The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1074 Good Intentions

The afternoon sun cast a golden glow on half of Gary's serious face. Melissa had always wanted to talk to someone about it, even to someone who wasn't really involved or knew little about the matter. After all, people were inclined to tell other people things if they had endured something tremendously tedious or horrible. Otherwise, the lack of an outlet for emotions would lead to depression. "Things have been over for so many years. Of course, I didn't exactly know the cause then, and I certainly don't know now," Gary said helplessly but honestly. His son died that year, and his daughter-in-law suddenly went missing. There wasn't anyone he could ask for help in dealing with those matters.

Melissa noticed that Gary's teacup was empty, so she got up to pour him some more. She served it with both hands to show her respect. "Dad, honestly the reason Eugene and I had a big fight that time wasn't because of emotional or marital problems, but because Shining Company's internal finances had severe problems," she said slowly.

"Shining Company's internal finances had severe problems that time? I had never heard about that. What was wrong then?" Gary asked curiously. The last thing that would ever cross his mind was that Shining Company had an internal finance issue.

"During that time, there was an issue regarding capital turnover. I thought I could help Eugene and suggested taking risks, but he didn't agree back then. I set aside his idea at first, but after dealing with so many customers, I realized that the pressing problem still couldn't be solved. Eugene felt the effects of the financial issue the most. He was extremely distressed, and thus, he was always drunk day and night. No one but I could feel his psychological pressure, and I felt terrible not being able to help him. So, I thought as long as I could help him pull through, I would do whatever it took me to do. I would even sacrifice myself for him and for Shining Company," Melissa explained. A sigh escaped her lips, then it was silent for a while.

Gary felt pain grip him as he listened. He had no idea that his son was under such great pressure, a severe financial crisis when they lived in the same house back then. "So what happened after? How did Shining Company get through that problem?" Gary asked carefully.

"Dad, you know how terrible it was when Shining Company's capital was ruined. It was like walking on the edge of a dangerously high cliff. There couldn't be any mistakes. Back then, it would've been the end for the whole company if the outsiders had gotten a hint of what went wrong in it!" Melissa answered. "Therefore, I decided to set things right and ease Eugene's burdens using my way. For once, I had taken the risk! This time, I chose not to tell Eugene about it." As she narrated the story, Melissa couldn't help but feel somewhat moved by her own selflessness. If she had other options, she would've never risked the dangers that came with violations of laws. However, she admitted that while it was impulsive, she had no regrets.

It made her realize how cruel the world was. Even fate could turn its back on her. "After careful consideration, I made sure that I could only take one shortcut. I committed a crime without hesitation. I did commercial fraud, and used the money to help Shining Company solve its problems," she said.

T"Eugene found out afterward, and we fought. That was when things went bad. He accused me of not listening to him and violating the laws. He thought it was wrong that I committed a crime, regardless of the outcome. I felt so insulted by him at that time. Everything I had done was for him and for Shining Company. How could he judge me and not understand what I did? I was really upset!"

"I was so mad, we ended up fighting badly. I didn't care when he told me to turn myself in. Nor did I listen to him when he said that he would wait for me when I was imprisoned. I refused to listen to him at all. When he saw that he couldn't convince me, he slammed the door and left the house in anger," Melissa said and stopped to take a deep breath.

"After he went out, he got into a car accident. When I arrived at the accident scene, I saw his cold body on the road, covered in blood. I instantly felt numb. Later, grief and remorse filled my heart. I rushed in and held him in my arms, and cried bitterly. I cried for a long time and remembered what he told me. In the end, I went to the police station and turned myself in."

Tears streamed down her face as she talked. The droplets stained her cheeks and the table. It had been so many years since the car accident happened, and she was aware that she was wrong.

If she could have a second chance, she would not have fought with Eugene, but turn herself into the police instead. That way, Eugene wouldn't have died in the accident!

Gary felt greatly shocked by Melissa's words as he listened. "So, you've been in prison all these years?" he asked.

"Yes. Otherwise I wouldn't leave Charles. I'm his mother, and I'm not cold-blooded! I suffered a lot I couldn't see him, touch him, talk to him, and watch him grow up." Guilt filled Melissa's heart when she spoke of her son. She had chosen to take the risk because she wanted to help Eugene, and for their son's future. However, she had never imagined that a single mistake cost her everything-her husband and her son, who had nearly become an orphan because of it.

After Melissa finished talking about her life the past few years, Gary was greatly relieved. He had misunderstood many things before, and bore a grudge against his daughter-in-law because he thought she was to blame for the car accident and the whole thing. Now that he knew the whole story, he suddenly felt that it was quite hard for Melissa to undergo those setbacks by herself all these years!

After all, the death of his son was caused by accident, and nobody wanted to see an accident happen, including Melissa. "Why didn't you tell us about any of those things? We are still your family, your home here," Gary said. "I just thought you were...gone forever."

When Melissa heard this, she was filled with hope again. If felt great for her to know that Gary saw her as a member of the family.

Before, Gary had a hard time accepting her into the family when his son died.

"Dad, I didn't want Charles to be called a fraudster's son at that time. His life would be ruined if he knew what I had done. He's such an excellent boy I just want him to grow up happy and healthy, so I chose to keep it to myself and not let anyone know," Melissa said slowly as she wiped her tears. What Melissa said was true, but she didn't deny the fact that she said it so she could add to her credit, and gain more favor from Gary-she knew she had to have his permission before going back to Dream Garden.

Besides, She needed Gary to talk to Charles about the matter, so he could understand and accept her after she was gone for so many years.

"So, you've just gotten out of jail?" Gary asked.

"I was sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment and came out last weekend," Melissa answered. She lowered her eyelids and didn't look at Gary's face as she spoke.

Gary opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. Instead, he picked up the cup of tea his daughter-in-law had served and took a sip. It was cold already, but he didn't mind. After pondering over things for a while, he said, "You were thoughtful, and had good intentions for everyone in the family."

"Dad, the tea has gone cold. Let me refill it for you," Melissa said attentively. However, she didn't respond to Gary's comment about her. She just stood up, poured out the cold tea, washed the cup, and made a new batch. She humbly served it again to Gary with both hands.

Although Melissa hadn't touched a tea set for fifteen years, she was still familiar with making tea. When Eugene was still alive, he liked to study tea ceremonies and spent a lot of time learning it, and that was why Melissa also knew how to make tea.

Maybe it was the respect of his daughter-in-law, or his son's hobby of making tea that moved Gary, but whatever the reason was, he was greatly touched by her earnestness. He also saw her in a new, empathic light. "Now that you are out of prison, why not live at home? As for Charles, I will go talk to him. It will be okay," Gary reassured her. Now, Melissa's wish came true.

After all, Gary was not a fool. He had guessed the reason his daughter-in-law came to him. It was why he didn't ask her where she was staying after she got out of jail, nor did he ask her if she had adjusted to the outside world after being imprisoned for fifteen years. They didn't need ceremonious preliminaries-he just went straight to the point and asked her to settle down at home.

It wasn't difficult to crack her thoughts. Although she had lost her husband, she still had a son in the Lu family, and that was the most important thing.