Ch. 11..20

Chapter 11

After dinner, Tiffany diligently massaged her father’s shoulders, the picture of a filial daughter.

Charlie, however, wasn’t buying it. He burst into laughter and asked, “Alright, spill it, kiddo. What are you cooking up this time?”

In Charlie’s mind, whenever Tiffany acted overly sweet, it was a sure sign she wanted something from him.

His daughter had always been clever and cunning, except when it came to matters of the heart. Then, her intelligence seemed to vanish, replaced by blind, stubborn infatuation.

Tiffany rubbed her nose sheepishly. Her dad’s intuition was spot on; she did have something to say.

“Dad, can we visit the Harpers tomorrow?” she asked tentatively.

Charlie’s mood soured instantly. “What for? You’re so eager to run off to their place You’ll end up there soon enough when you marry into their family. Why the rush?”

now.

The thought of his precious daughter being swept away by some undeserving boy was hard for Charlie to stomach.

What made it worse was that the Kenneth didn’t even seem to appreciate what he had! The way he constantly scowled at Tiffany made Charlie’s blood boil.

Which father could possibly be happy seeing his daughter treated with such indifference?

Tiffany, realizing her father’s misunderstanding, quickly explained, “No, that’s not it. I want to go there to… break off the engagement.”

This wasn’t news to Thalia, as they had discussed it earlier. She chimed in, trying to sway her husband, “If that’s what our daughter wants, we should support her. I don’t think that Harper boy is a good match for her anyway.”

“Are you sure about this? You won’t regret it?” Charlie asked, his tone now serious and concerned.

“Tiffany, honey, whether your mom and I like him is beside the point. What matters most is how you feel. Don’t break off the engagement just for our sake, only to end up crying into your pillow later?

“Absolutely not,” Tiffany declared with unwavering resolve, finally convincing her parents to agree.

Believing that swift action was necessary to prevent further complications, the Kelleys decided to visit the Harpers the very next day, taking advantage of the weekend..

The Harpers were a prominent family in Lovell City, known for their wealth and influence. Standing before their imposing gates, Tiffany’s emotions were a tangled mess.

Long ago, she had naively imagined herself as the future mistress of the Harper family, only to be hit in the face by a cruel reality.

Now that she had been given a second chance, her greatest desire, aside from revenge, was to call off this engagement.

From now on, she wanted nothing more than for her and Kenneth to lead separate lives, never crossing paths again.

Five years in prison had taught her enough.

If it was possible, she wanted Kenneth to experience the same suffering she had endured.

With a flicker of resentment in her eyes, Tiffany took her mother’s arm and followed the butler into the Harper estate.

The Harper estate was a masterpiece of meticulous landscaping, with every plant trimmed to perfection. Mrs. Harper had a passion for flowers, and the grounds were a vibrant tapestry of diverse blooms.

Tiffany recalled how, the previous year, she had gone to extraordinary lengths to acquire rare flowers from abroad as a birthday gift for Mrs. Harper.

Unfortunately, her inexperience in gardening led to the flowers wilting, turning what was meant to be a thoughtful gesture into an embarrassing fiasco.

And not a single person from the Harper family had come to her defense.

Recalling the past, Tiffany grew bitter.

The butler, leading the way, turned back and casually asked Charlie, Mr. Kelley and Mrs. Kelley, are you here today to discuss the wedding date?”

When the engagement was first arranged, it was decided that Tiffany and Kenneth would marry once they came of age. It seemed today’s visit was about setting those plans in motion.

The butler’s tone carried a hint of disdain. Although the engagement was long-standing, the fact that the Kelley family was initiating the discussion made it seem as if Tiffany was desperate to attach herself to the Harper family.

Charlie chuckled ambiguously and replied, “Something like that.”

After all, breaking off the engagement was still discussing the marriage.

When they arrived at the Harper estate, Mrs. Harper was arranging flowers. Seeing them enter, she immediately stood up with a welcoming smile. “Oh, our future in-laws are here! Wonderful, wonderful, please sit!”

She then turned to instruct the staff to prepare coffee and beckoned Tiffany over with a warm smile. “Tiffany, dear, it’s been so long! Come, sit with me.”

In the past, Tiffany would have eagerly sought to win Mrs. Harper’s favor and draw closer to her. Today, however, she merely offered a polite but detached smile. “Hello, it’s nice to see you.”

She then sat beside her own mother.

Thalia gently patted her daughter’s hand and began, “To be honest, Mrs. Harper, my husband and I came with our daughter today because we have something important to discuss.”

“Ah, it’s about Kenneth and Tiffany’s wedding, isn’t it? Oh, my memory! I completely forgot about that. Butler, bring me the calendar so we can pick a good date.

Mrs. Harper smiled apologetically. As the matriarch of a prestigious family, she handled such matters with ease, maintaining her poise and elegance.

Yet, beneath her calm demeanor, there was a lack of genuine concern.

Tiffany watched the scene unfold with a sense of amusement.

There’s a saying that those caught up in a situation often couldn’t see clearly, while outsiders had a clearer view. Tiffany had once been so swept up in Mrs. Harper’s seemingly kind and approachable demeanor that she failed to realize she was never truly valued.

Thalia, however, saw through it all.

Without mincing words, she declared, “Mrs. Harper, there’s been a misunderstanding. We’re here to call off the engagement. In hindsight, this arrangement was made far too hastily. without ever considering what the children truly wanted. They’re incompatible-it’s clear that forcing this union would be a mistake. It’s time to put an end to it.”

As Thalia finished speaking, the Kelley family’s driver stepped forward, returning a portion of the engagement gifts the Harpers had given, placing them on the coffee table.

Among them was the heirloom diamond bracelet.

“This is…”

Mrs. Harper was completely taken aback, blurting out, “How could they be incompatible? Hasn’t Tiffany always liked my son? Why the sudden change?”

She almost accused the Kelley couple of interfering and forcing Tiffany to agree to the annulment. But when she looked at Tiffany, she saw her sitting calmly on the sofa, her eyes clear and composed.

Compared to her previous anxious and cautious demeanor, Tiffany now seemed transformed, like a diamond in the rough that had finally been polished to reveal its true brilliance.

Mrs. Harper furrowed her brows.

The engagement had always been seen as the Kelley family aiming above their station with the Harpers.

Despite her reservations about Tiffany, Mrs. Harper had always taken for granted that this seemingly devoted attachment would endure, and the marriage would proceed as planned, regardless of anyone’s true feelings on the matter.

But today, the Kelley family had come to call off the engagement!

This was a turn of events no one had expected.

As Mrs. Harper struggled to comprehend the news, Kenneth lingered in the shadows at the corner of the second floor.

Chapter 12

Even though Sandra had tipped him off about Tiffany’s intention to break off the engagement, Kenneth hadn’t taken it seriously.

In his eyes, it was completely impossible.

Tiffany had already been chasing after him for years, loving him to the point of obsession. No matter how many times he’d humiliated her, she’d never given up.

But today, the Kelleys had shown up at their doorstep, ready to call it quits.

Kenneth had tried countless times to shake Tiffany off, to escape this engagement he despised. Now that the day had finally come, he felt an inexplicable irritation gnawing at him.

Thankfully, his mother downstairs hadn’t agreed right away. With a diplomatic smile, she’d said. “Breaking an engagement is a big deal. We should discuss this with my husband. Don’t you agree?”

“Of course, Thalia nodded. It was a two-family affair, after all.

