Chapter 5 She's My Woman

• The crowd watching burst into laughter, and the Fallows didn't know how to react.
• Four nimble bodyguards dressed in black jumped down from the helicopter and rushed to help Spencer to his feet. "Mr. Fitzalan, are you okay?"
• Spencer was seething with frustration. Despite the pain, he forced himself to pull out the engagement ring and offer it to Melanie. He wanted to complete the proposal as quickly as possible and get to a hospital.
• Melanie's heart raced with panic. She absolutely did not want to accept Spencer's proposal, but she was too afraid to refuse.
• Just then, Finnley appeared out of nowhere. With a swift motion, he knocked the ring out of Spencer's hand, sending it clattering to the ground.
• "Who—who are you?" Spencer slurred, struggling to speak without his front teeth.
• Finnley sneered, "I'm Melanie's husband! Some nerve you have to propose to my wife while I'm away! Look at you—nothing but a buffoon. You actually think you're worthy!"
• "What? You're Melanie's husband? Melanie, what's going on here?" Spencer glared at Melanie, confused and angry.
• Melanie was equally shocked, staring at Finnley. Though his appearance had changed significantly, she quickly recognized him through his expression and tone. Overcome with joy, she stepped closer to him and asked softly, "Are you Finn?"
• Finnley smiled. "Yes, sis, it's me. I'm back."
• Tears welled up in Melanie's eyes as she tightly grasped Finnley's hand. "You're really Finn… You're alive! I've missed you so much…"
• Finnley held her hand tenderly. "I'm alive, and I've missed you too, Mel."
• Melanie nodded, holding back more tears.
• Seeing Finnley and Melanie holding hands so intimately, especially in front of all the media, Spencer felt humiliated. His face reddened with anger as he turned to the old matriarch of the Fallow family, Henrietta. "Old Mrs. Fallow, what is the meaning of this?"
• Henrietta, barely able to contain her rage, turned to Melanie and demanded, "Melanie, today is your big day with Mr. Fitzalan. You need to stay in line. I don't care who this man is—get rid of him at once!"
• Melanie stood firm and replied, "Grandma, he is my fiance. We were engaged before I even joined the Fallow family. I thought he was dead, but he's alive, standing here today. Therefore, everything I promised before is null and void."
• Finnley grinned. "That's right. Her husband is alive, so how can she marry someone else?!"
• "This is outrageous!" Henrietta's cane thudded against the ground as she struck it in fury. "I took you in when you were 14, Melanie, after losing all my children and grandchildren in that car accident. I raised you like my own. I paid for your education, taught you how to run a business, and provided for you. Do you know how much you owe me? Refusing this marriage will cost the Fallow family dearly. Is this how you repay me for all I've done for you?"
• "Grandma, I am grateful for everything you've done for me, but I've already repaid the Fallow family," Melanie said. "We both know the state the family was in two years ago. I built this hotel up with my own hard work. I've done more than enough for the Fallow family. All I ask is to live the life I want."
• "Are you really choosing to defy me over some worthless boy, Melanie?!" Henrietta was livid, her breath coming in short gasps. "Guards, throw him off the roof!"
• At Henrietta's command, several strong security guards stepped forward, ready to seize Finnley.
• Just as Finnley was about to fight back, Melanie stepped in front of him, protecting him. She glared at the guards and shouted, "I dare you to try!"
• Despite being a woman, Melanie had been trained in martial arts by Finnley's grandfather. She radiated a commanding presence, an aura that demanded respect. She had personally hired these security guards, and they knew all too well how formidable she could be. Intimidated, they hesitated and took several steps back.
• Seeing that, Henrietta fumed. "Melanie, are you really going to betray the Fallow family for him?"
• Melanie's voice was calm yet resolute as she responded, "Grandma, don't force me. If I have to make a choice, I would rather be cast out of the Fallow family than live a life I don't want. But if anyone so much as touches Finnley, I will make sure they pay in blood."