The boy, the future "Big Boss," had seen the news all over the internet and come to see his mother, only to be spurned by the body's original owner.
When Rose Shaw arrived and offered to take the boy away, the original owner had agreed without a second thought.
And just like that, the future "Big Boss" was sent away!
Melody Monroe pieced together the plot, and her resolve hardened.
'Even though I've transmigrated into the body of Melody Monroe from the novel, I won't live like the Melody in the book! I absolutely refuse to let myself have such a tragic ending!'
'Besides, who could bear to give up such an incredibly handsome son?'
'I've been single since the day I was born, a total tomboy. Getting married in this lifetime was already a long shot for me!'
'Now I've skipped dating and marriage and gone straight to having a son. It's like I've bypassed all the useless steps and fast-tracked my way to the peak of life, isn't it?'
As for the "Big Boss's" biological father...
Melody Monroe actually knew exactly who he was.
His identity was revealed at the end of the book. And because Melody knew how the story ended, the person she wanted to avoid most in this lifetime was, in all likelihood, the "Big Boss's" biological father.
Rose Shaw fell silent for a moment. For someone who was always so ruthlessly efficient, she surprisingly didn't utter a single word of blame toward Melody Monroe.
Melody Monroe was still just a rookie. She'd gathered some casual fans from a talent competition, but she wasn't even as popular as an influencer. Getting signed by Rose Shaw was an absolute stroke of incredible luck.
There were other reasons Rose Shaw had taken a chance on Melody Monroe, aside from her stunning looks.
A reason no one else knew.
But the Melody Monroe of today knew exactly what that reason was.
It was Melody Monroe's trump card, but one she couldn't play casually.
"Think this through carefully. Do you understand what having this child around means? He's a ticking time bomb! No matter what status or success you might achieve in the future, once that bomb goes off, you'll be blown to smithereens!"
"I have thought it through. I will not be separated from Ian," Melody Monroe replied, her resolve unshaken.
"Did you really hit your head too hard?" Although Rose Shaw hadn't known Melody Monroe for long, she'd always pegged her as an extremely selfish person.
This was the kind of person who was built to survive in the entertainment industry.
Although Ian Monroe was Melody's own son, in the old Melody's eyes, he had been nothing but a worthless burden holding her back. She had wanted nothing more than to be rid of him, wishing he would just disappear from the world.
Having been in the business for so long, Rose Shaw had seen all sorts of people living behind masks. Perhaps this was just another one of Melody Monroe's masks.
Suddenly, she felt she couldn't see through Melody Monroe at all.
"Rose, this was a near-death experience for me. I really thought I was going to die, and it suddenly made me understand a few things. That's why I have to keep Ian. Don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble, I promise! As for the consequences, I'll take full responsibility for whatever happens," Melody Monroe earnestly assured her.
Of course, Rose Shaw had no way of knowing that the person before her had been replaced by another soul; she was no longer the same Melody Monroe.
Melody Monroe only offered this reason because she didn't want to make Rose Shaw suspicious. People change after a near-death experience, right? They have epiphanies.
'There's no way I'm going to keep acting like an idiot and courting death like the original owner, just to stick to the novel's plot!'
'Ever since I got into novels in middle school, I've conquered every major web novel platform, devouring books of every possible genre.'
'Outwardly, I might seem as serene as a monk, but inwardly, I'm a complete mess of chaotic energy! My inner drama is rich enough to sweep the Oscars!'
Rose Shaw glanced at the child hiding behind Melody Monroe, then turned and walked out without another word.
As soon as Rose Shaw was gone, Ian Monroe emerged from behind Melody Monroe. His little face was etched with guilt as he meekly said to her, "I'm sorry."