Chapter 6 Don't Touch Him

• Everyone gasped in shock, and Henrietta was furious. "You must have lost your mind! What kind of spell has this poor boy cast on you that you would disregard the honor of your family? Why are you all just standing there? Get him!"
• The bodyguards, having received their orders, rushed forward, ready to teach Finnley a lesson. But before they could even touch him, Melanie spun around and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick, sending them flying.
• The remaining two bodyguards, caught off guard by Melanie's strength, hesitated, unsure of how to proceed.
• Impressive! Finnley thought to himself, admiring his sister's graceful movements. She hasn't lost a step since we used to spar. She's still amazing after all these years!
• "I guess you didn't take my words seriously." Melanie's face darkened as she warned. "If anyone else tries to lay a hand on him, I swear they won't live to see tomorrow."
• With that, she tore off the restrictive hem of her dress with a loud rip.
• Henrietta, trembling with rage, gritted her teeth. "Melanie, are you really determined to go against the entire Fallow family?" What was supposed to be a celebratory event became an utter humiliation. Melanie, the once-obedient child, was now openly defying her for some unknown man.
• Melanie met her gaze firmly. "I'm not going against the family. I'm doing what's right. I'm ready to give up my place in the Fallow family. From this moment on, I am no longer one of you."
• What was right—to her—was protecting her brother from harm.
• "I'm sorry, but this engagement is canceled," Melanie declared and then turned to Finnley, her once cold eyes now filled with affection. "Let's go, Finn. We have a lot to talk about."
• The guests murmured amongst themselves, stunned by what they were witnessing. The marriage between the Fitzalan and Fallow families had been the talk of Eastport, and now, it was crumbling right before their eyes.
• Spencer, too, was seething. He had never imagined that another man would swoop in and ruin everything. His family's reputation had just been trampled, and now the woman he had his heart set on was walking away with someone else. Certainly, he couldn't stomach it.
• In a fit of rage, Spencer grabbed a chair and hurled it at Finnley. But Finnley, always alert, saw the move coming. Quickly shielding Melanie, he caught the chair in mid-air, spun it around, and sent it flying back toward Spencer in a perfect arc.
• Spencer, too slow to react, was struck squarely by the chair. Blood poured from his head, nearly knocking him unconscious.
• "Mr. Fitzalan! Oh no, Mr. Fitzalan!" Henrietta screamed, rushing over to him, her face pale with fear. To anyone watching, it seemed like Spencer was her own grandson.
• "You! I won't let you get away with this!" Spencer yelled, his words slurred from his missing teeth. He turned to the guards and shouted, "What are you waiting for? Get him!"
• But before the guards could react, Melanie stepped in front of Finnley once again, blocking their path. "Spencer, you brought this on yourself. If anyone dares touch him, I'll make sure they regret it."
• Finnley looked down at his sister, who barely came up to his chest now, standing between him and the danger just as she had done when they were kids. His heart swelled with warmth.
• "Melanie, are you really choosing him over me?! He's nothing! A penniless nobody! You're going to leave with him?" Spencer shouted, still fuming. What does he have that I don't?
• "Shut your mouth," Melanie snapped, her eyes cold as ice. "If I hear one more insult about Finn from you, I'll make sure you regret it."
• With that, she took Finnley's hand and pulled him along. "Come on, Finn, let's go."
• The room was in utter chaos, with guests unsure of what to do. No one dared to get in their way, and a path cleared for them to leave.
• Of course, the immediate concern was getting Spencer to a hospital, and so the engagement party was over before it could even begin.
• Melanie led Finnley out of the hotel and to her car, driving away like a gust of wind.
• "I'm sorry, Finn, this is all I can manage right now. I'm sorry you have to ride in this car. Let's head home first. The girls will be so happy to see you alive." Her voice cracked with emotion. All these years, she had carried the guilt of not being able to protect Finnley. She had blamed herself, cursed fate, and never forgiven herself for not being able to take care of him. But now, miraculously, he was back.
• "Mel, don't say that. This car is great! I'm just happy to see you all again," said Finnley sincerely as he looked at the Audi.
• To him, luxury cars were nothing special—he had garages full of them. But this car, Melanie's car, felt special to him. It made the ride all the more meaningful.
• Melanie smiled through her tears and sped up, eager to get home.
• Just after they left, two strikingly beautiful women arrived at the scene, clearly in a hurry.
• "Huh? Did the engagement party end already? That can't be right!" Madeline grumbled. The invitation clearly said the banquet would start at noon, and it wasn't even noon yet.
• "Maddie, wait up!" called Noelle, who had changed into fresh clothes. After waking up smelling like sewage, Noelle had taken a quick shower, reported to the station, and rushed over.
• "Noelle, what do we do? We're late!" Madeline looked at Noelle with wide, pleading eyes. "Do you think Mel's mad at us?"
• Noelle surveyed the chaotic scene and thought something was off. "The engagement party couldn't have ended this fast…"
• Even if the engagement ceremony had finished, the banquet should still continue. There was no reason for everything to be wrapped up so fast.
• "Wait! Noelle, look over there!"
• Following Madeline's finger, Noelle spotted some reporters doing a live broadcast.
• They moved closer and overheard the reporter saying, "So, who is this mysterious man that made Eastport's top goddess, Melanie Fallow, abandon everything—even leaving the heir of the Fitzalan family behind? We'll continue to follow this breaking story."
• "Excuse me, officer here. Can you tell me what just happened?"