No matter what, Sandra was still Charlie's niece nominally. He therefore acted generously, preparing a dowry of $150,000 in cash and several pieces of expensive jewelry.

However, when Tiffany came downstairs and saw the dowry, she intercepted it. She wouldn't waste even a few dozen yuan on Sandra, let alone $150,000.

While Tiffany was nearly tortured to death in prison, Sandra, glamorously dressed, informed her that the Kelley family villa was on fire and Thalia was dead. She even claimed the fire was a "gift."

Upon Tiffany's release from prison, she found only ruins and Thalia's tombstone. Even her younger brother, Eric, a bright child, had been drugged by Sandra into a state of imbecility, lost to the world.

Before Tiffany could even search for her brother, Sandra's men kidnapped her to the suburbs. The agony of her shattered bones and the suffocating sensation of sludge filling her mouth and nose remained vividly in her memory.

How could she possibly prepare a dowry for Sandra?

Tiffany said casually, "Put it back. Don't give her anything." The Kelley family owed Sandra nothing; they had sacrificed greatly, only to be repaid with such treachery. This ingrate deserved nothing!

Seeing this, Charlie assumed Tiffany was still angry about past events and attempted reconciliation. "Tiffany, we're family. Forgive your uncle and aunt. Let's forget the past. Once we give Sandra this dowry, we'll have nothing more to do with her."

He tried to persuade her without causing dissatisfaction. "Of course, my precious daughter's dowry will be far better!"

"Dad, it's not about the money," Tiffany replied, feeling helpless. In her past life, she'd been foolish and stubborn, but her father could also be quite troublesome.

His greatest strength—loyalty and righteousness—was also his greatest flaw. He repeatedly trusted Stan's family, overlooking their numerous mistakes as long as they offered a superficial apology.

Wasn't this absurd? Every action has a consequence. Yet, the Kelley family seemed unable to escape the cycle of repaying kindness with disaster, ultimately leading to their destruction.

Tiffany smiled coldly. She had been foolish; she wouldn't repeat the same mistakes.

"Dad, it's too early to send the dowry. We don't know if there will be trouble at the wedding." Tiffany smiled meaningfully. "How about this? If nothing happens tonight, I'll agree to sending it. What do you think?"

Anyone else might be accused of being a jinx—Sandra's wedding, and Tiffany predicting misfortune. But Charlie was different; he was a fiercely protective father. And Sandra was different; this reckless woman might indeed sabotage her own wedding.

Sensing her implication, Charlie asked, "What will she do? Something against you?" "I don't know," Tiffany shrugged.

She knew Sandra too well. Sandra possessed a strong sense of revenge and jealousy. Even with the security of her marriage to the Booth family, her greed and scheming would likely cause trouble. Vigilance was necessary.

After a moment's hesitation, Charlie nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you. But don't wander off at the wedding tonight. Stay with us." His eyes sharpened. "Let's see who dares approach my daughter!"

"Okay," Tiffany replied, a warm feeling settling in her heart.

The wedding banquet was at night. Given the Booth family's relatively low status in Lovell City, invitations were sent to many wealthy families, but few attended. Romeo's birthday banquet had boasted cars worth over a million dollars; this wedding lacked such extravagance. Many simply deemed attending beneath them.

At 7 p.m., Kenneth Harper arrived in a single luxury car. His driver noted the sparse attendance, commenting on Kenneth's condescension in attending such a modest wedding.

Kenneth simply stated he was collecting a guest, Melody. A silver Rolls-Royce then arrived, carrying Mr. and Mrs. Kelley. Kenneth greeted them politely, acknowledging their past connection but maintaining a necessary distance. Their previous engagement was broken off months earlier, contingent on Tiffany and Kenneth's lack of feelings. The only complication was Romeo's continued insistence on Tiffany. Kenneth, committed to Melody, was working to secure his family's acceptance. As Kenneth prepared to leave, Tiffany emerged from the car, her beauty striking Kenneth speechless.

(The final paragraphs were removed as they were a repetition of earlier text.)