel met with Melvin and Jean at the Rexam Grand Hotel over lunch.
“Melvin, Serena, and Silas respect
you a lot, and I truly need your support in winning my wife back,” Nathaniel said. He presented gifts. “These are for you and Jean. I hope
you like them and will continue to put in a good word for me with Sterling p>
“A twenty-four karat necklace and medallion!” Jean exclaimed, opening her gift. “This looks beautiful p>
As for Melvin, he opened his gift and smirked at the latest edition of a golden Rolex watch. He turned to Nathaniel and said, “Impressive. I like you already, Nathan. I will certainly do my best to support you and Serena p>
Of course, that was a lie. For now, he just had to say that.
“I’m glad you like my gifts,” Nathaniel said with a smile. “Please, wear them all the time p>
Nathaniel’s smile was easy.
Too easy.
For a split second, Melvin had the faintest impression that the young man already knew more than he let on.
But that was ridiculous.
If Nathaniel suspected anything, he wouldn’t be here offering gold and gratitude.
“We will definitely wear them,” Melvin said eagerly. He rejoiced inside because it looked like he didn’t have to work hard.
He had Nathaniel right where he wanted him.
It was only… a matter of time.