Ch. 31..40

Chapter 31

Richard didn’t want to mess up Tiffany’s plan, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit worried. “Are you sure you don’t need my help?” he asked.

“I’m fine, really. If I need your help. I’ll let you know,” she replied with a charming smile.

“Alright, just stay safe,” Richard said, then turned to leave. Before he did, he glanced at the kidnappers on the ground.

The kidnappers froze under his gaze, realizing that Richard was someone they couldn’t afford to cross. If they tried anything, they were certain it would end badly for them.

Earlier, they might have considered tying Tiffany up for real if they got the chance, but now that idea was completely out of the question. They knew Richard would make sure they paid dearly if they did.

As Tiffany watched Richard walk away, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it had all been a dream. But then she saw the boot print on the iron door, proof that Richard had really been there. She never expected him to come to her rescue, especially given how tenuous their relationship was.

I only helped him out a little, and he’s willing to do this for me. Wow, now I’m certain that choosing him as an ally was the right call. Tiffany thought.

Not long after Richard left, she heard the sound of another car engine outside. This time, she knew it had to be Charlie.

Just as she was about to tell the kidnappers to get back in position, she noticed they had already straightened up, despite their fresh bruises, ready to play their parts.

Outside the factory, two cars screeched to a stop. Charlie and Owen jumped out, followed by a few bodyguards. The kidnapper they had caught earlier pointed to the factory and stammered, “She’s in there.”

Without wasting a second, the group charged in. The inside of the factory was filthy and chaotic, with a few dim lights flickering overhead. Charlie’s eyes quickly scanned the room, and he spotted Tiffany huddled in a corner.

He rushed to her side, his voice filled with concern. “Are you all right, Tiffany? Don’t be scared, I’m here now.”

But instead of relief, Tiffany’s face was filled with fear as she screamed, “Dad, watch out!”

Three kidnappers lunged at Charlie from behind, wielding wooden bats. Owen quickly ordered the bodyguards to move in, and within moments, they had the kidnappers subdued.

Tiffany let out a shaky breath, tears streaming down her face. Charlie gently untied the ropes around her wrists, comforting her. “Let’s go home,” he said softly, guiding her toward the exit.

But then Tiffany caught sight of Stan standing off to the side.

“It’s Stan!” she cried out, quickly hiding behind Charlie. “Dad, help me! The kidnappers said Stan hired them to kill me. I’m so scared!”

Stan’s heart sank with regret as he quickly put on a pitiful expression. “Tiffany, I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I never meant to hurt you. I’ve just been going through a rough patch lately, and I didn’t see any other way.”

“That’s no excuse for what you did,” Tiffany retorted, her voice sharp with sarcasm. “If a small setback makes you do something like this, what would you do if you faced something bigger? I’m afraid you’d try to take over the whole Kelley family

Stan was left speechless, unable to come up with a response.

Tiffany pressed on, “My dad has never treated you badly, so why did you want ten million dollars? Wait, could it be that the one million and two hundred thousand dollars we lost on that last order was actually pocketed by you?”

“That’s nonsense!” Stan snapped, his face turning ashen as he vehemently denied it.

But Owen, always the one to oppose Stan, spoke up. “I have a contract here that was anonymously sent to me yesterday. related to that botched order.”

He handed the document to Charlie, who quickly scanned it. The contract detailed an order for experimental steel, with a price tag of only tens of thousands of dollars. At the bottom was Stan’s signature. Charlie immediately understood what had happened.

Closing his eyes briefly, Charlie let out a deep sigh and said, “Pack your things and leave by tomorrow morning. I don’t want you in my house any longer.”

Tiffany and Owen exchanged satisfied glances, while Stan collapsed onto the floor, defeated.

Charlie continued, “And you’ll need to return the money you took. I won’t press charges, but you must return the funds to the company. No matter what, you have to clean up this mess you’ve made.”

Stan was stunned. “Charlie, have some mercy! You’re leaving me with no way out!”

Charlie let out a cold laugh. “You kidnapped my daughter-how can you expect mercy? My daughter is the most precious thing in my life. The fact that I haven’t killed you for this is more mercy than you deserve.”

Seeing that Stan was about to protest further, Charlie cut him off sharply. “Enough. You’ll be out of our house by tomorrow

As Charlie and Tiffany walked out of the factory, ready to head to the hospital to treat her injuries, Tiffany felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. She knew that eventually, Charlie would start to see the holes in the story, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that he had finally seen Stan for who he really was.

Just as they were getting into the car, Charlie received a call. The voice on the other end was tense and urgent. “This is Lovell City Hospital. Your wife has been in a car accident. Please come as soon as possible!”

Charlie was stunned, his face paling as he quickly ordered. “To the hospital, now! Hurry!”

Tiffany and Owen, alarmed, asked what had happened. After hearing the news, they exchanged concernd glances, both frowning deeply. The timing is too uncanny. Something feels off, but I can’t quite put my finger on it, Tiffany thought,

But there was no time to dwell on it. She climbed into the car and quickly turned to Owen. “Uncle Owen, there’s a friend of mine, Zoe, inside the factory. Could you take her home?”

“Of course,” Owen nodded.

Charlie and Tiffany rushed to the hospital, racing to the emergency room. When they arrived, they found Thalia sitting on a bench outside, looking shaken but mostly unharmed, aside from a few scrapes on her arm

Roth Charlie and Tiffany breathed a sigh of relief.

Thalia, seeing Tiffany, immediately looked worried. “Tiffany, are you okay? Did those kidnappers hurt you?”

Tm fine. Tiffany reassured her, though her gaze drifted to the illuminated sign above the operating room. Frowning, she asked, “Mom, who’s in there being treated?”

Chapter 32

Thalia sighed and said, “It was Sandra.”

Sandra? You’ve got to be kidding mel My dad just said he was going to throw Sandra and Charlie out, and now all of a sudden, Sandra’s in a car accident? There’s no way that’s a coincidence. Something’s definitely going on here! Tiffany’s face grew dark as the thought crossed her mind.

“What happened?” Charlie frowned, asking the question everyone else had been thinking.

Thalia finally explained everything. When Charlie came storming home that night and took Stan away, he’d ordered the se**ts not to tell Thalia anything. He’d even kept the news of Tiffany’s kidnapping under wraps, but Sandra had gone ahead and told Thalia about it.

Thalia was immediately frantic and had the chauffeur take her out to look for Tiffany. Sandra hopped in the car with her.

Then, halfway there, something went wrong-the car veered straight into a telephone pole. In the panic, it was Sandra who threw herself in front of Thalia, shielding her from most of the impact. Thalia got off with just a few scrapes, but Sandra was covered in blood and then was rushed to the hospital.

Tiffany listened without a shred of sympathy. In fact, she found it almost laughable. She knew this whole accident was something Sandra had planned. She glanced over at Charlie-she knew with this happening, he’d be second-guessing whether to kick Sandra and her family out.

