Chapter 508: Chapter 518: A Promotion with Just One Call

“James, what do you think?” Melody Yoody held James Brown’s hand. For her, the family’s decision wasn’t a bad thing. She could finally be with James Brown, and no one would stop them anymore. Besides, James Brown was already married. Being with him wasn’t proper, and having a child would only make things more complicated for both of them. It would be better to not have the child and relieve them both.

James Brown firmly grasped Melody Yoody’s hand and said, “Melody, I only ask you, do you like children?”

Melody Yoody hesitated for a moment and said, “I can’t say for sure.”

“Then let me ask you again: if you choose not to have this child now and later can’t have children for the rest of your life, in ten or twenty years, when you have no children to dote on, will you regret it?”

Melody Yoody opened her mouth but couldn’t speak. She never really liked children before, but now that she’s pregnant and touches her belly every day, it seems she can feel the little life inside her. It’s a motherly instinct—a newfound anticipation for this unborn child.

Now, she could indeed give up this child for her career and to be with James Brown, but what about later? As James Brown said, if she never has a child of her own and ages, won’t she feel especially regretful?

Melody Yoody’s mother hurriedly said, “Silly child, when you’re older and want a child, you can adopt one. A newborn won’t know if they’re your biological child; it’ll be just like having your own.”

James Brown smiled faintly and said, “Auntie, I know you mean well for Melody, but being deprived of the right to be a mother is unfair to her. There’s a difference between biological and adopted children. Without the ten months of pregnancy, the blood bond is missing. Even if the children don’t know, can the feeling of being a parent be the same?”

Robert Johnson slapped the table and shouted, “Kid, what’s your game? I’m telling you, even if Melody gives birth to your child, don’t think you’ll get any benefits from the Yawk Family.”

James Brown met Robert Johnson’s gaze and said, “Your Yawk Family might be big and rich, but to me, James Brown, it doesn’t matter one bit.”

“Such arrogance!” Robert Johnson grew angrier. If not for his position, requiring some decorum, he would’ve started cursing by now.

John Smith had been silent but now looked at James Brown, saying, “Young man, since you say you don’t care for our Yawk Family, let me ask you, Melody is now a Mayor and will rise even higher. Don’t tell me you think love alone can keep you together. When levels differ, it will create conflict; how will you resolve that?”

James Brown smiled lightly and said, “Grandfather, you’re all wondering if I’m capable enough to match Melody, right?”

John Smith nodded and said, “That’s right.”

James Brown laughed proudly and said, “Alright, then. Make a request, and see if I can fulfill it.”

John Smith squinted and said, “Alright. I want Melody to get promoted to Deputy County Chief within a month. If you can achieve that, I’ll let Melody be with you.”

Melody Yoody’s expression changed. Although she indeed had a great chance to move up, it definitely wouldn’t happen so quickly. It would take at least over a year. Achieving that within a month is extremely difficult; besides, James Brown isn’t even in politics, so how could he possibly accomplish that? Clenching her fists, she said, “Grandfather, your condition is too difficult. Even the W Region wouldn’t be able to manage it.”

Robert Johnson immediately said, “This proposal is good. If you want to take someone from our Yawk Family without any real ability, don’t even think about it.”

The other members all looked at James Brown as if watching a show. They were very displeased with him for ruining Melody and the W Region’s marriage alliance, and putting him in a difficult position was their way to vent their frustrations.

But James Brown still smiled slightly and said, “Why take a month? I can settle this now, and within a week, Melody will report to the county.”

“Haha…” Members of the Yawk Family almost all laughed. Robert Johnson disdainfully looked at James Brown and said, “Young man, you speak too boldly. You think SSUP Country’s political scene is like your backyard? Even a Mayor can’t make such a hasty decision. There are many factors to balance, and countless people are eying a Deputy County Chief position. If it were so easy, our Yawk Family would’ve done it ourselves.”

“Indeed, this kid talks too big. It’s really amusing.”

“Doesn’t even know the immensity of heaven and earth—childish, childish.”

Listening to the family’s sarcastic remarks, Melody Yoody frowned secretly. How could James Brown make such bold claims? At a time like this, she couldn’t say anything but gave James Brown a reproachful look, deciding in her heart that if it didn’t work out, she’d get rid of the child. At least, she could stay with this fool afterward, considering James Brown already had a daughter who could become her own.

