SWNOVELS Chapter 146
Chapter 146 I Cannot Control My Own Heart
Finished
After Melanie ended her phone call, she quickly accessed WhatsApp, eagerly awaiting a video call that was about to come through.
Once connected, Melanie’s expression turned to one of stark disbelief and worry as she watched the footage.
It showed a private moment between her and Aaron, where they shared an embrace and a kiss inside a car. This incident had occurred right after Aaron had found out about her visit to a bar. In an attempt to secure Aaron’s silence and keep this incident from reaching her family, Melanie felt compelled to use seduction as a strategy.
Melanie’s principles were not particularly stringent when it came to matters of the heart. She was fully prepared to sleep with Aaron if he expressed the desire to do so.
Despite her progressive views, Melanie was aware that her family might not share her open–mindedness. It was crucial that this video remained hidden from the other Leedon family members.
The thought that Curtis would stoop to such low levels as to spy on her was appalling to her.
With a sense of inevitability, she steeled herself and forwarded the compromising video to Aaron. Her message was desperate and urgent, reflecting her dire situation. “Aaron, that night in the car, someone captured our actions on video. They’re threatening me with it, demanding a million. I don’t have that much on me. I’m still short of five hundred thousand. Could you possibly lend me that amount? I can’t let our family find out about my feelings for you. It would weigh heavily on my conscience, and it would also implicate you.”
Aaron was visibly taken aback by Melanie’s message. The shock of being filmed without their knowledge and the subsequent blackmail were completely unexpected.
Aaron knew how deeply Melanie cared for him, and the potential fallout from their family discovering the video worried him greatly. His thoughts were conflicted about how to navigate their complicated feelings. yet he was determined not to disappoint Melanie, who he cared for deeply, despite the familial ties that made their situation so precarious,
He immediately responded to Melanie’s plea. “Mel, where are you now?”
Melanie, sounding both fearful and vulnerable, replied, “I’m outside right now, and I’m really scared. I don’t know what to do. The woman in that video is me, but I never wanted things to be this way. Aaron, I can’t control my own heart. I really like you.”
Melanie’s sobs tugged at his heartstrings. Never before had a woman loved him with such humility.
Hearing her distress, Aaron quickly reassured her, “I’m transferring a million to you now. You should forward this million to that person and have him delete the video. Don’t worry, Mel, I’ll protect you.”
Melanie, through her tears, expressed her gratitude, “Aaron, thank you. I know, no matter how ignoble my feelings are, no matter how disgraceful my affection for you is, you would still protect me at all costs when I’m in danger. I love you.”
Aaron, touched by her words, comforted her. “Mel, loving someone is beyond control. Your affection for me is not disgraceful. It’s just that I have a lot of things to figure out right now, and I can’t reciprocate your feelings. But remember, your affection for me doesn’t make you lowly.”
1/3
15:31 Sat, 29 Jun ti
Chapter 146 | Cannot Control My Own Heart
. 25%
Finished
“Thanks, Aaron. I’ll follow your advice. But, seriously, we can’t let Mom and Dad find out about my feelings for you. They wouldn’t approve; they’d think we’re messing around,” Melanie continued, her voice choked with emotion
Aaron promised her.
Following their conversation, he went ahead and transferred a hundred million to Melanie. His financial situation was not robust; this amount represented nearly all his remaining funds, as he lived quite lavishly and was usually dependent on regular support from his family.
Upon receiving the funds, Melanie immediately relayed them to Curtis, sternly warning him to cease his intrusive behavior. “Stop following me and trying to film me,” she said assertively. “This is the second time. I’ve paid you, and it will be the last. If there’s a next time, I’ll make sure you regret it!”
I hate this man!
Curtis, for his part, felt smug about the transaction. In his view, Melanie’s threats were utterly inconsequential, as insignificant as the annoyance of mosquito bites.
He sneered slightly as he spoke to Melanie, his tone dismissive, “I shot this video purely by chance, I had no idea you’d actually put yourself in the frame for me. Don’t worry, as long as you don’t deliberately step in front of my camera, I promise not to film you again.”
However, his promises were hollow, lacking any substance or sincerity. After uncovering the secretive relationship between Melanie and Aaron, Curtis had made it his mission to expose their clandestine encounters, envisioning it as a scandalous exposé. His ultimate aim was to financially exploit Aaron to the fullest. Regarding Melanie, he viewed her with disdain, considering her a woman of loose morals, possibly with a history of many lovers. Capturing their indiscretions would serve his interests well, providing lucrative opportunities without any apparent drawbacks.
Recently, Curtis had been struggling to find employment in Jacaster. Now, he realized he could make a substantial income by selling controversial videos. He mused over the potential profitability of such ventures, pondering where else he could stumble upon such a rewarding opportunity.
Melanie, exasperated and seeking to end the conversation, took a deep breath and sternly said, “Stop bothering me going forward. Whatever transpired between us was born out of mutual affection; we both experienced our moments of happiness. There’s no need for you to keep pestering me. Why don’t you go bother Aurelia instead?”
Curtis retorted, questioning her, “You’re nothing like Aurelia, Melanie. Before you hang up, tell me, how many men have you been with?”
Frustrated and angry, Melanie clenched her teeth and snapped back, “Who I’ve been with is none of your business! Don’t pry into things you have no right to know!”
Curtis scoffed dismissively at her response, “You’re just a good–for–nothing. What are you trying to prove?”
After ending the call, he glanced toward the entrance of the Gardner Group Building. It was unusually quiet, with hardly anyone exiting. Out of sheer boredom and perhaps malice, Curtis decided to upload Melanie’s video to an adult website. Although it only earned him a few tens of thousands, he rationalized that it was still preferable to holding onto it himself, as it would give others a chance to view the scandalous footage as well.
The clock had ticked well past four o’clock, and people began to trickle out of the Gardner Group Building, having concluded their day’s work.
2/3
Chapter 1461 Cannot Control My Own Heart
Curtis‘ attention sharply returned to the building entrance, vigilant not to miss anyone exiting. He harbored doubts about the excuse given that Aurelia had taken the day off.
Finished
However, he waited anxiously for several minutes, but there was no sign of Aurelia. It seemed possible that she was deliberately avoiding him.
Impatient, he rushed forward, blocking a passerby to inquire, “Has Aurelia not finished work yet?”
A female colleague responded, slightly confused by his intense demeanor, “Didn’t Aurelia take the day off today? Who are you? Are you looking for her for some reason?”
Fury overwhelmed Curtis as he realized he might have been misled. “You’re telling me she took a leave of absence?”
“Exactly, if you need anything, just give her a call,” the colleague suggested nonchalantly before walking
away
Curtis, seething with frustration and feeling deceived, felt as though he could spit blood. He had been waiting for several hours, only to discover that Aurelia indeed hadn’t come to work.
Just then, a security guard coming on shift noticed him lingering. Recognizing him as a potential troublemaker, the guard quickly instructed his colleague, “If you see him coming in the future, don’t let him get close to Aurelia.”
“Huh? He’s been waiting here for Aurelia for several hours. I told him to make a call, but he didn’t.”
“He’s just a lunatic; I’ll let Aurelia know.”
Upon receiving a notification from the security guard, Aurelia became aware that Curtis had been lingering outside, waiting for her for an extended period. She paused, taking a moment to gather her thoughts.
228