‘If only I’d had someone keeping an eye on Sandra. I thought she’d stay put at school, but I never imagined she’d come running home and pull off this little stunt. Well, now Dad and Mom probably won’t throw them out. All my work for nothing. Tiffany thought bitterly.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, the light above the emergency room finally flicked off. A nurse emerged, wheeling out the unconscious Sandra. Charlie and Thalia rushed forward.

“Doctor, how is she?” they asked in unison.

“She has a moderate concussion and a fractured right arm, but she’s not in any life-threatening danger. She just needs to rest and recover,” the doctor replied.

“Thank you, Doctor, Charlie and Thalia said together, relief evident in their voices.

Sandra was then wheeled to her room. Thalia let out a sigh of relief but then noticed Tiffany standing there, quiet and expressionless. Concerned, she said, “Tiffany, sweetheart, you must be so shaken up. And look at you, you’re hurt all over. Come on, let’s find a doctor to patch you up.”

“No need.” Tiffany shook her head, then turned directly to Charlie. She didn’t say a word, just waited to see what her father would decide.

Charlie gritted his teeth, caught in a dilemma. Finally, he spoke, his voice almost pleading. “Stan is a terrible person. I know you don’t want to see them anymore, so we’ll let Stan go. But Sandra is a good girl, and she got hurt because of your mom We can’t just kick her out, right?”

Tiffany had expected this answer. A bitter smile crept across her face.

Charlie, knowing how much Tiffany disliked Stan and his family, continued, “I owe Stan a lot, but now the debt’s settled. Sandra, though, hasn’t done anything wrong. We can’t-

“You’re never going to get rid of them now,” Tiffany cut him off. Then, almost in a whisper, as if she were talking to herself, she said, “Dad, if this keeps up, I’m really afraid I won’t be able to protect you guys.”

Sandra had won last time, partly because of Tiffany’s own stu**ity, and partly because Charlie was just too naive and soft hearted.

Suddenly, Tiffany felt a wave of anxiety. She was the one who had to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the whole family, and Charlie had no idea that everything she did was for them.

“What are you talking about, sweetheart? When did I ever need your protection? Isn’t it my job to protect you and your mom?” Charlie chuckled, giving Tiffany a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Come on, don’t worry about it anymore. Go get those wounds taken care of.”

“No need.” Tiffany brushed his hand away and turned, walking straight out of the hospital.

Owen had just finished dealing with the kidnappers and sent Zoe back home before he rushed to the hospital. As he reached the entrance, he saw Tiffany coming out, her face devoid of emotion.

Tiffany, what are you doing out here? Is your mom okay?” Owen asked, concerned.

“She’s fine. Thank you, Uncle Owen. I couldn’t have done it without your help, Tiffany replied with gratitude, and then she walked away, resolute and alone.

Owen hesitated, something nagging at him that things weren’t quite right After he found Charlie and got the full story about Sandra, he shook his head in exasperation.

“Charlie, you’re being blind. Do you even know how much Tiffany’s done for your family? Listen, if you don’t start seeing people for who they really are, you’re going to end up in a mess you can’t get out of. With that, Owen turned and walked out of the hospital.

The night had settled in by the time Tiffany stepped outside.

As she exited the hospital, her family’s chauffeur quickly approached. “Miss Kelley, ready to head home?” he asked.

Tiffany nodded and got into the car. Noticing her quiet mood, the chauffeur kept a steady pace, not rushing through the empty streets.

Tiffany sat in silence for a while, letting the quiet wash over her. As she calmed down, her resolve hardened-she was going to take Sandra down, and she was sure she’d be the one left standing in the end. The thought brought a hint of satisfaction, lifting her spirits just a little.

She rolled down the window, letting the cool night air brush against her face as she took in the city lights. But then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something in the side mirror a sleek black Maybach trailing them.

That car had been following them for a while, matching their speed exactly, never too close, but never far behind.

Even the chauffeur couldn’t help but ask, “What’s the deal with that car? We speed up, it speeds up. We slow down, it slows down.”

Tiffany paused, her breath catching. She knew that car-it was Richard’s. It seemed that ever since she’d left the hospital, Richard had been right there, following her every step.

For a moment, Tiffany froze, a wave of emotion washing over her. Her chest tightened. She had always felt so alone, carrying the weight of protecting her family by herself, with her parents barely understanding the burden she bore. She had resigned herself to fighting this battle alone, convinced no one would be there to help her. But here was Richard, quietly looking out for her, ready to protect her without a word.

“Stop the car!” she suddenly called out.

The chauffeur, puzzled, pulled over to the side of the road. The Maybach behind them came to a stop as well.

Richard watched, surprised, as Tiffany’s car came to a halt. Then to his astonishment, he saw Tiffany step out and walk toward him.

 

Chapter 33

The moonlight was soft and luminous, casting a gentle glow over the quiet streets at three in the morning. The streetlights, one after another, formed a ribbon of light, like a path through the stars.

Tiffany jogged over to the car, tapping on the window with her hand. Richard smiled as he rolled it down.

“Hey, I’ve got something I want to give you,” Tiffany said, opening the door without waiting for a response and motioning for him to step out. ‘Come on, get out here.”

The chauffeur in the front seat and the assistant beside him were stunned, unable to believe someone would be so casual, almost impolite, in front of Richard. Everyone in Lovell City knew Richard was not a man to be trifled with.

But, to their surprise, Richard didn’t seem the least bit upset. Instead, he did exactly as she asked-he got out of the car. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Tiffany said, a smile spreading across her face as she looked up at him.

“You said you had something to give me. What is it?” Richard asked, his voice calm.

For a moment, Tiffany wasn’t sure what to do. She had acted on impulse, running over here, but now she suddenly felt embarrassed about giving him the gift. She worried that Richard might think it was beneath him. But backing out now wasn’t an option; if she told him she was just joking, Richard might not take it well.

As she hesitated, Richard bent down slightly, leaning in closer. “So, what is it?” he asked, his voice low.

Tiffany looked up at his handsome face and felt herself momentarily lost for words. But she quickly regained her composure, reaching up to remove the necklace she’d worn since she was a child.

“This is my good luck charm,” she said, holding it out to him. “It’s supposed to bring good fortune and keep danger away. I want you to have it.” Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her uncertainty, worried that Richard wouldn’t want it

Just as she feared, Richard frowned. “Why would you give this to me?” he asked.

“Because your life is so dangerous,” she replied, her voice growing softer with each word. “There’s always someone trying to hurt you. Maybe this could actually bring you some luck.”

Richard was taken aback. No one had ever said anything like that to him, not even his own family. The people around him were usually driven by their own agendas-either looking to gain something from him or plotting his downfall.

He could hardly believe that Tiffany genuinely cared about him. He knew her well enough to see past her seemingly innocent and gentle exterior-he knew how cold and calculating she could be underneath. But at this moment, something in her words and the way she offered that charm made him choose to believe that her concern was real.

Tiffany glanced at Richard, noticing his lack of reaction. Embarrassed, she started to pull the necklace back. “Sorry, I was being silly. Why would you want something like this? I’ll get you something better next time. Goodbye!”