Emily Bailey, meanwhile, looked at James Brown with bright eyes. When she was with Sarah Grandy, Sarah always spoke of how formidable the older man was. She hadn’t taken it seriously then, just humoring Sarah, but now seeing James Brown remain calm and unafraid before the Yawk Family, Emily found the older man quite likable.

With a faint smile still on his face, James Brown said, “Grandfather, I need to step out and make a call.”

John Smith nodded, so James Brown strode out proudly.

After more than ten minutes, James Brown hadn’t returned. Although the young ones ran out to see that James Brown was still in the yard, the family members continued their sarcasm towards Melody Yoody.

“That kid isn’t trying to escape, is he?”

“Haha, he probably thinks he’s spoken too grandly and can’t take it back now.”

“Ugh, I’ve seen boastful people, but never one who boasts this much. Melody, look at what kind of person you’ve chosen. How can you be so stubborn?”

“Yeah, Melody, can’t you see his true colors? A man like him is just too unreliable.”

Melody Yoody’s face turned a mix of blue and white at this moment. She didn’t believe John Brown could accomplish this at all, and hearing her family say this just made her feel more upset.

Just then, Melody Yoody’s phone suddenly rang.

When Melody saw the number, her eyes widened immediately, because it was a call from Mayor Christopher Brown. She quickly said to her grandfather, “It’s a call from the Mayor.”

John Smith waved his hand, and everyone quieted down, yet no one believed the call had anything to do with John Brown.

“Hello, Secretary Johnson,” Melody Yoody answered the call respectfully and greeted him.

“Little Melody, your work in the village has been outstanding. The city council has decided to give you more responsibility. Do you have the courage to take it on?”

Melody’s eyes widened further at once. This clearly meant a promotion, and she excitedly said, “Secretary Johnson, I have the courage.”

“That’s good. You’ve been working in L-Region and are quite familiar with Q County, so we are considering assigning you there as Deputy County Chief. Any issues with that?”

“No… no…” Melody stuttered.

“Haha, that’s settled then. You will receive the transfer order tomorrow. For now, prepare a summary of your work at the village and get ready for a handover to the next Mayor.”

“Thank you, Secretary Johnson!”

“Haha, that’s it then.”

After hanging up, Melody stood there in a daze, unable to speak for a while.

Melody’s mother, who was standing next to her, heard the contents of Melody’s phone call and was equally shocked.

Robert Johnson couldn’t help but ask, “What happened?”

Melody’s mother swallowed and said, “Melody… got promoted to Deputy County Chief.”

“What?” everyone in the hall exclaimed.

“Impossible! How could that be?” Having been in politics for years, Robert knew how much effort it took to climb each step. Even for those with strong family backgrounds, it was very difficult, and moving from Deputy Mayor to Deputy County Chief was even more challenging. So even though it was Melody’s mother who said it, he still didn’t believe it.

Melody took a deep breath and said, “Grandpa, that’s what Secretary Johnson said. They will give me the transfer order tomorrow and tell me to prepare for the handover.”

John Smith nodded and said, “I understand.”

It was unclear when James Brown had already arrived by Melody’s side, smiling as he said, “Grandpa, now you won’t stop Melody and me from being together, will you?”

John Smith smiled and said, “No, we won’t.”

Robert quickly said, “Wait, Dad, could this just be a coincidence? I absolutely don’t believe a single phone call from him could promote Melody from Mayor to Deputy County Chief.”

“Yeah, it must be a coincidence. Surely the city had already decided on this, and it just happened to coincide.”

“There’s another possibility. This kid must have heard the news from somewhere and purposely said it like that, but it’s definitely not his doing.”

Melody, who had been stunned by the news, suddenly became anxious upon hearing her uncles say this and said, “Grandpa, whatever the case, you said it yourself just now, you can’t go back on your word!”

John Smith nodded and said, “In the Yawk Family, we always keep our promises. Whether it’s a coincidence or James has this ability, this matter is settled.”

Melody cheered at once, tightly hugging James Brown, crying tears of joy.

While the Yawk Family looked at each other in disbelief. This whole situation was too bizarre. Wasn’t this boy just one of Melody’s classmates? He didn’t belong to any prominent family in YODC City, so where would he have the background or connections to make a single call and have Melody promoted from Mayor to Deputy County Chief? It was simply too incredible.