A knock at the door broke the silence. Opening it, she encountered a stranger, a man who appeared respectable.

He greeted her with a warm smile. "You're Melissa Brown, aren't you?

I'm Thomas Smith."

The mention of 'Smith' had Melissa quickly shutting the door.

Leaning against it, her heart raced. She was puzzled and alarmed - why would the Smith family be seeking her out?

Thomas was the younger brother of that man.

Outside, Thomas remained patient. Melissa's reaction suggested she was aware of her connection to the Smiths but chose to deny it.

After another knock and a half-hour wait, Melissa finally opened the door.

Thomas greeted her with a smile. "You should call me your Uncle Thomas. Let's have a chat, Melissa."

They found themselves in a modest cafe.

Melissa's expression was blank. "I lost my parents as a child. Mr. Smith, I'm not who you think I am. Please, don't seek me out again.

I don't want my life disrupted."

Thomas wasn't taken aback by her cold demeanor.

His gentle smile remained, enhancing his handsome features.

There was a resemblance to Melissa, a similarity she found irksome.

Thomas then spoke softly. “I'm aware of your involvement with Marcus.

Melissa, your father and I would like you to return to the Smiths.

You could rightfully claim your place in our family and then marry Marcus, bringing honor to both our houses."

Melissa was momentarily speechless.

She might have been naive, but she wasn't naive enough to misunderstand the Smith family's intentions.