When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Galen gazed at me, his eyes deepening in complexity.

"I thought all he wanted was the company, not lives. I can't believe he actually went through with it."

"I've been at the hospital all these years, trying to uncover evidence of how they framed your dad."

"That driver, Malcom, was in the late stages of kidney failure, a patient of Marilyn's. His wife, Effie Miller, is a distant cousin of Garfield's."

Over the years, Galen had indeed been investigating the incident from the past.

The reason Clyde couldn't find anything was that Garfield had erased all the traces.

Without any physical evidence or witnesses, nobody suspected it was a crime that crossed state lines, and just like that, all leads were lost.

But these past few years, Galen had been gathering clues while working at the hospital.

Malcom died, and his wife and kids received a large sum of money.

At the time, Garfield had donated the money under the guise of helping a widow and her orphans. He didn't just give them money; he also secured Effie a job and sorted the kids' schooling.

Effie, who was nearly broke and selling blood to make ends meet, suddenly came into a lot of money and naturally didn't question how her husband died.

Listening to him, I clenched my fists.

These murderers, completely disregarding human life, would stoop to any level to achieve their goals.

Thinking of Marilyn and Garfield's sanctimonious faces filled me with rage.

And considering the car accident a few days ago, it seemed these people were used to dealing with those who opposed them harshly-if you weren't with them, you were against them, and thus, marked for death!

Galen gently patted my hand, "Mellie, don't act rashly. With evidence, we can bring them down."

"The cases they're involved in aren't just this one. Your dad's case was just the beginning for them, it's like they discovered some heinous method."NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

I nodded, the things Eliana was investigating probably tied back to my dad's case as well.

They targeted terminally ill patients,

eem do their dirty work in

for a hefty sum for their

families. t

With Malcom as an example, who wouldn't want to leave their family better off?

Especially in the face of terminal illness, after spending all the family's savings, everyone is left with guilt.

What's a little more guilt if it means your family lives well after you're gone?

I closed my eyes in silence, thinking maybe I would do the same in their shoes.

Holding the evidence bag tightly, I asked, "Why haven't you taken this evidence to the police?"

"To the police? With Garfield around, do you think that would make a difference?"

Galen laughed helplessly.

"Clyde has always been good to you,

even back in college he was

e

devoted. The Patterson family has significant influence. If you have someone high up backing you, this evidence could be useful."

"If not... Mellie, just take Geneva and live a good life. Let go of the past grievances."

"Galen's not got much time left, but I'll make sure this gets resolved for you."

His eyes were clear yet resolute, as if he had made a significant decision.

A sense of foreboding washed over me.

"Galen, what are you planning to..."

Before I could get a clear answer, it sounded like someone was opening the door to the rooftop.

"Galen, stay here, don't make a

sound. I'll check it out," I whispered, tucking the evidence bag into my jacket and walked towards the rooftop door.

Talbot barged through the door, his face seething with anger.

"Melanie, what are you doing up here so late? Always stirring up trouble!"