When he saw clearly that Melody Summers was the only one at the door, Titus Lowell instinctively breathed a sigh of relief.
He sized up Melody Summers while cursing to himself, âThat idiot... didnât even shut the door, letting someone just barge in... Scared the shit out of me.â
Once he was sure there was no danger, Titus Lowell flung Mason Lawson from his shoulder onto the floor. He flexed his wrists and started walking toward Melody Summers.
Titus Lowell had been watching from the 16th floor for a long time. The moment he saw Melody Summers in 1606, he wanted her.
âThis is the kind of woman worth taking a risk to conquer!â
He licked his lips and let out a lewd chuckle. "Well, well, if it isnât you, pretty lady. I was planning to pay you a visit tomorrow, but I didnât expect you to deliver yourself right to my door tonight..."
As Joyce Lawson watched Titus Lowell approach Melody Summers step by step, she snapped back to her senses.
She squirmed frantically, trying to get in front of Titus Lowell, but she and her grandmother were tied together, completely unable to move.
She could only twist her head to shout at Melody Summers, "Melody! Run! Run! Go get the police!"
Titus Lowell laughed out loud at her words. He turned and kicked Joyce Lawson, sneering, "The police? What police? The snow outside is too deep. Forget the police, even the army couldnât get through! You little bitch, give up. No one can save you!"
Joyce Lawsonâs heart raced with anxiety. âI canât drag Melody Summers down to die with me!â she thought.
Melody was different. She had a loving family at home. She couldnât die here!
At that thought, Joyce Lawson gritted her teeth and suddenly screamed, "Intruders in 1601â! Helpâ!"
Titus Lowellâs face darkened at the sudden scream.
He hadnât expected Joyce Lawson, who had seemed so resigned to her fate just a moment ago, to suddenly find the will to resist.
He quickly bent down, picked up a nearby rag, then forcefully grabbed Joyce Lawsonâs hair and yanked her head toward him.
Joyce Lawson struggled with all her might, but her strength was no match for Titus Lowellâs. He viciously stuffed the rag into her mouth.
The rag gagged Joyce tightly, preventing her from making another sound.
After dealing with Joyce Lawson, Titus Lowell calmed down a bit. He immediately turned and strode toward Melody Summers, preparing to tie her up and take her back to 1603.
Titus Lowell hurried over to Melody Summers and reached out to grab her, as if afraid sheâd try to run.
However, what Titus Lowell didnât expect was that Melody Summers didnât flee as heâd anticipated. On the contrary, she took two steps forward, then quickly reached back to shut the bedroom door.
Melody Summersâs actions left Titus Lowell stunnedâit was completely illogical and defied all his expectations.
âWhy isnât she running?â
âIs it a trap?â
But Melody Summers gave Titus Lowell no time to think. She shot her hand out, and the Enchanting Secret Medicine splashed from the bottle, landing squarely on his sleeve.
Titus Lowellâs body went rigid in an instant. A second later, he could no longer support himself and collapsed heavily onto the floor.
Then his eyes rolled back in his head, and he passed out completely.
Seeing Titus Lowell go down, Melody Summers let out a breath of relief. âThis Enchanting Secret Medicine is no joke,â she thought. âIt really does knock you out in one second...â
She kicked the unconscious Titus Lowell aside and ran over to Joyce Lawsonâs side.
Melody Summers pulled the filthy rag from Joyce Lawsonâs mouth, then used a knife sheâd produced from her space to cut the ropes binding Joyce and her grandmother. "Joyce, are you okay?" she asked worriedly. "Are you hurt?"
Freed, Joyce Lawson glanced at Titus Lowell. She was in no state to ask how Melody Summers had taken him down. Instead, she said anxiously, "Iâm fine, Summers, but you have to get out of here! This robber has an accomplice, and he could be back any minute!"
Apartment 1601 wasnât safe. If Drake Lowell discovered Titus Lowell was missing, he could return at any moment.
As if to prove Joyce Lawsonâs point, footsteps suddenly echoed from outside, followed by Drake Lowellâs voiceâ
"Brother, are you done yet? Second Brother and I have been waiting for ages."
Joyce Lawsonâs heart sank. âWeâre screwed! The other robber is back already!â
âWhat are we going to do?!â
Seeing Joyce Lawsonâs panicked expression, Melody Summers quickly whispered to soothe her, "Joyce, donât be afraid, and donât make a sound. Iâll handle him."
With that, Melody Summers ignored Joyce Lawsonâs attempt to stop her and strode toward the bedroom door.
Just then, there was a soft CLICK as the metal handle began to turn.
Then, the bedroom door opened.
Drake Lowell pushed the door open, a confused look on his face.
But the instant Drake Lowell opened the door, Melody Summers didnât hesitate, delivering a powerful kick straight to his chest.
The kick was incredibly powerful. Caught completely off guard, Drake Lowell stumbled back two steps.
Losing his balance, he toppled backward uncontrollably and landed hard on his butt on the living room floor.
Drake Lowell looked up at Melody Summers in shock, clearly not understanding what was happening. âWhereâs my brother? And who is this woman?â
Melody Summers gave him no time to think. She closed the distance in a few quick steps and splashed the Enchanting Secret Medicine at him.
The next second, Drake Lowellâs eyes also rolled back, and he lost consciousness.
Just then, Joyce Lawson hurried out. Seeing the motionless Drake Lowell on the ground, she was startled.
Melody Summers rubbed her nose and explained somewhat sheepishly, "I, uh... kicked him unconscious..."
Joyce Lawson nodded blankly and murmured, "Summers, youâre amazing."
With both intruders down, Joyce Lawson finally felt the relief of having survived the ordeal.
Her legs instantly went soft, and she nearly collapsed to the floor.
Melody Summers quickly caught her, asking with concern, "Joyce, are you okay?"
Joyce Lawson stared blankly at Melody Summers and slowly shook her head.
The shock from tonightâs ordeal was simply too great; she felt as if sheâd just had a brush with death.
Because of her familyâs betrayal, Joyce Lawsonâs heart had been filled more with hatred than fear.
Only now did the fear truly sink in. If Melody Summers hadnât suddenly appeared, she almost certainly would have died tonight.
After a long moment, Joyce Lawson came to her senses and said worriedly to Melody Summers, "These two could wake up at any time. Shouldnât we tie them up first...?"
Melody Summers patted Joyce Lawsonâs back soothingly. "Donât worry, Joyce," she answered. "They wonât be waking up anytime soon..."
The effects of the Enchanting Secret Medicine lasted for 24 hours; the two of them wouldnât be waking up before then.
Remembering Joyce Lawsonâs family in the bedroom, Melody Summers said, "Oh, right, Joyce, your father is still tied up. Iâll go untie him now."
With that, Melody Summers turned to head into the bedroom.
But unexpectedly, Joyce Lawson reached out and grabbed her.
She gripped Melody Summersâs arm tightly and blurted out, "No!â"
Meeting Melody Summersâs slightly surprised gaze, Joyce Lawson stared into her eyes and said, enunciating each word, "Donât... Donât untie him yet..."