As they waited for Kenneth’s father to return from his workout, his mother turned to Tiffany. “Sweetie, you must be bored. Why don’t you take a stroll in the back garden? The weather’s lovely, and all the flowers are in bloom.”

Tiffany knew this was just a ploy to get her out of the room so the adults could talk. She nodded and let a maid lead her to the garden.

It was a breathtaking sea of flowers. Tiffany waved off the maid and strolled through the vibrant blooms, letting her curiosity guide her.

The early summer sun was high, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves. Tiffany bent down to touch a blooming gardenia, its petals soft and fragrant.

She was lost in the moment, her mood lifting, until a tall shadow fell over her.

Looking up, she found Kenneth standing there, his face grim.

“You want to break off the engagement?”

Tiffany stood up, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips. “What’s this? You sound almost disappointed, Mr. Harper.”

“I couldn’t be happier!” Kenneth blurted out.

But there was something else nagging at him. He wanted to ask about her and Richard. The image of Richard with his arm around Tiffany’s waist outside Nocturne Arena kept flashing in his mind.

The thought plagued Kenneth. ‘Even if I don’t like her, Tiffany’s still my fiancée, at least on paper. What the hell was she doing getting so cozy with another guy?’

Before Kenneth could ask. Tiffany cut him off. “We’re done here. You can go now.”

Kenneth was stunned. “This is my house!

“Oh. Right.” Tiffany shrugged and turned to leave.

The garden was huge. Finding a spot where she didn’t have to see Kenneth’s face wouldn’t be hard.

Her casual exit left Kenneth fuming. This wasn’t how things usually went.

Before, Tiffany would never have treated him like that. It was always him walking away, with her trailing behind, calling out, “Kenny, wait for me!”

He’d never looked back.

But since the day before yesterday, Tiffany had stopped clinging to him. Her eyes, once full of adoration, now held only mockery and hatred.

Kenneth stood frozen, watching Tiffany leave. Under the bright sun, her silhouette was graceful, exuding an air of effortless grace. Her every movement outshone the blooming flowers around her.

Setting aside his past disgust and prejudice, Kenneth had to admit Tiffany was beautiful.

But still, he couldn’t bring himself to love her.

If she wanted to break the engagement, then so be it. Kenneth wouldn’t stop her.

As Kenneth turned to leave, a girl no older than thirteen emerged from the bushes. Seeing her brother walk away, she chased after Tiffany.

“You! Stop right there!” the girl demanded, her nose in the air.

“What do you want?” Tiffany looked down at the girl, irritated.

This was Kenneth’s younger sister, Snow. She was known for being a total brat, always talking down to everyone like she owned the place.

Back when Tiffany was less aware, she’d bent over backwards trying to please both Mrs. Harper and Snow. She’d been so pathetic then, letting Snow boss her around and even make her bark like a dog.

Back when Tiffany was less aware, she’d bent over backwards trying to please both Mrs. Harper and Snow, She’d been so pathetic then, letting Snow boss her around and even make her bark like a dog.

The memory brought a cryptic smile to Tiffany’s lips.

“Hey!” Snow planted her hands on her hips. “What were you saying to my brother? Let me tell you, if you want to be part of the Harper family, you’ve got to get through me first!”

“And then what?” Tiffany yawned.

Snow, mistaking Tiffany’s attitude for submission, pressed on. “Can’t you see my shoelace is untied? Get on your knees and tie it! Or… I’ll tell my brother you hit me!”

The sound echoed through the garden before she could finish.

Snow stood stunned, then burst into tears, screaming for help.

Tiffany remained calm, her gaze icy. “You’re young, so I’ll let this slide. But keep acting like this, and someday someone might sew that nasty mouth of yours shut.” With that warning, she walked away.

‘Some people never learn until they get a taste of their own medicine. Tiffany bristled.

Maybe it was bad luck, but as she wandered through the back of the estate, she got lost among the smaller buildings. Then, through an open door, she saw something she really, really wished she hadn’t.

Tiffany froze. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene before her.

It was Kenneth’s dad, Ryan Harper. The answer to why they hadn’t been able to find him earlier became clear-he had been preoccupied.

She glanced around the room. With its practical furnishings and cluttered workspaces, it was unmistakably the staff quarters. If Mrs. Harper found out about this, it would be utter chaos.

And of course, Tiffany had to be the one to stumble upon it.

She backed away instinctively, her only thought to get out of there fast. She was here to call the engagement, but if someone discovered her now, her chances of ending it would be obliterated.

But luck wasn’t on her side. As Tiffany turned to leave, she knocked over a flower pot. The crash seemed to echo forever as shards of ceramic were sent flying across the floor.

“Who’s there?”

Tiffany’s heart raced as she heard Ryan’s voice and the sound of approaching footsteps.

Tiffany broke into a cold sweat. She had to run.

But before she could even move, a strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled her into a nearby storage closet.

 

Chapter 13

A faint, familiar scent wafted through the air, comforting and ever-present.

Tiffany looked up, startled, and found herself face-to-face with Richard, his strikingly handsome features as captivating as ever.

“You… how are you here?” she blurted out, only to have Richard quickly cover her mouth.

He leaned in close, his voice a low whisper as he motioned for silence.

Tiffany nodded in understanding.

Outside the storage room, Ryan glanced around, seeing nothing but a small black cat, Lucifer. Satisfied, he returned to the room and locked the door behind him.

Crisis averted.

Tiffany let out a huge sigh of relief. Running into a scene like that would have been beyond awkward.

Thankfully, Richard had pulled her aside.

Just as she was about to thank him, Richard shook his head and leaned even closer, whispering, “If we go out now, we’ll be caught.”

The storage room shared a thin wall with the adjacent room. Despite the Harper family’s wealth, the s**nts’ quarters weren’t exactly soundproof. Every m**ed sound from next door reached Tiffany’s ears.

She might not have firsthand experience, but she knew enough to understand what was happening on the other side of the wall.

Tiffany’s face burned crimson. She wished she could just disappear into thin air right then and there.

Lost in her embarrassment, she didn’t even notice how close she was to Richard. The tiny storage room left them practically embracing, their heartbeats loud in the silence.

His familiar scent engulfed her.

Richard glanced down, noticing Tiffany’s soft hair brushing his arm, sending a pleasant shiver through him.

Her face was adorably flushed, and he couldn’t resist teasing her. Leaning in, he whispered with a playful smirk, “You’ve got some luck, always stumbling into trouble.”

Tiffany felt on the verge of tears. None of this was her fault.

First Kenneth’s interrogation, then Snow’s bratty behavior-those siblings were her nemesis, bringing chaos wherever they went.

And now she was trapped in this awkward situation!

Suddenly, a thought struck her. She looked up at Richard, confused. “Wait, why are you here?”

“I was passing by,” he replied smoothly.

“Passing by?” Tiffany’s doubt was clear.

Richard raised an eyebrow. “As the Harpers’ uncle, it’s not strange for me to be here, is it?” Tiffany nodded. ‘Fair enough, she thought.

In the heat of the moment, Tiffany forgot to question the coincidence. It made sense for Richard, as the Harpers’ uncle, to be at the estate. But running into him here, in this exact spot, just in time to save her from an awkward situation? That was a bit too convenient to be pure chance.

Of course, Richard wouldn’t tell her he’d been trailing Tiffany on her aimless wanderings through the estate, wondering what trouble she’d get into next.

