The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 1414 As Soon As Possible

"Mom, I need to tell you something." Charles lowered his voice to start a serious talk. He didn't want to make Melissa think that he was asking for her opinion.

"What?" Melissa was puzzled. Charles' look and tone made her nervous. She wondered whether she had done something wrong these past few days. She racked her brain but found nothing. So she gave up. Whatever Charles was going to tell her, she would try her best to argue with him.

"Mom, what do you think about Shirley being kidnapped?"

'Why does Charles suddenly ask me such a question?'

Melissa was startled, wondering whether Charles had found out that she was involved in the kidnapping too. Her mind muddled as she thought about various possibilities and answers in the next few seconds. She stumbled, "Do you mean my opinion? I feel very sorry for Shirley. She is so cute and so young. She shouldn't be treated that way. Those kidnappers are assholes."

"Really? Do you really think so?" Charles squinted and stared at Melissa, as if he was assessing whether she was telling the truth. He wanted to replace some clues from her face.

Melissa looked around, not daring to face Charles. Her reaction disappointed him. At this moment, he finally figured it out. He was busy taking care of Clark and Shirley before which was why he didn't pay much attention to what his mom was doing.

But now, he realized that Melissa knew that Leila was the one who planned the kidnapping all this time. Otherwise, she wouldn't look so guilty. Just like before, Melissa let him down again.

Charles was furious. He never anticipated that his own mother would hide something like this from him. Shirley was her biological granddaughter. How could Melissa get along with Leila and pretend that she knew nothing when everyone was worried sick about Shirley's well-being and was eagerly trying to replace her?

Was Leila this important to her? So important that she decided to put her own grandchild at risk?

Charles clenched his fists. It was the first time that he felt so mad at his mother. The fact that Melissa was fooled by a vicious woman like Leila so easily even made it worse. She could even be persuaded to kidnap her own grandchild, putting Shirley in such a dangerous situation.

With this in mind, Charles got even more determined to kick Leila out. She couldn't stay in the Lu family, not even for a second. Otherwise, Leila would continue to fool Melissa and take advantage of her. That would be a disaster for the family.

Charles stared at Melissa with his sharp eyes before he composed himself and opened his mouth. "Now that you say that those kidnappers are assholes, do you know that Leila is one of them?"

Of course, Melissa knew that Leila orchestrated it all. Melissa herself got involved too. But she couldn't let Charles replace that out. So she had to pretend that she was surprised.

"What nonsense are you talking about, Charles? Maybe it's just a misunderstanding? I am sure Leila won't do that." Melissa shook her head.

"Mom, it's true. Leila planned the kidnap. I also have evidence to prove it."

Charles saw right through Melissa. He knew right away that she was lying, which made him more determined to kick Leila out.

His rage towards Leila grew stronger and stronger. If it wasn't for Leila, Melissa wouldn't be making so much drama to get Sheryl into trouble. He thought that Leila worsened Melissa's relationship with Sheryl. Melissa, however, heaved a great sigh of relief. It seemed that Charles didn't suspect her as an accomplice. He only found out that Leila planned the kidnap, which was a comfort to her.

Melissa wondered what Charles would do to Leila. But judging from his look and tone, she had a bad feeling about it.

Melissa was a selfish woman and she only cared about herself. She didn't give a damn about what would happen to Leila. What made her worried was the thought of Leila revealing the truth to Charles, that she was one of the kidnappers too. After all, Leila was ruthless. If she got caught, she would be happy to replace herself an accomplice.

So Melissa asked Charles carefully, "So, what are you going to do with Leila?"

Charles shoot her a glance.

"I will never forgive Leila for what she has done. I am thinking about sending her to the police and bringing her to justice. But you know Sheryl. She is too forgiving and she asked me to do her a favor. She is grateful that Shirley is back home, safe and sound. Besides considering that you and Leila are close, she asked me to let her off easy."

Melissa pursed her lips, wondering what games Sheryl was playing. She couldn't believe that Sheryl would be this nice. Sheryl might be planning something to frame them up.

Come to think of it, Melissa was relieved that Charles decided to let it go. In that case, Leila wouldn't tell the police the truth.

"Although we can forgive what Leila has done, we can't pretend that nothing has happened. So I made up my mind to ask her to leave. She should get the hell out of my house." Charles sounded harsh and serious when he said the last sentence, which made Melissa shiver.

Melissa lowered her voice and begged, "Charles, I don't think it's a good idea. When I was in prison, she gave me a lot of help. I can't imagine what my life may have been in there if I haven't known her." What Melissa was implying was that she wanted Leila to stay. But she knew Charles too well. Once he made up his mind, no one could change it, not even her.

"Mom, Shirley is your biological granddaughter. Leila kidnapped your grandkid and she was missing for so many days. Can't you see how Shirley looked like when she came home? Now tell me, are you still trying to defend Leila? How can you even face Shirley?" Charles pressed on Melissa.

What Charles said struck Melissa. He was right. Leila wasn't her family. Shirley was. If it wasn't for Leila, Shirley wouldn't be missing for so many days. They were being really generous for just kicking Leila out of the house instead of handing her to the police. Leila should be grateful.

She thought about it for a while before she agreed. "Fine then. You can ask Leila to leave. But could you please give us some time? I want to talk to Leila first. After all, these may be a lot for her to take in. I am afraid that she would go crazy and do some damages to our family again if we just tell her to leave without giving her any heads-up."

In reality, Charles only cared about the result. As for who should tell Leila to leave immediately, he didn't care at all.

"Then you should talk to her as soon as possible. The earlier she leaves Dream Garden, the better. I don't want to see her anymore," Charles reminded Melissa. He believed that Melissa shouldn't dare to prolong this.

"Sure, I will talk to her soon."

Little did Charles know that the reason why Melissa wanted to talk to Leila was that because she was afraid that Leila would make a slip of the tongue and let everyone replace out the truth. She was desperate to ask Leila to shut her mouth.

Charles nodded at Melissa and walked back to Shirley's bedroom. He was afraid that Shirley would break down again if she was left alone for too long.