In truth, she felt relieved. She still wanted to keep the necklace for herself. But just as she turned to leave, Richard suddenly caught her by the shoulder. He moved in front of her and, without warning, snatched the necklace from her hand.

“You said you were giving this to me, didn’t you? You can’t go back on your word,” he said, slipping the necklace around his neck. The silver crescent moon pendant hung from a simple black cord, and somehow, it suited him perfectly.

Tiffany couldn’t help but marvel at how effortlessly Richard could pull off any accessory or outfit.

She waved her hand, signaling that she was leaving. “Anyway, thanks for everything today. I’m heading home now. See you.”

As Tiffany got back interher çar, Richard did the same. He glanced down, his fingers brushing over the necklace, and he couldn’t help but smile, remembering how Tiffany had said it would bring good luck and ward off danger.

I didn’t expe her to believe in this kind of thing. Well, maybe she’s a little more naive than I thought, he thought.

But neither Richard nor Tiffany could have imagined just how important that necklace would become in the days to come.

The next morning, Tiffany got herself ready and headed straight to the hospital. Given that Sandra had been injured while trying to save her mother, she felt obligated to visit her.

As she reached the door of the hospital room, she ran into Kenneth, who was also there to see Sandra.

Kenneth hesitated before asking. “Are you okay?”

By now, all of Lovell City’s high society had heard about Tiffany’s kidnapping.

“I’m fine,” she replied c**ly, showing no hint of emotion. Kenneth’s sudden concern didn’t move her in the slightest.

When Tiffany stepped into the ward, she saw that Sandra was already awake.

“Tiffany, you’re here! I’m so happy to see you!” Sandra called out with a bright smile.

Then, turning to Kenneth, she added in a softer tone, “Kenneth, I’m feeling a bit hungry. Could you get us some breakfast?”

Sure. Kenneth agreed without hesitation.

Tiffany knew Sandra was just trying to get rid of Kenneth. She let out a small, cryptic laugh and raised an eyebrow. “Feeling pretty pleased with yourself, aren’t you?”

“Of course.” With no one else around, Sandra dropped the act and revealed her true self.

“You went to a lot of trouble to try and get rid of me, didn’t you, Tiffany? But all your efforts were for nothing,” Sandra said smugly.

Sandra had always known how to play the sympathy card to her advantage. When she had first woken up. Tiffany’s parents were still in her room, tending to her with genuine concern. Instead of pleading with Charlie to forgive Stan, Sandra agreed that his decision to send Stan away was the right one. She assured Charlie that she was committed to helping his family from now on, hoping to make up for her father’s mistakes. Charlie, moved by her sincerity, no longer had any intention of sending her away.

‘It doesn’t matter if my parents are kicked out, as long as I can stay with the Kelley family, I’ll still have a chance to take Tiffany down, Sandra thought.

Tiffany stepped closer, looming over Sandra, her gaze sharp and unwavering. After a moment, she suddenly reached-out and gripped Sandra’s chin, her fingers tight as she stared down at her with a fierce intensity.

“I hope you don’t just have one life, Tiffany said softly, her voice gentle yet chilling, “Because I’d love the pleasure of killing you more than once.”

The calmness in her tone sent a shiver down Sandra’s spine.

 

Chapter 34

Sandra forced down the fear rising in her chest, trying to sound balm as she said, “Stop bluffing. I don’t believe you.”

“Then just wait and see if I’m bluffing, Tiffany replied, flashing a sinister smile.

Sandra shuddered. She couldn’t believe how much Tiffany had changed. The Tiffany she used to know was always easy to manipulate, but now it was like she was dealing with someone completely different.

Worried that Tiffany might actually kill her, Sandra kept glancing nervously at the door, hoping Kenneth would come in.

Tiffany noticed and asked c**ly, “What’s wrong? Waiting for Kenneth to show up so you can keep playing the victim?”

Sandra frowned, her face going pale as Tiffany hit the nail on the head.

Tiffany let go of her and casually grabbed a tissue to wipe her hands, a mocking smile on her lips. “If you really think someone as weak as Kenneth can protect you, then you’re even more foolish than I thought. The Harper family will never accept you, you know that?”

With that, Tiffany turned and walked out, leaving Sandra behind her face twisted with rage.

As much as she hated to admit it, Tiffany was right. The Harper family would never accept her. To them, she’d always be the girl from a lower class, unworthy of Kenneth. But if she could get pregnant with Kenneth’s child, then they’d have no choice but to accept her.

Sandra made up her mind right then-she would do whatever it took to have Kenneth’s baby.

At the hospital entrance, Kenneth had just picked up breakfast and was about to head upstairs when he spotted a familiar face. He quickly walked over, smiling as he called out, “Mr. Foster, long time no see. I heard your company’s been facing some troubles lately. If you need help, I’d be happy to assist in getting you out of this bind.”

Though young, Kenneth had been Ryan’s protégé since his teens, learning the ropes of the business directly from his father. With his keen eye, he saw Caleb as a creative genius-someone who could greatly enhance their company if they could bring him on board. And now, with Caleb’s company bankrupt and him scrambling to find money for his sick daughter, Kenneth figured his offer would be a godsend.

“No need. Our company’s crisis has been resolved, but I appreciate your concern, Mr. Harper.” Caleb gave a polite smile, then turned and walked away without any hint of wanting to pursue further conversation.

In Caleb’s eyes, Kenneth was no different from those who kick a man when he’s down, just waiting for him to hit rock bottom so they could squeeze every last penny out of buying his company. All this talk of help was nothing but a calculated move for personal gain.

In stark contrast, there was that girl-Tiffany-who had handed him one million two hundred thousand dollars without a single word of negotiation. She didn’t try to lowball him or take advantage of his desperate situation. She gave him the best terms possible and left without demanding anything more than phone call. She didn’t even leave her name, trusting him not to run off with the money in the dead of night.

Thinking of this, Caleb decided to call Tiffany. But before the call could connect, he ran into her at the elevator.

“Hi, I was just about to contact you!” Caleb exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. “The contract is ready. When would be a time for you to sign?”

Tiffany glanced at her watch,and said, “There’s a café nearby. Let’s go there.”

“Sounds good.” Caleb nodded.

Once they were seated in the café, Tiffany casually asked about his daughter’s health. Caleb explained that the surgery had gone well, and she would be able to come home in a couple of days to recover. Tiffany nodded, not asking anything further. She didn’t even glance at the contract before signing her name with a flourish.

Caleb couldn’t help but sigh. “You should at least take a look at the contract. Trusting people like this, you could easily get scammed.”

Tiffany smiled and said. “If I had doubts, I wouldn’t be working with you. I trust you.”

Then she added, “But keep this under wraps. Don’t mention that I’m the one behind the deal. Even if we run into each other elsewhere, act like we’re strangers. Got it?”

The one million and two hundred thousand dollars had been obtained from Stan, which was a secret. As for acquiring this company, Tiffany preferred to keep that under wraps as well.