And boy, did she deliver. The mu**ed sounds from next door were quite the unexpected twist.

“I’m sorry for dragging you into this, Tiffany apologized sincerely.

Tiffany had only helped Richard with a minor injury in the woods that one time. Even if she hadn’t been there, his family would have arrived quickly enough to handle it.

Yet that small, arguably unnecessary gesture had somehow led to Richard repeatedly coming to her rescue.

Tiffany couldn’t help but think she’d lucked into a powerful ally.

“It’s no big deal,” Richard chuckled softly, brushing off her apology.

They fell silent, but the cramped closet seemed to grow warmer by the second.

*

And the mu**d sounds from next door were impossible to ignore.

Tiffany shifted uncomfortably, glancing up at Richard. She found him watching her intently. His dark eyes were impossibly deep, framed by perfect brows and chiseled features that – could make anyone’s heart s**ip a beat.

Tiffany suddenly realized she was practically enveloped in Richard’s arms.

The position was far too intimate…

Flustered, she tried to step back, but a sound outside made her freeze.

Unable to make a noise, Tiffany had no choice but to stay put.

“Just wait a bit longer. They’ll leave soon,” Richard whispered, his breath tickling her ear.

They were already so close, and his deep, velvety voice sent shivers down her spine.

Tiffany could feel Richard’s warm breath on her neck as he spoke, making her heart race like crazy. The tiny closet felt electric.

After what felt like an eternity, they heard the housekeeper calling for Ryan, followed by the rustle of clothing and footsteps leaving. Finally, they could escape.

Tiffany let out a relieved sigh, immediately stepping out of Richard’s embrace.

“Thanks, I… I should go,” she stammered.

This was still the Harpers’ house. If anyone saw her with Richard like this, it would lead to a whole new set of problems.

Tiffany practically fled, her heart still racing.

Richard stood still for a moment, a slow smile forming on his face.

She smelled amazing.

When Tiffany finally returned to the Harpers’ living room, after deliberately dawdling for half an hour, it looked like her parents had already wrapped up their discussion with the Harpers.

They were getting ready to leave.

Back in their car, Tiffany could barely contain her excitement. “Mom, Dad, how did it go? Did they agree to break off the engagement?”

Charlie and Thalia exchanged a glance, their expressions hesitant.

Tiffany’s heart sank.

“Come on, tell me what happened,” she pressed.

“The Harpers agreed to end the engagement, but with a condition,” Charlie sighed. “They want to wait a year. If you both still want to call it off then, it’s done.”

Tiffany was stunned. This wasn’t what she’d expected at all.

The Harpers clearly didn’t think much of Tiffany. So why weren’t they jumping at the chance to end this? Why drag it out for a year? Tiffany couldn’t understand their motives.

Charlie gave a rueful smile. “Sweetie, I know you’ve made up your mind. But the Harpers… they’re powerful. They even threatened to use their business connections against US…

That’s why Charlie had to agree.

Tiffany nodded, trying to reassure her parents. It’s okay. What’s one year? I can wait.”

She had to reassure herself too, ‘Maybe it wouldn’t even take that long.

In the past, Kenneth’s dream girl had shown up within six months.

When that happened, she wouldn’t need to do a thing. Kenneth would break off their engagement himself, no matter what his family said, all for the girl he truly loved.

All she had to do was wait and see.

Chapter 14

Seeing that Tiffany wasn’t having the meltdown they’d expected, Mr. and Mrs. Kelley breathed a sigh of relief.

“We’re glad you’re not upset with us,” Thalia said

Sometimes reality was harsh. The Harpers were too powerful to cross, so they had to swallow this bitter pill.

Tiffany smiled softly. “How could I be?”

Far from being angry, she was actually looking forward to what might happen next.

It was the appearance of Kenneth’s dream girl that had originally led him to throw Tiffany under the bus. This time, she wouldn’t make the same mistake.

But how things would unfold now, even Tiffany couldn’t predict.

Lost in thought, she didn’t hear Thalia calling her name until Thalia waved a hand in front of her face.

“What’s got you so distracted? I’ve asked you twice now.”

“Oh, sorry. What did you say, Mom?” Tiffany responded, still a bit disoriented.

“I was asking if anyone from the Harper family gave you trouble in the garden earlier?” she clarified.

It would have been fine if her mom hadn’t brought it up, but the mention immediately reminded Tiffany of what had happened in the storage closet.

Richard’s strikingly handsome face, those deep, dark eyes, and the way he looked down at her with a hint of a smile.

‘Oh no. Why couldn’t I shake these images from my head?’ Tiffany was in a panic.

Tiffany pinched herself discreetly before answering her parents’ questioning looks. “No. trouble at all. Actually, I caught quite an interesting show…”

Thankfully, her parents weren’t the type to pry, so they let it drop.

The news of the Kelleys trying to break off the engagement should have blown over, but somehow it leaked.

Lovell City wasn’t big, and its high society was even smaller. The story spread like wildfire, twisting with each retellin

By the time it made the rounds, the truth-that the Kelleys wanted out and the Harpers were stalling-had morphed into a different tale entirely. Now people were saying the Harpers wanted to end things, but Tiffany was desperately clinging to the engagement!

The backlash was immediate and intense.

“That Tiffany Kelley is so shameless! The Harpers want to break it off, and she’s threatening to kill herself if they do!” someone groaned.

“I feel so bad for Kenneth. Getting stuck with a girl like that? Talk about the worst luck ever!” another commented.

When Tiffany went to school on Monday, these whispers followed her everywhere.

She’d always been an outsider in her class, but now she was Public Enemy Number One for every girl in school.

Yet Tiffany couldn’t care less. She went about her day as usual, seemingly unaffected by the drama swirling around her.

Upon hearing these rumors, Kenneth initially thought about setting the record straight. But remembering Tiffany’s cold shoulder, he decided it wasn’t worth the effort.

He was just as confused about why the engagement hadn’t been called off. The night before, his parents had even lectured him about being nicer to Tiffany, hinting that they were dead set on this marriage happening.

The more people talked, the more Kenneth resented being pushed into a corner. He wanted nothing more than to rebel against it all.

He decided he’d only step in to clear up the rumors when Tiffany came to him for help.

But three days passed, and Tiffany never came to him. His silence was taken as tacit approval.

With that, more people felt emboldened to make trouble for Tiffany, all claiming to defend Kenneth’s honor.

That day at lunch, Tiffany was about to return her tray when a long-haired girl deliberately bumped into her, spilling a bowl of greasy soup all over Tiffany’s legs.

Laughter erupted around them, and someone even gave the girl a thumbs-up.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” the girl said, her voice dripping with mock sincerity.

She thought a simple apology would suffice and turned to leave, but Tiffany grabbed her arm.

“I already apologized. What more do you want?” the girl snapped, trying to pull away.

Tiffany chuckled, then firmly dragged the girl over to the trash bin, flipping her headfirst into it.

The bin was overflowing with a mix of rotting food scraps, greasy napkins, and discarded vegetable peels, emitting a nauseating stench far worse than a mere splash of spilled soup. Amidst the shocked silence, Tiffany offered an apologetic smile. “Oops, my hand slipped too.” With one challenger down, another soon stepped up. That afternoon, Tiffany returned from the restroom to find a snake in her desk, its tongue flicking menacingly.

Most people would have screamed or panicked at the sight, but Tiffany merely paused, then calmly reached in and plucked the snake’s fangs out with her bare hands.

