Chapter 45
Sandra flailed her arms, struggling desperately. But Tiffany’s strength was astonishing; it was futile no matter how hard she fought.
The nearby servants watched in horror, their hearts pounding wildly. They thought, ‘Is Ms. Kelley losing her mind? If she doesn’t let go, Ms. Olson may get killed.
Tiffany wasn’t losing her mind. And she just was filled with a vicious hatred for Sandra at that moment.
In her previous life, it was Sandra who had ordered her bones to be crushed, one by one, and then thrown into a swamp while she clung to her last breath.
The pain was so vivid that Tiffany could still remember it all too clearly. She wanted to grind Sandra’s bones.
But Tiffany wasn’t going to ruin her life for such a wretched woman. There were many ways to destroy someone; she didn’t need to choose the most extreme.
Just as Sandra began to go limp from lack of oxygen, Tiffany finally released her grip.
Instead of throwing out a threat, Tiffany helped Sandra up gently, frowning with concern. “Oh no, Sandra, are you alright? How do you manage to fall while just standing?”
Sandra was so stunned by Tiffany’s sudden change. Is she crazy? One second she wants to kill me, and the next she’s fussing over me?” Sandra thought and had a bad feeling about this.
Sure enough, Charlie and Thalia walked over, having arrived unnoticed.
Meanwhile, Tiffany looked guilty as she spoke. “It’s all my fault. Sandra’s almost recovered from her injuries, and I tried to help her, but ended up tripping her foolishly.”
Sandra was so furious she gasped. ‘When has Tiffany ever tried to help me? She had clearly just tried to strangle me, she thought.
Pointing at the red marks on her neck, Sandra couldn’t believe itas she said, “Talk is cheap, show them the evidence. And you actually want to…”
“What? Want to bully you? Or kill you?” Tiffany cut her off, her voice filled with grievance as she threw Sandra’s own words back at her, leaving her speechless.
“I know you don’t like me, but you don’t have to take advantage of my good nature to pick on me,” Tiffany said.
Who’s really bullying who here? Sandra thought.
Sandra’s eyes turned red with rage. She had just walked through the door and already taken a slap to the face, nearly strangled, and now Tiffany was acting like the victim.
And then, Charlie said, “Sandra, I’ve been neglecting Tiffany since you got injured. Cut Tiffany some slack, will you?”
At that moment, Sandra truly understood what it felt like to be utterly helpless and desperate. Tears streamed down her face, this time because she was genuinely too angry to hold back
However, Tiffany-let out a soft laugh, lowering her voice as she said, “Doesn’t this feel familiar? This is your usual trick, isn’t it?”
Playing the victim, the delicate act, always crying like she was enduring some great injustice-Sandra was certainly good at eliciting sympathy from the men around her and winning over the people nearby.
But Sandra had forgotten one thing: Tiffany wasn’t incapable of acting, she just never stooped to it. But if she decided to play along, she could outshine Sandra effortlessly, like right now
“Don’t look at me like that, Tiffany said, her eyes sparkling as she continued in a whisper only Sandra could hear. “Are you mad? I’m just putting on an act, but I still look better doing it.”
Tiffany’s beauty was always flawless. Her smug comment didn’t come off as arrogant but rather as a charming, spirited tease.
But Sandra couldn’t stand it. Seeing Tiffany’s captivating, mesmerizing face, she lunged, snarling. “I’ll tear that face of yours apart and see how you flaunt it then.
At that time, Thalia stepped in, pulling Tiffany away and slapping Sandra hard across the face. ‘How dare she threaten my daughter right in front of me? Who could tolerate that? Thalia thought.
Thalia was furious and said, “Sandra! I thought you were sensible, but how could you be so vile? You tried to ruin my daughter’s face right in front of me?”
Charlie, too, was shocked. In his eyes, Sandra had always been gentle and sweet; he never expected her to act so viciously! It was truly unforgivable!
As the slap brought her to her senses, Sandra realized she had lost control and lashed out.
Then she tried to explain quickly, “Uncle, Aunt, I didn’t mean it. I just lost my mind for a moment. I wasn’t trying to hurt Tiffany!
Under normal circumstances, they might have believed her, but they had both witnessed the scene just moments before.
Thalia sneered and said, “You’re jealous because my daughter is prettier than you.”
“It’s not like that, Aunt Thalia, believe me,” Sandra pleaded.
Thalia stood protectively in front of Tiffany, all motherly fierceness, a far cry from her usual gentleness.
Charlie, however, didn’t hold back. “Enough. I don’t want to see you around for a while. I’ll arrange for you to stay at school until the break”
Tiffany wasn’t completely satisfied with the outcome, but seeing Sandra’s nearly exploding face was enough for now. There was nothing more satisfying than putting someone in their place!
By that afternoon, Sandra had been packed off to school. Without her phony demeanor around, Tiffany found her appetite much better. Except Eric hadn’t spoken to her since he got back.
Tiffany sighed, trying to coax him. “It was my fault for not being there for your game yesterday. How about I make it up to you with an ice cream cake and some chocolate pies?”
“Hmph, Eric grunted.
“Plus cheese puffs?” Tiffany asked.
“And strawberry cheesecake!” Eric countered.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
“Deal!” Tiffany agreed.
It was Eric who had covered for Tiffany last night, so their parents hadn’t asked too many questions.
Then today, with Charlie’s near-miss, Thalia decided to take the siblings up to the mountain to pray.
The Sanctuary Mountain was the most famous in Lovell City.
The misty air made it feel like they were walking in the clouds, with flowers and trees all around bursting with life and greenery.
There was a natural spring on the mountain, always flowing, no matter the season. That was the real reason Thalia had brought them here.
Legend had it that if you took a sip of the spring water, it would wash away bad luck and bring good fortune. Tiffany wasn’t interested in that; she was just here to enjoy the flowers.
“Don’t wander too far; we’ll come back down to find you later, Thalia warned before continuing up the mountain with an excited Eric.
At this time of day, the mountain was practically deserted. Tiffany wandered around aimlessly until she found herself standing under a massive tree.
Its branches were thick with leaves, and soft petals fluttered down like rain, adding an ethereal touch to the mountain’s beauty.
Feeling happy. Tiffany pulled out her phone to snap some pictures. But just as she took a few, she felt something cold around her ankle.
Then Tiffany thought it was a snake instinctively. She tried to shake it off, but when she looked down, she saw it was a pale. slender hand.