“Understood,” Caleb replied promptly. He was proving to be an ideal business partner-no unnecessary questions, just efficiency. ith a smile, he asked, “By the way, what’s your name?”

Caleb couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless about the situation. He knew nothing about this young woman, yet she seemed to know quite a bit about him.

“Tiffany Kelley,” she introduced herself simply. Then, standing up to leave, she added, “I have to go now. If you need anything, just give me a call, Mr. Foster.”

“Alright, sure,” Caleb responded, a bit flustered,

It wasn’t until Tiffany had left that Caleb drew in a sharp breath. In Lovell City, Tiffany’s name was quite well-known, mostly because of the widely publicized engagement drama between her and Kenneth. Rumors painted her as a hopeless romantic. chasing relentlessly after a man who clearly wasn’t interested, turning herself into the butt of many jokes. These stories had tarnished her reputation, leading many to dismiss her as nothing more than a shallow, lovesick girl.

Caleb recalled hearing people mock Charlie at various social events, ridiculing his daughter as an empty-headed pretty who would throw away all dignity for a man, face

But the Tiffany he had just met exuded elegance and carried herself with decisive confidence. She was stunningly beautiful with a sharp, clear mind-outshining even Charlie himself.

“Gossip really can’t be trusted, not all,” he muttered to himself.

When Tiffany returned home, she found Stan and Selena lingering at the entrance, their bags packed but showing no intention of leaving. It was clear they were hoping for a last-minute reprieve from Charlie

The house staff, tasked with seeing them out, looked conflicted and anxious, unsure of what to do. The moment they saw Tiffany walk in, their eyes lit up, and one of them called out, “Miss Kelley!”

“Ill handle this. You all can go about your business,” Tiffany said calmly.

Thank you, Miss Kelley!” the staff said and hurried away.

Tiffany turned her attention to Stan and Selena. With a cool, amused smile, she asked, “Stan, do you not feel even a little guilty when you see me? After all, it was you who arranged for me to be kidnapped. And now, instead of apologizing, you’re just focused on getting back in my father’s good graces?”

Chapter 35

“Those kidnappers must’ve been paid off by you, right? This whole thing was your plan all along, wasn’t it?” Stan demanded, his voice full of anger. The kidnapping had gone too smoothly, and now that he thought about it, a lot of things didn’t add up.

He had underestimated Tiffany.

Tiffany responded with a sweet, innocent smile. “Stan, you’re really something. Are you saying I forced you to steal that one million and two hundred thousand dollars? That I made you kidnap me? Your accusations are absurd.”

“You!” Stan’s face twisted with rage as he glared at Tiffany.

He wanted nothing more than to lash out at her, but he knew his situation was already dire. Doing anything rash now would only make things worse. Sandra was his only hope, and he had to keep his temper in check and wait for the right moment.

“Let’s go!” he snapped, standing tall and marching toward the exit of the Kelley estate with as much dignity as he could muster.

Tiffany, still smiling, called after him, “Stan, don’t forget to pay back the one million and two hundred thousand dollars. Oh, and I know things are going to be tough for you two, but don’t take it out on Selena. Be sure to treat her well,”

Stan nearly stumbled when he heard the amount. He had no way of repaying that much money. Beside him, Selena was still in a state of shock, struggling to understand why they were suddenly being thrown out when it was all Stan’s doing.

But when she heard Tiffany’s words, something snapped. If Stan had stolen such a large sum and never given her a cent, she saw no reason to stay with him.

“I want a divorce! Right now!” Selena said coldly.

Stan and Selena began arguing as they walked away, their voices fading into the distance. Tiffany watched them go, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips. She felt quite pleased with the outcome.

After taking a day off, Tiffany was called back to school. With finals approaching and the holidays around the corner, this exam was crucial. Tiffany’s grades had never been great, and while her teacher had wanted to arrange some tutoring for her, she had turned it down. There was no point in making an effort with classmates who didn’t care for her.

But ever since she had traveled back to the past, Tiffany had put in the work. She was much more knowledgeable now, though no one else seemed to realize it.

Lately, Sandra and Kenneth had been inseparable. Sandra’s left arm was still in a cast, so Kenneth was helping her with everything, from eating to carrying things. The two looked like the perfect couple, and everyone around couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for Tiffany, who’d been publicly cheated on.

“Honestly, having your fiancé flaunt his new girl right in front of you? Only Tiffany could put up with that”

“Well, what can she do? Mr. Harper’s not into her, and she just won’t let go. She’s practically asking for it!”

Two girls snickered, clearly trying to provoke Tiffany.

But Tiffany just glanced up and said, ‘Are you trying to get me to hit you?”

The girls quickly-shut their mouths and hurried away.

Sandra, overhearing, immediately put on a pitiful expression. “Tiffany, I didn’t mean anything by it. I just got hurt, so

Kenneth is helping me out. Don’t take it the wrong way, really!” Sandra said, feigning innocence.

Hearing this, Tiffany paused in her work and burst out laughing Playing the victim again, Sandra? Please, give it a rest. It’s getting old. Tiffany shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Sandra immediately squeezed out a few tears, casting a helpless look at Kenneth.

Kenneth frowned deeply and snapped, “That’s enough, Tiffany! Don’t be so cruel. Sandra got in that accident trying to help you. How could you talk to her like that?”

Tiffany laughed so hard. The story of her kidnapping had spread, but Charlie, in an effort to protect the family’s reputation, hadn’t revealed that Stan was the one behind it. As a result, everyone assumed Sandra’s accident happened while she was rushing to save Tiffany.

Once Tiffany had her fill of laughter, she didn’t bother to explain. Instead, she crumpled up her test paper, tossed it across the room, and watched as it landed perfectly in the trash. Then, without another word, she walked out of the classroom.

On her way back to the dorm, Tiffany received a call from Caleb. The company was gradually getting back on its feet, and within a short time, Caleb had managed to land a small advertising gig. It was just a low-budget clothing ad for a minor brand, and the payment was meager.

However, this first contract after their comeback wasn’t about making money. It was about announcing their return, creating a buzz, and showing everyone that they were back with determination, ready to do even better than before.

But the road to recovery was anything but smooth. The second-rate model they hired for the ad demanded an outrageous fee and, sensing the company’s vulnerable position, began acting like a diva. Caleb had poured his heart and creativity into this project and wasn’t about to let it be ruined by a difficult model. So, the collaboration fell through.

As Tiffany listened to Caleb’s explanation, she frowned. “You want me to be the model!”

“Exactly!” Caleb replied. Hiring outside talent had proven costly and frustrating. But Tiffany was a different story-she was the boss, stunningly beautiful, and far superior to any of the self-important models they’d considered.

The only question was whether Tiffany would agree to step in.

Tiffany wasn’t exactly thrilled at the idea. But she understood that Caleb wouldn’t have called her unless he was out of options. Resigned, she nodded, “I’ll do it, but I won’t show my face

“Great!” Caleb exclaimed.