She didn’t even flinch.

Everyone’s jaws dropped in horrified astonishment.

Before anyone could recover from the shock, Tiffany casually tossed the snake aside.

Chaos erupted as the classroom descended into screams and frantic attempts to escape.

Amidst the pandemonium, Tiffany sat quietly at her desk, as serene as if nothing had happened.

Once the snake was dealt with and the room settled down, Tiffany walked to the front of the class. Her eyes swept over her classmates, and she let out a disdainful laugh.

“Let me be clear,” she said, her voice steady and bold. “You’re all cowards. If anyone wants to play games,

I’m ready. But if you can’t handle it, remember to show some respect when you see me.”

The classroom fell

O stunned silence.

Tiffany’s audacious words were beyond anything they’d ever heard, but no one dared to argue.

Despite their constant attempts to trip her up, Tiffany hadn’t faltered once. She had proven time and again that she could handle anything they threw at her, teaching them a lesson in the process.

No one else was foolish enough to challenge her Tiffany’s fierce resolve had put an end to all their petty schemes, and even the rumors began to die down.

Kenneth watched all of this unfold, expecting tears and pleas for help, but Tiffany hadn’t shed a single tear.

She’d handled everything on her own, leaving Kenneth at a loss as everything he thought he knew about her was being turned on its head.

Just as he was trying to make sense of it all, the dorm assignments were posted. When Kenneth saw the list, he was completely taken aback.

He was assigned to share a dorm with Tiffany.

Chapter 15

Kenneth was completely baffled by the absurd dorm assignment.

It was already June, and with summer break approaching, classes were becoming more intense. Dorm living was mandatory, but being assigned to share a room with Tiffany? It had to be some kind of mixup.

After a moment of shock, Kenneth convinced himself that this was all Tiffany’s doing.

She claimed she wanted to break off the engagement, yet somehow managed to keep his parents from agreeing.

Now she was inserting herself into his life again, trying to catch his attention and create opportunities for them to be together.

The thought made Kenneth feel sick.

He slammed the dorm assignment notice onto Tiffany’s desk, barely containing his “You were behind this, weren’t you? Impressive, Tiffany. I really underestimated you!” Tiffany glanced at the notice and quickly pieced it together anger.

She didn’t know who had arranged for them to room together, but Kenneth was clearly blaming her. She couldn’t believe how far his imagination had taken him.

Seeing Kenneth’s furious expression, Tiffany couldn’t help but laugh.

“What makes you think you’re so special?” she retorted. “Instead of accusing me, why don’t you ask your parents?”

This arrangement couldn’t have happened without the Harpers’ approval. Ever since they refused to end the engagement, Tiffany had been left wondering what they saw in her.

They’d never liked her, yet they wouldn’t agree to break things off, even going so far as to pressure her family.

After speaking her mind, Tiffany waved Kenneth away. “You’re blocking my light. Move along”

For what felt like the hundredth time, Kenneth left the classroom, seething.

Sandra, meanwhile, had wisely stayed out of the recent attempts to undermine Tiffany. After her last encounter with Tiffany, she’d learned to bide her time.

She was determined to avoid mistakes and wait patiently for her father’s plan to succeed.

But today, every line on the dorm assignment list felt like a stab to Sandra’s heart. Tiffany and Kenneth living under the same roof? If Kenneth started to fall for Tiffany, where would that leave me?”

As Sandra hesitated, torn about what to do, Tiffany tapped her on the shoulder. “Your precious Kenneth just left. Aren’t you going to chase after him?”

“What do you mean?” Sandra asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.

Ignoring Sandra’s wary expression, Tiffany offered a cryptic suggestion. “Even if you can’t change the arrangement, you could always add another person to the mix…”

With that, Tiffany walked away.

The Harpers had likely arranged the assignments, so a change seemed unlikely. Since Tiffany wasn’t thrilled about living with Kenneth either, bringing Sandra into the situation might stir up some entertaining drama when Kenneth’s dream girl eventually showed up.

Sandra’s eyes lit eyes lit up at Tiffany’s words. Of course! If she could move in too, she could prevent anything from happening between Tiffany and Kenneth, while also getting closer to him herself.

It was the perfect plan.

With this new focus, Sandra bolted from the classroom, chasing after Kenneth.

Tiffany leaned back in her chair, stifling a yawn. She knew Sandra would succeed. After all, if Sandra couldn’t manage this, how had she fooled everyone with her seemingly kind-hearted act in Tiffany’s past life?

Sure enough, two hours later, Sandra’s name appeared on the dorm assignment list.

The new arrangements were implemented quickly. After classes that afternoon, everyone. headed to their assigned dorms to settle in. Being a private, elite school, the accommodations were top-notch. Everything was meticulously arranged, with new bedding and essentials provided.

Tiffany and Kenneth were assigned to an apartment-style dorm with two floors and three bedrooms-two rooms upstairs, one downstairs.

Tiffany walked in and confidently claimed the largest, nicest room on the second floor. She definitely wasn’t one to settle for less.

Kenneth initially wanted to give the upstairs room to Sandra, but the housekeeper stopped him. “Mr. Harper, your mother has already made a big concession. Please don’t make this difficult for us.”

Sandra, though disappointed, knew she was lucky to be there at all. She couldn’t risk making a fuss. Instead, she gazed at Kenneth adoringly. “It’s okay, Kenneth. Just seeing you every day is enough for me.”

“Alright then,” Kenneth conceded.

So Tiffany and Kenneth ended up on the second floor, their rooms side by side with adjoining balconies.

Tiffany couldn’t care less about the budding romance downstairs. She shut her door and started settling in, completely unbothered.

The room was spotless, leaving little to organize Still, Tiffany was cautious. She carefully checked for any hidden cameras or bugs. Thankfully, she found nothing.

Just as she sat down, her phone rang. It was Uncle Owen.

Owen was a longtime shareholder in the Kelley family company and the only person who’d helped the family in the past. She trusted him completely. She’d asked him to keep an eye on Stan at the company.

And it seemed he had news.

“Hello, Uncle Owen. Any updates?” Tiffany answered.

“It’s going as you predicted. He took the bait. The deal’s set for 9 PM tonight at the Skyline Bar.”

Owen paused, then added with concern, “Tiffany, why are you keeping this from your father? This kind of loss isn’t something to take lightly.”

“I know. I’ll handle it. Thanks, Uncle Owen. I really appreciate your help!” Tiffany added a touch of warmth to her voice.

She could hear Owen relax on the other end of the line. And with that, he decided not to pursue the matter any further.

After hanging up, a small smile played on Tiffany’s lips. Finally, after days of waiting, things were falling into place.

Ever since overhearing Sandra and her mother’s conversation, Tiffany knew exactly what they were planning.-

Around this time, Stan had embezzled a wh**ing one million and two hundred thousand dollars from the company through shady deals in the purchasing department.

That money was meant for high-quality steel. Instead, Stan had substituted experimental materials, leading to a major structural collapse that claimed the lives of three workers and led to a lawsuit from the project’s client.

That single incident sent shockwaves through the company. The Kelley Corporation’s reputation plummeted, and their stock took a nosedive. Charlie became a public pariah, and the financial losses were devastating.

And Stan, the man who pocketed the money? He put on quite a show. Kneeling before Charlie, he wept and pleaded, claiming he was just an inexperienced victim of a scam. His performance was Oscar-worthy.

