Chapter 579

Melissa's voice tapered off, her recovery from surgery showing slow progress, her complexion notably pallid. Her battle with illness had been protracted, spanning many years.

Winnie observed the elderly woman, tears brimming in her eyes. Melissa's hair had turned gray, her appearance aged yet tender, devoid of aggression, radiating only a sense of pity. Despite her son's esteemed status as Mr. Rodriguez and her family's immense wealth, she lacked nothing.

But the dependence and affection in Melissa's eyes were met with a steely resolve from Winnie. "Melissa, I don't want you to be involved in anything between me and Lawrence again. There will be nothing between us from now on. Under these circumstances, having you as a neighbor would be inconvenient and awkward for both of us."

A deep sadness enveloped Melissa's face, though she managed a fragile smile. "I understand, Winnie..."

"No!" Sidney interjected, moving closer and encircling Melissa's waist, his expression a mix of protest and concern. "It's me who wants Grandma to live here. Mom, could you not turn her down so decisively? She is so pitiful. With my busy deadbeat dad working all the time, who's going to keep her company? Plus, when you're working, you often stay late at the office. Who kept me company before Oscar came home?

"I really like Grandma. We just saw the house in Block Two, and we both absolutely loved it. Furthermore, Block Two and Block Four are still two hundred meters apart. If you don't want to see Grandma, I'll go hang out with her. I won't let her come over to the house."

Sidney's anxious words painted Winnie as the antagonist in the situation.

Melissa gently patted the child, fearing Winnie's reaction to Sidney's fervent defense.

Winnie's demeanor remained unchanged as she accepted the role of the villain. "Sidney, you're putting me in a tough spot."

"Mom, I'll be lonely, and Grandma just had surgery. She needs my care too. The villa have better surroundings than here. The place is beautiful, with a lake, hills, and courts to play sports..."

"That isn't a wealthy neighborhood. Your grandma won't get the full luxury she deserves there. And with her health, she shouldn't be engaging in sports, better off avoiding climbing stairs altogether."

"Winnie," Melissa interjected. "Thank you for caring. I'll take your advice. If you're unhappy, then I can't insist on this. I don't want to trouble you, we, the Rodriguez family, already owe you too much."

"Sidney, you have to stand with your mother. You're her rock." Melissa touched the child's cheek with a wistful smile before turning to the real estate agent with resignation. "Never mind... I'll keep looking."

The agent hurriedly escorted the esteemed client away, pondering, "Madam, is that your daughter-in-law? Why doesn't she agree to let you live here? But, indeed, the mother-in-law vs. daughter-in-law conflict is hard to solve."

Melissa responded, "I wish it was that kind of conflict."

Bryan, who overheard their exchange, glanced back at Winnie before following Melissa, a sense of distress evident in his demeanor.

Winnie didn't give Lawrence any chance to get her attention.

She clenched her hands, Melissa's somber words echoing in her mind. But she couldn't yield.

Melissa moving in and the presence of children could mean Lawrence would become a frequent visitor. She dreaded facing him and the potential complications he might bring. She worried about the impact on her marriage to Rock.

"Mommy," Sidney's voice broke her reverie.

Taking her son's hand, Winnie headed home, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "I have my reasons, Sidney. Melissa is wonderful, but that doesn't mean I have to accommodate her."

Oscar's safe return was paramount, yet she couldn't confide in Sidney about it.

"I get it, Mom; you've been hurt by Dad a lot. You have the right to refuse to Grandma," Sidney said, trying to understand her. "I just feel bad for Grandma. She seems to really like you."

"I know. I hope she recovers soon."

Olivia entered with Mia from the kitchen, "Winnie, you're back? Perfect timing, let's have dinner together." Glancing outside, she signaled Sidney discreetly, "Has Melissa left already? I thought she might join us for dinner, so I made extra soup."

Sidney washed his hands and took a seat at the dining table. "They ran into each other earlier, had a chat and then Grandma left."

Upon hearing this, Olivia approached Winnie. "You didn't agree, did you? I wouldn't have either. If she moves in, that jerk will follow, won't he? It's clear what she wants, hoping for reconciliation. Melissa is indeed pitiable, but sympathy isn't affordable this time."

Winnie didn't wish to delve further. Aware of Olivia's penchant for gossip, she waited for her to finish before changing the subject. "I might be home late tonight."

Curious, Olivia inquired, "What's happening?"

Winnie's phone rang before she could respond.

It was Manager Nelson, "Ms. Anderson, I found out Patrick has a business dinner at the Whispering Meadows Hotel tonight. It's going to be crowded, so you might be able to catch him off guard in the restaurant."

"Book a private room for me there."

After ending the call, she set down her fork and messaged Lysander, [Patrick will be at a busy dinner tonight. I plan to confront him and could use your help.]

Lysander promptly replied, [Okay.]

Meanwhile, Olivia had seen the text on Winnie's phone. Concern etched her features. "Are you planning to get a sample of Patrick's hair?"

Winnie's voice turned icy. "He's planning to harm my father severely."

"Damn it!" Olivia finally grasped the urgency of the situation, dropping her fork in worry. "But how will you approach Patrick without raising suspicion? A confrontation? No way, I'm going with you. Even if I can't help, I'll keep watch. Patrick, that snake, has no brotherly affection for your dad; he'll bite hard!"

Winnie acknowledged the risks but agreed to have Olivia accompany her.

At seven o'clock in the evening, Winnie and Olivia arrived at the Whispering Meadows Hotel. Lysander had arrived earlier and instructed them to meet in a private room.

"The shareholders you wanted to find are here. They've been disgruntled since Patrick dismissed them. Patrick is in suite 088, negotiating a partnership with the Washington Group tonight. Those here are close confidants of the chairman and are quite upset."

"We'll wait for Patrick's business dinner to begin," Winnie affirmed after Lysander discreetly left.

Olivia stood up and said, "We have some time. Let's scout the place and find the restroom near suite 088. In case anything unexpected happens, we'll have an excuse to get away."

Winnie nodded, and the two left their room, heading toward suite 088. In the hallway, they encountered Lawrence.

Emerging from the dimly lit corridor, Lawrence cut a striking figure in a sharp black suit, his presence commanding attention. His expression was impassive, exuding an aura of cold detachment as he silently observed them from afar-a silent sentinel amidst the bustling hotel hallway.