With the plan settled, Tiffany didn’t bother returning to the dorm. Instead, she slipped out of school, hailed a cab, and headed straight to the outdoor shoot location Caleb had arranged.

Chapter 36

When Tiffany arrived on set, she discovered that the clothing ad was for a newly launched vintage-inspired fashion line. The brand was so new and unknown that they had sought out Caleb’s budget-friendly ad agency to handle the campaign.

Caleb approached Tiffany with a charming smile, trying to stay on her good side. “Miss Kelley, shall I have the stylist start on your hair and wardrobe now?”

At this point, there was no turning back, so Tiffany let the stylists do their work. Tiffany’s natural beauty was striking event without makeup, but once she was fully made up, she looked nothing short of a goddess. The designer gave her a classic, vintage hairstyle that made her resemble a legendary film star from a bygone era, like someone who had stepped straight out of an old film poster.

When Tiffany emerged from the dressing room, everyone on se was stunned into silence. It was as if time had rewound, and they were in the presence of an iconic beauty from the past. Now, the crew finally understood why Caleb had insisted on having Tiffany as the model. Even Caleb himself hadn’t anticipated just how breathtaking Tiffany would look once she was fully styled.

The crew gathered around her, showering her with compliments, using every flattering word they could think of. They were completely unaware of Tiffany’s true identity: Caleb had kept it a secret, so even the agency’s employees had no idea that their stunning model was actually their boss..

Tiffany remained composed, despite all the attention she was getting. She calmly asked, “How are we shooting this?”

Caleb, known for his creative flair, had already devised a plan that would keep Tiffany’s identity hidden while still producing a stunning advertisement. He handed her a beautifully crafted deer mask and said, “We’ll shoot your face, but with this mask on, no one will recognize you.”

“That works,” Tiffany agreed, slipping the mask on without hesitation.

The mask was intricately designed, covering most of her face, leaving only her flawless chin and crimson lips visible. Although the crew initially felt a pang of disappointment seeing her beautiful face concealed, they quickly realized that the mask added an intriguing layer of mystery. It gave her an enigmatic allure that enhanced the overall vibe of the shoot. The photographers and lighting crew exchanged excited glances, unable to contain their enthusiasm as they began snapping away, capturing every moment.

Caleb watched the scene unfold, feeling a sense of relief and pride. His decision had been spot-on.

During the shoot, Tiffany donned several different outfits and personas: a red-clad femme fatale, a flamboyant showgirl, and a graceful socialite. With each transformation, she embodied the essence of the designs, perfectly aligning with the vision of the fashion brand.

After the shoot, Tiffany changed back into her regular clothes and returned to school. Meanwhile, Caleb took charge of overseeing the post-production process, meticulously reviewing and editing the footage. The final product, both the video and still images, was ready within a day. Caleb personally presented the finished ad to the client, confident that they had created something extraordinary.

The client named Robert Davis, along with a few friends, had established the vintage clothing studio,

Robert was initially skeptical about Caleb’s company. He had low expectations, simply hoping the final product would be acceptable. When Caleb first showed him the edited advertisement, Robert’s demeanor was indifferent; he didn’t expect

But as soon as Tiffany appeared on screen, Robert’s reaction shifted dramatically. His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open, speechless. The clothes, which were priced modestly, looked as if they belonged to a high-end couture collection thanked to Tiffany’s incredible presence.

Robert, visibly thrilled, turned to Caleb and said, “I didn’t make mistake in choosing you. I’m absolutely delighted! Mr. Foster, you’ll be handling the advertising from here on out, Dont worry, I’ll make sure you’re well-paid!”

“Glad to hear it,” Caleb responded with a smile.

Caleb took charge of the advertising campaign, opting for an online promotion strategy due to Robert’s limited budget. This method offered a broad reach and could attract customers to Robert’s store, while also boosting his own company’s profile.

That evening, Caleb invested some extra money to increase the ad’s exposure, and the results were impressive. By around. ten o’clock, the ad had already met Caleb’s expectations.

He breathed a sigh of relief and settled in to lull his daughter to sleep.

The next morning, when he checked the data, Caleb was stunned. The ad’s popularity had far exceeded his predictions; it had become a trending topic.

He clicked through the comments and found them overflowing with praise.

Caleb’s heart raced with excitement. He had indeed paid for some initial hype, but nothing that could have brought about this kind of buzz. Clearly, Tiffany’s charm and the ad’s quality had sparked a viral sensation, spreading rapidly as people shared it with those they knew.

Caleb couldn’t help but feel that Tiffany was his lucky star.

At that moment, Tiffany was hunched over her desk, feverishly working on her test problems. She had been caught sneaking out of school the previous afternoon and was now enduring this punishment as a result.

As her classmates began to frolic and chat after class, Tiffany remained stoic, her pen scratching away with unrelenting focus.

Suddenly, Ged burst into the room, waving his phone with theatrical excitement. “Hey, hey, everyone! Want to see something interesting?”

One of the boys called out, “I only care about seeing pretty girls. Everything else doesn’t matter!”

Ged’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You’re in for a treat!” he declared, his voice dripping with intrigue. “What I’m showing you isn’t just any pretty girl-it’s a goddess!”

A wave of laughter erupted from the crowd. They joked that Ged must have been a little off after his recent public striptease and was now spouting nonsense.

Determined to prove them wrong, Ged quickly connected his phone to the projector and displayed the video he had watched countless times the night before.

As the familiar tune began to play, Tiffany felt a chill run down her spine. She looked up and, to her dismay, saw her own promotional video playing on the screen.

 

Chapter 37

As the video played, the boys in the class were visibly awestruck. They watched, slack-jawed, clearly impressed. The only thing that left them wanting more was seeing her face.

When the video ended, Ged beamed with satisfaction. “See? I told you. Never doubt my taste.”

While the boys were captivated, the girls had a very different reaction. One girl scoffed. “Once she takes off that mask, she’s probably just a plain Jane.”

“I bet she’s not much to look at. Otherwise, why would she be hiding behind a mask?” another girl chimed in.

“Exactly, she must look awful the other girls agreed, nodding in unison.

Ged, enraged by their comments, snapped, “Shut up, you bunch of haters! Even if she didn’t have a face, she’d still be more enchanting than any of you! I know why you’re putting her down-you’re all just jealous!”

The girls, incensed by Ged’s outburst, began shouting back at him, and a few even threatened to throw punches.

Tiffany couldn’t help but twitch at the scene. She never imagined Ged would actually stand up for her.

If Ged knew that the girl in the video is me, I wonder how he’d react, Tiffany mused, a grin spreading across her face. “He’d probably be so shocked he’d pass out

Tiffany’s laughter drew everyone’s attention. Ged walked over to her desk and said, “Tiffany, you’re a beautiful girl, and I know you’re not the type to be jealous like the others. Tell me, do you think the girl in the video is beautiful?”