The most frustrating part? Charlie actually believed him.

That was why when Uncle Owen asked Tiffany why she wasn’t telling her father about this, she hesitated. What good would just talking do?

Tiffany wasn’t about to let Stan get away with it this time.

 

Chapter 16

Once boarding school life kicked in, evenings were filled with classes or study hall. No one was allowed to leave campus until the weekend.

By the time Tiffany finished her evening study session and got back to the dorm, it was already 8:30 PM.

She quickly packed a bag and slipped out through the balcony.

The early summer breeze was refreshingly cool. Streetlights dotted the path ahead like a galaxy of stars in the night sky.

Tiffany stuck to the shadows, making her way to the school’s perimeter wall. With surprising agility, she scaled it and headed straight for the Skyline Bar.

It was hands down the biggest, most upscale bar in Lovell City.

Tonight was the night. Uncle Stan was meeting his shady building materials supplier to sign their under-the-table deal. Tiffany’s mission? Swipe that contract without anyone noticing.

Before entering the bar, Tiffany changed out of her school uniform into a casual dress she’d packed.

The moment she stepped inside, heads turned. Tiffany’s dazzling looks and effortless grace drew attention from all corners.

Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back. Her face, free of makeup, was still stunningly beautiful. There was something almost otherworldly about her-alluring yet innocent, breathtakingly gorgeous.

Within a minute, several guys approached, drinks in hand.

Tiffany brushed past them with a quick “Sorry.” After all, she wasn’t here to party. She was here on a mission.

Uncle Owen had tipped her off about Stan’s secret meeting, but the bar was huge. Tiffany would have to search every private room to find them.

As she made her way deeper into the bar, a very a very drunk guy started following her.

“Hey, beautiful! Don’t run away… I won’t bite…” He lunged at Tiffany, grinning stupidly. Tiffany was about to kick him into next week when someone beat her to it.

In a blur of motion, the drunk went flying, slamming against the wall with a thud.

Tiffany blinked in surprise. Talk about being plastered to the wall. Literally.

Before she could process what happened, a familiar voice spoke behind her. “What are you doing here?”

That deep, cool voice. She knew it instantly. Tiffany turned to find Richard’s handsome face looking down at her.

He wore an expensive, deep blue suit that emphasized his tall, lean frame. Every move he made exuded elegance and authority. He was captivating yet intimidating.

Tiffany couldn’t help but stare.

Looking at Richard, Tiffany finally understood what people meant by “clothes make the man.” His physique was perfect-lean in all the right places, but clearly well-built.

It was no wonder he was the most eligible bachelor in Lovell City.

Tiffany’s admiring gaze earned her a gentle tap on the head from Richard.

“See something you like?” he teased.

Tiffany nearly choked on her own spit.

How did Richard go from being the untouchable ice prince to acting like this? It was a confusing shift, to say the least.

Tiffany waved her hands frantically. “No way! I’m just here looking for someone. Got some… business to take care of.” She couldn’t exactly spill the details.

But Richard surprised her. “Who are you looking for? I can help.”

The Hamptons were practically royalty in Lovell City. Finding someone in a bar? Child’s play for him.

“Really?” Tiffany’s eyes lit up. “Thanks, uh…” She almost called him Mr. Hampton but remembered how he’d reacted last time. “Thanks, Richard!”

“Don’t mention it.” Richard’s lips quirked up slightly. He beckoned to one of his men, who approached respectfully. “Sir?”

Richard looked at Tiffany expectantly. She gave Stan’s name, adding, “I just need to know where he is. Keep it on the down-low, okay?”

“Yes, sir,” the man replied, straightening up and nodding with a look of determination.

Makan.

He vanished, returning within minutes with the intel.

Stan W being cautious, holed up in the most secluded private room. He’d snuck in like a pro, too. Without Richard’s help, Tiffany might never have found him.

“Thanks again, Richard,” she said, genuinely grateful. “I owe you one. Dinner’s on me next time, okay?”

There she went again with the empty promises.

Richard raised an eyebrow. Tiffany was something else, always writing checks she never cashed.

Unfortunately, he had his own business to attend to and couldn’t stick around.

Watching Tiffany head off, Richard instructed two of his men, “Follow her. Keep her safe, and see what she’s up to.”

His entourage exchanged surprised glances. The Richard Hampton they knew was always cool and distant, completely uninterested in anything remotely romantic. But here he was, showing a softer side for this girl.

Making an exception, going out of his way to protect her? Now that was something you didn’t see every day.

The two men stood there, stunned for a moment, before finally nodding. “Yes, sir.”

Now that Tiffany knew where Stan was, she relaxed a bit. She even took a detour to the ladies’ room, cool as a cucumber.

Inside, two women in heavy makeup were touching up their lipstick. Both wore little black dresses with long, dark stockings.

Tiffany walked right up to them, pulling out a thick wad of cash from her bag.

“Let’s make a deal,” she said.

The women turned to her, eyebrows raised.

“This is just the down payment, Tiffany continued smoothly. “You’ll get double when the job’s done.

“What do you want us to do?” one of the women asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“It’s simple.” Tiffany’s-lips curved into a smile as she lowered her voice, explaining her plan.

In the most secluded room of Skyline Bar, Stan watched his partner sign the contract. His hand trembled with excitement as he added his own signature at the bottom.

This secret deal would net him all that money, just like that-one point two million dollars.

Stan had never seen that kind of money in his life. His heart was racing.

With everything settled, his partner took his copy of the contract and slipped out of the room. Stan stayed behind, riding high on the thrill of it all.

It took him a good fifteen minutes to come down from his euphoria. Finally, he left the room, grinning from ear to ear.

As he stepped out, he bumped right into two gorgeous women.

Stan felt a rush of confidence. Feeling like a big shot, he couldn’t resist flirting. “Ladies… care to join me tonight?”

Chapter 17

The taste of power was intoxicating, and Stan was drunk on it.

He had never dared to be so bold before. Gone were the days when Selena’s iron grip on their finances left him feeling like a pauper in his own home.

But now, everything had changed. He was a millionaire, and if he wanted to spend the night with two women, who could stop him? It was just a matter of throwing around some cash, and man, did he have plenty to burn.

The two women giggled, their voices sweet and playful as they nudged him. “Oh, you’re such a tease!” they chided, even as they nestled closer to him.

Stan couldn’t believe his luck. This was easier than he’d ever imagined. His excitement soared. Money really did make the world go round. After years of playing the nice guy with Charlie, he had finally hit the jackpot.

Earlier, he had worried about what might happen if his risky plan backfired. But with two gorgeous women in his arms, all those concerns melted away.

The trio hopped into a cab and headed to a nearby hotel. Stan had never felt so alive.

The next morning, sunlight stabbed through the curtains as Stan stirred. He reached out, expecting warm bodies, but found only cold sheets. His eyes snapped open to an empty room.

They had vanished.

Stan felt a twinge of confusion, but memories of the wild night sent a thrill down his spine. He hummed a jaunty tune, lighting up a cigarette with a self-satisfied smirk.

Halfway through his smoke, a sudden thought struck him. Stan jumped up and rifled through his briefcase, only to find it empty. The contract he’d signed was gone.

Checking his bank account, he was horrified to find that the million dollars he had pocketed from yesterday’s transaction had vanished without a trace.

The color drained from Stan’s face. His legs gave out, and he crumpled to the floor. The forgotten cigarette tumbled from his fingers, burning a hole in the plush carpet.

