Chapter 249

Oxygen was gradually being drained from Thea. Before her, Amelia's face was hideously distorted.

Amelia said, "Thea, you didn't expect to die at the hands of someone you never cared about, did you? Even your boyfriend, whom you loved for seven years, was taken from you by me. This is your retribution for causing my mother's death!"

The suffocation brought a flood of fragmented memories, but nothing about Amelia's mother. Thea's face was red. She could only gasp, "I've never even met your mother. How could I harm her? Did I kill her with my mind?"

Thea's genuine doubt seemed to unsettle Amelia. Her grip loosened slightly. "You don't remember at all? That's true. Why would someone as arrogant as you care about a lowly person? You didn't kill my mother, but she died because of you!" This was the most painful period of Amelia's life.

Amelia continued, "Because I offended you at school, the Rowland family sent someone to destroy my mother's food truck. They even accidentally pushed her to the ground!"

Amelia would never forget the horrifying sight of her mother's blood that night. Therefore, she changed her appearance and infiltrated Thea's life for revenge. Her only wish was to destroy Thea, then return to her own life.

A chill ran down Thea's spine. "Are you sure? Haven't you seen how the Rowland family has treated me? How could they avenge me?"

Thea sneered. "Amelia, your elaborate charade proves you're not an idiot. Use your brain—is someone sowing discord between us?"

The Rowland family had abandoned Thea since Emmalie's return. When Thea was attacked in high school, they didn't seek justice; they simply wanted to banish her to avoid damaging their reputation. She was expendable.

Thea asked, "Besides, do you think the Rowland family could kill someone and escape accountability?" They'd been declining for years, becoming mere sidekicks to the Hendrix family after Thea and Jake's relationship began. This entire situation was suspicious.

Amelia was stunned. For years, her hatred for Thea had led her to kill her own baby to ruin Thea's reputation. Now, Thea suggested she'd hated the wrong person.

Chapter 249 (continued)

After regaining her composure, Amelia said gloomily, "Don't try to deceive me. You're stalling for Nicolas, aren't you? I won't give you that chance." She wanted Thea to die a slow, painful death.

Amelia returned to the driver's seat. Silvercreek wasn't near the sea, but the Polo River ran through the city. Amelia said, "My mother grew up drinking this river's water. Today, you die here in her memory."

Amelia was strong; Thea, with her hands bound, couldn't resist. Amelia repeatedly dunked Thea's head into the icy river. Water soaked Thea's clothes; each time Amelia lifted her, the suffocating feeling would return before she was plunged back underwater.

"Thea, always so arrogant, now so pitiful" Amelia sneered. "Beg me. I might grant you a quick death if I'm in a good mood." She planned to break Thea's back before killing her.

But Thea never begged. Mist filled her vision; her lungs burned, but she smiled. "Beg you? Kill me quickly. You won't get a better chance. Or are you afraid? Afraid Nicolas will avenge me, afraid what I said is true? You've hated me for years, sacrificed everything, only to hate the wrong person." Each word was a knife to Amelia's heart.

Amelia gritted her teeth, holding Thea underwater for a long time. "Thea, killing you is my life's greatest wish! Now, die."

She gave Thea no chance to breathe. Underwater, Thea's survival instincts fought for air, but water filled her nose. This was the closest she'd come to death. Many scenes flashed before her eyes, finally settling on Nicolas's cold face. Would he care? Would he mourn? Or would he continue his life with Stephanie and Oliver?

She felt death approaching when she heard a voice, "Thea! Madelyn. Let her go!"

Chapter 249 (continued)

Nicolas had never been so hysterical. Amelia's hands trembled under his powerful aura. She loosened her grip, and Thea fell into the river.

Waves crashed over Thea. Amelia said, "Mr. Hendrix, you asked me to let go"

Nicolas ignored her. His eyes bloodshot, he plunged into the river, focused solely on Thea.

The current was swift. He struggled toward Thea's floating form, unable to reach her. Silvercreek was high altitude; Amelia had chosen this spot deliberately. Thirty feet from where she pushed Thea was a cliff. She intended to ensure Thea's death, but she hadn't anticipated Nicolas's desperate, life-risking intervention. Amelia collapsed, dazed, imagining her tragic future, praying Nicolas could save Thea. If Nicolas died, the Hendrix family would ensure her demise.