Tiffany was caught off guard by the question and struggled to keep a straight face. She nodded and said, “Of course she’s beautiful. She’s the most beautiful woman in the world!”

Ged grinned with satisfaction. “Well, well, well, you’re a cool girl All right, from now on, I won’t give you any more trouble. Tiffany wasn’t pleased. She thought, ‘For God’s sake, does he think I’m just agreeing with him to flatter him? Looks like I need to teach him a lesson again.

As the day’s classes wrapped up, Tiffany headed back to her dorm. She received a call from Caleb, who reported that the initial results of the ad were promising. Now, it was a matter of whether the clothing sales would follow suit.

Tiffany asked Caleb to keep her identity under wraps and then ended the call.

Tomorrow was Saturday, and she had to attend her brother’s hacker competition. She packed her bag and left the school. Charlie and his wife, feeling guilty, had been taking care of Sandra, sometimes to the point of neglecting Tiffany

As Tiffany left the school, the car that was supposed to pick her up was already on its way to the hospital with Sandra for wound check, promising to return for her later.

Tiffany was about to hail a cab when a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up right in front of her. The window slid down. revealing Richard’s face.

“Get in, Richard said with his usual cold demeanor.

Having become accustomed to Richard through their previous encounters. Tiffany no longer felt the need to be cautious. Without hesitation, she got into the car.

It was only after she settled into the backseat that she realized Sidney was behind the wheel.

“Hi there,” Sidney said with a broad smile, waving at Tiffany. “Fancy seeing you again.”

“It’s been a while, Tiffany replied with a polite nod.

But Tiffany couldn’t shake the feeling that Sidney’s gaze toward her and Richard seemed oddly intimate, like they were a couple.

Unbeknownst to Tiffany, it was actually Sidney’s doing that had led her to run into Richard at the school gate. Five minutes earlier, Richard and Sidney had been driving nearby. Sidney had playfully suggested, “We’re close to Tiffany’s school. Should we drop by?”

What had started as a casual joke took an unexpected turn when Richard, pausing in his paperwork, simply replied, “Sure.”

Sidney, surprised, couldn’t resist asking, “And that necklace suddenly appearing around your neck-don’t tell me it’s a gift from that girl?”

Richard shot him a sideways glance and said. “That’s none of your business.”

Though Richard didn’t directly confirm it, Sidney, knowing Richard well, understood he’d guessed correctly.

That was why Sidney now looked at Tiffany with a mix of admiration and curiosity. After all, a woman who could capture Richard’s interest was a rare and intriguing find.

Tiffany shifted uncomfortably under Sidney’s gaze, moving slightly away from Richard to avoid any potential misunderstandings. This subtle shift seemed to irritate Richard

Richard threw a chilly glance at Sidney, who immediately recoiled, focusing intently on driving and falling silent.

Tiffany tried to lighten the mood. “So, what are you two doing around here?”

“Just passing through,” Richard said without a hint of emotion. He then added, “Are you free tomorrow? I need a favor.” “Tomorrow?” Tiffany hesitated, remembering she had promised Eric she’d go with him to the hacker competition.

Richard, sensing her hesitation, spoke again. “The day after works too.”

“Okay!” Tiffany agreed, then suddenly realized she hadn’t asked the crucial question. “What do you need help with?”

“You’ll find out the day after, Richard replied, his dark eyes holding a mysterious depth.

Sidney, observing the interaction, couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. I thought Richard was clueless about asking girls out, but it turns out he’s pretty sharp, Sidney thought.

Chapter 38

Sidney slyly winked at Richard, silently complimenting his clating skills, but Tiffany misunderstood the gesture. She thought Sidney was flirting with Richard, confirming her suspicion that the two of them must be a couple. That would explain why Richard always seemed so uninterested in the women who pursued him.

“Mr. Pauley, are you going to hang out with us the day after tomorrow?” Tiffany asked cautiously, worried that Sidney might get the wrong idea if she and Richard met up alone.

Before Sidney could respond, Richard cut in, “He’s busy”

In truth, Sidney had plenty of free time, but he didn’t dare contradict Richard. Instead, he just smiled and said, “Yeah, I have to check on the progress at Maple Mountain. I’ll be there all day

Tiffany nodded and didn’t press further.

Soon, the car pulled up in front of Cedar Ridge Villa. Tiffany got out and walked back inside. As soon as she stepped through the door, the aroma of freshly cooked food hit her. A nearby maid approached, taking Tiffany’s backpack from her. “Miss Kelley, your mother is in the kitchen.”

Tiffany headed toward the kitchen and saw Thalia carefully simmering a pot of soup, clearly meant for Sandra. It struck Tiffany that Thalia seemed more like Sandra’s mother than her own. With a slight frown of displeasure, Tiffany said nothing and went straight upstairs to her room.

After Sandra returned from the hospital, Thalia doted on her, making sure she had the best of everything. Sandra was pleased with the attention, but her inability to seduce Kenneth due to her injury left her feeling frustrated. Lately, she noticed Kenneth seemed distracted when they were together, and a sense of urgency gripped her. She knew she had to act

fast

That evening, as Sandra was pondering how to get her hands on a certain drug, her phone rang-it was Selena

“Sandra, your father is such a b**rd! He’s actually asking for a divorce!” Selena cried.

Ever since Selena found out about Stan’s affair, she’d been demanding money from him almost daily. But instead of getting what she wanted, she and Stan had been thrown out by Charlie.

By now, Sandra had pieced together the situation and tried to calm her mother down. “Mom, stop pushing. I really don’t think Dad has any money. If he did, why would he resort to kidnapping Tiffany? That was such a risky move-it nearly destroyed our whole family.”

If Sandra hadn’t secretly orchestrated the car accident, she too might have been kicked out of the Kelley family by now.

Selena sobbed. “If it weren’t for those s**ts he’s been messing around with, would the money be gone?”

Sandra tried soothe her again. “Mom, we’re not out of options yet. From now on, you both need to follow my lead. I promise, it long before you’re back in this mansion-and this time, this mansion will belong to yourlivo!”

won’t

“Alright, alright, we’ll do whatever you say.”

“Now, here’s the plan… Sandra began to lay out her scheme to Selena, and they talked for over an hour,

The next morning, Tiffany kept her promise and went with Eric to the hacker competition. Although she wasn’t particularly Interested in the event, she pretended to be excited and happy for Eric’s sake.

To her surprise, they hit a massive traffic jam halfway there. David Miller, the chauffeur, sighed and said, “There’s a funeral procession up ahead, blocking the road. We should take a different route.”

“Alright” Tiffany nodded.

As the car turned around. Tiffany glanced out the window. Suddenly, a memory that had been buried in her mind came rushing back, and her face turned pale.

I just remembered why Sidney always seemed so familiar to me Before I traveled back in time, the first time I saw Sidney was at his funeral, Tiffany thought, her heart pounding. He was at Maple Mountain, surveying the area for development, when he was caught in a landslide and died on the spot!