At that moment, one thought consumed him, echoing in the hollow chambers of his mind. ‘It was over. Everything was over!

Across town, Tiffany’s first night in the dorm was a kaleidoscope of vivid dreams.

In her dream, she had a whip coiled in her hand like a serpent ready to strike.

Sandra and Kenneth cowered before her, their faces masks of terror. With each lash, Tiffany felt a surge of dark satisfaction, years of pent-up frustration finding release in every crack of the whip.

A wild laugh bubbled up from her chest, filling the dreamscape with its manic energy. This was power. This was control.

But then Richard appeared out of nowhere, gripping her hand with a fierce look in his eyes. “Who gave you the right to touch my people?” he growled, his hands reaching for her throat.

Tiffany jolted awake with a gasp, her heart still pounding like a drum in her chest.

The dream had served as a stark reminder-Richard was Kenneth’s uncle. They were family, bound by blood and loyalty. She, on the other hand, was an outsider.

Sitting up, Tiffany took several deep breaths, trying to calm her racing thoughts. If she ever decided to go after Kenneth, Richard could easily turn from a potential ally into a definitive enemy.

“It’s just a dream,” she muttered to herself, running a hand through her tangled hair. “The future’s not set in stone.”

Besides, she and Richard weren’t even that close. She had been the one trying to get closer to him. If things went south, he didn’t owe her anything.

Tiffany splashed cold water on her face, willing the lingering unease to wash away with it. As the clock ticked closer to morning, she steeled herself and stepped out of her room.

Fate, it seemed, had a twisted sense of humor. At that exact moment, Kenneth emerged from his room next door.

Their eyes met for a split second before Tiffany looked away, brushing past him without a word. She could feel his gaze burning into her back as she descended the stairs.

Kenneth frowned in confusion. This wasn’t the Tiffany he remembered. The old Tiffany would have bounced around him like an excited puppy, her eyes sparkling as she called him “Kenny in that playful way of hers.

But now? She might as well have been a stranger

“Where did you go last night?” The question slipped out before he could stop himself. He had seen her sneaking out, returning in the early hours of the morning.

Tiffany didn’t even bother to turn around. “None of your business,” she shot back, her tone icy.

“You-” Kenneth started, but was interrupted by Sandra’s cheerful voice.

“Kenny! Breakfast time!” Sandra called, holding up a bag of baked goods. “I got your favorite blueberry muffins. Waited in line forever for these!”

By then, Tiffany was already out of sight. Whatever Kenneth had wanted to lips, leaving a bitter taste behind.

say died on his

Sandra had always been great at reading the room. Noticing Kenneth’s sour mood, she asked with concern. “Kenny, what’s wrong? Are you feeling okay? You look upset…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Kenneth couldn’t help but ask, “Sandra, does your sister often go out late at night?”

“Uh…” Sandra froze, immediately on guard. This was the first time Kenneth had ever asked about Tiffany. It wasn’t a good sign.

She let her eyes drop, adopting a look of frustrated concern. “Yeah,” she sighed, her voice tinged with carefully crafted disappointment. “She goes out late all the time. I’ve tried to talk her out of it, but she won’t listen. She’s always hanging out with these sketchy guys, drinking and partying. I’m worried she’ll get herself into trouble…”

The Harpers were known for their traditional values. As expected, Kenneth’s face darkened even more at her words.

“Kenny, why are you suddenly asking about this?” Sandra probed.

“It’s nothing,” he muttered, but the furrow in his brow told a different story. “Just curious.”

Seeing the disgust on Kenneth’s face, Sandra hid a triumphant smile. She’d always be one step ahead.

As long as she was around, Tiffany would never get the upper hand.

***

The next few days passed quietly. When Friday rolled around, it was finally time to head home for the weekend.

As Tiffany climbed into the family car, she felt the weight of the week slowly lifting from her shoulders.

Home greeted her with the warm aroma of her mother’s cooking. Thalia had outdone herself, the dining table groaning under the weight of a veritable feast.

“There’s my girl,” Thalia said, her eyes scanning Tiffany with motherly concern. “Everything okay at school, honey? No one giving you trouble? Are you eating enough?”

Tiffany couldn’t help but smile at her mom’s fussing. “I’m fine, Mom. Really. You don’t need to worry so much.”

“That’s good,” Thalia replied, smoothing Tiffany’s hair. “Your studies are important, but don’t run yourself into the ground, okay? Take care of yourself.”

As Tiffany settled onto the couch, she felt a presence sidle up next to her. Eric, her younger brother, leaned in close to whisper in her ear, “Sis, I’ve got a tournament next week. Will you come watch?”

“Of course,” Tiffany agreed without hesitation. Then, curiosity piqued, she asked, “What kind of tournament?”

Eric’s eyes darted around the room before he answered, his voice thrumming with excitement. “A hacking tournament!”

Tiffany’s eyebrows shot up, her mouth falling open in shock. “A what?” she hissed, nearly launching off the couch.

Eric’s hand shot out, pressing her back down. “Shh! It’s top secret. Mom and Dad can’t know!”

Tiffany nodded, her mind whirling as she tried to process this new information. ‘My little brother, a hacker? When did that happen?’ she thought.

Eric, still whispering, dropped another bombshell. “Oh, and remember when Kenneth’s computer got hacked? That was me…”

 

Chapter 18

Tiffany’s jaw dropped. She remembered when Kenneth’s computer was hacked-he’d lost at ton of important data and was furious for days.

She’d secretly celebrated his misfortune, but never in a million years did she imagine her own little brother was behind it.

“Wow…” she stammered, staring at Eric in awe. This kid had a hidden talent.

After a moment to process, she asked, “When did you learn all this? Who taught you?”

Eric blinked innocently. “Is it supposed to be hard?”

Tiffany couldn’t help but smile. Her brother was a genius.

Filled with pride, she pulled Eric into a tight hug and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Well then, looks like I’ve got my own personal hacker for any of my future schemes,” she said with a playful grin.

Typically, an older sister might lecture her younger brother about the dangers of hacking, but Tiffany was anything but typical.

Eric, ever the devoted brother, nodded seriously. “You got it, sis. I’m ready to help!”

“You know,” Tiffany mused, tapping her chin thoughtfully, “I heard Kenneth’s been working on some big study guides and practice tests for next week’s exams…”

Their eyes met, and a silent understanding passed between them. Their shared wicked grins said it all-they didn’t even need to discuss it.

They would hack Kenneth’s computer until there was nothing left.

Just then, Charlie returned from work, completing the family gathering. As they all sat down for dinner, Tiffany’s gaze drifted to the other side of the table.

Selena and Sandra wore their usual polite smiles, sitting primly as always. Stan, however, looked like he was sitting on pins and needles, his eyes darting around the room, appearing utterly drained.

Tiffany couldn’t resist the urge to poke fun at him. “Stan, you don’t look so great,” she remarked with a hint of amusement.

Stan’s laugh was stiff. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just a little cold, I guess.”

Tiffany nodded, her spirits lifted. The evening’s main event was about to unfold, and she relished the thought of the first big present she had in store for the Olsons.

After her inquiry, Charlie joined them at the table, shrugging off his suit jacket with a satisfied grin.

He immediately began praising Stan. “Stan, you’ve really outdone yourself with this deal. Running around to secure those extra points of profit was no small feat. I’m proud of you! Take a couple of days off to rest.”

Before Stan could respond, Selena and Sandra’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Does that mean the contract is secured?” they asked eagerly.

“Yes, the shipment arrived today, and we should start the project next week, Charlie replied, clearly in high spirits.

Yet, despite the praise, Stan remained silent, drawing puzzled looks from everyone around the table.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Charlie asked.

“No, no… Stan forced a smile, wiping sweat from his brow. “It’s just that my stomach’s been off from too much drinking lately.”

“Make sure to rest, and if it gets worse, see a doctor,” Charlic advised.

“Will do,” Stan replied, his voice lacking conviction.

The dinner continued pleasantly enough, with everyone seemingly enjoying themselves.

At one point, Selena used the excuse of getting more soup to pull Stan aside, her excitement barely contained. “You sly dog, you didn’t even tell me you closed the deal! What about the money? Make sure to move it to another account before anyone notices!”

The mere mention of the money made Stan’s vision blur with frustration.

There was no money left.

That fateful night, when he claimed to be out on business, everything had slipped through his fingers after a reckless escapade.

The one point two million dollars-a staggering sum-had vanished. But because of how he obtained it, he couldn’t even report it stolen without raising suspicions.

For days, Stan had be on edge, his mind racing with no solution in sight. Selena’s question only added fuel to the fire. “Money, money, money! That’s all you care about!” he snapped. Just shut up will you?

Selena was taken aback. The man who usually sweet-talked her had suddenly turned hostile, leaving her stunned and seething.

But she knew better than to make a scene in front of everyone, so she bit her tongue.

After dinner, as the family prepared to leave the restaurant, Charlie received a phone call. The news on the other end made his face turn ghostly pale. “What? Are you serious?”

Charlie was a seasoned businessman, a man who had weathered countless storms. For something to rattle him this much sent a chill through the room.

Thalia noticed his reaction and asked, “Honey? What’s wrong? Has something happened at the company?”

Charlie didn’t answer directly. Instead, his sharp gaze locked onto Stan. “The project manager just called. The materials you ordered? They’re not just subpar-they’re dangerously defective. Care to explain yourself?”

The weight of Charlie’s words hung in the air like a guillotine. In their line of work, cutting corners was not only unethical, but potentially catastrophic.

Charlie’s anger simmered as he considered the potential fallout. If those defective materials. had been used, the damage to the Kelley Corporation’s reputation would have been irreversible.

So irreversible in fact, that no one in their right mind would ever trust the Kelley Corporation again.

Under the intensity of Charlie’s glare, Stan seemed to physically shrink. Panic clawed at his throat as he stammered, “There… there must be some mistake! I followed the procedures exactly, I swear!”

The sudden turn of events left Selena and Sandra stunned. But in that fleeting moment, the mother-daughter duo both found the answer they were looking for in each other’s eyes.

This had been their plan all along-to skim a fortune off the top, hiding behind the mask of a legitimate business deal. The Kelley Corporation could crash and burn for all they cared, as long as they walked away with their pockets lined.

Now, as they watched the chaos unfold around them, they realized that everything was going exactly as they had planned.

Chapter 19

Selena quickly jumped in and said, “Hold up, is there some misunderstanding here? Maybe Stan got played because he is short on experience.”

This was a script they’d reh**ed beforehand. If things went south, they’d just deny it to the death and claim they never pocketed the money

Charlie raised an eyebrow, a cold smile spreading across his face. “Got played? You think I’d buy that?”

“Bro, you gotta believe me. I swear I’ve never done anything to stab you in the back. I’ve been busting my a** for this company, you know? All for those extra two percent profit margins. I ran myself ragged trying to find the right supplier, and I ended up getting played like a fiddle. How the hell was I supposed to know the guy was pulling a fast one on me?” Stan wailed pitifully.

Tiffany watched the scene unfold from the sidelines, her eyes dripping with disdain. The Olsons were all drama queens. To anyone who didn’t know better, they might really believe. Stan was the victim here.

Charlie’s face was a storm cloud, his jaw clenched tight. He bit his tongue, but the silence spoke volumes. This was no small potatoes-he was seeing red.

“Come on, man, I swear I got played. You gotta believe me!” Stan blubbered, turning on the waterworks full blast and pulling out all the stops in his desperate plea.

“Remember when I saved you twice as kids? You said I was your number one bro and you’d always trust me. Said we were closer than real brothers. Did you just forget all that?” Stan pressed on.

At those words, Charlie’s rage melted like ice cream on a hot sidewalk. The storm clouds on his face cleared in a snap.

Tiffany could read her dad like a book. She knew these words were Stan’s golden ticket – he’d just hit the jackpot in the blame game.

Charlie was big on loyalty and feelings. It was true that Stan had saved his butt twice before.

Once when Charlie nearly drowned, Stan jumped in to rescue him, almost dying himself. Another time when wolves attacked Charlie, and Stan ran with him until some hunters came to their rescue.

So even after making it big, Charlie never forgot what Stan did for him. He’d bend over backward for Stan, always giving him another chance.

Tiffany knew the Olsons were up to no good, but she wasn’t about to call them out. If she couldn’t drop the mic on their whole operation, why bother throwing shade? No point in- poking the bear if you can’t take it down.

Sure enough, Charlie caved after Stan’s s**b story. “Stay home tomorrow,” he said. “I’ll clean up this mess.”

Charlie was gonna bite the bullet and shell out the 12 million dollars from his own pocket. Talk about taking one for the team.

Stan knew he was still in deep s**it. Charlie might’ve cut him some slack, but the other shareholders were gonna be out for blood. His cushy job was history… but at least he wasn’t totally screwed.

Stan’s voice cracked as he choked out, “Thanks, bro.”

And just like that, the 12-million-dollar scandal was buried. Stan got off with a slap on the wrist, losing his job but dodging any real heat.

Charlie didn’t stick around – he just exchanged a few words with Thalia before taking off for the office.

The tension at home was palpable, and the s**nts were too scared to speak up.

Thalia rubbed her temples-her headache had flared up again. Tiffany quickly called for a s***nt to bring some warm milk and then helped her mom to bed.

Thalia looked drained. “You and Eric should get some rest too-you’ve got classes the day after tomorrow.”

Once Thalia was all settled, Tiffany headed upstairs with Eric.

As soon as they were upstairs, Eric started venting. “Dad’s being way too soft on them. I thought for sure he’d finally kick them out this time, but nope-he just lets it slide and that’s it.

Tiffany chuckled. “It’s just the usual mess. You’ll get over it.”

While talking, Tiffany was swiping on her phone. Good thing Eric was all huffed up and missed that she was editing a video she was about to anonymously send to Selena.

Her first surprise for the Olsons was a bait-and-switch. This video was her second bombshell. She called it “Dog Eat Dog”

Downstairs, Selena was pretty pleased with Stan for sweet-talking Charlie into going easy on them. She gave him a playful pat on the back, laughing. “You sly dog, that trick of yours was pure gold!”

Sandra, who’d kept quiet before, now couldn’t help but nod approvingly once they were. alone. “Dad totally nailed it this time. I almost felt bad for Uncle.”

They thought Stan was Oscar-worthy, but his tears were real and he was genuinely pi**ed about being duped. That was what made his act flawless.

So when Selena and Sandra sang his praises, he just got annoyed. “Enough already, shut it!”

He just couldn’t spit out the truth. It would’ve been a total face-loss.