Sidney was the sole heir of the Pauley family, and his untimely death had led to the family’s complete downfall Back then, all the elite families attended Sidney’s funeral, and Tiffany remembered seeing his enlarged photograph there. She had felt a sense of pity at the time, but hadn’t given it much thought.

But now, after traveling back in time, she had met Sidney while he was still alive, all because of her connection with Richard.

“What’s wrong. Tiffany?” Eric asked, his voice filled with concern

“Eric, something really important has come up, and I need to leave right away. David will drive you home, okay?” Tiffany said, her voice trembling with urgency.

She quickly instructed David to pull over, reassured Eric with a few comforting words, and then hurriedly got out of the car. Without Sidney’s contact information, Tiffany had no choice but to hail a cab and head straight to Royal Tower to find Richard

During the ride, she frantically tried calling Richard several times, but each attempt ended in voicemail. Fortunately, it only took her ten minutes to reach Royal Tower

The entire area was dominated by the Hampton family, and their company’s skyscraper towered imposingly, a testament to the family’s immense wealth and power,

Tiffany rushed toward the entrance, but was stopped by the receptionist at the front desk.

“Who are you here to see? If you don’t have an appointment, I’m afraid you can’t enter,” the receptionist said politely but firmly.

Tiffany bit her lip, considering whether she should force her way in Just as she was weighing her options, the doors to the executive elevator slid open, and Richard stepped out.

Without hesitation, Tiffany ran over to him, grabbing his sleeve urgently. “Call Sidney right now! Find out where he is and tell him not to go to Maple Mountain today!”

Chapter 39

There was a momentary silence.

All the employees on the first floor of the Royal Tower were stunned, with dozens of eyes focused on Tiffany’s delicate hand clutching Richard’s suit.

This is over. Mr. Hampton is impervious to women and is an extreme clean freak, detesting being touched by others. What this audacious girl is about to face next is likely the scorching wrath of him and the humiliation of being publicly thrown out by security. A flicker of sympathy silently crossed everyone’s hearts.

But the next second, instead of getting angry, the usually stern Richard unexpectedly held her hand and then led her out of the company with long strides.

The news at Royal Tower had exploded that day with the topic of discussion “the ever-cold big boss in love finally.”

Inside the car, Tiffany looked at Richard’s stern face, her heart pounding. She had just mentioned that a severe landslide would occur near Maple Mountain. The statement was delivered with absolute certainty.

When asked for a reason, Tiffany simply replied, “I had a dream, and everything in it will come true, so….”

The excuse was likely to earn her a rebuke for being out of her mind. But she had no better choice.

If she were to claim that she had died once before, she might not be in Richard’s car right now but rather in a mental institution.

Richard glanced at her, noticing her tense yet earnest expression. He furrowed his brow, then dialed Sidney’s number, which signified his trust.

Tiffany let out a sigh of relief.

However, the phone call went unanswered.

“He left alone quite early. If what you’re saying is true, then… it might be too late by now.” With that, Richard patted the stunned Tiffany. “Fasten your seatbelt.”

Tiffany snapped back to reality and quickly fastened her seatbelt

The car sped off.

Maple Mountain was located beyond the outskirts of Lovell City Although far away, its picturesque landscape led to its early planning for development as a vacation destination.

This project was originally secured by the Hampton family but later transferred to the Pauley family.

Tiffany still remembered before she time traveled, the death of Sidney had led to a lot of criticism against Richard, with even rumors suggesting that he was responsible for Sidney’s death.

Given their close relationship, it must have been difficult for Richard to bear the loss of Sidney.

With this thought, Tiffany turned her head and quietly glanced at Richard, who was driving with intense focus, his cold and handsome face showing no signs of worry, yet the tense atmosphere and increasingly fast speed of the car spoke volumes.

“Richard, relax, Tiffany gently said. “We can make it on time. We definitely will.”

Before she time traveled, the events had already occurred with no possibility of change. But in this life, she was the variable.

Meanwhile, on the only road leading to Maple Mountain. Sidney was halfway through his drive when he was stumped.

He was driving a sports car, which was sleek and roaring all the way. But on this bumpy mountain road, it was practically suicide

Soon, the car’s undercarriage was firmly stuck. Sidney got out, rubbing his temples in distress.

He wanted to call for help, only to find that his phone had completely lost signal since entering the forest. And it was the rainy season, with torrential rain pouring down without any warning

Sidney had no choice but to get into the car.

After about ten minutes, a small passenger bus heading toward Maple Mountain approached.

Having no choice, Sidney flagged down the bus and got on.

The driver shouted, “Two dollars per person. Pay first.”

Sidney fumbled in his wallet, found no small change, and casually handed over a one-hundred-dollar hote.

His generosity and expensive attire clearly marked him as a rich kid from a wealthy family, especially the sports car parked by the roadside, which was likely worth a lot.

The men on the bus exchanged glances, each seeing the glint of greed in the other’s eyes as if they had a fat target in their sights

Zoe was having a particularly unlucky day. Having rescued a classmate from trouble a few days ago, she ended up being kidnapped herself and finally to be saved by Tiffany.

Upon returning to school, Zoe confronted the classmate, asking why the classmate had stayed silent despite knowing she had been missing for two days

The classmate replied with a callous “You deserved it….”

Enraged by the heart-wrenching attitude, Zoe punched the classmate brutally. And then she got expelled.

She didn’t dare tell her family and continued to leave the house as if going to school, only to wander aimlessly afterward.

She got on this bus thinking that a round trip would help kill time.

‘How unlucky can I be!’ As Zoe thought about it, she became more and more upset, her eyes turning red.

Then she heard a gentle voice above her head. “Can I sit here?”

“Sure,” she replied with a sob, and when she looked up, she was stunned, wondering. There’s actually such a hottie in the mountain?”

Sitting down, Sidney experienced his first ride on a bus, which was nothing but torture.

The air was thick and murky, punctuated by occasional coughs and spitting. In the back, someone had apparently taken off their shoes, and the foul odor wafted relentlessly through the cramped space, turning Sidney’s brows to frown tightly.

After three stops, Sidney decided he couldn’t take it anymore and disembarked.

Just as he reached the door, five or so burly men surrounded him smirking insincerely. “Want to get off? Sure, just leave all your money behind and you can scram.”

The leather wallet that Sidney exposed when getting onto the bus was filled with quite a few bills.

“Am 1 being robbed?’ Sidney sneered, still maintaining an air of refinement, but his words carried the arrogance befitting the heir of the Pauley family. “Step aside and you might avoid a beating. Or you can try me.”

Zoe blinked her eyes, praising inwardly, “That’s kind of cool!

After a moment’s thought, she quickly took out a bottle of pepper spray from her bag.

If these people were intent on robbing, then the other passengers on the bus were bound to be in trouble as well, including her

The robbers sneered upon hearing this and charged at Sidney.

Sidney, who had long been training as a punching bag behind Richard, could certainly handle them.

With a swift move, he knocked one down after another; in just a few blinks of an eye, the men who had been so fierce were all moaning in pain on the ground.

“Scram!” Sidney kicked them, and the men were so terrified that they scrambled out of the vehicle, crawling out in a panic.

At that moment, the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes. Everyone on the bus was caught off guard and flung forward violently.

Zoe and Sidney were the quickest to react, immediately grabbing the handrails and seats to avoid injury,

“What’s going on?”

Someone with a bloodied face shouted, “Can you even drive?”

The driver let out a sigh. “A landslide up ahead has blocked the road; we can’t get through!”

Looking up, they saw several rocks had fallen just ahead, and with a large amount of mud sliding down, the road was completely blocked.

Seeing this, Zoe instinctively looked toward the left mountain, and suddenly her expression changed dramatically, shouting

“Run! Run!”

 

Chapter 40

Sidney glanced at the mountain in front of them. The soil, softened by the heavy rain, seemed likely to collapse at any moment.

He immediately shouted. “Get out of the car and run into the fields, now!”

However, after making the rounds, only he and the young girl in front of him seemed to be alarmed. The others remained unmoved.

“Isn’t this normal? It happens every rainy season, The young people nowadays have been spoiled, getting worked up over small incidents, someone commented.

Faint snickers even echoed.

Zoe’s fiery temper was about to

should I get worked up over ide, and she was ready to run off herself. If they didn’t care about their own lives, why

Seeing this, Sidney raised an eyebrow and snatched the bag of the person closest to him, then pulled Zoe off the bus and dashed away.

The man whose bag was snatched was stunned and instantly enraged. “Get them. Get them!”

All of the passengers knew each other. Seeing this, they all gave chase.

As Zoe was pulled along by Sidney, she couldn’t help but praise, That’s an impressive move.”

A soft chuckle left Sidney as he replied, “Watch your step. Don’t get distracted.”

They ran far away together.

Only when both parties were gasping for breath did Sidney stop and toss the bag aside.

The man stepped forward to pick it up. Counting on the crowd to back him up, he was even about to get physical, but with a thunderous boom, countless rocks cascaded down from the hill behind him, accompanied by a torrent of mud surging forth.

The bus was instantly buried

Everyone’s faces turned deathly pale. What a narrow escape. Had it not been for our lucky escape, we might all be dead on that bus now..” they thought

Thinking of this, they looked at Sidney and Zoe with a mix of guilt and gratitude. “Sorry”

“Hmpli” Zoe pouted. She ignored them and turned directly to Sidney, asking. “Ar you coming with me? I know the way out of here.”

“Sure” Sidney didn’t hesitate and followed Zoe as they left. The passengers were obviously locals and didn’t need to be worried about.

Fortunately, the mountain path was bordered by fields, and aside from the sprouting crops they trampled on, it was relatively safe for now.

However, given this trend, it was uncertain whether the landslide would evolve into a mudflow…

To ensure safety, they needed to contact the outside to evacuate people in the vicinity, and they had to leave as well. Although Zoe wasn’t a local folk of Maple Mountain, she had visited it many times and was fairly familiar with the routes.

“My name is Zoe Stevem, what about you?”

“Sidney Pauley

“The rain is too heavy. We need to find a shelter.”

As the dark clouds rolled in and the thunderstorm raged, Zoe and Sidney were both drenched to the bone, trapped in a place with no village in sight, their phones still having no service.

“Aren’t you supposed to know the way?” Sidney chuckled, teasing “I only followed you because you seemed so familiar with the route. Don’t tell me you’re lost now too?”

“…” Zoe admitted she was a bit boastful earlier, muttering. “Every road here looks the same…. I clearly remember visiting this place before, but as we walked, things just didn’t feel right…”

She scratched her head, pacing anxiously. “Sorry, should we turn back?”

Turning back now would be pointless. Sidney let out a sigh. “Follow me.”

Fortunately, it wasn’t night yet, the dim light was manageable, but the relentless downpour was unbearable-they would only get colder and more exhausting, leading to sickness sooner or later.

After walking for quite a while, they finally spotted a dilapidated building up ahead.

“Let’s go there to take shelter, Sidney said.

The small building seemed long abandoned, with no door and piles of wood and rusty farming tools inside.

As soon as she entered, Zoe was choked into a series of sneezes.

Sidney wasn’t faring much better, but being a man of poise, he endured the dust and filth to roughly clean the place, making it barely habitable.

Zoe was soaked through, and with a gust of wind, she shivered from the cold.

Sidney pulled out a lighter from his wallet, fiddled with the wood for a while, and finally managed to start a fire. Then, turning away, he said, “Take off your clothes and dry them by the fire.”

Zoe was stunned

Alone in a room with a man was already awkward enough, and now I had to take off the wet clothes to dry? What if he had ill intentions towards me? After considering her options, she clutched the pepper spray by her side, hesitated for a moment, and then began to undress slowly.

Apart from the howling wind and distant thunderclaps, there was the faint rustling of clothes. As a gentleman, Sidney harbored no dirty thoughts, his back at her throughout

Zoe gradually relaxed.

Just then, a piece of wood burning fiercely crackled, and a spark leaped out, landing right on Zoe’s hand and causing her to scream in pain instantly.

“What happened? Sidney was startled, turning around instinctively, only to see the girl by the fire with her beauty partially revealed.

The small building fell silent for three seconds.

Then Zoe let out a sharp scream, grabbed the pepper spray beside her, and roared, “You scoundrel!”

With a press of the pepper spray, she meant to teach Sidney a lesson, but she didn’t realize the nozzle was pointed right at herself. The moment she pressed it, she was stunned.

“Ah! Help!” She burst into tears, rolling on the ground in pain, her eyes unable to open. Streams of tears flowed incessantly.

Sidney felt like laughing, wondering, “How could there be such a silly girl?”

But the pepper spray was no joke; it could really harm her eyes.

So he didn’t care much and rushed forward, pulling off his wet clothes to hold down the struggling Zoe, saying, “Don’t move, I’ll wipe you down!”

Zoe was in pain but had no choice but to let Sidney help.

After Sidney wiped her eyes for a while, Zoe could barely open her eyes.

Her face was red from the spray, and her eyes were red like a rabbit’s,

She sat there hugging her knees, silent, pitiful, and helpless.

Sidney rubbed his nose, momentarily speechless over the awkwardness, and after a while, coughed softly. “Well, actually, I’m a doctor, so So he couldn’t entertain any other thoughts.

But when Zoe, all ruffled, heard this, her swollen red eyes glared at him, her face filled with shame and indignation. “I command you to forget it. Why are you bringing it up again?”

Sidney immediately surrendered, delivering a clumsy performance. “Hey, it seems like I’ve lost my memory. remember anything at all!”

Zoe shot him a resentful glare, her anger subsiding.

I can’t

It was because of this episode that the initial formality between the two strangers who had just met disappeared, reducing the distance and adding a few degrees of familiarity.

At the same moment, Tiffany and Richard found themselves stuck on a small road 10 miles away from Maple Mountain, aa terrifying landslide had completely blocked the entire path.