Selena had been given the cold shoulder twice by him today. Furious, she latched onto Stan’s arm. “What’s your problem, huh? You keep snapping at me. I’ll let it slide for now, just hand over the money and I’ll deal with it”

But Stan just stormed off, slamming the door behind him.

Selena was about to run after him, but Sandra held her back. “Cool it, Mom. We need to be careful; someone’s always listening.”

They were on the Kelleys’ turf now, so they had to watch their step.

“Don’t sweat it, Mom. I’m sure Dad won’t blow the cash. It’ll all come out in the wash. Just keep your cool and let him save face for now,” Sandra added.

Just then, Selena’s phone buzzed with a new message. She instinctively checked it, expecting spam, but found a video with a pitch-black thumbnail instead. She was about to delete it when, for some reason, she tapped to play it.

Suddenly, the screen lit up with a crystal-clear image. It revealed a large hotel bed, and on it, a shocking scene: two provocatively dressed s**y women and… a man Selena knew all too well-Stan.

Selena was stunned. It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water on her, instantly crushing all her hopes for the future.

“So that’s why the jerk kept freaking out about money. No wonder he didn’t come home that night, claiming he was with clients. He was actually fooling around with other women!” Selena fumed.

Sandra was right beside Selena when the video played, so she saw it too. Uncut and unfiltered, it was undeniably real.

Sandra was equally shocked, her mind racing. Who sent this video, and why?’ she wondered. Blackmail was a possible motive, but the perfect timing hinted at something more complex.

 

Chapter 20

This video was like gasoline on a fire. As Selena was about to storm after Stan, Sandra stepped. in. “Hold up, Mom! Whoever sent this is just trying to stir up trouble and watch us fall apart.” The theory was all well and good until it was your ox that was gored.

Selena was so furious she was practically shaking. She had put up with a ton of marrying Stan. At least he had been faithful and only had eyes for her. But now? They finally caught a break, and he was off chasing other women. No wonder she was losing it.

c**p since

“Back off! I’m gonna knock that lowlife into next week,” Selena snarled, ready to storm out.

Sandra blocked the

You’re just playing or, panicking. “Mom, think! If this blows up, our family’s done for into someone’s hands.”

But Selena wasn’t budging, so Sandra had to try another angle.

“Dad’s just lost it for a minute. Want to get him back in line? No problem. Let’s figure out how to squeeze him for the cash,” Sandra said.

They say money makes men go bad. Without it, Stan wouldn’t have been able to paint the town red. That much was clear.

Selena saw the logic in Sandra’s words. If Stan wouldn’t hand over the cash willingly, no problem-she could find a way to quietly transfer the money herself. With a plan forming, Selena’s anger subsided quickly.

As they turned in for the night, Selena casually probed Stan, “Hey, where’d you put that money? We need to keep it on the down-low, or Charlie might get suspicious.”

“Yeah, I got it. I’m not an idiot,” Stan grumbled, rolling over and ready to pass out.

Selena tried every trick in the book to sweet-talk him, but Stan was giving her the cold shoulder. Thanks to Sandra’s pep talk earlier, Selena managed to keep her cool this time.

In the dead of night, with Stan snoring loud enough to wake the dead, Selena crept out-of bed and started going through his wallet.

Selena went full detective on his accounts, but they were bone dry. A few measly bucks, max. That 12 million dollars had vanished into thin air.

Reality hit Selena like a ton of bricks. She could stomach her husband’s wandering eye and his cold attitude. But if he’d blown their nest egg on his flings? That was the last straw, and she absolutely wouldn’t let it slide.

*

Selena went from zero to a hundred, yanking Stan out of his sleep. She was all fury, laying into him, “Where’s the money? Did you blow it all on your side chicks? Stan, you ungrateful into him. “Where’s the money? Did b**d, is this how you repay me after all these years?”

Jolted awake and stinging from her attack, Stan lost it. He lashed out, slapping Selena hard.. “You’ve got some nerve!” he snarled.

Selena reeled for a second before her rage exploded. She lunged at Stan, and in a flash, they were at each other’s throats. The bedroom erupted into chaos, with the couple suddenly turning bitter enemies.

The next morning, as Tiffany headed down for breakfast, the house was already buzzing with gossip about last night’s drama.

Word had it that Stan and Selena had a knock-down, drag-out fight in the middle of the night, complete with hair-pulling and b**dy noses until Sandra finally managed to break it up.

Luckily, Charlie had been working late at the office, and Thalia had been dead to the world. The whole blow-up had gone completely unnoticed by them.

Tiffany took the gossip in stride. When Stan shuffled out looking like he’d been hit by a truck, she plastered on her sweetest smile. “Morning. Uncle Stan,” she chirped.

“Morning,” Stan grunted. Breakfast was the last thing on his mind, but Tiffany’s cheery greeting left him no escape. He trudged over like a man on his way to the gallows.

The se**nts’ gossip was one thing, but seeing Stan’s battered face up close was something else entirely. He looked like he’d gone ten rounds with a heavyweight champ. Tiffany was thrilled, but she had to fight hard not to burst out laughing.

“Going somewhere, Uncle Stan?” Tiffany asked casually, sipping her milk. “I saw this bag the other day but didn’t get it. Mind grabbing it for me if you’re out? I’ll cover the cost.”

Before Stan could refuse, Tiffany slipped him a card.

Usually, Stan would have refused outright. As the elder in the house, he wasn’t one to run errands for others. But this time, he swallowed his pride and agreed. After all, Tiffany was known for being generous, and that card was probably loaded.

Just as Stan agreed, Selena came out of their room. The moment their eyes met, the atmosphere was thick with tension.

Stan, lost in thought, bolted for the door, leaving his breakfast untouched. Selena, still showing signs of the fight, was right behind him.

Tiffany ate at her own pace, unfazed by the whole scene.

Suddenly, Sandra’s voice sliced through the air. You’re behind this, aren’t you?” It wasn’t really a question.

Tiffany played dumb, her face the picture of confusion. “What are you talking about? Are you out of your mind, coming at me this early in the morning?”

Sandra stared intently at Tiffany, looking for any sign of weakness. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t detect even a hint of guilt.

It dawned on Sandra that Tiffany must be innocent in the video drama and the missing cash. If Tiffany had been behind it all, she’d have already revealed her hand, demanding the Olsons leave.

Realizing this, Sandra forced a smile. “Never mind. I’m just overthinking things.” Tiffany dabbed her lips with a napkin, deliberately giving Sandra the cold shoulder. “Oh, by the way, Kenneth’s asked me to hang out tomorrow. Want to join?” Sandra asked. Her cheeks turned a rosy hue, a touch of bashfulness creeping in. It was a humblebrag on steroids. She was flaunting that she had dibs on someone else’s man. The nerve of her.

In the past, this kind of boasting would’ve gotten under Tiffany’s skin. But now? Even with her fiancé apparently cheating on her, she remained unfazed. “Nah, you two have fun,” Tiffany replied c**lly. “Maybe you can slip into his bed and fast-track that trip down the aisle.

Tiffany wasn’t kidding around. She was itching to give Kenneth the boot and wash her hands of the whole mess.

Tiffany’s offhand comment sparked a gleam in Sandra’s eyes. If she could seal the deal with Kenneth, her ticket into the Harper family would be all but guaranteed,

Watching her useless parents turn against each other, Sandra decided it was time she took control of her own life and started looking out for herself.